KARNATAKA TRAVEL GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Lalbagh Botanical Garden Guide: Timings, Entry Fee, Flower Show and Best Route
Everything you need before you go to Bengaluru’s 240-acre garden: current timings and fees (and where sources disagree), the free-entry walking hours, what to see in what order, how the two flower shows work and how to reach it by metro.
Quick answer: timings, ticket and how long to spend
Lalbagh is open every day, most listings say 6 am to 7 pm. Entry is free for walkers from 6 to 9 am and 6 to 7 pm; between those hours an adult ticket is about ₹30. Allow two to three hours for the highlights, or a full morning if you like botany and birds. Go early, take the metro and carry cash.
Hours6 am–7 pm (one portal says 6 pm)Ticket~₹30 adult; confirm at gateFree entry6–9 am and 6–7 pmMetroLalbagh station, Green Line
Lalbagh Botanical Garden, in south-central Bengaluru, spreads over about 240 acres and is run by the state Department of Horticulture. It began as a garden begun by Hyder Ali around 1760, was expanded by his son Tipu Sultan, and later grew into the scientific botanical garden it is today under British-era and later directors. It also sits on a gneiss outcrop that sources date to roughly 3,000 million years, topped by a watchtower attributed to Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru.
Fees and hours are the weak point of most online guides. Different travel sites quote adult tickets of ₹10, ₹20, ₹25 and ₹30, and closing times of 6 pm and 7 pm. The figures below are the consistent core: the free-entry windows appear in every source we checked, and the ₹30 ticket appears in the most recent sources, including a Deccan Herald report on the revision from ₹25 to ₹30. Older pages are stale. Confirm at the gate, and check the Horticulture Department’s notices before flower-show dates.
Lalbagh at a glance
| Item | What to know | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily including Sundays and public holidays; 6 am–7 pm in most listings, 6 am–6 pm in one | Medium: confirm at the gate |
| Adult ticket | About ₹30 between the free windows. Older sources list ₹10, ₹20 or ₹25 | Medium: a news report records the rise from ₹25 to ₹30 |
| Free entry | 6–9 am and 6–7 pm for walkers | High: every source agrees |
| Children | Under 12 free in two listings; an older report gives ₹10 for ages 6–12 | Low: ask at the counter |
| Camera | Extra charge for cameras (an older figure is ₹60); ask whether it applies to you | Low |
| Flower show ticket | 2026 Republic Day show: ₹80 weekdays, ₹100 weekends and holidays, ₹30 children, as reported | Medium: one report |
| Metro | Lalbagh station on the Green Line, a short walk from a main entrance | High |
| Size | About 240 acres | High |
Paying is simplest in cash, because card machines at the gates are not guaranteed. If you walk in during the free windows, you skip the ticket queue altogether, which is why locals treat Lalbagh as a morning habit as much as a tourist stop.
What to see in Lalbagh, in the order that makes sense
Glass House
The iron-and-glass hall at the centre of the garden is modelled on London’s Crystal Palace. Accounts differ slightly on the date: Wikipedia records the foundation stone on 30 November 1889 and construction in 1890–91, while a tourism page ties it to the 1889 visit of the Prince of Wales. It was extended in 1935. Today it is the venue for both flower shows and is worth a look at any time of year, but outside show weeks expect the structure rather than the displays.
Lalbagh Rock and the Kempegowda watchtower
The rock is a Peninsular Gneiss outcrop of roughly 3,000 million years, and one travel site describes it as a National Geological Monument. A small tower on top is attributed to Kempe Gowda (sources differ on which one), one of four towers said to mark the limits of the old city. The climb is short and not steep, but the surface can be slippery after rain. It is the best place for a view across the garden and the city skyline.
Lalbagh Lake
The lake is the quiet side of the garden and a good place for birds in the early morning. Travel sites list common egrets, parakeets, mynas and pond herons. Bring mosquito repellent in the evening. Our Karnataka bird sanctuaries guide covers the trips to make if the birds hook you.
Themed gardens, trees and the rest
The tourism listing names a bonsai garden, floral clock, rose garden, topiary, hibiscus garden, Japanese garden, lotus pond, deer paddock, aquarium, museum and library. Not every feature is equally well kept, so do not plan your day around a single one. Tree lovers should look for the fossil tree of about 20 million years near the bandstand and a kapok tree listed as 250 years old. Plant counts also vary: Wikipedia says more than 1,000 species, while the tourism page says 1,854.
Three routes: 90 minutes, half day and early walker
| Route | Time | Order | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick visit | About 90 minutes (estimate) | Main gate → Glass House → Lalbagh Rock and tower → lake edge → exit | First-time visitors with a tight schedule |
| Half day | 3–4 hours (estimate) | Glass House → bonsai and themed gardens → rock and tower → lake and birds → deer paddock and aquarium | Photographers, families |
| Early walker | 6–9 am, free entry | Perimeter loop, rock, lake, then breakfast outside | Locals, runners, birders |
Start at whichever gate your metro or bus drops you at, since the garden’s gates are numbered inconsistently in sources. Four entrances are commonly listed, and the flower-show gates named in one report were Main Gate, West Gate, Double Road and Siddapura. The paths converge on the Glass House, so you can always orient yourself from there. Mid-day sun on the open paths is strong; carry water and a hat, or keep the Glass House and lake for late afternoon.
Lalbagh Flower Show: when it happens and how to enjoy it
Winter showaround Republic Day, 26 JanuaryMonsoon showaround Independence Day, 15 AugustVenueGlass House2026 January show14–26 January
Lalbagh holds two major flower shows a year, in the weeks around 26 January and 15 August, with displays built around a theme. The 2026 Republic Day show, the 219th edition, ran from 14 to 26 January with the theme ‘The Journey of Tejaswi’, honouring the writer and environmentalist K. P. Poornachandra Tejaswi. Reported tickets were ₹80 on weekdays and ₹100 on weekends and public holidays for adults, and ₹30 for children, with entry from 9 am to 6 pm. The 2022 Independence Day show for the 75th anniversary of independence was reported to have drawn about 8.34 lakh visitors in total, so expect heavy crowds.
How to avoid the worst of it
- Go on a weekday, early in the opening window. Weekends and the final days are the busiest.
- Take the metro. One older show report advises being ready to walk at least half a kilometre from any parking spot to the garden.
- Buy tickets at the entry points or on the official online portal announced by the Horticulture Department for that year.
- Carry water and a rain cover: Bengaluru’s August weather is unpredictable.
- Dates for the next show are announced by the department a few weeks beforehand, so check its notices rather than a blog.
A June fruit show, the Mango Mela, is also listed by one travel site. For other festivals in the state, see festivals in Karnataka.
How to reach Lalbagh
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Metro | Take the Green Line to Lalbagh station, a short walk from a main entrance. This is the easiest way, especially during flower shows |
| Bus | BMTC buses connect Lalbagh with Majestic, Jayanagar and Banashankari per one listing; ask your conductor for the Lalbagh stop |
| Car, auto or cab | Access is via Jayanagar and Basavanagudi. Parking near the main gates fills on weekends and show days, and parking is charged |
| Train | The main railway station (Majestic) is about 6–7 km away |
| Airport | Kempegowda International Airport is roughly 40 km to the north (our estimate); allow well over an hour by road |
Parking fees at Lalbagh were revised in an older Deccan Herald report that gives no date, and an 18% GST on entry and parking was reported in 2018. We could not confirm today’s parking rate, so ask at the gate. Because the garden sits in a dense part of the city, the metro is also your best insurance against traffic. For the city-wide picture, see our places to visit in Bengaluru guide.
Best time to visit Lalbagh
| When | What it is like | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6–9 am, any day | Cool, free entry, joggers and birds | Best light and fewest tourists |
| Nov–Feb | Pleasant weather; Republic Day show in January | Busiest around the show. See Karnataka in winter |
| Mar–May | Hot by late morning | Go at opening time or after 4 pm |
| Jun–Sep | Green and wet; Independence Day show in August | Carry a rain cover; the rock is slippery |
| Weekday afternoons | Quiet, warm | Good for the Glass House and lake |
For the wider calendar, use our best time to visit Karnataka guide. Lalbagh is a year-round stop, so the question is the time of day rather than the month.
Short history: Hyder Ali to the Crystal Palace
Hyder Ali is credited with beginning the garden around 1760, and Tipu Sultan expanded it, importing plants from Persia, Afghanistan and France according to the tourism listing. Under British administration the garden was reorganised on scientific lines. A 2014 city report credits the former horticulture director G. H. Krumbiegel with the layout and beauty of the modern garden. The Glass House was added in 1889–91, and flower shows have been held for generations; a 2014 newspaper report called that year the 200th anniversary of the flower show at the gardens. The name Lalbagh means ‘Red Garden’ in Urdu.
Treat some of these dates as approximate. Sources differ on how much Hyder Ali versus Tipu Sultan built, and on when each phase ended; the only part nobody disputes is that the garden is old, large and still in daily public use.
Visitor tips and mistakes to avoid
- Do not assume fixed prices. Carry small cash and check the counter.
- Go early. The free window is the best time and the only time the garden feels spacious.
- Do not walk the whole 240 acres at midday in summer.
- Use the rock and tower only in dry weather.
- Bring a bottle of water; vendors inside sell snacks and juices.
- Photography for personal use is fine; ask about drones and commercial shoots before bringing equipment.
- Guided ‘Lalbagh Walks’ are listed by one tourism page; ask the Horticulture Department for current schedules.
- Pair Lalbagh with another south Bengaluru stop. Cubbon Park is about 6 km away, and the Mysore Palace guide helps if you are heading on to Mysuru.
A cost note: for two adults on the metro, expect a small outlay of tickets (about ₹60 at ₹30 each, our arithmetic from the reported fee), snacks and metro fares. A flower-show day roughly triples the ticket cost at the 2026 rates.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden: frequently asked questions
What are Lalbagh's opening hours?
Most listings give 6 am to 7 pm daily, including Sundays and public holidays. One tourism page gives 6 am to 6 pm in its FAQ, so confirm at the gate.
What is the Lalbagh entry fee?
About ₹30 for adults is the most recent figure, after a reported rise from ₹25. Older sites list ₹10 to ₹25. Entry is free for walkers from 6 to 9 am and 6 to 7 pm.
How long does a Lalbagh visit take?
Plan 90 minutes for the highlights, three to four hours for a relaxed visit, and longer if you are birdwatching or visiting during a flower show.
When is the Lalbagh Flower Show?
Twice a year, in the weeks around Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August). The 2026 Republic Day show ran 14 to 26 January. Dates for the next one are announced by the Horticulture Department.
How do I reach Lalbagh by metro?
Take the Green Line to Lalbagh station. It is a short walk from a main entrance.
Is Lalbagh good for children?
Yes. It has open space, a deer paddock, an aquarium and a lake. Children’s ticket rules vary by source, so ask at the counter.
Can I take a camera into Lalbagh?
Personal photography is allowed. An extra camera charge is mentioned in older sources, with ₹60 in one, so confirm the current rule at the gate.
Is Lalbagh worth visiting if there is no flower show?
Yes, for the Glass House structure, the rock and tower, the lake and the old trees. Early morning is best. The show weeks are busy and the ordinary days are calmer.
Keep exploring Karnataka
Planning more of Bengaluru? Our Bangalore Palace guide covers tickets, timings and photography rules, and our Cubbon Park guide covers the park nearby. Also start withplaces to visit in Bengaluru, then see weekend getaways from Bangalore and Bengaluru Rural for day trips. For gardens and wildlife further afield, browse bird sanctuaries in Karnataka and festivals in Karnataka.
Updated October 2026. Fees, timings and show dates are approximate and can change. Confirm with the Horticulture Department or at the gate before you go.