Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad: where to stay, areas…

Hyderabad airport is in Shamshabad, about 25-30 km south of the city: the Hyderabad metro doesn't reach Shamshabad, so the only links are taxi (40-60 minutes, 600-900 rupees) or the Pushpak Airport Liner bus (45-90 minutes, 200-300 rupees). For short layovers or overnight flights, the only hotel truly a few minutes from the terminals is the Novotel on the airport grounds; for anyone staying longer, Banjara Hills and Begumpet concentrate restaurants, venues and hospitals in the heart of the city, while Hitec City and Gachibowli are the IT corridor to the west, with hotels designed for business travel.

Shamshabad

Airport area · About 3.2 km from the terminal, 5 minutes by car.

Best for: Short layovers and flights in the very early hours of the morning, when you want to stay a few minutes from the terminals.

Pros

The only international-standard hotel a few minutes on foot or by car from the terminals
Outdoor pool and in-house restaurant useful for anyone with several hours to wait between flights

Cons

Nothing around but the Shamshabad airport area: for dinner you stay at the hotel
Banjara Hills or Hitec City still require 40-60 minutes by taxi

Recommended hotels in this area

Novotel Hyderabad Airport: 3.2 km from the terminal, 5 minutes by car: 290 rooms and suites on a 7-acre area, with an outdoor pool and meeting rooms for up to 400 people, designed specifically for anyone managing a flight or layover.

See more hotels in this area →

Banjara Hills and Begumpet

Neighbourhood · About 33 km from the airport, 25-40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic on the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway.

Best for: Anyone who wants the restaurants, malls like GVK One and the evening life of the heart of Hyderabad.

Pros

GVK One Mall and Inorbit Mall a few minutes away, with the city's highest concentration of restaurants
Central and safe area, also convenient for the hospitals of Banjara Hills

Cons

Heavy traffic heading towards the airport during the evening rush hour
Residential and business district: little to do on foot outside the malls

Recommended hotels in this area

Taj Krishna: On Road Number 1 in Banjara Hills, one of the city's first 5-star hotels; pool and free parking, about 25 minutes from the airport in normal traffic.
Park Hyatt Hotel and Residences, Hyderabad: On Road Number 2 in Banjara Hills, 3 minutes from GVK One Mall; 251 rooms with Select Comfort beds and Frette linens, among the most luxurious hotels in the city.
ITC Kakatiya, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hyderabad: In Begumpet, near a city metro station and one minute from Hyderabad Central Mall; 188 rooms, two restaurants and an in-house spa.

See more hotels in this area →

Hitec City and Gachibowli

Neighbourhood · About 24 km from the airport, 40-43 minutes by taxi.

Best for: Business travel in the IT corridor to the west of the city, between Mindspace, Cyber Towers and Gachibowli.

Pros

Within walking distance of Mindspace IT Park, Cyber Towers and Inorbit Mall
HITEC City metro station 15 minutes on foot, useful for getting around the city

Cons

An area meant for the office: in the evening you mostly move between hotel and malls
Far from Hyderabad's historic attractions, such as Charminar and Golconda

Recommended hotels in this area

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace: Inside the Raheja IT Park in Madhapur, 3 minutes on foot from Mindspace IT Park and 15 from HITEC City Station; 427 rooms with a spa and outdoor pool with a bar.

See more hotels in this area →