Bangalore to Hampi Cab: Route, Fare & 3-Day Heritage Trip Guide

Hampi is one of India's most remarkable heritage sites — the ruined capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, spread across a landscape of giant granite boulders, banana plantations and the Tungabhadra river. It is about 340 km from Bangalore, close enough for a long weekend but far enough that most people prefer to be driven rather than drive themselves.

This guide covers the route and drive time, what a Bangalore to Hampi cab costs, which vehicle suits your group, how many days to plan and the sights not to miss.

Bangalore to Hampi distance and drive time

The road distance is about 340 km. With an early start and one breakfast stop, the drive takes around 6 to 7 hours. Most of the route is on the four-lane NH 48 towards Chitradurga, which makes for a comfortable drive.

• Distance: ~340 km (approx.)
• Drive time: 6–7 hours with one stop
• Best departure time: 5–6 am, to reach Hampi by lunch and see the first sights the same afternoon

Best route from Bangalore to Hampi

The usual route is Bangalore → Tumkur → Chitradurga → Hosapete → Hampi. Hosapete (Hospet) is the nearest town and has the most hotels; Hampi village and Kamalapura are closer to the monuments. An alternative via Anantapur is occasionally used when there is heavy traffic on NH 48.

Bangalore to Hampi cab fare

As a guide, one-way fares start from about ₹7,300 for a sedan, and a 2-day round trip in a sedan starts from about ₹9,000. Because Hampi is best seen over two or three days, most travellers book a round trip and keep the car for sightseeing between the scattered monument groups. See the live starting fares for every vehicle on our Bangalore to Hampi route page, or check the exact fare for your dates in the booking box on this page.

Outstation fares on XploreCabs include fuel, driver allowance, tolls, state tax and GST. Kilometres beyond the included distance per day are charged extra.

Which vehicle should you book?

• Sedan (4 seats): couples and small families travelling light.
• SUV or Innova Crysta (6–7 seats): families and anyone who wants more comfort on the long drive.
• Tempo traveller (12+ seats): college groups, photography trips and extended families — see our tempo traveller hire guide.
• Bus (21+ seats): school and office heritage tours — see bus hire in Bangalore.

How many days do you need?

Two full days in Hampi covers the main monuments comfortably; three days lets you add the hippie-island side across the river, a coracle ride and sunrise at Matanga Hill without rushing. Including travel, plan a 3- to 4-day trip from Bangalore.

What to see in Hampi

• Virupaksha Temple: the living temple at the heart of Hampi Bazaar, still in worship.
• Vijaya Vittala Temple and the Stone Chariot: the most photographed monument in Hampi, with the famous musical pillars.
• Royal Enclosure, Mahanavami Dibba and the Stepped Tank.
• Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stables in the Zenana Enclosure.
• Hemakuta and Matanga Hills: the classic spots for sunrise and sunset views over the ruins.
• Tungabhadra coracle ride and the riverside ruins along the walking trail to Vittala.
• Tungabhadra Dam near Hosapete, a pleasant evening stop.

A simple 3-day plan

Day 1: leave Bangalore at 5:30 am, breakfast near Chitradurga, reach Hosapete by lunch and visit the Virupaksha Temple and Hemakuta Hill for sunset.

Day 2: the Royal Enclosure, Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables in the morning; the Vittala Temple and Stone Chariot in the afternoon light.

Day 3: sunrise at Matanga Hill, a coracle ride, then start back to Bangalore after lunch.

Places to stop on the way

• Chitradurga Fort: a massive hill fort just off the highway, worth an hour if you leave early.
• Tumkur and Sira: common breakfast and tea stops on NH 48.

Best time to visit Hampi

October to February is the best season, with cooler days that make walking between monuments pleasant. March to May is very hot, so start sightseeing at dawn and rest in the afternoon. The monsoon (June to September) turns the landscape green but some riverside trails and coracle rides may be suspended.

Tips for a smooth trip

• Wear comfortable shoes and carry water — monuments are spread out and there is a lot of walking.
• Most monuments open from sunrise to sunset; some ticketed sites charge a separate entry fee.
• Let your driver know your sightseeing plan in the morning so they can drop you at the right entry points.

Booking your Bangalore to Hampi cab

Pick your dates and vehicle in the booking box and our team will call to confirm before anything is charged. You can cancel free until your driver starts the trip. Looking for more trips? See weekend getaways from Bangalore, temple trips from Bangalore and all popular routes from Bangalore.