It has never been easier to reach Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore), the tech capital of India. The city’s Kempegowda International Airport connects to 30 international and 75 domestic destinations. More than 40 million passengers used the airport in 2024, enjoying improved facilities and a brand-new Terminal 2. Getting between the airport and downtown is another matter.
We need to address this up front: traffic. Bengaluru ranks as the sixth-most congested city in the world. The average vehicle travel time per 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles) is 28 minutes, the worst in Asia. With an additional 300,000 private vehicles registered in the first six months of 2025, the strain on the city’s roads is increasing. The journey from the airport to downtown can take between one and three hours, depending on traffic conditions.
The long-awaited extension of the city’s Namma Metro to the airport, expected to begin operations in early 2027, will significantly reduce average journey times. Helicopter transfers from the airport to any of more than 90 rooftop helipads in the city, taking just 15 minutes, have occasionally been available in the past few years but lately have been suspended due to difficulties relocating the helipad at the airport following the construction of Terminal 2.
The antiquated transport infrastructure sits at odds with a city at the forefront of technology. Already well-established as a hub for IT giants such as IBM, Microsoft and Infosys, in recent years Bengaluru gave rise to more than 40 startup “unicorns” — that is, new companies valued at more than $1 billion. The area boasts a pool of tech talent to rival Silicon Valley, coupled with local and national legislation to encourage research and innovation.
Districts such as Electronic City, south of downtown, and Whitefield IT Corridor, to the east, are palpably cosmopolitan, with a host of multinational campuses and dedicated IT industrial parks. Both areas connect to downtown by the Namma Metro and the Bengaluru Suburban Railway, spreading the economic benefits throughout the city.
As Downtown Bengaluru rapidly gentrifies, the characterful chaos so typical of Indian cities gives way to air-conditioned malls and trendy cafés. UB City Mall exemplifies the evolution. This modern complex hosts a plethora of high-end brands, with prices to match.
© ARTOFKOSI | DREAMSTIME.
The rapid urban evolution provides only part of the story. Bengaluru has long been known as the Garden City of India, with an abundance of public parks and tree-lined avenues. The vast Lalbagh Botanical Garden dates back to 1760, when it was created by the local regional sultan. It’s a popular exercise spot for locals in the morning and for strollers in late afternoon. Cubbon Park (also known as Sri Chamarajendra Park) in the heart of downtown offers a shaded, vibrant meeting place, especially on weekends. On the park’s eastern boundary lies the city’s 40,000-capacity cricket stadium. The sport unifies all strands of Bengaluru’s population, from rickshaw drivers to tech bros.
Around the city, the shifts between old and new, between poverty and wealth, can prove bewildering for visitors. This is a city in the midst of dramatic change, proud of its past and forging its own future.
CHECKING IN WITH AADI CHABUKSWAR
Community Engagement Manager, Sarla Aviation
Tell us about Sarla Aviation.
Headquartered in Bengaluru and named in honor of Sarla Thukral, India’s first woman pilot, Sarla’s long-term vision is to build flying cars as a scalable mode of mass transpotation. Founded in 2023 by Adrian Schmidt and Rakesh Gaonkar, and joined in 2024 by Shivam Chauhan, the company’s team unites the global flying taxi ecosystem with a shared belief India will shape the future of civilization.
What is the market for Sarla’s flying taxis?
The market is enormous — and uniquely Indian. Only 8 percent of Indians own cars, yet four of the world’s 10 most congested cities are here. The roads are saturated, metros are too slow to scale, and space is limited. The only direction left is up. India is already the world’s fastest- growing aviation market, having tripled air travel in just a decade. We believe flying taxis are not a luxury product but the next logical step in mass transportation.
Do you have a timeline for development and the start of commercial operations?
We’re in the R&D phase right now. Flight testing begins soon, and from there we’ll move step-by-step toward certification and production. Our goal is to begin phased commercial operations by 2029.
What advantages does Bengaluru offer for high- tech startups?
Bengaluru is India’s biggest hub for technology and start- ups. We’re building something as ambitious as a flying taxi, and this city gives us access to the skills, infrastructure and partnerships to make it possible. At the same time, Bengaluru is notorious for its traffic congestion — so it’s also the perfect testing ground.
What sights and activities do you recommend for those visiting Bengaluru?
Wake up early for the flower market at KR Market — it’s one of the biggest in Asia. Wander through Chickpet, the city’s 16th-century trading quarter, where narrow lanes are still filled with silk shops, spice stalls and family-run eateries. For history, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace is a teakwood gem from the 18th century that feels frozen in time. Spend an evening at one of the city’s 100-plus craft breweries; Toit, The Bier Library and Windmills are local favorites.
DIVERSIONS
Bengaluru, the only city in India with a genuine beer culture, boasts by far the highest concentration of pubs and microbreweries, especially on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar and in the district of Koramangala. Popular venues include Toit Brewpub and The Biere Club.
The city boasts a wealth of day- time attractions. The most striking modern landmark is Vidhana Soudha, the Karnataka state legislative house. Built in 1956 in neo-Dravidian style, which draws on traditional Indian architecture, it makes up part of the large administrative complex on the northern side of Cubbon Park. Pre- booked guided tours are available, though most visitors are content to use the huge building as a backdrop for selfies.
PHOTO: © THE LEELA PALACE BENGALURU
The entry fee for Bengaluru Palace, the spectacular home of the Maharaja of Mysore, includes audio guides explaining the history of this remarkable 19th-century building. The palace grounds have hosted concerts by many international stars, including Elton John and Guns N’ Roses.
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, an architectural marvel close to the historic Bangalore Fort, dates back to 1791. The sultan fiercely resisted British colonial expansion and became known as the Tiger of Mysore. (Mysore, now Mysuru, is the former capital of Karnataka state. Located 90 miles southwest of Bengaluru, it makes for a worthy side trip.)
LODGING
THE LEELA PALACE BENGALURU
One of the great hotels of the world. Not the best location (it was near the old airport; less convenient for the new), but who cares when you get to live like a maharaja?
23 HAL Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bengaluru
$$$$
SOUKYA
A favorite of King Charles III and Queen Camilla of England, SOUKYA is more than a hotel: The holistic healing resort offers a wealth of treatments.
Soukya Road, Samethanahalli, Whitefield, Bengaluru
$$$
TAJ WEST END BENGALURU
Enjoy 19th-century colonial opulence amid verdant gardens in this downtown oasis of tranquility.
41 Race Course Road, High Grounds, Bengaluru
$$$$
DINING
FARMLORE
Michelin-starred Chef Johnson Ebenezer over- sees farm-to-table dining at Farmlore, located in a village between the city and airport.
Survey No. 67, Mohan, Raju Layout, Sathanur Village, Bengaluru
$$$
PHURR
Enjoy spicy vegetarian North Indian cuisine that’s more than a match for the restaurant’s vibrant décor.
40 22nd Cross Road, Jayanagar 3rd Block East, Bengaluru
$$$
SHRI SAGAR
Sample legendary vegetarian South Indian cuisine served on plastic trays in a no-frills environment where little has changed since it opened in 1920 (also known as Central Tiffin Room).
152 7th Cross Road, 3rd Main, Margosa Road, Bengaluru
$
INFO TO GO
Domestic and international flights arrive at Kempegowda International Airport, 22 miles north of downtown. Road transfers to the city are at the mercy of the city’s traffic. A road tunnel projected for completion in 2027 will reduce journey times by 30 percent. The Namma Metro extension will provide a direct rail option from 2027.
JUST THE FACTS
Time zone: GMT+5 hours, 30 minutes
Phone code: Country code: 91 City code: 80
Currency: Indian rupee
Key industries: IT, bio-technology, aerospace, electronics, automobile manufacture, floriculture
COMING AND GOING
All U.S. citizens require a valid passport and a visa to enter India. E-visas for tourists are available for single or multiple visits, though they only permit entry at select airports. Be aware visa regulations change frequently.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Kannada, one of India’s 22 official languages, remains the most common language in Bengaluru, though Hindi is beginning to supplant it due to immigration from other parts of the country. English, widely spoken, is effectively the lingua franca of business.
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