Get Around

Autorickshaw/Auto

There are many ways to get around in Hyderabad. It has good bus service, good autorickshaw service (although they never charge by meter and always overprice, making cabs cheaper) and well developed Radio taxi services as well as new app based services such as Uber and Ola. There is a local train service too, but it is grossly inadequate and unreliable. It is advisable that travelers using smartphones download the Hyderabad Police and Hyderabad Traffic Police apps from the app store, as these have some safety features such as and SOS button to the control room, as well as options to lodge complaints.

By bus

Hyderabad has good local bus connectivity and is run by TSRTC [5], a state-government owned corporation. Most intercity buses start and end at the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Terminus more commonly known as Imlibun, and there are numerous depots where city service buses start and end. One can use Google maps to plan travel by bus. There are five categories of buses (Ordinary, Metro Express, Metro Deluxe, AC, Volvo AC). The Volvo Buses are the most comfortable, with fares starting from Rs. 35. There are also monthly passes of Rs. 2100 that allow one to travel anywhere any number of times by any service across the city). Other buses tend to get extremely overcrowded and travelling on the footboard of a bus is very common.

The routes displayed on buses are normally shown in at least two languages, one of which is English. The best way to get to a location by bus would be to get to a bus stop and ask people waiting there. You could also get into a bus going in your direction and ask the conductor for help.

By autorickshaw

Autorickshaws in Hyderabad should be metered, though it can be difficult for non-locals and locals alike to find an autorickshaw driver who ever agrees to a metered fare. (This is especially true when hailing an auto in front of a 5 star hotel, near bus stands, railway stations and near Hi-Tech area.) However, Traffic police are very helpful and will help engage an Auto with metered fare. Autos can carry a maximum of 3 passengers excluding the driver, but it is common to find them being overloaded to carry up to six passengers when one . The minimum fare is Rs 20 which covers the first 1.6 km. Each additional km is another Rs 11. The waiting charges are for Rs. 30 per hour. There are also shared 4 seater and 8 seater Maxi Vans available to and fro from the suburbs to a main location of the city in that direction. Fares are mostly 2 rupees more than bus fares, but are far more comfortable and fast for short distances up to 5 km. Fix the fare before you step into the autorickshaw.

Auto Drivers in Hyderabad are a nightmare and are absolutely uncooperative. Finding a needle in a haystack is easier than finding an auto driver who agrees to go by the metered rate with a common excuse that their meter is not functioning. They always demand a much higher fare even though the fare has been increased from time to time. It is advised to keep extra change with you since most of the auto drivers will claim that they don't have change, even if they have. If you have a choice then always opt for a prepaid cab.

Reckless driving and accidents are very common here, as is the case with most cities in this part of the world.

Most of the auto drivers want you to checkout pearls shop (which they claim are authorized by the Govt.) in exchange of less fare however they are okay if you don't buy anything from these shops, just sit there for 10 minutes. They are encouraged with incentives to bring customers into these shops. The pearl shops are notorious for persuasive sales tactics and they won't let you out easily. So pay the complete fare to auto drivers instead of being diverted to a pearl shop.

Auto drivers get some percent of the entry fees (around Rs. 10/-) if they take you to the places like Chowmoholla Palace or Salarjung museum for free. If you are around these areas get into some auto instead of walking down and ask them to drop you there.

Also in many parts of the city it is easy to find a shared auto running, just reach the nearest bus stop and ask the locals for a shared auto, they should readily guide you. If u see an over loaded auto-rikshaw, it is a shared one and you just need to wave at the next less-populated one.

Auto Drivers in Hyderabad are especially reckless drivers. Better book a cab than take an Auto, even at a higher price, for the air conditioned comfort and protection from pollution, as well as for relief from the antics of the 'Auto wallahs'. There are exemplary auto drivers too, but unfortunately the others outnumber them by far.

By taxi

It is best to use new app based cabs such as Ola and Uber, which assure service and courteous drivers. However, there have been cases of misbehavior by cab drivers (although few) and it is advised to us the Hyderabad Police app and enter the details of the cab you are getting into, to be safe. Fares for these start at Rs. 6 per km and Rs. 1 per minute of ride time. (Ola Micro). Availability is very good at busy locales, and most apps have tracking features as well as SOS features. Metered Radio taxis are available, but they cannot be hailed off the street. One needs to call their centralised call centre and book the service. Service is very good, especially if you are booking for longer distances. It can be next to impossible to be able to get a Radio cab without prior booking since demand far outstrips the supply. All metered cabs have digital meters that show the distance and fare.

Operators offering metered taxis at Rs 10 per km (Most of them are now charging Rs 12 per km for an Indica, Rs 10 continues in case of Maruti Omni) with a minimum charge is Rs 80 in most cases. Many taxi services prefer not to book trips that are only a short distance.

However covering the entire city with so many sightseeing locations, will be costly on a CAB, whereas hiring a Full Day Taxi / Car is suggested, which normally charge on 8 hrs or 80 kms basis