Bangalore - Essential Information
Airport
The much-anticipated Bangalore International Airport, 44 kilometres north of Bangalore, finally opened in May 2008. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (www.bmtcinfo.com) runs twelve bus routes from locations in Bangalore to connect to the new airport. There are buses every 15 minutes to and from the airport. The cost for each trip in these buses ranges between Rs 20 and Rs 200 depending on the distance. This is the cheapest and an extremely convenient way to get to the airport. Air Conditioned Taxi services to the BIA is also available. A high speed rail link to the Central Business District is being planned that will cut travel time to about 22 minutes.
Share Taxis are operated by Airlift and located just outside the terminal building next to the bus stand with the bright red Volvo buses. The yellow Share taxis are red Toyota Innovas are very convenient for a one way trip to the city centre. Cost is around Rs 300. Hertz (+91 80 433 022 01) and Akbar Travels (Tel: +91 80 2222 7645) provide pricy but very slick limousine and car rental services.
Public Transport
Bangalore has an extensive public transport system. Bus services are frequent and cover the entire city but congestion can sometimes make travelling slow. Driving in India is not a good idea. Lane discipline is practically nonexistent and the use of horn at all times, mandatory.
Buses in Bangalore are cheap and frequent. Many have seats reserved for women in the front. Bus service is less frequent after 10l.30 pm. Try to avoid rush-hour between 5 pm and 7 pm on weekdays when the buses will be packed. Ordinary city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada. You can find the routes on the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) website www.bmtcinfo.com and bus maps are sold at the main bus terminals: Kempegowda bus stand, also known as the Majestic Bus Stand, near Gandhi Nagar is directly opposite the Bangalore City railway station, Shivajinagar in the north.
Buses with black display boards run within the city. Ordinary city buses are white and blue in color. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. The ordinary city buses are white and blue in color. Pushpak with better seating these buses are tan rather than the usual blue and are slightly more expensive. Red Volvo buses, Vajra, operate on certain routes within the city and are air-conditioned, are the best option for tourists.
Introduced in early 2009 known, Big 10 consists of ten routes along major roads into the city. Big 10 buses are yellow, have LCD destination boards. Go to www.btis.in/big10 for information.
Daily bus passes costs Rs 30 and are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand. Using this pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day, any number of times.
Kempegowda bus stand, also called Majestic Bus Stand, near Gandhi Nagar is directly opposite the Bangalore City railway station Shivajinagar is in the north and City Market.
Car hire is rare in India. What is more common is to hire a car and a driver. Cost varies, but most car/driver combinations cost Rs 1400 to Rs 1700/day. Choose an air-conditioned car as Bangalore can get very hot. If you want to travel in style, you can hire an SUV, but you will have to pay more.
Taxi
Bangalore taxis are convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars - much safer than auto rickshaws. Taxis are unmarked and instead they will be marked with the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Some companies have a yellow sign with an identification number on the top.
If you are alone or going to an unknown destination you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an auto. Most taxi companies charge a flat rate of Rs 150 for a pick-up and drop from anywhere to anywhere within city limits.
Alliance Travels
www.alliancetravels.in
+91 80 25 213 082
City Safari
+91 80 2553 9999
Gopinath Radio Call Taxi Service
+91 80 23 605 555
Popular Cabs
+91 80 26 524 665
Post
Bangalore Main Post Office is on Cubbon Road. It is open Monday to Saturday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4.30 pm. Stamps for post cards broad cost Rs 6. The small red postal kiosks, usually attached to poles, can be found throughout the city.
Pharmacy
Pharmacies can be found throughout the city. There are plenty along M.G. Road. You do not need any prescription for over the counter drugs and ayurvedic medicin, which are available for common ailments like headaches and fever. Most pharmacies will deliver 24 hours a day, usually for a small surcharge. Ask your concierge for your nearest one. Chemists with 24 hour service include.
Apollo Pharmacy
665,19th Main 21st Cross, Rajajinagar
+91 80 22 957 421
Telephone
Country code: +91
Area code: 080
Electricity
220/250V 50 Hz Plugs C & D
