5★Flight
≈ 2 h 30 m
CCU → BLR, non-stop; check current schedules
By land or sea
Train
Express and Duronto trains from Howrah
Best time
October to February
mild most of the year
Stay
3 nights
+2 for Mysuru or Nandi Hills
Country
India
no passport needed for Indians
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) take about 2 h 30 m, while express and Duronto trains from Howrah take roughly 29 to 36 hours. Base yourself around MG Road or Indiranagar for three nights, see Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace and the city market, and travel between October and February for mild, dry weather.
Getting from Kolkata to Bengaluru
By air
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is the arrival point, and non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) take about 2 h 30 m. Direct services run through the day, so a morning departure lands in Bengaluru before lunch. The airport sits well north of the centre, so allow generous time for the road transfer, which uses the airport highway and can slow sharply at peak hours. Check the Airports Authority of India and your airline for terminal details.
Into the city, BMTC airport buses run to several points in the centre and to the tech corridors, and app cabs and prepaid taxi counters are available at arrivals. Namma Metro covers much of the central grid but does not yet reach the airport; check Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation for current lines and timings. Fixed fares apply to prepaid taxis.
By train, road or sea
By rail, express and Duronto trains from Howrah take roughly 29 to 36 hours, so a berth is only worth it if you prefer the journey to the destination. Road travel over about 1,550 km in a straight line is a long haul on national highways and rarely practical for a short trip. Flying is the sensible default.
Where to stay in Bengaluru
MG Road & CBD
Central and well connected, with the metro, shops and offices close by. Good for a first visit, short trips and anyone who wants to walk to Cubbon Park and the museum quarter. Traffic is heavy at peak hours.
Indiranagar
Leafy streets, cafés and a busy nightlife, with the metro running through it. Suits travellers who want to eat well and stay within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants.
Koramangala
A young residential and commercial area close to start-ups, cafés and parks. Useful for longer stays and for anyone who wants quieter evenings than the centre offers.
Whitefield
East of the centre and far from the sights, but handy for the tech parks and for anyone visiting on business or with family in the area. Expect long commutes into town.
Near the airport
For early flights and short layovers only. The area is quiet and far from the city's sights, so it makes a poor base for a normal visit. Most travellers pass through rather than stay.
Top things to do in Bengaluru
- Lalbagh Botanical Garden: A large, laid-out garden with a glasshouse, a lake and very old trees, begun in the 18th century. Good for a slow morning and a long walk.
- Cubbon Park: A central green space with walking paths and old trees, ringed by government buildings, museums and the High Court. Best early in the morning, before the traffic builds.
- Bangalore Palace: A Tudor-style palace with towers, carved woodwork and a collection of royal photographs and furniture. Ticketed, and worth an hour or two; check visiting hours before setting out.
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: A small, elegant 18th-century palace of carved wood and plaster, close to the City Market. Quick to see, and it pairs well with the market and the fort area nearby.
- Vidhana Soudha: The state legislature building, a huge granite structure that is lit up at night. Seen from the outside; it is a working government building, so expect security and no casual entry.
- Bull Temple, Basavanagudi: A temple with a large granite Nandi bull in an old southern neighbourhood, with the Dodda Ganapathi temple next door. Go early and dress modestly.
- Krishna Rajendra Market: The city market for flowers, fruit and vegetables, busiest at dawn. Go early with a camera, keep bags zipped and expect narrow, crowded lanes.
- Commercial Street shopping: A long shopping street for clothes, fabric and jewellery, with bookstalls in the lanes nearby. Weekday mornings are calmer than weekend afternoons, when the crowds thicken.
- Bannerghatta National Park: A forested park south of the city with a zoo, a butterfly enclosure and safari buses. Ticketed; check timings and book ahead at weekends and during school holidays.
Three days in Bengaluru
- Day 1: Central Bangalore: Start at Cubbon Park, then walk to the Government Museum and the High Court. Look at Vidhana Soudha from the outside in the afternoon, and finish with a slow evening on MG Road.
- Day 2: Gardens and markets: Lalbagh in the morning, then Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and Krishna Rajendra Market before the heat builds. Eat a long lunch afterwards and take the afternoon slowly, with a café stop near Indiranagar in the evening.
- Day 3: Palace and the south: Bangalore Palace and the roads around it, then the Bull Temple and a wander through Basavanagudi. Finish with shopping on Commercial Street, or an early dinner and a film in the centre.
Add two nights for Nandi Hills or Mysuru, both easy by road. Bannerghatta National Park and a spare afternoon suit families, and the National Gallery of Modern Art fills a rainy morning.
Best time to visit Bengaluru
October to February is the pick: days are mild, the post-monsoon air has cleared and evenings can be cool enough for a light jacket. Bengaluru stays mild most of the year because of its height above sea level, but March to May brings heat and pre-monsoon showers, and the monsoon from June to September delivers heavy afternoon rain. Winter mornings can be hazy. Check the India Meteorological Department for forecasts.
Getting around Bengaluru
- Namma Metro: The metro is quick across the centre and out to the tech corridors; check Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation for current lines and hours.
- App cabs and autos: App cabs are easy to book and often cheaper than airport taxis; auto-rickshaws run on meters, so ask for the meter at the start.
- Walking: Sidewalks are uneven and traffic is heavy, but central blocks such as MG Road, Cubbon Park and Commercial Street work well on foot.
Bengaluru vs Kolkata: what feels different
Bengaluru runs at a different pace. Traffic is heavier and roads are wider, the air is cooler because the city sits about 900 m above sea level, and the food changes: dosa, idli, filter coffee, ragi and Udupi-style vegetarian thalis rather than fish curry and mishti doi. Kannada is the local language, and English is widely spoken. Evenings start earlier and centre on cafés.
Before you go
- Documents: Indian citizens need no visa or passport for Bengaluru, but carry a government photo ID for flights and trains. Foreign visitors should check the official Indian Visa Online portal before travel.
- Money: The rupee is used across the city. Cards and UPI are widely accepted, but keep cash for markets, autos and small eateries.
- Language: Kannada is the local language. Hindi and English are widely understood in hotels, shops and restaurants in the centre.
- Local transport: Namma Metro, app cabs and autos cover most trips. Allow extra time for road journeys at peak hours and check metro timetables before late outings.
Hotels in Bengaluru
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Bengaluru’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★The Leela Palace Bengaluru
≈ 2 km from Indiranagar, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 35962 reviewsSee live price
5★ITC Gardenia a Luxury Collection Hotel Bengaluru
MG Road & CBD, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 24290 reviewsSee live price
5★Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
≈ 6 km from Koramangala, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 17703 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield
≈ 3 km from Whitefield, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 13303 reviewsSee live price
5★Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks
≈ 3 km from Koramangala, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 12726 reviewsSee live price
5★Grand Mercure Bangalore
Koramangala, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 7324 reviewsSee live price
5★DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield
≈ 4 km from Whitefield, Bengaluru · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 701 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How long does it take to fly from Kolkata to Bengaluru?
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) take about 2 h 30 m. Services run through the day, and a morning departure leaves plenty of the afternoon for the road transfer into the city. Allow extra time at both airports for check-in and security, and confirm schedules with your airline before booking.
Are there trains from Kolkata to Bengaluru?
Yes. Express and Duronto trains leave from Howrah and take roughly 29 to 36 hours. Sleeper and air-conditioned classes are available, and a berth suits anyone who would rather travel overnight than fly. Book well ahead through Indian Railways or IRCTC, especially around holidays, and check the current timetable and boarding station before you travel.
Do Indian citizens need a visa or passport for Bengaluru?
No. Bengaluru is in India, so Indian citizens need neither a visa nor a passport for the trip. Carry a government photo ID such as a driving licence, voter card or Aadhaar for airport check-in and for rail travel, since both require identification. Foreign nationals travelling from Kolkata should check the official Indian Visa Online portal for current entry rules before booking.
Where should you stay in Bengaluru on a first visit?
MG Road and the central business district suit a first visit, with the metro, Cubbon Park and the museum quarter within reach. Indiranagar and Koramangala offer cafés, shops and quieter evenings. Whitefield is far out and better for business trips, while the area near the airport only makes sense for early flights.
How many days do you need in Bengaluru?
Three nights covers the centre comfortably: Cubbon Park and the museum quarter, Lalbagh with the city market, and Bangalore Palace with Basavanagudi. Add a night or two for a day trip to Nandi Hills or Mysuru, or for Bannerghatta National Park. Longer stays suit anyone working in Whitefield or the tech corridors.
When is the best time to visit Bengaluru from Kolkata?
October to February is the most comfortable window, with mild days and cooler evenings. Bengaluru stays mild for much of the year, but March to May turns hot and humid before the monsoon, and June to September brings heavy rain, often in the afternoon. Check the India Meteorological Department for the forecast before booking.
How do you get from Bengaluru airport into the city?
The airport lies well north of the centre. BMTC airport buses run to points across the city, prepaid taxi counters and app cabs are available at arrivals, and the road transfer can take a long time at peak hours. Namma Metro does not yet serve the airport, so check Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation before planning a metro connection.
What food should you try in Bengaluru?
Start with a masala dosa and filter coffee, then work through idli, vada, ragi mudde and Udupi-style vegetarian thalis. The city also has good biryani, seafood from the coast and a strong café culture. Street food around the markets is worth trying, and vegetarians will find plenty of choice almost everywhere.
Is Bengaluru worth visiting from Kolkata?
Yes, if you want a change of climate and pace. The city has gardens, palaces, markets and museums, plus good food and easy transport. It also works as a base for Mysuru, Nandi Hills and Hampi. Two or three nights suits a first trip, and the mild weather from October to February makes walking pleasant.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, Indian Railways (IRCTC), official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.