Bangalore to Nandi Hills Road Trip Guide: Route, Stops & Itinerary
A hilltop fort and cool climate make Nandi Hills Bengaluru’s go-to sunrise getaway, barely two hours from the city.
How to reach Nandi Hills from Bengaluru by road
Via Hebbal, Devanahalli and Chikkaballapur (main route)
The standard route leaves Bengaluru via Hebbal flyover, continues past the airport road turn-off at Devanahalli, and climbs towards Chikkaballapur before the final ghat road up to Nandi Hills. It is a well-maintained road for nearly the entire distance.
Via Doddaballapur (alternative)
A quieter alternative approaches from Doddaballapur, useful if avoiding Devanahalli traffic near the airport, though it is a marginally longer route to the base of the hill.
Distance and drive time to Nandi Hills
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance (one way) | About 60 km from central Bengaluru |
| Drive time | 1.5–2 hours |
| Suggested trip length | Day trip |
Distance (one way)
- Detail
- About 60 km from central Bengaluru
Drive time
- Detail
- 1.5–2 hours
Suggested trip length
- Detail
- Day trip
For sunrise, leave Bengaluru by around 4:30–5 am to reach the hilltop before dawn; the ghat gate has fixed opening hours, so check the current timing before setting out. Traffic near Hebbal and the airport road can build later in the morning.
The final approach is a short ghat road with several hairpin bends but no night-driving ban, since it is well within Karnataka with no forest checkpost restrictions. Fuel stations are available at Devanahalli and Chikkaballapur; food options at the hilltop are limited, so carry water and snacks.
Best time to visit Nandi Hills
October to February brings the clearest skies for sunrise viewing and the coolest hilltop climate, making this the best overall season for a visit.
March to June is warmer in the plains but the hilltop stays noticeably cooler, so it remains a pleasant escape from city heat. Monsoon months (July–September) bring mist and cloud cover that can obscure the sunrise, though the greenery on the drive up is at its best.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Best; clearest skies for sunrise |
| Summer | Mar–Jun | Warm below, cool on the hilltop |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Misty; sunrise views less reliable |
Winter
- Months
- Oct–Feb
- What to expect
- Best; clearest skies for sunrise
Summer
- Months
- Mar–Jun
- What to expect
- Warm below, cool on the hilltop
Monsoon
- Months
- Jul–Sep
- What to expect
- Misty; sunrise views less reliable
Places to stop on the way to Nandi Hills
Devanahalli
A historic fort town near Bengaluru airport, worth a quick stop if time allows on the way.
Chikkaballapur
The last town before the ghat climb, with fuel stations and small eateries for a quick break.
Tipu’s Drop
A sheer cliff edge at the hilltop with panoramic views, historically linked to Tipu Sultan’s fort defences.
Nandi Hills Fort Walls
Stone fortifications built during Tipu Sultan’s era, offering pleasant walking paths around the hilltop.
Suggested Nandi Hills itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Sunrise trip to Nandi Hills and back
Leave Bengaluru before dawn to reach the hilltop gate in time for sunrise. Spend an hour or two walking around Tipu’s Drop and the fort walls once the sun is up, have breakfast at Chikkaballapur on the way down, and be back in Bengaluru by mid-morning.
What a Nandi Hills trip from Bengaluru costs by vehicle
Estimates below are for a same-day round trip of about 60 km each way plus roughly 5 km a day of local sightseeing, using our current per-km rates and daily minimums, with driver bata included. They are a planning guide, not a quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Rate | Billable km | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios) | Up to 4 | ₹13/km (min 250 km/day) | 250 km | ≈ ₹3,600 |
| MUV (Ertiga) | Up to 6 | ₹18/km (min 250 km/day) | 250 km | ≈ ₹4,900 |
| SUV (Innova Crysta) | Up to 6 | ₹20/km (min 300 km/day) | 300 km | ≈ ₹6,400 |
| Tempo Traveller (12 seats) | Up to 12 | ₹26/km (min 300 km/day) | 300 km | ≈ ₹8,300 |
Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
- Seats
- Up to 4
- Rate
- ₹13/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 250 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹3,600
MUV (Ertiga)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹18/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 250 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹4,900
SUV (Innova Crysta)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹20/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 300 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹6,400
Tempo Traveller (12 seats)
- Seats
- Up to 12
- Rate
- ₹26/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 300 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹8,300
Tolls, parking, interstate permits (where applicable) and GST are extra at actuals. Your exact fare depends on pickup point, dates, stops and the final kilometres — ask us for an exact quote before you travel.
Travel tips for a Nandi Hills road trip
- A sedan is comfortable for small groups; larger families can use an Ertiga for the same-day trip.
- The ghat road has several bends, so those prone to motion sickness should sit in the front seat.
- Carry a light jacket, since the hilltop can be noticeably cooler than the city, especially before sunrise.
- This is an intrastate Karnataka trip, so no interstate permit is required.
- Carry some cash for the hilltop entry fee and parking; card acceptance can be inconsistent.
- Network coverage thins slightly on the final ghat stretch but returns at the hilltop.
- Book your cab a day ahead for weekend sunrise trips, which are in high demand.
- Check the hilltop gate opening time before leaving, as it varies seasonally.
Ready to go? Book your Nandi Hills ride
Bangalore to Nandi Hills cab — fares & booking
Doorstep pickup anywhere in Bengaluru, one-way or round trip, sedan to tempo traveller. Get an exact quote in minutes.
How outstation fares work
Per-km billing, daily minimums, driver bata, tolls and GST explained in plain English.
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