A smooth sailing Bangalore to Hyderabad drive

While we take a lot of weekend getaways from Bangalore, the destinations we always think of are a staycation in Coorg surrounded by lush greenery, the wandering through rainforests of Wayanad, the backwaters of Kabini or the coffee estates of Chikmagaluru. But, come monsoons and with heavy rain a drive from Bangalore to these destinations become challenging. So is true for a Bangalore to Goa drive or a trip from Bangalore to Ooty or exploring offbeat tracks in Kodaikanal. And then we have been so many times to the charming costal town of Pondicherry and resorts of Mahabalipuram that when another long weekend arrived, we wanted to explore a new destination.

Thus materialised our Bangalore to Hyderabad road trip. And in this post, I will give you all the information required for planning a Bangalore to Hyderabad road trip. Actually, we have drove from Bangalore to Hyderabad earlier also on our 2 weeks road trip to Maharastra. But this time, we went for a staycation in Hyderabad. And also decided to explore the city of Nizams and historical places to see in Hyderabad like the house of Kohinoor – Golkonda Fort. As well as the Ramoji Film City. What did our 4 days trip to Hyderabad look like? Just wait for the next post to get all the details. For now, let me take you on a Bangalore to Hyderabad drive.

 

 

Bangalore to Hyderabad Route

From Bangalore to Hyderabad is a straight drive on NH44. This is the same National Highway that runs all the way from the capital of Kashmir – Srinagar in northernmost India  to Kanyakumari in extreme south. And passes through several important destinations. The NH 44 is in good condition for most parts from Bangalore to Hyderabad except for few very minor, <1 km stretches where the road widening work is in progress.

So, the route that we took on NH 44 was –

Bangalore -> Chikkaballapur -> Anantpur -> Kurnool -> Hyderabad

The drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad is a smooth one. And the Bangalore to Hyderabad drive time is ~10 – 11 hours with ample breaks. The road distance from Bangalore to Hyderabad is ~580km. On our first road trip when we were en-route to Maharashtra, we didn’t find many food options on this road. But things have changed a lot in the past couple of years.

Refreshment Options on Bangalore to Hyderabad Drive Route

The first refreshment option that we were really excited about was the “Big Bay” – apparently India’s largest food court which is also called food mall. It is recently opened and has a lot of outlets. But alas, most of them are closed in the morning. And open after 9:00am. We started on our Bangalore to Hyderabad drive around 5:30am. And as such, reached Big Bay around 6:45 am. At that time, only one outlet of Burger King was open. However, the restrooms are really clean here. And the sitting options are nice. So, after taking a “take out” order from Burger King, we enjoyed our breakfast meals sitting on the benches outside and enjoying the cool morning breeze.

Right after Big Bay, there are many food options available on the Bangalore to Hyderabad drive route. There is another food court on the opposite side of the road, many south Indian famous chains of restaurants like Kamat, Sarvana Bhavan etc. Usually those are our preferred outlets when on a road trip in south India. Particularly on Krishnagiri route. Or, when heading towards Chitradurga Fort, Shimoga, Hubli or Goa. So, overall there is no lack of options for food anymore.

For lunch, we stopped post Kurnool on this dhaba that had both AC, Non-AC as well as outdoor sitting. And the outdoor sitting was what we enjoyed. Lunch was simple rice and curry along with a fried rice and some cold beverages.

Reaching Hyderabad from Bangalore

Inspite of taking these breaks, and several others in between for kids, we hit Hyderabad border by 3:30pm. There was some traffic right before reaching the city. Finally, we reached our hotel, Marriott Resort and Conventional Centre Hyderabad by 5:00pm. The hotel is located right opposite the Hussain Sagar Lake – largest lake of Hyderabad. And we had a wonderful stay here. Which I will cover later.

You will find traffic inside the city of Hyderabad just like any other metro city of India. But inspite of it being a weekday and the time we entered Hyderabad being peak traffic hour, there was moving traffic all along – better than what I had expected!! 🙂

Is it safe to drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad by car

A road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad is smooth sailing. You will need to take the same caution while driving when you drive any other National Highways of India. The good thing is that traffic is not very high on Bangalore to Hyderabad route. We have taken several road trips in India. And we would rate the road condition from Bangalore to Hyderabad as one of the best of all. However, we drive during the day only since we travel with kids and elderly. So, I can’t comment on night drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad. Since, on many routes in India, during night time, lots of heavy vehicles ply. And I feel it’s always safer to drive during the day.

What are other ways to reach from Bangalore to Hyderabad.

Bangalore and Hyderabad are both buzzing metropolitan cities of South India. And both are hub to major IT companies. As such, there are multiple options to reach from Bangalore to Hyderabad and vice versa. Here are some more options to consider if you are not driving from Bangalore to Hyderabad by car –

To travel from Bangalore (Bengaluru) to Hyderabad, you have several options depending on your preference for speed, comfort, and budget:

1. By Air:

• Flight: The fastest way to reach Hyderabad from Bangalore is by taking a direct flight. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.
• Airports:
  • Departure: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bangalore
  • Arrival: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad

2. By Train:

• Train Journey: Multiple trains operate between Bangalore and Hyderabad, with travel times ranging from 8 to 12 hours, depending on the train.
• Popular Trains:
  • Kacheguda Express
  • Bangalore-Hyderabad SF Express
• Departure Stations in Bangalore: Bangalore City Junction (SBC), Yeshvantpur Junction (YPR)
• Arrival Stations in Hyderabad: Hyderabad Deccan (HYB), Secunderabad Junction (SC), Kacheguda (KCG)

PS: You will need to reserve a seat in the train upto 120 days in advance. Do keep a tab on the reservation slot opening dates in case you plan to travel by train.

 

3. By Bus:

• Bus Services: Numerous buses, including luxury and sleeper coaches, operate between Bangalore and Hyderabad. The journey typically takes around 9 to 11 hours.
• Bus Operators: KSRTC, APSRTC, and private operators like VRL, SRS, and Orange Travels.
• Boarding Points: Various points in Bangalore, including Majestic, Madiwala, and Silk Board.
• Drop Points: Various locations in Hyderabad, such as MGBS, Lakdi-ka-pul, and Miyapur.

4. By Car:

• Driving Distance: The distance between Bangalore and Hyderabad is about 580 kilometers (354 miles).
• Route: The most common driving route is via NH44, which is a well-maintained highway. The journey takes approximately 8 to 10 hours, depending on traffic and stops.
• Pit Stops: You can stop at cities like Anantapur or Kurnool for breaks.

Each mode of transport has its own advantages, so the choice depends on your priorities for travel time, comfort, and budget. You can hire a taxi or cab for a road trip by car.

What to pack for a road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad

• If you want to save time on your road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad, I highly recommend you pack your breakfast and lunch with you. This way you will easily save 1+ hours time on the drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad.
• Wear comfortable cotton cloths. As soon as you enter into Andhra and Telangana states, the climate tends to get hot and humid.
• Carry sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for stepping out of your vehicle for breaks as it will get really hot during the day.
• Also carry ample amount of drinking water with you. You can easily buy and stock packaged drinking water on the outlets along the way.
• Keep general stuff that you would carry on any road trip. Here’s my comprehensive packing list for my trips.

When is the best time of the year to plan a Bangalore to Hyderabad drive

I would say any time of the year except peak summer months of April through June will be good to take a road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad. We drove from Bangalore to Hyderabad in the monsoons in the month of August. There was a lot of greenery to witness along the way. And it was hot and humid weather in Andhra and Telangana but it was bearable. I guess the winter months of November through February will be best in terms of pleasant climate to visit Hyderabad.

 

 

How many days do I require to plan a road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad

If you plan to drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad and back in your own car and also during the day like we did, then you need 2 days for the road commute. I would say a minimum of 2 additional days will be good to cover most of the attractions and things to do in Hyderabad. So, plan a minimum 4 days trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad.

What places can I see in-route from Bangalore to Hyderabad

There are several places of interest in-route from Bangalore to Hyderabad. If you can plan to visit them on your road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad, you might want to add additional night to your itinerary and take a halt somewhere in between depending on what all places you are interested to cover. Some of these include –

Chikkaballapur

Located right outside of Bangalore, Chikkaballapur was most famous for years for Nandi Hills – the hill thats a favourite amongst Bangaloreans. Nandi Hills to Bangalore is what Mussoori is to Dehradun 😛 . Nandi Hills has Tipu’s Drop, Nandi Temple, and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Residence. It has a trekking route as well as a driving route. And there are several options to enjoy a staycation near Nandi Hills.

However, now Chikkaballapur has several other places to see. These include the famous Bhoganandeeswara Temple, a Shiva temple constructed in Dravidian style of architecture, located at the base of Nandi Hills. A popular trekking destination, Skandagiri that offers a moderately challenging hike that rewards trekkers with stunning views of the sunrise above the clouds. The trek is often done at night to catch the sunrise.

Known for its cliff edge and panoramic views, another hill Avalabetta is a lesser-known spot compared to Nandi Hills but offers a tranquil environment. The hill is also home to a small temple dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha.

A beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is yet another beautiful and divine temple located in a village in Chikkaballapur.

And the latest addition to all these is the Adiyogi Centre by Isha Foundation in Chikkaballapur. It opens from morning 6:00am to evening 9:00pm. And offers a light and sound show in the evening which is particularly famous.

Lepakshi

A town of immense significance for Hindus, Lepakshi is the place where Ravan killed Jatayu, Jatayu fell to the ground and later alerted Ram about which direction Ravan had gone to upon abducting Sita. The most famous attractions of Lepakshi is it’s Veerabhadra Temple which has several mythologically interesting and intriguing facts embedded in it’s structures and pillars. If you have not visited Lepakshi yet, here’s my complete writeup on the Temple of Lepakshi. Do plan a visit. You can stop here en-route from Bangalore to Hyderabad. It will take just about an hour to visit this temple. And it opens as early as 6:00am in the morning.

Gandikota

A little detour on your way from Bangalore to Hyderabad will take you to the famous Grand Canyon of India – Gandikota. It consists of a gorge that draws parallel to the Grand Canyon. And a historical fort which is located right besides it. Sunset views are particularly stunning here. If visiting Gandikota, you should add a day to your Bangalore to Hyderabad trip plan. And stay overnight either at the APTDC hotel right besides the gorge of Gandikota. Or a little further into nearby town.

Read : A road trip from Bangalore to Gandikota and Belum Caves

Belum Caves

If you are visiting Gandikota on your way from Bangalore to Hyderabad, you must as well include Belum Caves in your itinerary. It is located on the same route, and comes before Gandikota. Belum Caves are one of the largest natural caves in India. Inside, you can see limestone formations and get that rush of adventure as you navigate through the caves. The caves are illuminated to highlight the natural formations, and visitors can explore different chambers such as the “Meditation Hall” and “Saptasvarala Guha” (musical chamber).

Kurnool

Kurnool, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. It serves as a gateway to the Rayalaseema region and offers a variety of attractions, including ancient temples, historical forts, and natural wonders. These include the Konda Reddy Fort or Kurnool Fort or Qila Kurnool whose underground passages, ancient architecture, and historical significance make it a must-visit.

Oravakallu Rock Garden is a unique geological formation located about 20 kilometers from Kurnool. It is a natural park with large igneous rock formations and a picturesque landscape, making it an ideal spot for photography, picnics, and hiking.

Mahanandiswara Temple, Ahobilam famous for it’s nine temples associated with different forms of Lord Narsimha, Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple and the surrounding Agastya Cave and Veera Brahmam Cave. 16th-century saint Raghavendra Swami’s temple in Mantralayam town, ~60km from Kurnool and Jagannatha Hill is known for its panoramic views and the ancient Jagannatha Swamy Temple.

A little farther, around 180km from Kurnool lies Srisailam, which is home to Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. If you plan to visit the places in and around Kurnool, you should add another 2 days to your Hyderabad trip Itinerary.

A glimpse of the road trip from Bangalore to Hyderabad with some of the above locations included –

 

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