Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) serves Hyderabad, India's fourth-largest city and the capital of Telangana. Located 22 km south of the city center in Shamshabad, it's one of India's most modern airports and a gateway to the Deccan region.

The airport has an integrated terminal handling both domestic and international flights. Award-winning design with excellent facilities—often ranked among India's best airports.

Key airlines: IndiGo (largest), Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and various international carriers.

HYD is south of Hyderabad:

• To Hyderabad city center (Abids): 25 km, 40-60 minutes
• To HITEC City: 35 km, 50-75 minutes
• To Banjara Hills: 28 km, 45-65 minutes
• To Old City (Charminar): 18 km, 35-50 minutes
• To Secunderabad: 30 km, 50-70 minutes

Traffic varies significantly; rush hour adds time.

Uber and Ola operate at HYD.

• To city center: ₹500-800 (~$6-10 USD)
• To HITEC City: ₹700-1,000
• To Banjara Hills: ₹600-900

Prepaid taxis from the counter:

• Fixed rates to various zones
• SKYCABs (airport taxi) available

Pushpak Bus

Pushpak buses connect to the city:

• Routes: Airport → various city destinations
• To HITEC City: ₹250, 60-90 minutes
• To Secunderabad: ₹250, 75-90 minutes
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
• Air-conditioned and comfortable

Metro (Under Development)

Metro extension to airport is planned but not yet operational.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Multi-level	₹600/day	Terminal adjacent
Open	₹250/day	Short walk

Book online for discounts.

HYD has excellent dining:

Terminal:

• Paradise Biryani: Famous Hyderabadi biryani
• Multi-cuisine restaurants
• Quick service options
• South Indian cafés

Must try: Hyderabadi biryani before leaving (or arriving!).

Network: RGIA WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Excellent
• OTP verification required

SIM cards from:

• Arrivals hall shops
• Jio, Airtel, Vi counters
• Documents required
• Prices: ₹300-500 for prepaid with data

ATMs throughout the terminal.

Currency: Indian Rupee (₹/INR). Approximately 83 INR = 1 USD.

Terminal:

• Duty-free with good selection
• Pearl jewelry (Hyderabad specialty)
• Bidriware (metal craft)
• Traditional handicrafts

Best buys: Pearls—Hyderabad is India's pearl capital.

Plaza Premium Lounge

• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or walk-in
• Amenities: Extensive food, drinks, WiFi, showers

ITC Green Lounge

• Access: Business class, or walk-in

Encalm Lounge

• Access: Various credit cards, Priority Pass

HYD has multiple good lounge options.

Hotels in Banjara Hills and HITEC City cater to different needs. The Old City has heritage options.

Hyderabad is the city of pearls and biryani—a tech hub with 400 years of Nizam heritage, incredible food, and architectural wonders:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Charminar: 30 min—iconic 16th-century monument, heart of Old City
• Golconda Fort: 25 min—massive medieval fortress, sound and light show
• Qutb Shahi Tombs: 30 min—stunning tomb complex near Golconda
• Chowmahalla Palace: 30 min—Nizam's palace, opulent architecture
• Salar Jung Museum: 35 min—one of world's largest one-man collections

Modern Hyderabad:

• HITEC City: 60 min—India's tech hub (Microsoft, Google, etc.)
• Hussain Sagar Lake: 45 min—huge lake with Buddha statue
• Ramoji Film City: 50 min—world's largest film studio complex
• Birla Mandir: 40 min—hilltop temple with city views

Food (Hyderabadi cuisine is legendary):

• Hyderabadi Biryani: The real thing—Paradise, Bawarchi, Shah Ghouse
• Haleem: Slow-cooked meat and wheat porridge (especially during Ramadan)
• Irani chai with Osmania biscuits: Local breakfast tradition
• Double ka meetha: Bread pudding dessert
• Qubani ka meetha: Apricot dessert
• Mirchi ka salan: Chili curry accompaniment

Shopping:

• Laad Bazaar: Bangles—thousands of varieties near Charminar
• Pearls: Hyderabad is the pearl trading capital
• Bidriware: Metal inlay craft unique to the region
• Pochampally ikat: Traditional woven textiles

Local tips:

• Old City vs. New City: Completely different worlds; explore both
• Pearl shopping: Verify quality; buy from reputable dealers
• Biryani debate: Everyone has opinions—try multiple places
• IT capital: Major tech industry; many expats and business travelers
• Language: Telugu and Urdu both widely spoken
• Hot climate: Very hot April-June (40°C+); winter is pleasant
• Muslim heritage: Strong Nizam influence in architecture and food
• Charminar at night: Beautifully lit, but go early evening
• Irani cafés are disappearing—visit the historic ones
• The film industry (Tollywood) is massive here