Tourist taxis (including pre-paid service) and auto-rickshaws are easily available. Driving time to most hotels in Hyderabad is less than 30 minutes. Auto-rickshaws are metered and the fare to a similar distance will come to about Rs. 40-60.

In this Hyderabad transportation guide, we will give you some insight on how to get to the region, and the best ways to get around once you are here. A local Hyderabad Tour or Activity is a great way to learn more about the region and people. For more general country transport information, take a look at our India Transportation Guide.

Hyderabad Transportation Guide

Getting to Hyderabad

By Air

Hyderabad is well connected to many parts of the world and the rest of the country by air. It has had an airport since 1930 at Begumpet, which catered to both domestic as well as international flights in its two terminals. Today this is closed and a new state-of-the-art airport is now functional at Shamshadabad, which is in the outskirts of the city. The Hyderabad International Airport, also known as Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, began its commercial operations in March 2008. In its final stages of completion, the airport is expected to handle 40 million passengers. To reach the airport you can avail of the ‘Aero Express', the airport shuttle which runs through the day every 30 minutes.

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By Rail

The commuter rail system in Hyderabad - the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) - was opened to the public in August 2003. It is a light rail transportation system, which connects different parts of the city such as Secunderabad, Faluknama and Lingampally. Hyderabad is also slated to get a Metro system, which should ease urban traffic congestion. Hyderabad and, in particular, Secunderabad is considered to be an important railway city in the India.

There are three main railway stations in Hyderabad, namely Hyderabad Railway Station (Nampally), Secunderabad Railway Station and Kachiguda Railway Station.

By Road

Hyderabad is well connected to several important cities of India such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Warangal, Nagpur, and Vijaywada amongst other cities. The highway network linking Hyderabad to other places in India is also very good. Three National Highways - NH 7, NH 9 and NH 202 - pass through the city. The city will also be part of the North-South Corridor. Hyderabad is also located in the heart of the Telengana region and is hence well connected to cities and towns in this region.

The city also boasts of one of the best laid out internal road systems. There are several flyovers in city which has helped decongest traffic to an extent. Many important roads in Hyderabad are three-lane on each side. The inner ring road and the yet to be constructed outer ring road will ease some of the city's traffic problems, as now most of the heavy vehicles are directed through these roads to reach the national highways, bypassing the city.

However, as it is with most Indian cities, the city traffic is still chaotic due to the increase in vehicles and lack of lane discipline. Driving in Hyderabad is no longer a pleasure and has become a stressful experience for vehicle owners. Added to traffic snarls is the increase in number of road accidents, common among two-wheelers and auto rickshaws.

Alternative Transportation in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is linked to various parts within the city by a good MRT system (mass rapid transit system), which is a blessing for commuters who can now reach their destination fast and in comfort.

But if you want to get the feel of the city, you can try out the 3-seater and 7-seater autos. If you prefer comfortable rides, you can hire air-conditioned cabs which are just a phone call away and make getting around Hyderabad easy.

Bus Service

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is the main bus service in Hyderabad. It was established in 1932, with just 27 buses as part of the Nizam State Railways-Road Transport Division. However, today it has a fleet of nearly 19,000 buses and has the honour of being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest state transport undertaking in the world. APSRTC connects various parts of the city and has a good frequency of buses, enabling passengers to commute between locations easily.

Getting Around Hyderabad

By Bus

Buses are a good mode of transportation in Hyderabad. APSRTC currently has more than 4000 buses running within the city. You can use these services anywhere in Hyderabad, but you need to check on the timings and schedules. There are various bus services such as the ordinary service, Metro Express and Veera. The latter two are semi luxury and luxury buses in Hyderabad that have fewer halts between any two points. These services are faster than the ordinary bus service which stops at all designated stops.

Boarding the Bus - As you see the bus approaching the bus stop, stand up so that it is clear to the driver that you want to board the bus. To hop on to the right bus, look at the destination sign which is above the front wind shield, to check the route number and destination. If it is not clear, then do not hesitate to ask either the conductor or the bus driver. Generally, the entry and exit for ladies is through the front door and men get in through the rear door. Front seats are reserved for women and men can occupy the rear seats.

It is a good idea to keep the exact change ready to buy the ticket. The ticket conductor will issue a ticket specific to your destination and the cost of the ticket will depend on the distance. Keep the ticket carefully till you disembark from the bus.

Get Off at Your Stop - During your ride be alert so that you do not miss your stop. If you are in doubt, it is best to ask the conductor to tell you when your destination is approaching.

By Auto Rickshaw (Auto)

Auto rickshaws are a good mode of transport in Hyderabad for places close by. The auto rickshaws cannot be missed, as they are found everywhere and can be recognised by the yellow colour and its three wheels. It is commonly referred to as just ‘auto'. It has a canopy for cover and the driver sits in the front. There is usually a three seater at the back for passengers, though sometimes more people can be accommodated.

The auto runs by metre and the passenger is charged by the kilometre. Autos are available at airports, railway stations and bus stands. They are found even in shopping areas and in residential localities in and around Hyderabad. Autos are popular as they are cheaper than taxis in Hyderabad.

Sometimes the auto driver (auto wallah) will also play his favourite tracks on his music system. The auto metre starts from a minimum amount and after the minimum distance travelled, it starts ticking, adding the extra fare till you reach your destination.

Note: If you take a ride after 10:00 pm, the auto driver will demand an extra fare of ‘half return'. This means that if the meter displays Rs 50, then an additional half amount, i.e. Rs 25 will be added and you will have to pay the driver Rs 75.

Most autos have a place at the back where you can keep some luggage. Make sure you do not leave anything behind when you get down.

By Car

The other good option to get around Hyderabad is by using cars. You can find cars which you can rent for self driving or you can avail the services of a chauffeur. You can contact any car rental agency in Hyderabad - the contact details will be available at the hotel desk. An average cost for renting a chauffeur driven car for a day is approximately Rs 600 to Rs 1000. It could vary depending on the distance.

The car rental companies provide luxurious as well as efficient service which is both convenient and comfortable. You can use them for coming to and from the airport, for sight seeing and for excursions around Hyderabad. All you need to do is to call them and they will be there in no time.

By Rail

The Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) is the latest mode of transport in Hyderabad. Every day nearly 84 trains ply to and fro to provide its services to the commuters. Approximately, 75,000 people board the MMTS every day. This makes them quite crowded but this is the fastest way to reach your destination. MMTS connects various points of the city with Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Falaknuma and Lingampally. A Metro rail system is also expected to get ready soon to ease commuting in the city.