Bengaluru Acclimation Playbook
4 steps to get settled | 0 of 4 complete
🇮🇳India GuidePre-Arrival
Everything to sort before you board the plane
India e-Visa — apply at least 4 days before travel
US citizens are not visa-free for India — you must obtain an e-Visa before departure. The India e-Tourist Visa (eTV) is available online at indianvisaonline.gov.in and costs USD 25 for a single or double entry, or USD 40–80 for a multiple-entry visa valid up to 1 or 5 years. You must apply at least 4 business days before travel; applying 7–10 days in advance is strongly recommended to allow for processing delays. Required: a valid US passport with 6+ months validity, a recent passport-quality photo (specific size and background requirements), your outbound flight details, and a credit card for payment. The eVisa is granted for 180 days per visit for a 1-year multiple entry visa. Processing typically completes in 24–72 hours and is emailed as a PDF — print it or save offline.
Book short-term accommodation in Koramangala or Indiranagar
Book a serviced apartment or Airbnb in Koramangala (startup hub, excellent cafe and restaurant density, close to coworking spaces) or Indiranagar (expat and nomad favourite, great nightlife and cafes, HSR Layout nearby). Both neighbourhoods are in south Bengaluru and significantly better connected and safer than other areas for new arrivals. Expect USD 30–60/night for a decent furnished Airbnb studio. Monthly furnished apartments are where the value emerges: INR 25,000–50,000/month (approximately USD 300–600) for a well-located furnished 1BHK (one bedroom, hall, kitchen) in Koramangala or Indiranagar. Avoid Whitefield for your first weeks — it is an IT corridor 30+ km from everything and severely traffic-isolated.
Booking.com
Monthly stays & apartments worldwide
Get an eSIM before departure
Buy an India eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before you fly. An India eSIM with 5–10 GB data typically costs USD 10–18 for 30 days and gives you immediate connectivity when you land at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), which is 40 km from the city centre — a journey that can take 45–90 minutes by road depending on traffic. Within 1–2 days, register a local SIM. Airtel and Jio are the two dominant carriers with excellent 4G/5G coverage in Bengaluru. SIM registration requires your passport and a local address (your accommodation address works). Jio plans are the most affordable: INR 199–299/month for 1.5–2 GB/day plus unlimited calls (approximately USD 2.40–3.60). Airtel is slightly pricier but has better data speeds in most areas.
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Arrange travel insurance before you fly
Bengaluru has India's best private hospital infrastructure — Manipal Hospitals, Fortis, Columbia Asia, and Apollo all have excellent English-speaking staff and international standard care. However, costs without insurance can be significant for major procedures. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (approximately USD 45/month) covers India and includes emergency medical evacuation — essential in a country this large where inter-city medical transport can be complex. World Nomads and Genki are solid alternatives. India has several vaccine recommendations for long-term visitors: check CDC recommendations for typhoid, hepatitis A, and tetanus boosters 4–6 weeks before departure. Food and water safety awareness is important — stomach upsets are common in the first 2–4 weeks as your gut adjusts.
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads