ARRIVAL PLAYBOOK · BLR · KARNATAKA · REVIEWED JUN 2026
Arriving at Bangalore.
Kempegowda International Airport. Here is what happens in the 30 minutes between you clearing immigration and being in the city — counters, fares, the one scam to avoid, and what to do if you land at 2am.
Official airport site →Arrival hall
Terminal 2 handles most international arrivals (and some domestic full-service airlines). Terminal 1 is primarily domestic low-cost. Free inter-terminal shuttle runs every 10 minutes.
Prepaid taxi counter
Meru and KSTDC counters on the forecourt at both terminals. Typical fare to Central Bangalore (MG Road / Koramangala) is ₹1,200–1,600 — the airport is 35km from the city, which is why the fare is higher than most Indian airports. Printed receipt is mandatory.
Uber / Ola pickup
Uber and Ola have forecourt pickup zones. Fares run ₹900–1,400 to Central Bangalore (UberGo / Ola Mini); Premier is ₹1,800+. Rapido bikes are allowed but impractical given the distance and your luggage.
Metro / rail / bus
BMTC Vayu Vajra airport buses run to major Bangalore hubs (Majestic, Electronic City, Whitefield). Flat fares ₹200–300. Buses every 30 minutes, signed clearly outside the terminal.
SIM activation
Airtel and Jio. Activation tends to be fast in Bangalore (under an hour). Rail Yatra and Reliance have occasional kiosks too.
ATM / forex
ATMs inside the terminal and on the forecourt. HDFC and Canara Bank outlets.
The scam to watch for
Airport-adjacent hotel touts around Devanahalli sometimes offer 'free taxi' to an unnamed hotel — treat as a scam. The airport is a long way from Bangalore city (35km); do not accept any 'free ride' offer without a confirmed hotel booking.
After midnight
Vayu Vajra buses run 24×7 to Majestic and select hubs. App cabs operate through the night. No Bangalore metro connection yet (BMRCL Purple Line extension to the airport is under construction, opening 2026–2027).
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