The sweet spot is October to February, when days are dry and pleasant (roughly 20-28C) and evenings cool enough for a light layer; December and January are the coolest and most comfortable. March to May is hotter and dustier but still milder than most of India, while the southwest monsoon (June to September) brings frequent afternoon showers that keep the parks lush. Time a visit around the Lalbagh flower shows held around Republic Day (late January) and Independence Day (mid-August), or the citywide Karaga festival in spring for a taste of old Bangalore ritual.

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) sits about 35-40 km north of the center; the official airport taxi counters, app cabs (Uber/Ola), or the frequent Vayu Vajra AC airport buses are your best bets, and the ride can take 60-90 minutes in traffic. In the city, the Namma Metro (Purple and Green lines, expanding fast) is clean, cheap, and the smartest way to skip gridlock on key corridors like MG Road and Indiranagar. For everything else use Uber, Ola, or metered autorickshaws (insist on the meter or use the app); traffic is heavy, so plan short hops and avoid cross-town drives at rush hour.