Best Time to Visit

As Bangalore enjoys a moderate climate, the city can be visited at any time throughout the year. The season between June and September is characterised by monsoons, ranging from mild to heavy rainfall, whereas the winter months between October and February attract most tourists thanks to their mild temperatures, which are best enjoyed through the vibrant street life and beautiful nature.

Passport / Visa

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document with a valid visa. A visa is required for most nationalities, with the exception of Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives (if not arriving from mainland China). The visa has to be requested through an online application, and the instruction for filling in the application and for scheduling appointments can be seen at the visa department's website. Be aware that a visa can only be acquired via this online application, and without any intermediary – do not follow agents who claim speedy/express grant of e-Visa.

• Web:

  www.indianvisaonline.gov.in

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)

Bangalore International Airport is located 44 kilometres north of Bangalore and it is well connected to the city centre. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation has in fact twelve bus routes with buses running every 15 minutes to and from the airport as the most convenient way to come and go here. Air Conditioned Taxi services to the airport are also available, and share taxis operated by Airlift are located just outside the terminal building next to the bus stand.

• Web:

  www.bengaluruairport.com

• Address:

  Bangalore International Airport, Bangalore

• Phone:

  +91 80 2201 2001

Public Transport

Bangalore has an extensive public transport system with frequent services: ordinary city buses are white and blue in colour. Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses cover long distance routes to adjoining suburbs. Red Volvo buses, Vajra, operate on certain routes within the city, and as they are air-conditioned, these ones are the best option for tourists. Ordinary buses only display the route number in English while destination and route information are given in Kannada. Bus maps and route information can be found at the service company's website as well as the main bus terminals: Kempegowda bus stand (also known as the Majestic Bus Stand) and Shivajinagar in the north. While bus services are less frequent after 10:30pm, do also try to avoid rush-hour between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays as the buses then tend to be packed. In the front of the vehicles, many buses have seats reserved for women. With a daily bus pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day. Try to avoid going by car, as lane discipline is less valued and the use of horns at all times mandatory.

• Web:

  www.bmtcroutes.in

• Phone:

  +91 80 0425 1663

Taxi

Bangalore's taxis are convenient and comfortable, and always featured with the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars and much safer than auto rickshaws. City Safari is quite known but there are also other services: Gopinath Radio Call Taxi Service +91 80 236 055 55 Spocity Taxi +91 80 466 258 00

• Phone:

  +91 80 2553 4276

Electricity

The standard voltage is 230V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz,. The plugs and sockets are type C, D and M.