Bangalore International Airport

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The long-awaited new Bangalore International Airport (IATA: BLR) at Devanahalli, 44 km (27 mi) north of downtown Bangalore, finally opened in May 2008. The airport is among India's busiest and most modern, with direct flights to many major European and Asian destinations. Notable international flights are from Frankfurt on Lufthansa, from Singapore on Singapore Airlines, Indian Airlines and Tiger Airways, from Kuala Lumpur (KL) on Malaysian Airlines, from London on British Airways, from Dubai on Emirates and Indian Airlines, from Paris on Air France, Bangkok on Thai Airways, Hong Kong on Dragonair.

Connectivity to the Bangalore International Airport

• Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates buses from various points of the city every 15 minutes to the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL). A total of 156 buses ply to and from the airport. 40 of these buses are air-conditioned Volvo buses, called Vayu Vajra. The cost for each trip in these buses ranges between Rs. 20 and maximum Rs 200 depending on the distance. This is the cheapest and an extremely convenient way to get to the airport.
• Metro expects to be completed by 2010 and will have a high speed link to the airport.
• Helicopter services are operated by Air Deccan Air Limousine where passengers can get a helicopter service to take them to the airport. Many new apartment complexes in Bangalore are equiped with these helipads, such as Golden Grand Apartments and Brigade Gateway Hotel and Apartments. Contact the Deccan counter at the airport terminal. Rates begin from Rs 5000 for a lift to UB-City Towers at Bangalore's CBD.
• Post-paid taxi facilities, BIAL has selected MERU and EASYCAB to provide basic taxi services. The taxi operators will have basic AC cars, all equipped with tracking devices to ensure safety and transparency. Both operators have professional call centres. Hence, Guests coming to the airport can call the cab call centres and a cab will pick them up and drop them at the airport. For Guests arriving at the airport, there is a dedicated taxi holding area where the Guest can get a cab. The post paid taxi facility will be available on meter charges @ Rs.15/- per km (subject to Govt regulation). These are by far the best and most convenient mode of transport from the airport. It may cost you approximately Rs. 600 to get to Bangalore's CBD.
• Share Taxis are operated by Airlift. As soon as you exit the airport terminal, look for the bus stand with the bright red Volva buses. The share taxis are yellow and red Toyota Innovas parked just next to the buses. These are very convenient and cheaper than a regular taxi as a one way drop to Bangalore's CBD will cost around Rs. 300. These are air conditioned and offer each passenger a personal television screen.
• Pre-paid facilities, Hertz and Akbar Travels will provide pre paid Limousine and car rental facilities. Hertz will launch a fleet of Mercedes - C and E class cars and will expand the fleet depending on the demand and business objectives. Limousine services will be available at the limo service counters at the terminal building arrival and based on special tariffs applicable for BIAL.
• Cars will also be available on self drive basis. There will be three ranges of self drive cars - the compact category (Suzuki Swift), the intermediate range (Ford Fiesta), the standard category (Toyota corolla), Multi Utility Vehicles (Toyota Innova) and Sports Utility Vehicles (Ford Endeavour). These cars will be given to the Guest with a full fuel tank and the car has to be returned with full fuel tank. A flexible pick up and drop off facility in town and at the airport will be offered. The Guest can pick up the car at the airport and then drop it off anywhere in the city or in Hyderabad or Chennai. Similarly, the car can be picked up at any of these cities and dropped off at the airport. Conditions Apply (the Guest has to be over 21 yrs of age and possess a valid Indian license).
• Another option is to arrange with your hotel in Bangalore to have a driver pick you up at the airport. Some hotels, especially those in the higher price ranges, provide this service for free if you are staying with them. If it's your first time traveling to Bangalore, this is by far the easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel. The driver will be found outside the airport with a card bearing your name, the only difficulty being that about 100 other drivers will also be waiting outside the airport, all vying for your attention. Luckily there is a short fenced walkway that separates the drivers from those leaving the airport, giving you some time and space to find your ride into Bangalore.
• Cheaper Transport, You can still find a ride into Bangalore City in your own taxi at a much cheaper rate than the above options, if you are willing to take the risk involved. Taxi drivers not approved by the airport will attempt to negotiate with you a mush lower fare then the approved EASY and MERU cabs, and may come down to as much as Rs. 200-300 for a ride to Bangalore's CBD. These drivers can be found just beyond the terminal plaza at the covered walkway that leads to the parking lots. Once you leave the walkway, some drivers may become fairly aggressive, and might try to take your bag without your permission. The best thing to do is to keep track of, and in control of, your belongings. Even the most aggressive taxi driver or tout will leave you alone if you stand firm and make it clear that you do not want their help. Upon arriving at your destination a tip of 20-40 Indian Rupees is plenty.