WILDLIFE · BENGALURU · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Bannerghatta Biological Park Guide: Safari Tickets, Timings and How to Plan the Day
Bannerghatta is the wildlife outing closest to Bengaluru: a zoo, a butterfly park and the bus and jeep safaris through lion, tiger, bear and herbivore enclosures, about 22 to 25 km from the city centre. This guide gives the current tariff, safari timings, which ticket to buy, how to get there, and a plan that avoids the queues.
The short answer
Bannerghatta Biological Park is open 9:30 am to 5 pm, closed every Tuesday, with the safari running from 10 am to 4:30 pm. A zoo-only ticket is Rs 120 for adults, and the non-AC bus safari with zoo is Rs 370 on weekdays and Rs 420 on weekends. Book the safari online for weekends, arrive by 10 am, and plan four to six hours.
The park lies on the southern edge of Bengaluru, on the Bannerghatta Road, and is managed by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka. Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park was separated from the surrounding Bannerghatta National Park in 2004 and covers 731.88 hectares, with a zoo, a butterfly park and the safari zones; the surrounding national park is far larger, at about 260 sq km. The zoo was set up in 1974.
It works as a half-day outing from the city. If you are building a wider weekend list, see weekend getaways from Bangalore, and for the larger parks in the state, wildlife safaris and national parks in Karnataka and the Kabini, Nagarhole and Bandipur safari guide. Tickets and booking are on the park’s official site, bannerghattabiologicalpark.org.
Tickets and tariff
| Ticket | Weekday | Weekend and holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Zoo only, adult | Rs 120 | Rs 120 |
| Zoo only, child | Rs 60 | Rs 60 |
| Zoo only, senior citizen | Rs 70 | Rs 70 |
| Butterfly park only, adult / child | Rs 50 / Rs 30 | Rs 50 / Rs 30 |
| Zoo plus butterfly park, adult | Rs 170 | Rs 170 |
| Non-AC bus safari with zoo, adult / child | Rs 370 / Rs 210 | Rs 420 / Rs 260 |
| AC bus safari with zoo, butterfly park and camera, adult / child | Rs 690 / Rs 480 | Rs 740 / Rs 530 |
| Still camera / video camera | Rs 50 / Rs 250 | Rs 50 / Rs 250 |
| Battery vehicle inside the zoo | Rs 100 adult, Rs 50 child | Same |
| Row boat, per person (30 minutes) | Rs 50 | Rs 50 |
The zoo, butterfly park and camera rates went up by about 20 per cent from August 2025 after the forest minister approved the revision proposed by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, which is why older pages still show Rs 100 for the zoo. Safari tickets rise a little at weekends and on holidays. Children’s tickets apply from age 6 to 12, and children under 6 enter free.
| Jeep or car safari (per vehicle) | Weekday | Weekend and holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 6-seater jeep, non-AC | Rs 3,600 | Rs 3,900 |
| 6-seater jeep, AC | Rs 4,200 | Rs 4,500 |
| 6-seater Xylo, AC | Rs 4,700 | Rs 5,200 |
| 8-seater jeep, non-AC | Rs 4,600 | Rs 5,100 |
| 7-seater Innova, AC | Rs 5,700 | Rs 6,200 |
The jeep price covers the zoo, safari, butterfly park and camera for the whole vehicle, so a six-seater non-AC jeep works out to Rs 600 per person on a weekday, against Rs 370 on the bus. The AC bus is worth the extra Rs 320 between April and June.
What each attraction is like
| Attraction | Hours | How long | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoo | 9:30 am to 5 pm | 1.5 to 2 hours | Walking paths, shaded rest areas; plan 2 to 3 km on foot |
| Butterfly park | 9:30 am to 5 pm | 30 to 45 minutes | India's first butterfly park inside a zoo campus; numbers vary with the season |
| Bus or jeep safari | 10 am to 4:30 pm | 45 minutes to 1 hour | Tickets sold until about 4 pm; lion, tiger, bear and herbivore zones |
| Boating | 9:30 am to 5 pm | 30 minutes | Row boats and pedal boats, subject to availability |
The safari is the main draw. Vehicles drive through fenced forest enclosures where lions, tigers, bears and herbivores roam. Remain seated, and do not try to attract the animals’ attention. Bonnet macaques roam freely around the zoo and the gates, and they grab food, so carry liquids and snacks sealed inside your bag. Single-use plastic is not allowed, and paper bags are given at the entrance in exchange.
The park limits safari tickets, so on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the last departures sell out in the afternoon. Arrive before 2 pm if you have not booked online. Wear shoes you can walk in, cover your head, and avoid bright or fluorescent colours. The zoo is a silent zone, so leave the speaker at home.
How to reach Bannerghatta
| From | Distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Central Bengaluru | About 22 to 25 km, 1 to 1.5 hours | Drive down Bannerghatta Road; taxis are easy |
| Shivajinagar and MG Road | BMTC bus | Direct buses to Bannerghatta; slow in peak hours |
On weekends, leave Bengaluru by 8 am. Bannerghatta Road is one of the city’s slowest corridors after 9 am, and a late start can burn an hour. Parking is available at the park; the fee depends on the vehicle. The park has a cloakroom, wheelchairs, umbrellas and an information kiosk. There is a restaurant inside the zoo, JLR Hill View, and two outside, the KSTDC Vanashree Mayura and the BMTC Annapurna. For other short trips from the city, see the Nandi Hills sunrise guide and the Bangalore district guide.
Best time, family costs and a plan
| Months | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October to February | Cool mornings | Comfortable for walking; best season |
| March to May | Hot by 11 am | Take the AC bus; visit the zoo first thing |
| June to September | Rain, green | Carry a raincoat and a sealed bag for phones |
| Weekdays | Lighter crowds | Tuesday is closed; safari prices are lower than at weekends |
Our own estimate for a family of four (two adults, two children), tickets only: non-AC bus safari with zoo is about Rs 1,160 on a weekday and Rs 1,360 on a weekend; the AC bus safari is about Rs 2,340 on a weekday and Rs 2,540 on a weekend. A six-seater non-AC jeep is Rs 3,600 on a weekday for the whole group. Add parking, food, a camera if you carry one, and boating if the children want it.
A plan that works: reach the gate by 9:30 am, walk the zoo and the butterfly park first while it is cool, break at noon, take the safari between 1 and 3 pm, and leave by 4:30 pm to miss the evening traffic. See also Karnataka in monsoon for rain-season planning and best time to visit Karnataka. For birdwatching near the city, see bird sanctuaries in Karnataka.
Mistakes to avoid
- Going on a Tuesday. The whole park is closed.
- Arriving at 3 pm on a weekend. The safari tickets are usually gone.
- Carrying food in open bags. Macaques take it.
- Bringing plastic bottles and bags. Single-use plastic is swapped at the gate.
- Buying the safari without the zoo. The safari ticket already includes the zoo, so do not pay twice.
- Standing in the bus or trying to attract the animals. Stay seated.
- Assuming prices are the old ones. Zoo and camera rates rose from August 2025.
Bannerghatta FAQ
What are the Bannerghatta zoo timings?
The zoo and butterfly park are open 9:30 am to 5 pm, and the safari runs 10 am to 4:30 pm. The park is closed every Tuesday.
What is the Bannerghatta zoo entry fee?
Rs 120 for adults, Rs 60 for children and Rs 70 for senior citizens. Zoo plus butterfly park is Rs 170 for adults.
How much is the Bannerghatta safari ticket?
The non-AC bus safari with zoo is Rs 370 for adults and Rs 210 for children on weekdays, and Rs 420 and Rs 260 at weekends. The AC bus safari is Rs 690 and Rs 480 on weekdays, and Rs 740 and Rs 530 at weekends.
How long is the safari?
About 45 minutes to an hour. Plan four to six hours for the whole park.
How much is a jeep safari?
A six-seater non-AC jeep is Rs 3,600 on weekdays and Rs 3,900 on weekends for the whole vehicle, and an AC jeep is Rs 4,200 and Rs 4,500.
Is Bannerghatta closed on any day?
Yes, every Tuesday.
How far is Bannerghatta from Bengaluru?
About 22 to 25 km from the city centre, or 1 to 1.5 hours by road depending on traffic.
Can I carry food into Bannerghatta?
Food is discouraged because of the bonnet macaques, and single-use plastic is not allowed. Carry water and snacks sealed in a reusable container inside your bag.
Should I book the safari online?
Yes, for weekends, holidays and school-holiday periods. Safari tickets are limited, and the official portal is the easiest way to secure a slot.