City guide · Updated June 2026
AsiaIndia13° · 77.6°
Bengaluru,India.
India's Silicon Valley: a buzzing tech metropolis wrapped in garden greenery, craft beer, and rich South Indian culture.
Bengaluru · IN
BengaluruIndia
★
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)NEAREST AIRPORT
Population
4,430,365.8
Total residents
Global rank
#127
Wanderlust index
Best time
October to February, when cool…
Peak window
Time zone
Asia/Kolkata
Local time
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Money in use
Language
Kannada (English widely spoken)
Spoken locally
01 · Overview
About Bengaluru
India's Silicon Valley: a buzzing tech metropolis wrapped in garden greenery, craft beer, and rich South Indian culture.
Bengaluru (Bangalore) is India's technology capital and one of its most cosmopolitan cities, blending a thriving startup ecosystem with colonial-era parks, ancient temples, and an electric food and nightlife scene. Sitting on a high Deccan plateau at ~900 m, the city enjoys one of India's most temperate climates year-round. Its neighbourhoods range from heritage lanes in Malleswaram to the craft-brewery strips of Indiranagar and Koramangala, giving every visitor a distinct urban adventure.
02 · Wanderlust scorecard
How Bengaluru scores
Ratings run 0 to 5 unless marked. They come from our AI-assisted research and are refreshed on a rolling basis.
5
/ 5
Cost of living
Affordability, 0–5. Higher means cheaper.
3
/ 5
Leisure
Leisure rating, 0–5.
33
Mbps
Connectivity
Median internet speed.
4
/ 5
Safety
Safety rating, 0–5. Higher is safer.
3.4
/ 5
Overall livability
Overall rating, 0–5.
3
/ 5
Air quality
Air-quality rating, 0–5. Higher is cleaner.
7.9
index
Index score
Wanderlust ranking, 0–10: overall, safety, internet, cost, leisure and air quality, weighted.
03 · Weather & when to go
Best time to visit Bengaluru
Current weather and the forecast, and the months our research rates best for a visit.
Month by month
Best months Either side Other months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sweet spot: October to February, when cool, dry weather makes sightseeing and outdoor activities most comfortable..
More cities for these months: Where to go in January · Where to go in February · Where to go in October · Where to go in November · Where to go in December
04 · Things to do
Things to do in Bengaluru
Top sights from our AI-assisted research, and other places we have photos of.
05 · Monthly cost of living
Cost of living in Bengaluru
Estimated monthly totals in USD from our AI-assisted research, one per profile. Treat them as a starting point for a budget, not a quote.
$1,058
estimated monthly spend · USDProfileExpat
Price references — vs. profile benchmarks
Nomadmonthly spend · USD
$1,282
+21%
Expatmonthly spend · USD
$1,058
baseline
Familymonthly spend · USD
$3,120.2
+195%
Localmonthly spend · USD
$778.6
-26%
Median fiber speeddownload · Mbps
33
Mbps
06 · Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Bengaluru
Neighborhoods our AI-assisted research lists as popular with visitors.
Indiranagar
Koramangala
Malleswaram
Basavanagudi
07 · Insider tips
Sights and neighbourhoods, with a tip each.
Practical tips on places from this Bengaluru guide, written with AI. One is free; Pro members see the rest. Double-check details before you go.
Insider tips · Wanderlust Pro
Practical tips on the sights and neighbourhoods in this Bengaluruguide — when to go, what most visitors miss. Written with AI about the guide's own places; double-check details before you go. Pro members see every tip.
08 · Practical notes
Practical information for Bengaluru
The essentials from this guide's data, in one place.
01
Getting there
- Nearest airport — Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
02
Money
- Currency — Indian Rupee (INR)
- Affordability — 5/5 on the Wanderlust index (higher is cheaper)
03
Internet
- Median speed — 33 Mbps
- Internet score — 5/5
04
Safety
- Safety score — 4/5 from our AI-assisted research
05
Language
- Primary language — Kannada (English widely spoken)
06
Timing
- Best window — October to February, when cool, dry weather makes sightseeing and outdoor activities most comfortable.
- Time zone — Asia/Kolkata
Questions
Frequently asked, plainly answered.
The quick answers travelers want before they commit to flights, neighborhoods, and how long to stay.
Is Bengaluru safe for travelers?+
Bengaluru has a safety rating of 4 out of 5.
What is the best time to visit Bengaluru?+
The best time to visit Bengaluru is October to February, when cool, dry weather makes sightseeing and outdoor activities most comfortable..
How expensive is Bengaluru?+
Bengaluru has an affordability score of 5 out of 5, where 5 is most affordable.
What is the internet speed in Bengaluru?+
Bengaluru has an average internet speed of 33 Mbps.
What currency does Bengaluru use?+
The currency used in Bengaluru is Indian Rupee (INR).
What language is spoken in Bengaluru?+
The primary language spoken in Bengaluru is Kannada (English widely spoken).
Researched city guide
Getting there, getting around and when to go
Written with AI-assisted web research. Where we have sources, they are listed under each part.
What works
- Exceptional value — one of the most affordable major tech cities in the world
- Year-round temperate climate thanks to high-plateau elevation
- Thriving startup, co-working, and digital-nomad ecosystem
- Outstanding food scene: South Indian classics plus global cuisines and craft breweries
- English widely spoken, making navigation easy for international visitors
- Fast-expanding Namma Metro network improving city connectivity
What to weigh
- Notorious traffic congestion — road journeys can take 2–3× longer than expected
- Air quality has deteriorated with rapid urbanisation
- Airport is 40 km from city centre with no metro link yet (due mid-2026)
- Water scarcity and infrastructure strain during dry summers
- High humidity and occasional flooding during monsoon (June–September)
Getting in
How to arrive
Bengaluru is served by Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), located about 40 km north of the city centre in Devanahalli — India's third-busiest airport. The new Terminal 2 (Garden Terminal) opened in late 2023 and now handles a growing share of traffic. A direct metro link (Blue Line) is under construction and expected to open by mid-2026; until then, surface transport is your only option. The BMTC Vayu Vajra AC shuttle buses are the most affordable way in: 12 routes cover major city hubs (including Majestic/KBS, Shivajinagar, and Domlur) with over 250 trips daily at fares from ₹100–₹310 one-way (approx. $1.20–$3.75), running 24/7 and now accepting UPI and card payments. Journey time is 60–90 minutes off-peak, up to 2 hours in traffic. Ola/Uber ride-hails from MG Road cost ₹900–₹1,300 (approx. $11–$16) and take 60–90 minutes, though a ₹120 toll is added to metered taxi fares. By rail, Bengaluru City Junction (KSR) and Yeshwanthpur Junction are the main intercity rail termini, well-connected to Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
Getting around
Moving through the city
Bengaluru's public transport backbone is the Namma Metro (operated by BMRCL), with three operational lines — Purple, Green, and Yellow. The Yellow Line opened in August 2025, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra via Silk Board and Electronic City. Smart cards (cost ₹50, top up to ₹3,000) give a 5% fare discount; QR-code tickets can also be bought via the Namma Metro app, WhatsApp (81055-56677), Paytm, or Yatra. BMTC buses cover the full city with a fleet of 6,000+ vehicles; the main interchange hub is Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station). For point-to-point trips, Ola and Uber are widely available and affordable. Auto-rickshaws are ubiquitous for short hops — insist on the meter or agree a fare upfront. Traffic congestion remains a serious challenge; the metro is by far the fastest option for corridors it serves.
When to go
Timing your trip
Bengaluru's high-plateau altitude (~900 m) keeps temperatures moderate year-round — a major draw compared to most Indian cities. The sweet spot is October to February, when daytime temperatures sit between 20–28 °C and nights can dip to 12–15 °C. This is peak tourist season: skies are clear, outdoor sightseeing is comfortable, and December brings festive Christmas energy to the city's many churches and markets. First-time visitors and those seeking the best conditions should aim for November to January. Budget travellers can find decent deals from March to May (summer, 28–36 °C) when crowds thin, though April can push toward 37 °C on hot days. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain and lush greenery, and is a good time for nature lovers and photographers — just pack waterproofs and expect occasional flooding.
Plan your trip
3 days in Bengaluru: a sample itinerary
A ready-made starting point. Make it your own — clone it into an editable journey and reshape every stop.
Day 01
Day 1 – Heritage, Gardens & the Old City
Morning
Start with a heritage walk through Basavanagudi, one of Bengaluru's oldest neighbourhoods, visiting the Bull Temple and exploring the ancient rock formations at Bugle Rock Park.
Afternoon
Head to Lalbagh Botanical Garden for a leisurely stroll among its 240-acre grounds, then cross to the iconic Vidhana Soudha (illuminated on Sundays) and neighbouring Cubbon Park.
Evening
Explore the old-city market street of Chickpet for silk sarees and spices, then finish with a traditional South Indian dinner in the Malleswaram neighbourhood — try the legendary Masala Dosa at CTR (Shri Sagar).
Day 02
Day 2 – Tech Culture, Craft Beer & Koramangala
Morning
Visit Bangalore Palace for its Tudor-style grandeur, then head to ISKCON Temple on Rajajinagar for a serene mid-morning experience.
Afternoon
Lunch in Koramangala — the city's startup heartland — and explore its indie cafés, bookstores, and co-working spaces. Pop into a micro-roastery for single-origin South Indian filter coffee.
Evening
Join the evening crowd in Indiranagar (100 Feet Road) for Bengaluru's famous craft-brewery strip — the city has more craft-beer taprooms per square kilometre than anywhere else in India.
Day 03
Day 3 – Day Trip to Nandi Hills & MG Road
Morning
Take an early cab or hire a bike for the 60 km drive to Nandi Hills — arrive before 8 AM to catch spectacular sunrise views above the clouds.
Afternoon
Return to the city and browse Commercial Street for textiles, jewellery, and street food. Walk across to MG Road and UB City mall for premium shopping and people-watching.
Evening
Wind down with sundowners at a rooftop bar near MG Road or catch a live music night at one of Bengaluru's many jazz or indie-music venues.
Work-ready layer
Coworking spots and laptop-friendly anchors.
Real coworking spaces, laptop-friendly cafés, and libraries mapped near the center of the city — the closest, best-rated desks first.
Spots surfaced0
Categories—
Mapped0
No coworking-ready spots surfaced for this city yet.
Map pending
No mapped workspace points yet.
Pick a different category or check back once we’ve indexed more desks for this city.
Concierge
Ask the Bengaluru concierge.
Share your travel style, must-see spots, or work schedule and the concierge will help turn this guide into something personal.
Personal trip brief
Tell it what kind of trip you're trying to have, and it will tighten the plan.
01
Travel style
Ask for cafés, quiet neighborhoods, date-night spots, or a first 48-hour plan.
02
Work constraints
Mention calls, Wi-Fi needs, or how much of the day has to stay laptop-friendly.
03
Real tradeoffs
Get faster answers on where to stay, when to move neighborhoods, and what to skip.
Traveler reviews
Reviews of Bengaluru
Written by signed-in Wanderlust members. We don't check that a reviewer has visited.
No reviews of Bengaluru yet.
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