Tirupati to Tirumala – Distance, Time, Route and Travel Information

For a religious person, visiting the Tirupati-Tirumala temple is nothing less than the most divine location. Tirupati, which is also the richest temple in the world, attracts nearly 1 lakh devotees every day who visit to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara, who is also called Lord Balaji (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). 

You can reach the hilltop temple by road. The Tirupati to Tirumala distance is around 21km and takes 50 minutes to reach by road.

There are two different temples, Tirupati, which is located in the city and is the abode of Goddess Padmavati, and the Tirumala temple of Balaji, located on the Sapthagiri hills.

The Tirumala to Tirupati distance is 21km and takes a similar time. In this Tirupati-Tirumala tour guide, we have covered interesting aspects of these two religious abodes of South India, along with distance, time, route, and other travel information..

About Tirumala Temple

One of the neighborhoods of Tirupati city, the Tirumala Temple holds deep religious significance and is believed that Lord Vishnu resides here with full divine power. In the Hindu religious texts, this place is also called Vaikuntha. The Tirupati Balaji Temple is situated on the seventh peak of the Seshachalam Hills. It is nestled within the vast expanse of the Seshachalam hill range.

Spanning an area of around 10.33 square miles, the temple complex includes the sacred Sri Swami Pushkarini water tank nearby. The surrounding town of Tirumala is well-connected by road and provides comprehensive facilities for devotees, overseen by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. It’s a mini city in itself, built atop the hill.

Sri Varahaswami Temple, Japali Teertham, Kapila Theertham, and others must visit locations in Tirumala. You can reach Tirupati to Tirumala by road via Alipiri route( 11km) or the Chandragiri route (26km). Many pilgrims reach Tirumala temple by walking, which takes around 3-4 hours.

About Tirupati Temple

The Tirupati Temple, dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, consort of Lord Balaji, is the incarnation of Goddess Laksmi. The temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and adheres to the Pancharatra Agama and Vadakalai traditions. Padmavathi’s idol here faces east in the sanctum.

Within the Padmavathi Temple, there are two sub-temples dedicated to Krishna Swamy and Sundaraja Swamy Temple. Then there is Suryanrayana Temple opposite the temple tank.

Tirupati to Tirumala Distance

Whether you are travelling from Tirupati to Tirumala or vice versa, there is not much difference in distance. The approx Tirupati to Tirumala distance by car is 21.7km which takes around 46 minutes. Similarly, the Tirumala to Tirupati distance by car is 21.7 km and takes approx 50 mins.

Pilgrims can travel by car or government bus (private bus not allowed from the entry point of Tirumala) from Tirupati to Tirumala without any hassle. The all-weather asphalt ghat roads make driving easy. The up ghat road to Tirumala is 17.80 km, while the down ghat to reach Tirupati is 18km.

If you cannot travel by government bus, you can rent a car from Tirupati to Tirumala. The best is to book a two-way rental car service in Tirupati for an easy journey.

Tirupati to Tirumala Distance	21.7km (approx)
Total Duration	46 mins
Best Route	Tirupati to Tirumala via Alipiri
Best Time	November- February

Popular Routes to Take from Tirupati to Tirumala

There are two different routes to travel between Tirupati and Tirumala:

Route 1- Tirupati to Tirumala via Alipiri

This is the most popular and commonly used route, also referred to as the Alipiri route. The pathway ascends through steep, winding hills and spans approximately 11 kilometers. Many pilgrims choose this route for their trek on foot to the temple.

Route 2 – Tirupati to Tirumala via Chandragiri

This alternative route covers a longer distance of about 26 kilometers but offers a smoother and more relaxed drive. Known for its scenic beauty, the Chandragiri route is ideal for those who prefer a ghat journey and has a hairpin road with steep valleys on one side.

If you are coming from Bangalore to Tirupati by car, the distance is 251 km and takes 5 hrs to reach the destination. NH 75 and NH 69 are the two routes to reach Tirupati from Bangalore. 

Places to Visit in Tirupati to Tirumala Route

Besides the famous Lord Venkateshwara temple, there are many other places to explore in the Tirupati to Tirumala route.

1. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple

Your visit to Tirupati and Tirumala is incomplete without a visit to this important temple. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tirupati is dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi. Located in the town named Tiruchanur, the temple is easily accessible by road. Therefore, you can rent a car in Tirupati to reach this temple and explore other places.

The temple is famous for its large tank, called Padma Sarovaram, allowing devotees to take a holy dip before going inside the main temple. The Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple darshan timings are 5.30 AM to 11 pm.

 2. Sri Varahaswami Temple

Located on the banks of Swami Pushkarini Lake near the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who assumed the form of a boar to save the earth from the demon Hiranyaksha.

Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara sought Lord Varaha’s permission before settling in the Tirumala Hills. As a result, it is customary for devotees to visit the Sri Varahaswami Temple before visiting the Tirumala Temple.

3. Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple

The Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple is another significant shrine located close to Tirupati, near Srinivasa Mangapuram, approximately 12 kilometers from the city. It is believed to be the place where Lord Venkateswara resided after his marriage to Goddess Padmavathi. The temple’s principal deity, Lord Kalyana Venkateswara, is worshipped here with deep reverence.

4. ISKCON Tirupati

ISKCON Tirupati, located on Hare Krishna Road near Alipiri and near to central Tirupati railway station, is an important spiritual hub for devotees of Lord Krishna. The temple’s architecture beautifully combines traditional Indian and modern design elements. The main highlight of the temple is the exquisite idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. The ISKCON Tirupati temple timings are from 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

5. Kapila Theertham

When you travel to Tirumala from Tirupati by road, you will find the Kapila Theertham temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. One unique thing is that there is no temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the region other than this. The temple’s name comes from the sage Kapila, who underwent his penance here.

How to Reach Tirupati- Tirumala?

Tirupati is well-connected by road, rail, and air, offering various options to reach Tirumala:

By Train

Nearest Station: Tirupati Railway Station to Tirumala is 21km (50 mins)

By Air

Tirupati Airport to Tirumala: 39 km (1 hour)

By Road

Tirupati to Tirumala distance by road: 21.7 km (50 minutes)

Options:

• APSRTC buses from the Tirupati railway station and other city points
• Private buses (must switch to APSRTC buses at the Tirumala entry gate)
• Car rental services in Tirupati to Tirumala. Book a Tirupati car package to cover other parts of the city.

By Walk

Tirupati to Tirumala distance by walk  from Alipiri Route: 11 km, 3–4 hours on foot

Srivari Mettu: 6 km, quicker route

For devotees walking to Tirumala from the entry point, TTD provides rest stops, food, medical aid, and free luggage transfer.

If you are travelling from Bangalore to Tirupati by car, the distance is around 251 km and takes 5-6hrs to reach the destination. NH 75 and NH 69 are the two routes to reach Tirupati from Bangalore. Check out the Tirupati package from Bangalore for a comfortable journey. 

Top Places to Eat between Tirupati to Tirumala

If you want to try some veg food items, there are some well-known restaurants en-route to Tirumala from Tirupati.

• Andhra Spice: This popular Tirupati restaurant delivers traditional Andhra cuisine.
• TTD Central Canteen: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam owns and operates this well-known canteen in Tirumala. It serves wonderful vegetarian food at an affordable cost.
• Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Prasadams: The temple provides excellent and hygienic prasadams to devotees at a reasonable rate.

Best Time to Visit Tirupati

The best time to visit Tirupati is between November to February when the climate is cool. The temperature during this period remains 10-25 degrees.

Tirupati-Tirumala Temple Darshan Timings

On a normal day, devotees get 18hrs for Sarvadarsanam and during peak season the darshan period goes to 20 hours. Every day, except on Fridays, the darshan timing at the Tirupati Balaji temple starts from 2:30 hours and goes till 1.30 hours. On Fridays, the time is 2.30 hours to 23.30 hours.

Tirupati Online Booking for Special Entry Darshan

Tirumala- Tirupati temple has a special entry darshan online booking process. Advance registration is necessary for special entry darshan. Check out https://www.tirumala.org/Advancebooking.aspx for more information and advance booking. For Sheeghra Darshan, you can also book tickets offline at the Tirumala bus stand, which is open 24/7.

PS- You need to book a special entry darshan for Tirumala-Tirupati within 90 days to get the allotment.

Book Car Rental Services in Tirupati to Tirumala with SafarCabby

Driving by car from Tirupati to the hilltop of Tirumala is nothing less than an experience. At SafarCabby, you can book one-way and round trip Tirupati to Tirumala car rental service. You have the option to book a sedan, a tempo traveller or an SUV as part of the Tirupati trip package.

Book car rental service in Tirupati in advance so you don’t have to face last-minute hassle. By booking the rental service, you can explore other places in Tirupati. If you want to experience a hassle-free divine trip, book a Tirupati to Tirumala car hire service from SafarCabby.