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Nandi Hills near Bangalore: timings, entry fee and sunrise
Nandi Hills is a 1,478-metre hill fortress about 60 km north of Bengaluru, and people drive out before dawn to watch the sun rise over a valley full of cloud. Karnataka Tourism gives the hours as 6:00–18:00 every day, with an entry fee of around ₹10–20 per person plus a parking charge. The road takes about 1.5–2 hours from the city.
The city's standing sunrise appointment: a hill fortress at 1,478 metres, some 60 km north, where the whole trick is to be at Tipu's Drop by half past five or six and watch the valley below the cliff fill with cloud. Fragments of Tipu Sultan's summer lodge survive, and the old Yoganandeeshwara temple sits at the summit. Gates open at 6 AM, with small per-person and vehicle fees. Weekends are very crowded, and the cloud carpet is most dependable on December-to-February mornings.
The sunrise-above-the-clouds ritual that half the city has done at least once
Nandi Hills timings and entry fee
- Hours: 6:00–18:00, every day. Karnataka Tourism lists no closing day.
- Entry: around ₹10–20 per person.
- Parking: around ₹30–50 for a two-wheeler and ₹60–100 for a car, the higher rate at weekends.
The gate time matters more than anything else here. The sunrise trip is timed around the 6:00 opening, so many visitors set off from the city before dawn. At weekends the hill gets crowded.
What to see on Nandi Hills
Most of what is worth seeing sits on the top of the hill.
- Tipu's Drop. The cliff edge where the classic sunrise view opens up. On a good morning the valley below is filled with cloud and the sun comes up over it.
- Tipu Sultan's summer lodge. Fragments of the ruler's hill retreat survive near the summit.
- Yoganandeeshwara temple. An old temple at the top of the hill.
- Amrita Sarovar. An old reservoir built to supply water to the hill fort.
- Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple. At the foot of the hill; worth a stop on the way down.
👣 How to get to Nandi Hills from Bangalore
The hill is about 60 km from Bengaluru, roughly 1.5–2 hours by road.
- By car or taxi
Take NH44 north towards Chikkaballapur. For sunrise, leave the city before dawn so you reach the gate around its 6:00 opening.
- By bus
Government buses run to Chikkaballapur, about 9 km from the hill; from there take a taxi or an auto.
- By train
Chikkaballapur railway station is about 9 km away; finish by taxi.
Best time for the sunrise
Karnataka Tourism recommends September to February, when temperatures on the hill run between 10 and 25 °C. The cloud carpet below Tipu's Drop is most dependable on December to February mornings. Bring a warm layer: the hill is cooler than the city, more so before dawn.
Weekends and holidays are very crowded. A weekday morning is calmer.
❓ FAQ
What is Nandi Hills famous for?
Sunrise above a valley full of cloud, seen from Tipu's Drop, plus Tipu Sultan's summer lodge and old temples on a 1,478-metre hill.
What is the ticket price of Nandi Hills?
Around ₹10–20 per person, plus parking of around ₹30–50 for a two-wheeler or ₹60–100 for a car.
What time does Nandi Hills open?
At 6:00. It closes at 18:00.
Which day is Nandi Hills closed?
Karnataka Tourism lists it as open every day, with no weekly closing day.
How do I go to Nandi Hills from Bangalore?
By road on NH44 towards Chikkaballapur, about 60 km and 1.5–2 hours. Without a car, take a bus or train to Chikkaballapur and a taxi for the last 9 km.