Getting Around Bengaluru
Bengaluru Airport information
If you are planning an event in Bengaluru or flying in for a business trip, you will most likely use Kempegowda International Airport, usually called Bengaluru Airport or BLR. It is located on the northern side of the city, so driving in from central business areas like MG Road, Whitefield, or Electronic City can take some time, especially during peak traffic. Taxis, app cabs, and airport buses connect the airport to most major neighbourhoods, which makes it easier to plan smooth arrivals and departures for delegates.
Airport name: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru’s main domestic and international airport.
Distance from city centre: Around 35–40 km from central Bengaluru; travel time is usually 45–90 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
Main transport options:
Airport taxis and app cabs (Uber, Ola) are available 24/7 outside the terminal and are the fastest option for door-to-door travel.
Air-conditioned BMTC “Vayu Vajra” airport buses run on multiple routes between the airport and key locations like Kempegowda Bus Station, Hebbal, and Richmond Circle, offering a budget-friendly option.
Private car and limo transfer services can be pre-booked for VIPs, executives, or large groups.
Planning tips for event planners:
Keep at least 2–3 hours buffer between airport arrival and event start time, especially for peak-hour traffic.
For large groups, pre-book buses or vans instead of relying on individual cabs, so check-in at hotels becomes smoother.
If your event involves late-night flights, confirm in advance that hotel and venue transport support late check-ins and pickups.
Future connectivity note: A dedicated Namma Metro (Blue Line / ORR–Airport line) is under construction to link the airport with the city, which will make airport access even easier once completed (expected after 2027).
Airport name: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru’s main domestic and international airport.
Distance from city centre: Around 35–40 km from central Bengaluru; travel time is usually 45–90 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
Main transport options:
Airport taxis and app cabs (Uber, Ola) are available 24/7 outside the terminal and are the fastest option for door-to-door travel.
Air-conditioned BMTC “Vayu Vajra” airport buses run on multiple routes between the airport and key locations like Kempegowda Bus Station, Hebbal, and Richmond Circle, offering a budget-friendly option.
Private car and limo transfer services can be pre-booked for VIPs, executives, or large groups.
Planning tips for event planners:
Keep at least 2–3 hours buffer between airport arrival and event start time, especially for peak-hour traffic.
For large groups, pre-book buses or vans instead of relying on individual cabs, so check-in at hotels becomes smoother.
If your event involves late-night flights, confirm in advance that hotel and venue transport support late check-ins and pickups.
Future connectivity note: A dedicated Namma Metro (Blue Line / ORR–Airport line) is under construction to link the airport with the city, which will make airport access even easier once completed (expected after 2027).
Bengaluru Train Information
Bengaluru is one of India’s busiest railway hubs, which makes it very handy for business travelers and event delegates arriving from other cities by train. The city has several major railway stations spread across different areas, so you can choose trains that arrive closest to your event venue or hotel. This helps reduce road travel time inside the city, especially if you are planning conferences, exhibitions, or corporate meetings with guests coming from Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and other metros.
Key railway stations:
KSR Bengaluru City Junction (SBC): Main and oldest station near the city centre; good for events in central Bengaluru.
Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) at Baiyappanahalli: A newer, modern terminal in the eastern part of the city, useful for IT and business hubs nearby.
Yesvantpur Junction (YPR): Important station in the north-west, convenient for events around Peenya, Hebbal, and nearby industrial or business areas.
KR Puram station: Growing as a key stop for eastern and ORR business zones.
Station upgrades: KSR, SMVT, and KR Puram are getting improved waiting areas and modern facilities to handle larger passenger crowds more comfortably, which is helpful when you have delegates arriving in groups.
Long-distance connectivity:
Bengaluru has frequent trains to major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Kochi.
A new Mumbai–Bengaluru superfast train has been announced to significantly cut travel time between the two business hubs, making overnight business travel more efficient.
Planning tips for event planners:
When sending invites or travel advice, mention not just the city but the preferred station closest to your venue (for example, “Use SMVT if your hotel is near Whitefield/Baiyappanahalli”).
Arrange pickups from the exact station where most attendees arrive; pre-book cabs or minibuses to avoid last-minute confusion.
For large events, share a simple map or note showing distance and approximate travel times from each major station to the venue area.
Key railway stations:
KSR Bengaluru City Junction (SBC): Main and oldest station near the city centre; good for events in central Bengaluru.
Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) at Baiyappanahalli: A newer, modern terminal in the eastern part of the city, useful for IT and business hubs nearby.
Yesvantpur Junction (YPR): Important station in the north-west, convenient for events around Peenya, Hebbal, and nearby industrial or business areas.
KR Puram station: Growing as a key stop for eastern and ORR business zones.
Station upgrades: KSR, SMVT, and KR Puram are getting improved waiting areas and modern facilities to handle larger passenger crowds more comfortably, which is helpful when you have delegates arriving in groups.
Long-distance connectivity:
Bengaluru has frequent trains to major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Kochi.
A new Mumbai–Bengaluru superfast train has been announced to significantly cut travel time between the two business hubs, making overnight business travel more efficient.
Planning tips for event planners:
When sending invites or travel advice, mention not just the city but the preferred station closest to your venue (for example, “Use SMVT if your hotel is near Whitefield/Baiyappanahalli”).
Arrange pickups from the exact station where most attendees arrive; pre-book cabs or minibuses to avoid last-minute confusion.
For large events, share a simple map or note showing distance and approximate travel times from each major station to the venue area.
Bengaluru Public Information
Getting around Bengaluru can feel busy and fast-paced, but there are many options to move between hotels, offices, and event venues. The city has metro lines, public buses, and app-based cabs that together cover most major business districts and popular areas. For event planners, the key is to match the venue location with nearby metro stations or main bus routes, so delegates can travel easily without getting stuck for too long in traffic.
Metro (Namma Metro):
Bengaluru’s metro currently runs on the Purple and Green Lines, connecting many important parts of the city, and now also includes the Yellow Line opened in 2025 to serve areas like Electronics City.
The network covers close to 80 km with dozens of stations, and planned expansions (including the Blue Line to the airport and the Red Line) will further improve connectivity to IT corridors and new business zones.
Metro timings are being extended, with typical operations from early morning to late evening, which is useful for conferences and corporate events finishing after office hours.
City buses (BMTC):
BMTC runs thousands of buses across Bengaluru, including regular, AC, and airport services like Vayu Vajra.
An official app and real-time tracking tools help passengers check routes and timings, making it easier for visitors to use buses without confusion.
Under the Shakti scheme, many women residents travel free on BMTC buses, which can be useful information for local female staff and attendees.
App cabs and taxis:
Services like Uber and Ola are widely available and are often the most convenient choice for point-to-point travel between hotels, offices, restaurants, and venues.
Planning tips for event planners and business travelers:
When choosing a venue, check its walking distance to the nearest metro station or major bus stop; this can save a lot of time for attendees.
Share simple transport guidance in your event communication, such as “nearest metro station,” “recommended BMTC route,” and approximate cab fare ranges.
For out-of-town guests, suggest using metro and app cabs for peak hours and buses or hotel shuttles when travel is flexible, balancing comfort and cost.
Metro (Namma Metro):
Bengaluru’s metro currently runs on the Purple and Green Lines, connecting many important parts of the city, and now also includes the Yellow Line opened in 2025 to serve areas like Electronics City.
The network covers close to 80 km with dozens of stations, and planned expansions (including the Blue Line to the airport and the Red Line) will further improve connectivity to IT corridors and new business zones.
Metro timings are being extended, with typical operations from early morning to late evening, which is useful for conferences and corporate events finishing after office hours.
City buses (BMTC):
BMTC runs thousands of buses across Bengaluru, including regular, AC, and airport services like Vayu Vajra.
An official app and real-time tracking tools help passengers check routes and timings, making it easier for visitors to use buses without confusion.
Under the Shakti scheme, many women residents travel free on BMTC buses, which can be useful information for local female staff and attendees.
App cabs and taxis:
Services like Uber and Ola are widely available and are often the most convenient choice for point-to-point travel between hotels, offices, restaurants, and venues.
Planning tips for event planners and business travelers:
When choosing a venue, check its walking distance to the nearest metro station or major bus stop; this can save a lot of time for attendees.
Share simple transport guidance in your event communication, such as “nearest metro station,” “recommended BMTC route,” and approximate cab fare ranges.
For out-of-town guests, suggest using metro and app cabs for peak hours and buses or hotel shuttles when travel is flexible, balancing comfort and cost.