Kempegowda International Airport is modern and family-friendly, but the 40 km ride into the city is the part that requires planning — especially with children.
The terminal experience for families
BLR's Terminal 2 (international) is one of India's newest airport buildings. It has clean restrooms, baby-changing facilities, and several food outlets in the arrivals area. Free Wi-Fi is available. Immigration can take 30–60 minutes for international arrivals, so prepare snacks and entertainment for the kids during the wait.
Luggage trolleys are free and widely available. The terminal is fully accessible with elevators and ramps.
Getting a vehicle that fits your family
| Vehicle type | Capacity | How it is priced |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sedan (Dzire) | 2 adults + 1–2 kids, 2 bags | Prepaid counter quotes a fixed zone rate |
| SUV (Innova/Ertiga) | 2 adults + 2–3 kids, 3–4 bags | Higher prepaid rate — ask for it specifically |
| Pre-booked sedan | 2 adults + 1–2 kids, 2 bags | Fixed at booking |
| Pre-booked SUV/minivan | 2 adults + 3–4 kids, 4+ bags | Fixed at booking |
Fixed-price private transfer
BLR Bangalore City Center
From€48for 2 passengers
Other destinations
The prepaid taxi counter can arrange an SUV (usually a Toyota Innova) for a higher rate. Ask specifically — they default to standard sedans. On Ola/Uber, select XL or Premium SUV categories.
Child seats
This is where India's transport system falls short. Standard taxis and ride-hailing cars do not provide child seats. This applies to prepaid taxis, Ola, and Uber. Your options are:
- Pre-book a transfer and request a child seat (infant, toddler, or booster) at least 48 hours in advance
- Bring a portable travel car seat — this works in any vehicle
- Use the Vayu Vajra bus — no seat belt requirement, but no child seat either
If your child requires a car seat, a pre-booked transfer is realistically the only way to get one.
The long ride: keeping kids comfortable
The 40 km journey takes 60–120 minutes, which is a long time in a car with young children after a flight. Some practical tips:
- Download entertainment to a tablet before you fly — cellular data may not work until your SIM activates
- Bring water and snacks from the terminal — there are no rest stops on the expressway
- Use the restroom at the airport before departing — the highway has no convenient facilities
- Travel during off-peak hours if possible — a 45-minute smooth ride is very different from a 2-hour crawl in traffic
- Request a vehicle with working AC — Bangalore is warm, and traffic jams in the heat are uncomfortable
Is the Vayu Vajra bus suitable for families?
The BMTC Vayu Vajra buses are air-conditioned Volvo coaches with luggage storage underneath. For families with older children who can sit independently, they are a perfectly decent option and much the cheapest — check the current per-person fare for your route at mybmtc.karnataka.gov.in. For families with toddlers, strollers, and multiple bags, the bus is manageable but not ideal — you need to navigate bus stops and potentially take an auto-rickshaw to your hotel from the drop-off point.
For most families with young children, a pre-booked transfer or prepaid SUV taxi is the most practical choice.