Hampi: Things to Know

Hampi - Last Post with all the details you would like to know to travel to Hampi

Distance -

Pune - Hampi - Approx 620km one way

Routes -

1. Pune - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Dharwad - Hubli - Hospet - Hampi

2. Pune - Pandharpur - Solapur - Bijapur - Hospet - Hampi

Both ways i travelled through route 1, and the roads are extremely good. Distance wise its 50km more than route#2, but it's worth it IMHO. I thought of returning from #2 to visit Bijapur though

Tolls - Around 8-10 tolls one way costing 1k one way

Food Joints - After Belgaum, the options dry downs, there aren't any on the highway. You will have to enter Belgaum/Dharwad/Hubli for lunch.

Fuel - Plenty Petrol pumps, no worry at all

Documents Required:

Good to have car documents like RC-TC, Insurance and Pollution. But mandatory to have a RT-PCR / Antigen test reports. Strict checking at Maharashtra - Karnataka border for the same.

Places to Stay In Hampi -

Within Hampi, there are no proper hotels as such. Having A/c and Hot water is luxury. Pretty basic once and lot of home-stay options as well.

If luxury hotels or resorts are must for you then around 15-20km vicinity or in Hospet there are lot of good resorts. Google will help you with that.

We stayed at Laxmi Heritage Hotel which is just behind the Virupaksha Temple, right in the middle of Hampi.

Charges - We were charged 2k per night which excluded BF, Lunch, Dinner. Probably its a seasonal time, otherwise I believe within 1k you can get a good stay options.

If you are staying within Hampi, then there is no space to park in front of your hotel / homestays. The roads are pretty narrow even to take your car in. There is a open space “Janata Plot” where tourists park the vehicle, charged Rs.10/day

Food in Hampi -

There are many cafe’s around with nice ambience and good vibes. Food is not to pricey but not too cheap also. Usual food menu is available everywhere. Most of the cafe’s provide wi-fi and nice laid back seating arrangements.

Other than the cafe’s for breakfast there are lot of small corner thellas that provide yummy South Indian food. Ignore the hygiene and atleast once taste it for sure.

Water doesn’t taste good and if you are choosy then bislery is the option. One bottle costed around 25rs.

Commute within Hampi -

You can rent a bicycle which is charged for 150rs per day, or a bike which is charged for 450rs + petrol per day.

If you are visiting first time, I would say go with a Auto option, then you don’t have to keep searching for the places. Auto driver will be a guide to you as well. For us, Auto costed for 1500 rs per day. For full day he was with us. In non-season days, the auto’s are available for 600-800rs.

We just had 2 days in hand so thought to go with Auto option, and it turned out to be the best

Tickets to Monuments -

Except Lotus Mahal, which charges 40rs and the same ticket works at Vitthala Temple where the stone chariot is available, rest all are entry free. No charges or restrictions on using any kind of camera. Other states should learn from this..

Vitthala temple is bit of a walk from the main road. You cannot take your vehicle inside. They have battery operated vehicles to take you to, charges 10rs per person.

Coracle Ride -

Charges 500rs per person for 30-40 mins ride. Non-seasonal days its around 250rs.

Mobile Coverage-

We were told only BSNL works, but surprisingly Jio worked occasionally. Though would recommend to carry BSNL as initially it will be required for MAPS and contacting the hotel owner for address.

Final Expenses we end up with (for 2 people) -

Diesel - 6k (1300km with avg around 23.4km/ltr)

Stay - 6k (2k per night)

Auto - 1.5k

Coracle - 1k

Antigen - 1.4k

Tolls - 2k

Food - 8k (BF+Lunch+Dinner+Snacks+Coldrinks+Water Bottles x 4 days x 2 people)

Shopping -

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