How to reach Tirumala from Tirupati: bus, taxi and footpath
The three ways up the hill from Tirupati city, with timings, fares and what to carry, written for families staying on Tiruchanoor Road.
Almost every guest at Aakarsh Inn is going up to Tirumala. This is the page we talk through at the front desk, written down so you can plan before you arrive. Distances are from the hotel on Tiruchanoor Road.
The three options at a glance
| Option | From | Time to the temple | Cost (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APSRTC bus | Central Bus Station, 3.4 km from the hotel | 30 to 60 min on the ghat road, plus 10 min to the station | ₹90 non-AC, ₹110 AC per person | Most families; early-morning darshan slots |
| Car or taxi | Hotel door | About 1 hour door to door | Fare varies with season and fuel prices; agree it before you set off | Elders, small children, luggage |
| Footpath | Alipiri Mettu, 14 km from the hotel | 3 to 4 hours on foot | Free | Those who have vowed to walk |
By APSRTC bus
Buses to Tirumala leave from the Central Bus Station, ten minutes from the hotel by auto. At busy times a bus leaves every few minutes. The first departures are around 3:00 AM and the last around 11:30 PM; the return from Tirumala runs a little later. The road is closed to traffic for a short period after midnight.
Two kinds of bus run: the ordinary non-AC service and the AC “Green Saptagiri” electric buses. Buy the ticket at the counter or on the bus; round-trip tickets are cheaper and stay valid for a few days. Carry small change or use UPI.
The bus goes through Leela Mahal junction, Kapila Theertham (Nandi circle) and the Balaji Link bus station near Alipiri, then through the security check and up the ghat road. Budget 30 to 60 minutes for the climb, longer on festival days.
If you have a darshan slot before 6 AM, leave the hotel by 3:15 AM, and set an alarm the night before.
By car or taxi
From the hotel, drive along Tiruchanoor Road towards town, then follow signs for Alipiri and Tirumala. Cars pass the Alipiri check point and a toll gate before the ghat road. The climb is about 18 km and is timed for safety, so a very fast run can be stopped at the top.
- Cars are broadly allowed on the ghat road from about 3 AM to midnight.
- Two-wheelers are restricted to daylight hours, and helmets are compulsory for both riders.
- Parking at Tirumala is in designated lots; on festival days it fills early.
Taxi fares change with season and fuel prices, and the hotel does not arrange cars or hold a rate card, so agree the fare with the driver before you set off. App cabs quote a fixed price up the ghat road.
On foot from Alipiri
The Alipiri Mettu footpath starts 14 km from the hotel. It has 3,550 steps and covers about 12 km; most walkers take three to four hours. The first stretch to the Gali Gopuram is the steepest. There are shops and water taps along the way.
Two things make it easier:
- Free luggage transfer. Hand your bags in at the counter at the start of the steps and collect them at the top.
- Free TTD buses run from the railway station and the Central Bus Station to Alipiri Mettu through the day.
The footpath’s opening hours are adjusted during the wildlife breeding season and on festival days; check the desk the evening before.
Before you go
- Carry the original Aadhaar for every adult; it is checked for tokens and for special-entry darshan.
- Slotted Sarva Darshan tokens are issued only in person at the TTD counters in Tirupati (Srinivasam, Vishnu Nivasam and Bhudevi Complex), not online.
- ₹300 Special Entry Darshan is booked only on the official TTD portal, about 60 days ahead.
- Timings, fares and rules change with TTD notices. The official sources are tirumala.org and the TTD booking portal.
Reception is staffed round the clock, so there is someone at the desk the evening before and again when you leave at 3 AM. We do not issue darshan tokens or set slot timings. For those, tirumala.org and the TTD helpline on 155257 are the current sources.
Questions guests ask
What time does the first bus to Tirumala leave Tirupati?
APSRTC buses from the Central Bus Station start around 3:00 AM and run every few minutes at busy times. The last bus down from Tirumala leaves close to midnight. Check the day's notice at the station, because festival timings change.
How much is the bus from Tirupati to Tirumala?
In 2026 the fare is about ₹90 one way for a non-AC bus and about ₹110 for the AC Green Saptagiri service, going by local reports. Round-trip tickets cost less. Fares are revised from time to time, so check at the counter.
Can I take my own car up to Tirumala?
Yes. Cars pass the Alipiri check point and a toll gate, then climb about 18 km of ghat road. Cars are broadly allowed from about 3 AM to midnight. Two-wheelers are restricted to daylight hours and helmets are compulsory.
How long does the Alipiri footpath take?
The Alipiri Mettu path has 3,550 steps over about 12 km. Most people take 3 to 4 hours. Luggage can be handed over free at the start of the steps and collected at the top.
How far is Aakarsh Inn from the bus station?
Just over 3 km, or 10 minutes by auto. Alipiri is about 14 km and Tirumala about 26 km from the hotel.
Photographs of places on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each frame and used under the Creative Commons BY-SA licence. Every photograph of the hotel itself was taken here.