Bengaluru — officially Bengaluru and widely known as Bangalore — is India's technology capital and the country's third-largest city: a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis of 12+ million known as the Silicon Valley of India. Home to Infosys, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, and hundreds of multinational tech companies, Bengaluru is the operational centre of India's global software and IT services industry. Beyond its tech identity, the city is rich with history (the Wadiyar palaces, Tipu Sultan's fort), spectacular gardens (Lalbagh, Cubbon Park), outstanding South Indian cuisine, and India's most vibrant craft beer and restaurant scene.
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) connects Bengaluru to the world with Air India nonstop service from San Francisco and connections via Dubai, Singapore, London, and Frankfurt. FareOptic compares all airlines to find you the best fare to Bengaluru. Note: an India e-Visa ($25 USD) is required for US citizens before travel.









*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Bengaluru is India's most dynamic and forward-looking city — a place that balances centuries-old royal heritage with cutting-edge modernity, where world-class South Indian cuisine meets a thriving craft beer culture, and where the pleasant climate (the highest-elevation major city in South India) makes it comfortable to visit year-round.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden — established in 1760 by Hyder Ali and expanded by his son Tipu Sultan — is Bengaluru's most beloved green space: a 240-acre garden housing over 1,800 plant species, a 3,000-million-year-old rock formation (one of the oldest geological formations in the world), a beautiful 19th-century Glass House modeled on London's Crystal Palace, and a magnificent lake. The garden is free and best visited early morning.
6:30–8:30 AM when the garden is cool, fragrant, and filled with local morning walkers in the tranquil pre-tourist hours
Vidhana Soudha — the seat of Karnataka's state legislature — is arguably the most imposing government building in all of India: a massive neo-Dravidian granite structure built in 1956, inscribed with 'Government Work is God's Work' in Kannada. The building is particularly spectacular illuminated at night on Sundays and public holidays. Located in the heart of Bengaluru's administrative district, it is most impressive from the outside.
Sunday evenings when Vidhana Soudha and the adjacent High Court are both fully illuminated — the most photographed view in Bengaluru
Bangalore Palace — built in 1878 by the Wadiyar dynasty in the Tudor Revivalist style (inspired by Windsor Castle in England) — is Bengaluru's most palatial heritage building. The palace interior is open for guided tours, revealing ornate teak carved ceilings, antique furniture, painted portraits of the Mysore royal family, and collections of period armor and weaponry. The palace grounds host the Bangalore Palace Music Festival each autumn.
The palace audio guide is very informative — cover both the ground floor and first floor for the most complete tour experience
Cubbon Park is Bengaluru's most important urban green space — a 300-acre park of mature trees, well-maintained gardens, and heritage colonial buildings (including the Attara Kacheri high court and the State Central Library) established in 1870. The park is a beloved sanctuary for Bengaluru residents: morning walkers, families, students, and professionals all share the shaded paths through one of India's finest urban parks.
A Sunday morning cycle or walk through Cubbon Park is one of the most pleasant ways to experience local Bengaluru life
Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Road is Bengaluru's most famous commercial street — a tree-lined boulevard of cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and the city's best bookshops (Blossom Book House). The adjacent Indiranagar neighborhood (100 Feet Road and 12th Main) is Bengaluru's most vibrant restaurant and bar district — the epicentre of the city's food innovation and craft beer scene, with hundreds of excellent restaurants representing cuisines from across India and the world.
Church Street (off MG Road) for Bengaluru's most concentrated stretch of restaurants — from South Indian filter coffee to global cuisines
The ISKCON Temple in Rajajinagar is one of the most architecturally spectacular Hindu temples built in the modern era — a grand complex of temple spires, beautifully landscaped gardens, and the main temple dedicated to Krishna and Balaram. The Govinda's Restaurant within the ISKCON complex serves outstanding pure vegetarian South Indian food. Nearby, the Akshaya Patra kitchen (the world's largest non-government mid-day meal kitchen) is open for tours by appointment.
Sunday mornings when the temple is busiest — the devotional singing (bhajan) and temple ceremony are at their most vibrant
Bengaluru is India's fastest-growing air travel market, with strong demand from the US tech community, Indian diaspora travelers, and business travelers. The 8–12 week booking window typically offers the best balance of fare and availability. Fares spike around Indian festivals (Diwali, Eid) and US–India tech conference periods.
Air India operates one of the few nonstop flights between the US and Bengaluru — from San Francisco (SFO) to BLR, approximately 16 hours nonstop. For US West Coast tech industry travelers, this is the most direct and time-efficient routing. Book well in advance as this route books up quickly, particularly in business class.
US citizens require an India e-Visa for tourism, business, or medical travel. The e-Visa is applied for online at the official Indian e-Visa website and costs $25 USD for a tourist visa valid for 1 year (multiple entries, up to 90 days per stay). Apply at least 4 business days before your travel — allow a week to be safe. Processing is typically within 72 hours.
For most US cities without Air India service, Emirates via Dubai (DXB) and Singapore Airlines via Singapore (SIN) offer the most competitive combination of fares and quality for the Bengaluru route. Emirates typically has the most US city connections; Singapore Airlines offers the superior in-flight experience, particularly in premium cabins.
Air India operates nonstop flights to Bengaluru (BLR) from San Francisco (SFO) — one of the few carriers offering direct service between the US and India's tech capital, reflecting the enormous Silicon Valley–Bengaluru tech corridor. Air India also connects JFK to BLR via Delhi (DEL), and operates from Chicago, Washington Dulles, and other US cities via Delhi hub.
San Francisco SFO (nonstop to BLR), New York JFK via Delhi, Chicago ORD via Delhi, Washington Dulles via Delhi
Emirates connects Bengaluru (BLR) to Dubai (DXB) with multiple daily flights, and from Dubai operates one of the world's most extensive US networks. Emirates' DXB hub is the world's busiest international airport — a highly efficient connection point. Emirates' BLR service includes A380 aircraft on some routes.
Dubai DXB to BLR — connecting to New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Boston, and more
British Airways connects Bengaluru (BLR) to London Heathrow (LHR) with daily nonstop flights — useful for US travelers routing through London. BA's BLR route serves the large British-Indian community and business traffic between India's tech capital and London's financial sector.
London Heathrow LHR to BLR — connecting from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Boston, Dallas, and 50+ US cities
Singapore Airlines connects Bengaluru to Singapore Changi (SIN) — one of the world's finest airports — with multiple daily flights, then onwards to the US. Singapore Airlines consistently ranks among the world's best airlines for both economy and business class, making it the premium option for Bengaluru travel.
Singapore SIN to BLR — connecting to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK, and Houston
Lufthansa connects Bengaluru (BLR) to Frankfurt (FRA) with nonstop service — useful for US travelers routing through Frankfurt. Lufthansa's BLR route serves the significant German-Indian tech industry connection and provides Star Alliance US connectivity.
Frankfurt FRA to BLR — connecting from New York, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, and more
Indian Rupee (INR) — digital UPI payments widely accepted
Kannada (official) — English and Hindi widely spoken
IST (UTC+5:30) — India does not observe daylight saving time
+91 (India) — Bengaluru area code 080
BLR — Kempegowda International Airport (40 km north)
Yes — $25 USD tourist e-Visa required for US citizens (apply 1 week ahead)
Type C/D/M — 230V / 50Hz
112 (India) — Police 100, Ambulance 108
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Bengaluru (Bangalore), India
Compare Air India (nonstop from SFO), Emirates (via Dubai), Singapore Airlines (via SIN), British Airways (via London), and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) on FareOptic. Air India's SFO–BLR nonstop is best for US West Coast travelers. Book 8–12 weeks ahead and apply for your India e-Visa at least 1 week before travel.
Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR), also known as Bengaluru International Airport, is located approximately 40 km north of Bengaluru city centre in Devanahalli. It is Karnataka's primary international airport and one of India's busiest. Terminal 2 (T2) is the new international terminal opened in 2023.
Yes — Air India operates a nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru (BLR), approximately 16 hours flight time. This is the most direct US–Bengaluru routing. Air India also connects JFK, Chicago, and Washington Dulles to BLR via Delhi (DEL). Always verify current Air India schedule and availability on FareOptic.
Yes. US citizens require an India e-Visa for tourism, business, or medical visits. The tourist e-Visa costs $25 USD, is valid for 1 year from the date of issue, allows multiple entries, and permits a maximum stay of 90 days per visit. Apply online at the official Indian e-Visa government portal at least 4 business days (ideally 1 week) before travel.
Bengaluru is India's technology capital — the country's Silicon Valley, home to India's leading IT companies (Infosys, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services), hundreds of multinational tech firms, and India's fastest-growing startup ecosystem. The city is also Karnataka's state capital, known for its pleasant climate ('Garden City'), craft beer scene (India's most vibrant), Kannada language and culture, and as the gateway to South India's temple circuit.
October–February is the best time to visit Bengaluru — the coolest and driest months with pleasant temperatures of 15–27°C (59–81°F). Bengaluru has one of the most temperate climates of any major Indian city year-round due to its elevation of 920 meters (3,020 feet). March–May is warm and pre-monsoon. June–September is the monsoon season — lush greenery but daily rain. Diwali (October/November) is a spectacular time to visit.
The Namma Metro (Purple Line) connects Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru city centre — approximately 45–60 minutes to MG Road station (₹215 / ~$2.60 USD). KSTRTC Vayu Vajra airport buses run to multiple city points. Taxis (Ola, Uber) from BLR to the city centre cost approximately ₹600–1000 (~$7–12 USD) and take 45–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Indian Rupee (INR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Bengaluru's hotels, malls, restaurants, and tech-sector establishments. UPI (Unified Payments Interface) digital payments via apps like PhonePe and Google Pay are very widely used locally — some street vendors only accept UPI. ATMs are widely available. Approximate exchange rate: 1 USD = 82–85 INR (varies).
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