Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) serves Bangalore (Bengaluru), India's technology capital and third-largest city. Located 40 km north of the city center in Devanahalli, it's one of India's busiest airports and a major hub for tech industry travelers.

The airport has two terminals:

• Terminal 1: Domestic and some international
• Terminal 2: International and domestic (opened 2022)

Terminal 2 is a modern, world-class facility designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Key airlines: IndiGo (largest), Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, Akasa Air, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, and numerous international carriers.

BLR is far from central Bangalore:

• To MG Road/Central Bangalore: 40 km, 60-120 minutes
• To Koramangala: 45 km, 70-130 minutes
• To Whitefield: 45 km, 60-100 minutes
• To Electronic City: 55 km, 80-140 minutes

Bangalore traffic is infamous. The metro extension (opening soon) will significantly improve access.

Uber and Ola operate at BLR—pickup from designated areas outside terminals.

• To MG Road: ₹900-1,400 (~$11-17 USD)
• To Koramangala: ₹1,000-1,500
• To Whitefield: ₹800-1,200

Prepaid taxis available from counters in arrivals:

• Fixed rates, reliable
• Meru and other operators

Important: Bangalore traffic can double journey times during rush hour (08:00-11:00, 17:00-21:00).

BMTC Vayu Vajra (Airport Bus)

Vayu Vajra (airport express buses) connect to various parts of Bangalore:

• Routes: Multiple routes to different areas (KBS-7, KBS-8, etc.)
• Key routes:
  • KBS-8: Airport → MG Road → Majestic (central)
  • KBS-6: Airport → Whitefield
  • KBS-9: Airport → Electronic City
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Journey time: 90-150 minutes depending on traffic and destination
• Cost: ₹250-350 (~$3-4)
• Hours: 04:00-23:00

Metro (Coming Soon)

Namma Metro Blue Line Extension to the airport is expected to open in 2024-2025:

• Will connect to existing metro network
• Expected journey time: 45-60 minutes to central Bangalore
• Check current status at bengaluruairport.com

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Multi-level (T1)	₹400/day	Covered, near terminal
Multi-level (T2)	₹500/day	New facility
Long Stay	₹250/day	Shuttle service

Book online for discounts on long stays.

BLR has excellent dining options, especially in Terminal 2:

Terminal 2 (Airside):

• By the Mekong: Thai/Southeast Asian
• Boca Grande: Mexican
• Jamie's Pizzeria: Italian
• Punjab Grill: North Indian
• Starbucks, Costa
• Koshy's: Bangalore institution

Terminal 1 (Airside):

• MTR: Famous Bangalore South Indian chain
• Various food options

Try: MTR for authentic Bangalore-style dosas and filter coffee.

Network: BLR Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free (30 minutes), then paid tiers
• Speed: Good
• Register via mobile number

SIM cards available from:

• Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea counters in arrivals
• Prices: ₹200-500 (~$2.50-6) for tourist SIM with data

Activation can take 4-24 hours; passport and photo required.

ATMs available throughout:

• Both terminals
• Multiple banks: HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis

Currency: Indian Rupee (₹). Approximately ₹83 = 1 USD.

Currency exchange: Available in arrivals. ATMs typically offer better rates.

Terminal 2 (Airside):

• World-class duty-free: Electronics, perfumes, alcohol, fashion
• Indian handicrafts: Silk, sandalwood, spices
• High-end retail: More like a mall than an airport
• WHSmith, Relay

Terminal 1:

• Standard duty-free
• Local products

Best buys: Mysore silk, sandalwood products, South Indian coffee.

Encalm Lounge (T2)

• Location: Terminal 2 international
• Access: Priority Pass, credit cards, or ₹2,000 (~$24) walk-in
• Amenities: Excellent food, showers, spa services, sleeping pods
• Hours: 24 hours
• One of India's best airport lounges

Plaza Premium Lounge (T1)

• Location: Terminal 1
• Access: Priority Pass, various cards
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi, showers

Air India Maharaja Lounge

• Access: Air India Business, Star Alliance Gold

TFS Lounge

• Location: Terminal 1 domestic
• Access: Priority Pass, credit cards

Airport hotels are on-site or nearby in Devanahalli:

Bangalore (Bengaluru) is India's tech hub, known for pleasant weather, craft beer, and a thriving startup culture:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Lalbagh Botanical Garden: 90 min—beautiful 240-acre garden, Glass House
• Bangalore Palace: 70 min—Tudor-style palace, maintained gardens
• Cubbon Park: 75 min—green oasis in central Bangalore
• Vidhana Soudha: 75 min—impressive state legislature building
• Commercial Street: 70 min—shopping, street food
• Church Street/Brigade Road: 70 min—restaurants, nightlife

Day trips from Bangalore:

• Nandi Hills: 60 min—sunrise viewpoint, historic fort
• Mysore: 3 hours—palace, markets, traditional Karnataka
• Hampi: 6 hours—UNESCO World Heritage ruins
• Coorg (Kodagu): 5 hours—coffee plantations, hills, nature

Bangalore food & drink:

• Dosa varieties: Masala, set, rava—Bangalore's breakfast staple
• Bisi bele bath: Spicy rice and lentil dish
• Mangalorean cuisine: Coastal Karnataka seafood
• Bangalore's craft beer scene: Toit, Arbor, Windmills—India's craft beer capital
• Filter coffee: Strong, frothy, served in steel tumbler

Local tips:

• Weather: Bangalore has India's most pleasant climate—20-30°C year-round
• Traffic: Notoriously bad; plan extra time for everything
• IT hubs: Whitefield and Electronic City are corporate areas, not tourist zones
• Koramangala and Indiranagar: Best neighborhoods for restaurants and nightlife
• Craft beer: Bangalore has India's best brewpub scene
• UB City Mall: Luxury shopping and dining
• Book accommodations in MG Road/Indiranagar/Koramangala for central access
• Sunday: Surprisingly good day—less traffic, city feels relaxed
• Bangalore is cosmopolitan—more liberal dress code than other Indian cities