Hyderabad to Tirupati by road, bus and train: cost and trip plan
Hyderabad to Tirupati is one of the most travelled pilgrimage routes in South India, and it is long enough that the way you go changes the bill a lot. A car with two people can be dearer than two bus tickets, but it gives you the freedom to stop where you like and to carry luggage for a family.
The usual road route runs south on NH44 towards Kurnool and then across the Rayalaseema region through Kadapa before climbing to Tirupati. Plan for a full day of driving, and do not aim to reach Tirumala the same evening if you want a calm darshan the next morning.
What the trip costs
| Distance | about 537 km one way |
|---|---|
| Drive time | about 9.5 to 11 hours with breaks |
| Car fuel | ₹3,901 |
| Car toll | ₹1,074 (about 9 toll plazas) |
| Car total, fuel and toll | ₹4,974 (₹2,487 each for two people) |
| Semi-sleeper bus | about ₹376 per person |
| Sleeper-class train | about ₹268 per person |
Estimates use CostMyTrip's default assumptions: a petrol car doing 15 km per litre with fuel at the average price across the states on the route, a toll allowance of about ₹2 per km on tolled highway, a semi-sleeper bus and a sleeper-class train, for two adults travelling one way outside festival peaks. Distance is CostMyTrip's estimate and your maps app may show a slightly different road distance.
On these numbers the cheapest way to make the trip is by train at about ₹268 per person. A car for two costs about ₹2,487 per person for fuel and toll alone, but it carries luggage, lets you stop wherever you like, and gets cheaper per person as you add travellers: with four people the same fuel and toll comes to about ₹1,244 each.
Plan it your way. Change the vehicle, fuel, number of travellers and nights in the planner to get your own total.
Plan Hyderabad to TirupatiStops on the way
- Kurnool. A natural halfway break for lunch and fuel. The city is on the Tungabhadra and has a busy market street if you need to stretch your legs.
- Kadapa. Good for a tea stop before the final third of the drive. Gandikota, the river gorge often called the Grand Canyon of India, is a detour of a couple of hours if you have a spare day.
- Srikalahasti. Close to Tirupati and worth pairing with the trip if you have time, since it sits on the way to or from Chennai.
By bus, train or air
Overnight buses run in large numbers between Hyderabad and Tirupati, including AC sleeper and multi-axle services, and are the cheapest comfortable option for two people. Trains also connect Secunderabad and Tirupati, usually overnight. Book train seats early in festival weeks and check the timetable on IRCTC, because departure times change.
What to see in Tirupati
- Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala: book darshan slots only through the official Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams website and beware of agents who promise shortcuts.
- Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanoor, traditionally visited as part of the same pilgrimage.
- Kapila Theertham and Srivari Mettu for a short walk in the hills around Tirupati.
Tips before you go
- Carry your original photo ID: darshan and many rooms check it at the gate.
- The Tirumala ghat road has rules for two-wheelers and timings that change, so confirm them if you ride.
- Start early from Hyderabad to cross Kurnool before the afternoon heat, and keep the last stretch for daylight.
Best time to travel
Winter, from October to February, is the most comfortable time for the drive. Weekends, school holidays and festival weeks bring long queues at Tirumala, so a weekday visit saves hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the drive take?
Plan on roughly ten to eleven hours including meal and fuel breaks. Heavy traffic near Tirupati adds time.
Is it cheaper by bus or by car?
For two people the bus is usually cheaper. The car works out better for three or four people sharing the fuel and toll, or when you want to add stops on the way.
How accurate are these costs?
They are planning estimates from CostMyTrip's calculator, not quotes. Fuel prices, toll rates and fares change, so use them to compare options and confirm the real numbers before you go.
More route guides
- Hyderabad to Vijayawada312 km · car ₹2,893
- Hyderabad to Bengaluru570 km · car ₹5,168
- Hyderabad to Warangal168 km · car ₹1,542
- Hyderabad to Srisailam190 km · car ₹1,758
These are planning estimates only. Confirm current fares, tolls and timings before you travel; see our disclaimer.