Kempegowda International Airport (also known as Bengaluru Airport or BLR) serves India’s tech capital and handles 41.88 million passengers a year. It achieved Net Energy Neutral status recently through a combination of on-site solar installations and power purchase agreements for solar and wind energy.
What sets it apart is Terminal 2, which has one of the most impressive and pleasant airport terminals in all of India. It’s so nice that it could be worth picking your airline based on whether it flies out of that terminal or not.
Getting to and from the airport
Bengaluru city is just 36 kilometers from the airport but it will generally take a full hour or so to get between them, and possibly more. Bengaluru is known for its traffic in a country where traffic is the norm, so that tells you something. Public transport is available, via public buses, but these will take even longer, around 2 hours. Overall, best to allow plenty of time to get to or from BLR.
Public transport is available via Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) airport buses, but these will take even longer, typically 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the route and traffic. It’s best to allow plenty of time to get to or from BLR.
Taxis
Most travellers here will be taking some form of taxi to and from the airport. There are a number of options, but in my opinion the two best are to 1) take an Uber, which works just like it does anywhere with the exception that in India you’ll be given a PIN to give to your driver who will then confirm it in their app, as an added layer of security; or 2) using the BLR Pulse app, which is a product of the airport itself that also gives you estimated waiting times and information about getting around the airport.
The BLR Pulse app is the airport’s official app that gives you real-time updates and information about getting around the airport.
Terminal layout
Bengaluru has two terminals. Terminal 1 is exclusively for domestic flights and is the older of the two. There are plans to refurbish it, but it’s not terrible as is – it just doesn’t hold a candle to Terminal 2. Both terminals have a straightforward layout with a main check-in concourse giving way to a series of gates, and no satellite terminals or lengthy walks to contend with.
Terminal 2 handles all international flights, plus some domestic routes. Both terminals have a straightforward layout, with a main check-in concourse giving way to a series of gates – and no satellite terminals or lengthy walks to contend with.
Terminal 2 is a stunning piece of architecture making liberal use of greenery and waterfalls which create a calming environment. It’s also relatively uncrowded. Staff roam the halls wearing t-shirts that say “how can I help you?” It puts many major European airports to shame. Check in is a breeze in the light-filled central concourse and then you’ll either head through international security and immigration or domestic security to your gates. Everything is clear and well-signposted. All international flights depart from here, plus some domestic.
Checking in is a breeze in the light-filled central concourse, and then you’ll either head through international security and border control or domestic security to your gates. Everything is clear and well-signposted. All international flights depart from here, plus some domestic.
Security
Although the security screening at Bengaluru is reasonably efficient, especially in Terminal 2, keep in mind that India does airport security with a lot more attention to detail than most other places. That means you’ll need to take anything even remotely electronic out of your bags, including things like chargers. You’ll go through a scanner or metal detector and then you’ll receive a further check with a metal detector wand and you may also be patted down and swabbed for explosives. It’s good to be aware of this going in and to not be in a rush.
The security process is thorough. It’s good to be aware of this going in and to not be in a rush.
Connecting and transferring between terminals
For getting between terminals, the only option is to exit to the street in front of your terminal and catch one of the free shuttle buses that run every ten minutes between the two.
Keep in mind that even for connections within the same terminal, there is no way to stay in the secure area to catch your next flight. You’ll need to re-clear security for the next leg. However, unlike most Indian airports, Bengaluru Terminal 2 does at least have a transfers channel that leaves you in the check-in area of the terminal, rather than in the arrivals area which would mean the added step of going outside, upstairs, and showing ID and boarding pass to be allowed into the terminal building again (the standard practice in India).
Destinations and airlines at BLR
Bengaluru sees all the big Indian carriers including Air India, Vistara (soon to be merged fully into Air India), IndiGo, Air India Express and smaller carriers Akasa and Star Air. Together they serve just about any Indian airport imaginable, and if not, you’re at most one connection away from any others.
On the international side there is quite a bit of service as well, with Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, KLM, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and even Qantas – plus more alongside. It is extremely well connected, in other words.
If you’re traveling domestically, Terminal 2 handles domestic flights by Air India, Air India Express, Vistara and Star Air. Terminal 1 handles all the rest, including the biggest, IndiGo. I would personally pay a premium to fly Air India and use Terminal 2 over saving money and using T1. Though, I may be unusually picky in this regard.
Shops & restaurants
Bengaluru Terminal 2 has an especially impressive range of shops, restaurants and cafes in the area just after security, as well as set back from some of the gates. You’ll find everything from Starbucks to P.F. Chang’s, as well as more local dining options. British toy store institution Hamleys is here as well.
The best place to find a coffee or a chai at BLR is actually in the check-in area of Terminal 2, where you can head to Chaayos, my favourite chai chain, or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, an excellent coffee chain which has better iced coffees than Starbucks if you ask me. Unfortunately, these are both before security so you’ll have to enjoy your drink before proceeding through. However the check-in hall is a very pleasant place to sit and relax (something that’s almost never true of airports) so I can recommend the pit-stop if you have time.
Lounges
You’ll find several lounges with the name “080” throughout Bengaluru Airport. Terminal 2 has two, one for the domestic and one for the international side, while Terminal 1 has a domestic lounge as well. In Terminal 2 the lounge is very impressive – a continuation, though with some different elements, of the remarkable design of the rest of the terminal. Note that certain areas of the lounge, including the bar, charge for things like alcoholic drinks. But this is a very nice space to spend your time in – and even the Terminal 1 outpost is quite nice as well.
Note that certain areas of the lounge, including the bar, charge for things like alcoholic drinks. But this is a very nice space to spend your time in, and even the Terminal 1 outposts are pleasant as well.
Wi-Fi
Bengaluru features the same Wi-Fi setup as many Indian airports wherein if you have a local phone number it’s relatively easy to get connected, but if you don’t it’s a different story. In theory you can obtain a Wi-Fi voucher but it means scanning your passport and then your boarding pass, and then logging in with a voucher code the machine will print. However on my last visit, the “voucher code” option, designated as being for those without an Indian number, still required an Indian number alongside a Wi-Fi voucher code. It’s frustrating to say the least.
What do to during a layover
Trying to go to the city only makes sense if you have at least seven hours of layover time and even then it may not be worth it considering you could spend more than half of that time sitting in traffic heading to and from.
There are things to do closer to the airport, however. One being the Devanahalli Fort which is about a 20-minute drive to the north. Built in 1501, it has some interesting temples on the inside.
Airport hotels
There are a number of airport hotels around Bengaluru Airport, including a number of international chain brands like Holiday Inn and Moxy. A number are of decent quality and price but will require a shuttle bus or quick taxi ride to get to.
Within the airport complex itself is the Taj Bangalore, which commands great runway views (from certain rooms) but which costs quite a bit more than all the other surrounding hotels. It is definitely more convenient, however.
Finally, there’s the 080 Transit Hotel, from the same people as the lounges – it’s located in Terminal 1 so it’s not as convenient if you’re over in 2, but it’s still easier to reach than most other airport hotels. This can be an especially good option if you have a long layover but not a full night as you can check in and out at any time of day and you pay for the time you use. Like the lounges under the same name, it is nicely designed and offers a comfortable space to get a nap.
What’s coming in the future?
BLR Airport has big plans. First up is the refurbishment of Terminal 1, and then a Phase 2 expansion of Terminal 2 to allow for millions more passengers per year. Finally, a new Terminal 3 is also planned, though it’ll be some time. Alongside all of this there will supposedly be a people mover train to bring passengers between all the terminals easily.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
