Book cheap flights to Hyderabad

Hyderabad has a tropical wet and dry climate and experiences dry, cool winters and dry, hot summers, with a monsoon season occurring in between. The coolest time of the year is from October to February. This is the ideal time to go as temperatures are significantly cooler than the rest of the year, sitting around the mid-20s. Summer in Hyderabad occurs between the months of March to June, and sees temperatures rise to the high 30s, sometimes reaching the 40s. This is low-season, as most visitors are discouraged by the excessive heat. If you are not bothered by the scorching temperatures, take advantage of the low-season restaurant and hotel rates (just be sure to stay well-hydrated)! Monsoon season runs from June to September, and travel to Hyderabad is not encouraged during this time due to heavy rainfall and high levels of humidity.

South Africans do require a visa to enter India. South African citizens are issued holiday visas free of charge by the High Commission of India. Ensure your passport is valid and will remain valid for at least six months after intended duration of stay. Ensure you duly and carefully complete the official visa application form before submitting it, as errors could impact the success of your application. For more information regarding the application process and required documentation, please contact the High Commission of India:

852 Francis Baard Street Arcadia Pretoria 0083

All visitors to India are encouraged to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations (MMR). Additionally, vaccines for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are strongly recommended. The Zika virus is endemic to India but the current risk posed to travellers is low. Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should speak to their doctor about their travel plans to India before finalising them.

Hyderabad’s crime-rate is relatively low compared to other cities, but tourists are encouraged to be alert and maintain awareness of their surroundings. Keep a close eye on personal possessions, especially in busy areas. Do not flaunt expensive jewellery or equipment in public places. Be wary of locals trying to scam tourists by pretending to be tour guides or baggage assistants- firmly say no to these individuals and walk away. Do not walk the city streets at night, rather hail a taxi cab or speak to your hotel about shuttle services offered.

Hyderabad has, in the past, experienced minor local instability in the form of protests and riots, so ensure you are up-to-date with the latest news before finalising a trip.

Hyderabad’s different regional districts all offer variations of accommodation for discerning travellers. Depending on where you would like to orient yourself in the city, Hyderabad will always provide more than sufficient lodging options. The Old City, which is the oldest section in Hyderabad, houses many of Hyderabad’s significant attractions, offers traditional hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and some locals will even open their homes to visitors, giving visitors the chance to stay in an authentic Hyderabad household.

The New City is Hyderabad’s new modern, business district. Characterised by high-rise buildings, designer brand stores and trendy bars and restaurants, this district caters for Hyderabad’s young and wealthy elite. Accommodation here is on the high-end side, and many extravagant hotels and apartments-for-rent are located in the vicinity.

Hyderabad offers extensive public transport options that are utilised by locals and tourists alike. The fastest and most popular option for getting around is by auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk). These yellow and black vehicles are run by a metre and charge per km. Expect to pay around 30 Rupees per km, anything more than this is an attempt to overcharge. Do keep in mind that rates for auto-rickshaws increase per km after dark.

The bus is also a safe and reliable option for tourists. Hyderabad’s buses follow mapped-out routes across the city, although certain buses may be following different routes. It is best to check the destination board above the windscreen of an approaching bus to see if it is going in your direction. If you are still unsure, you may wave and stop the bus and converse with the driver. Tell the driver your destination and ask for assistance if need be.

Taxis are also available but the demand for taxis far outweighs the supply. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to hail a taxi cab from the streets. Speak to your hotel about reputable and safe taxi companies and then get their contact details. Call the company and ask for a taxi, telling them your destination. Most of these companies operate at all hours so you can call for cabs at all times of the night.