How to reach Tirumala
Checked 2026-09-16 against the official sources below
Every route to Tirumala runs through Tirupati, the town at the foot of the Seshachalam hills. You reach Tirupati by road, rail or air, then go up the hill by bus, car or on foot. This guide covers each leg with the details Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams publishes, and the drive times from seven cities.
Tirupati to Tirumala by bus
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs a bus from Tirupati to Tirumala every two minutes. TTD lists the fare at ₹45 for adults and ₹23 for children, and a return ticket is valid for three days from the date of purchase. During Brahmotsavam and on days like New Year’s Day, buses run round the clock, one every minute.
Buses leave from four stations in Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara Bus Station opposite the railway station, the Balaji Link Bus Station at Alipiri, the Sapthagiri Link Bus Station in the central bus station complex, and Sri Padmavathi Bus Station behind the railway station. Groups can hire a contract carriage for 45 people at ₹900 a vehicle, with advance reservation.
The ghat roads and the night ban
Two all-weather ghat roads connect Tirupati and Tirumala. The old ghat road, built in 1944 and 19 km long, now carries traffic coming down. The new ghat road, opened in 1974, carries vehicles going up.
Buses and other vehicles are not allowed on the ghat road from Tirupati to Tirumala between 12 am and 3 am. If your darshan or seva is in the early hours, stay on the hill the night before. TTD runs an automobile clinic that helps with breakdowns on the ghat roads, and during peak periods two-wheelers may be stopped for safety.
By train
Tirupati railway station is the nearest railhead, about 26 km from Tirumala. It is a major station with five platforms and an escalator, and the Sri Venkateswara and Sri Padmavathi bus stations for Tirumala are right beside it, in front and behind. Budget TTD rooms are also opposite the station.
By air
Tirupati’s airport is near Renigunta, about 15 km from Tirupati town. TTD lists direct flights to Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, New Delhi and Bengaluru. From the airport, take a taxi to Tirupati or directly up the hill, keeping the midnight to 3 am ghat road ban in mind for late flights.
On foot: Alipiri and Srivari Mettu
Many pilgrims walk up as an act of devotion. The Alipiri footpath is 11 km and is the most commonly used route. The Srivari Mettu footpath from Chandragiri is only about 6 km. Pilgrims who walk are eligible for Divya Darshan, a separate queue from the free Sarva Darshan.
Driving to Tirumala from other cities
Direct buses also run to Tirumala from Chennai, Bengaluru and Vellore, and private operators and taxis connect Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other cities to Tirupati. The table shows the road distance and typical drive time to Tirumala, calculated from OpenStreetMap routing. Real journeys take longer with stops and traffic; the homepage planner adds an hour’s buffer and tells you when to leave for your darshan.
| From | Road distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | 571 km | 7 h 15 min |
| Bengaluru | 270 km | 3 h 30 min |
| Chennai | 158 km | 2 h 5 min |
| Vijayawada | 439 km | 5 h 25 min |
| Visakhapatnam | 792 km | 9 h 35 min |
| Tirupati | 22 km | 25 min |
| Kurnool | 360 km | 4 h 35 min |
Sources
- tirumala.org: How to reach
- tirumala.org: Tirupati to Tirumala by road
- OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked 2026-09-16
Temples change timings and rules during festivals and eclipses. Confirm on the trust’s website the week you travel. This site is independent and does not sell tickets or rooms.
More guides
- Tirumala darshan timings and planner
- Tirumala darshan types and tickets
- TTD ₹300 Special Entry Darshan ticket
- Tirumala accommodation and room booking
- Rooms in Tirupati run by TTD
- Yadagirigutta (Yadadri) temple timings
- Bhadrachalam temple timings
- Padmavathi temple, Tiruchanoor
- Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple timings
- Kanipakam temple timings
- Simhachalam temple timings