Short answer: Hyderabad airport is about 34 km by road from HITEC City, 31 km from Gachibowli, 29 km from Banjara Hills, 30 km from Secunderabad and 20 km from Charminar. By cab, plan on 45 to 75 minutes to the IT corridor, and longer in the morning and evening rush. The distances look short on a map, so the time is what catches people out.
Distances from the airport
| From the airport to | Road distance (approx.) | Realistic cab time |
|---|---|---|
| Charminar and the old city | About 20 km | 40 to 70 minutes |
| Golconda Fort | About 27 km | 40 to 65 minutes |
| Banjara Hills | About 29 km | 45 to 75 minutes |
| Secunderabad station | About 30 km | 50 to 80 minutes |
| Gachibowli | About 31 km | 40 to 70 minutes |
| HITEC City | About 34 km | 45 to 75 minutes |
Distances are road routes from the terminal. Times are our planning ranges; rain or rush hour can add a lot. Open a live map for the hour you will travel.
Why the drive takes longer than it looks
The airport is on the southern edge of the city. Getting to the IT corridor means the Outer Ring Road, which is fast when clear and slow when not. Weekday mornings (towards the airport from the city) and evenings (back towards the IT corridor) are the worst, and rain slows everything. A good rule is to double the off-peak time between 8 and 10:30 in the morning and 5 and 8 in the evening.
Your options
- App cab: the most flexible. Fares move with demand.
- Prepaid or radio taxi: a fare agreed at the counter.
- Pushpak AC bus: runs to Gachibowli and several other points; check timings with TGSRTC.
- Hotel transfer: for a hotel in Shamshabad, a pick-up arranged in advance; see airport pick-up and drop options.
- Metro: not available. Pages saying an airport metro opens in 2026 are out of date.
If you have an early meeting in HITEC City
Business travellers often ask whether to stay near the airport or near their office. If you land late and meet at 9 a.m. in HITEC City, sleeping in Shamshabad and driving in early works, but allow for the morning traffic. If you have meetings all week, stay near your office and use Shamshabad for the first or last night. Our guide on where to stay near Hyderabad airport goes through the trade-offs.
Our tip. For a 9 a.m. meeting in HITEC City, leave Shamshabad by about 7:15. You will beat the worst of the traffic and arrive calm.
From our hotel
Hotel Sky International is at 11-3/5, Madhura Nagar, Shamshabad, Hyderabad 501218, about 5 km from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in a straight line and about 8 km by road. We are Hyderabad people, and we host thousands of guests every month, from business travellers and families to solo travellers and passengers in transit. From the hotel, HITEC City is about 28 km by road and Gachibowli about 26 km. The distances page lists more places: distances from Shamshabad.
Quick answers
How far is Hyderabad airport from HITEC City?
About 34 km by road. By cab plan on roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic, and longer at peak hours.
How far is Hyderabad airport from Gachibowli?
About 31 km by road, usually a little quicker than HITEC City.
How far is Hyderabad airport from Charminar?
About 20 km by road, though the old city streets slow the last stretch.
Can I take the metro from Hyderabad airport?
No. There is no metro line to the airport.
Is it better to stay in Shamshabad before an early flight?
Yes, if the flight is early. From Shamshabad the airport is about 8 km by road, against 30 km or more from the IT corridor.
Stay near the airport, not in traffic
Shamshabad is minutes from the terminal and has a 24-hour reception.