Just like any other city in the world, Bangalore also has a few drawbacks that need to be tackled with carefully. This section on 'Bangalore travel tips' is intended to provide you with some guidelines to ensure that you do not end up regretting your trip to the city. These travel tips cover almost every part of your stay in the Bangalore city of India, right from the time of your arrival in the city till the time you leave for your home. Given below are a number of tips for Bengalooru travelers that will ensure that you have a safe and pleasurable stay here.
Air : Bangalore is well linked to different cities of the world. The new Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli is only 6 km from the city centre. Besides international flights, the airport also accommodates domestic flights to Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Panaji, Kochi etc. Booking offices of international and domestic airlines are located in various parts of the city.
Rail : Bangalore has a well maintained railway network connecting major cities of the country. The city is connected to the rest of the country both by metre gauge and broad gauge rail services. There are two major railway stations in Bangalore-The Bangalore city railway station and Bangalore cantonment railway station. Several super fast trains such as Shatabdhi, Bridavan, and Lalbagh express connect Bangalore with Chennai.
Bus : Bangalore city has well maintained roads for transportation. It is located at the junction of National Highway 4, 7 and 48 that connects the city to all parts of the country. All neighboring State Road Transport Corporations, from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa, connect the city with their respective states. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) also runs buses to all parts of the state as well as to neighboring states. The Interstate Bus Terminus is located near the railway station. Recently, KSRTC is going to operate special services to several destinations of the state for the convenience of the passengers.
Lalbagh Gardens : Haider Ali laid out the garden while Tipu Sultan added plants and trees for other countries. The place has over 1800 species of tropical, sub tropical, medicinal and floral plants. One of the four Kempe Gowda tower is located in this garden. Flower shows are organized here in Republic Day and Independence Day weeks.
Cubbon Park : The Cubbon Park of Bangalore has a history of more than 100 years. It has been a part of Bangalore’s landscape since 1870. The then Chief Engineer of the state of Mysore, Richard Sankey, conceived the vast landscape of the Cubbon Park, way back in 1864. The park was initially called as Meade’s park , but was subsequently named as Cubbon Park, after Sir Mark Cubbon, who had the distinction of being the longest serving Commissioner of Bangalore. In the year 1927 the park was officially named as ‘Sri Chamrajendra Park’ to commemorate the silver jubilee of the rule of Sri Krishnaraj Wodeyar in the Mysore state. But popularity of Cubbon Park stayed on.
Government Museum : Established in 1886, it is one of the oldest museums in the country. It has 18 galleries comprising of Neolithic finds from various civilizations, antique jewellery, textiles, coins, art and miniature paintings among other reserves.
Bangalore Palace : The Bangalore Palace was built by the then King of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar. He bought the land from Rev. Garret and build a majestic palace on it, in 1884. The architecture represents Tudor style. The construction of this palace is inspired by the Windsor Castle of England.
Bull Temple : The temple was built at Basavangudi in the Kempe Gowda period in 16th century. The monolithic Nandi bull made of grey granite polished with mixture of groundnut oil and charcoal is believed to have grown and now measures nearly 5m in height and over 6m in length.
Tipu's Summer Palace : This palace, started by Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1789 is a two storeyed ornate structure. Substantial woodwork and ceilings painted in bright colors and beautiful carvings add to the beauty of the place.
ISKON Temple : ISKCON Temple is one of the popular tourist attractions of Bangalore. Specially for the Hindu religious tourists it holds great significance. ISKCON stands for International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, the ISKCON society's ambit has crossed the national boundaries.
Shopping in Bangalore is a wonderful experience. Bangalore is a city where one would find a wide array of shopping markets, malls and plazas.
There is hardly anyone who would not like to step into one of these shopping points. Shopping has always been an in thing.
Some of the most well known places for the shopping freaks are the Brigade Road, Commercial Street and the MG Road.
Brigade Road is full of young crowd mostly college-goers. What more than shopping in branded stores like Lee, Van Heusen, and Louis Philippe?
There are also shops available where one can get trendy shoes and junk jewelries. Besides you will get brasswares, wooden furniture, antique jewelry, printed fabrics, saris and other cool stuffs.
Commercial Street is famous for shopping colorful clothes and dress materials other than fashionable jewelries. One can also look in for shoes, art supplies, travel kits, sports, etc. Westside is a very famous shopping joint.
At MG Road there are famous sari emporiums like the Deepam Silks and Prasiddhi. If you are looking out for brands, there is the Raymonds and Cotton World.
For the bookworms, Gangaram and Higgin Botham is there to help you out. Jamal's is a well-known store for buying utensils and crockeries. Besides, the shopping centers like Shrungar Shopping Complex, Barton Court, Spencer's Super Market, the Coir Board Showroom, Kids Kemp, Saree Kemp, Cauvery Arts can also be found over here.
If you want food that suits your palate, you are in one of the best cities. Various eating joints in Bangalore offer wide range of cuisines ranging from exotic to traditional. Excellent fares are offered at several idli shops but it is also recommended that you try the local Kannada chicken and Maddur vada at any local eating joint while eating out in Bangalore.
The Peacock, Tycoons, Manhattans, Madison Square, The Regency, Shezwan serve varied menu for their visitors while Lotus, Jockey Club, Le Jardin specialize in continental food.
Delicious South Indian food is available at Karavalli, Coconut Groove and Bankura Punjabi Restaurant, The Peacock Garden provide North India cuisine.
If you are a hard-core vegetarian then places like Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), Udupi Sri Krishna Bhavan, Woodlands, Kamat Hotel, Chalukya Samrat, Sukh Sagar Food Complex are just for you.
One can visit Rice Bowl, Chinese Hut, Chung Wah, Memories Of China, The Orient, Mandarin Room, Paradise Island, Chezan, Szechwan Court, Shangai Bar & Restaurant, Shangrila Bar & Restaurant, Ginza, Taipan, Noodles, Jade Garden, China Club for palatable food from far east while Pool Side Barbecue (West End Hotel), The Royal Afghan, The Greens, Windsor Grill serve delicacies from barbecue style of cooking.
DJ wars, concerts, celebrity visits and people craning their bodies among huge crowds to have a view of their favorite stars is what symbolizes entertainment in Bangalore. You may dance your blues away at local discotheques or go for an adventure sport. Every night is a party night here. If you like drinking, Bangalore's pubs will serve you with best of the wine in the world. The entertainment and recreation industry in this reign of India is very well organized and managed. Variety is the key word and you will have several options in hand in order to decide one that interests you most.