Namma Metro Guide for Tourists & Foreign Visitors
Bengaluru's Namma Metro is the fastest, cheapest and most visitor-friendly way to move around the city — clean, air-conditioned trains, every station and announcement in English, and fares from just ₹10. The one thing that trips up foreign visitors is payment: most online booking uses UPI, which needs an Indian bank account. This guide shows exactly how to ride and pay as a tourist, including how to buy a ticket without UPI. Updated 27 September 2026.
Buying a Ticket Without UPI
1. Cash for a token at the station counter
Walk up to the ticket counter (or a self-service vending machine) at any station, say your destination, and pay cash for a single-journey token or QR ticket. Nothing to install, no account. This is the simplest option for a short trip or a one-off ride.
2. A smart card or NCMC card (bought with cash)
If you'll ride several times, buy a rechargeable smart card at the counter for ₹50 (one-time card fee) plus a minimum ₹50 top-up — so ₹100 to start. It gives roughly 5% cheaper fares at peak and 10% off at off-peak times, and you just tap in and out. Recharge it with cash at any counter. An NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) works the same way and is also valid on city buses.
3. UPI One World — a prepaid wallet for tourists
Want to pay by phone like a local? UPI One World is a prepaid rupee wallet made for foreign visitors. You set it up in the CheqUPI app using your passport and visa, load it with an international credit or debit card, and can then pay by UPI — including the metro's WhatsApp and app booking. It is being rolled out at major Indian airports for inbound tourists; availability is still expanding, so treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee. PhonePe also offers UPI to international travellers from a number of countries (such as the US, UK, Singapore and UAE) — check the app for current eligibility.
Good to know: station counters and vending machines accept cash or UPI only — not cards. Some third-party travel apps take international cards for QR tickets, but this varies, so the safe plan is to carry some rupees. ATMs are available at or near most major stations.
Getting from the Airport to the City
There is no metro to Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) yet — the Blue Line airport link is under construction, with the airport section expected around 2027–2028. Until it opens, your options are:
- Vayu Vajra airport bus (best value): air-conditioned BMTC buses run on 20+ routes. Route KIA-9 goes to Majestic (the Purple ↔ Green metro interchange) every 10–20 minutes, round the clock, for ₹150–₹270 — pay cash or UPI on board. From Majestic you can reach the whole network by metro.
- App cab — Uber / Ola / Rapido (most direct): book it yourself in the app, then walk to the official pickup zone. At Terminal 2, where international flights arrive, follow the “Cab Pickup” signs — about a 5–7 minute walk to the P2 multi-level car park, ground floor, where the Uber/Ola zone is. Around 45–90 minutes to the centre depending on traffic; pay cash or by card in the app.
- Prepaid taxi counter: inside the arrivals hall, before you exit. Pay a fixed fare at the counter and collect a printed slip with your driver's name and vehicle number — a safe, no-haggle option if you'd rather not use an app.
- BluSmart: a reliable app-based electric-cab service that also operates at the airport — a little pricier, but fixed fares and no surge.
How to Ride — Step by Step
- Buy a token or top up a smart card with cash at the counter.
- Put your bag through the security scanner (airport-style) and walk through the metal detector — this is standard at every station.
- At the gate, tap your smart card or scan your QR/token on the reader; the gate opens.
- Follow the English signs to your line and platform. Trains come every few minutes; the next-train time is on the display.
- At your destination, tap out with the card or drop the token in the slot at the exit gate.
Luggage, Security & Lockers
Namma Metro is airport-style on security, which is good to know if you're travelling with bags:
- Bag scan at every station: your bags go through an X-ray scanner and you walk through a metal detector. Don't lock your rucksack — it speeds up the check. Allow a few extra minutes at busy stations like Majestic and MG Road.
- Small and medium luggage is fine as long as it clears screening and doesn't block the doors or aisle. Very large items and anything flammable (gas cylinders, fuel) are not allowed.
- Left-luggage lockers: digital lockers are available at Majestic, Chickpete and Benniganahalli stations — about ₹70 for a medium bag and ₹100 for a large bag for six hours. Handy if you have a late flight and want to explore hands-free.
Etiquette: stand behind the yellow line on the platform, let passengers off before boarding, move into the middle of the coach, and don't push in as the doors close — just wait for the next train (they come every few minutes). The first coach is reserved for women.
Which Line for the Main Sights
| Where you want to go | Nearest station | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping, restaurants, city centre | MG Road | Purple |
| Cubbon Park, museums, Vidhana Soudha | Cubbon Park | Purple |
| Lalbagh Botanical Garden | Lalbagh | Green |
| City Market (KR Market), old city | Krishna Rajendra Market | Green |
| Change between the two lines | Majestic | Purple ↔ Green |
See the full Bangalore Metro map to plan any journey, or the fare chart for exact prices.
Fares, Hours & Visitor Tips
- Fares: distance-based, ₹10 to ₹90. A smart card saves up to about 10% off-peak.
- Hours: 5:00 AM–11:05 PM daily (Sundays from 7:00 AM). Trains every few minutes on the main lines.
- Busy times: roughly 8:00–11:00 AM and 5:00–8:00 PM on weekdays — trains are crowded but frequent.
- Women travellers: the first coach of every train is reserved for women.
- Rules: no eating, drinking or smoking inside the paid area; keep your token or card until you exit.
- Language: everything — signage, maps, ticket counters and announcements — is available in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy a Bangalore Metro ticket as a foreign tourist without UPI?
Pay with cash at any station. The ticket counter and vending machines sell tokens and QR tickets for cash — no UPI, app or Indian bank account needed. For several trips, buy a smart card or NCMC card with cash for slightly cheaper fares. Counters take cash or UPI only (not cards), so carry some rupees.
Can I use an international credit or debit card for Namma Metro?
Not at station counters or vending machines, which take only cash or UPI. Some third-party travel apps accept international cards for QR tickets, but availability varies. The most reliable card route is the UPI One World prepaid tourist wallet (set up in the CheqUPI app with your passport and visa, loaded with an international card), which then lets you pay by UPI like a local. PhonePe also offers UPI to international travellers from some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE and others) — check the app for eligibility.
Is there a metro from Bengaluru airport to the city?
Not yet — the Blue Line airport metro is under construction (airport section expected ~2027–2028). Until then, take the Vayu Vajra KIA-9 airport bus to Majestic (every 10–20 min, ₹150–₹270, cash or UPI) and continue by metro, or use a taxi/app cab.
Do I need the Namma Metro app or WhatsApp to ride?
No. Apps and WhatsApp booking need UPI. As a visitor you can just buy a token, smart card or NCMC with cash at any counter and ride — no app, account or phone required. Everything is in English.
How much does Namma Metro cost and what are the timings?
Fares are distance-based, ₹10 to ₹90; a smart card saves up to about 10% off-peak. Trains run 5:00 AM to 11:05 PM (Sundays from 7:00 AM), every few minutes on the main lines.
Which metro line goes to the main tourist spots?
The Purple Line reaches central Bengaluru — MG Road (shopping) and Cubbon Park (park, museums, Vidhana Soudha). The Green Line reaches Lalbagh Botanical Garden and the old City Market. The lines meet at Majestic (Nadaprabhu Kempegowda) for transfers.
How do I avoid taxi scams at Bengaluru airport?
Only use the official app-cab pickup zone (book Uber/Ola/Rapido yourself and walk to the marked “Cab Pickup” area — at Terminal 2 it's the P2 car park, ground floor), the prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals, or the Vayu Vajra bus. Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you offering a taxi, even “at the same price as Uber” — a common scam leads you away from the official point and charges an inflated fare with a fake receipt. Always match the driver's name and car number to your app before getting in.
Can I take luggage on Namma Metro, and is there luggage storage?
Yes — small and medium bags are fine as long as they pass the X-ray scan at the entrance and don't block the doors (very large or flammable items aren't allowed). Don't lock your bag; it speeds up screening. Digital left-luggage lockers are available at Majestic, Chickpete and Benniganahalli stations for about ₹70–₹100 for six hours.
Where is the Uber or Ola pickup at Bengaluru airport?
At Terminal 2 (international arrivals), follow the “Cab Pickup” signs from the arrivals hall — about a 5–7 minute walk to the P2 multi-level car park, ground floor, where the Uber/Ola zone is. Book the ride in your app first and head to that zone rather than accepting any taxi offered inside the terminal.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with BMRCL. We do not sell tickets or process payments — all bookings are completed on the official Namma Metro channels and partner apps. Fares, timings and payment options can change; always verify on the official BMRCL website.