Bengaluru: Airport Trains Cost Just Rs 10, Here's Why People Don't Use It

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has the most affordable commute option, with train fares ranging from just Rs 10 to Rs 30.

However, not many people are taking advantage of it. According to South Western Railway (SWR), only about 30 passengers use the KIA Halt station daily.

According to Deccan Herald, the KIA Halt station, located 3.5 km from the airport, was built by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to help flyers and airport staff, and it was inaugurated in 2021. Despite this, many Bengalureans are unaware of the train service. Those who do know about it often find that the train timings don’t align with their flight schedules.

Instead, most people prefer using personal vehicles, on-demand cabs, or BMTC’s Vayu Vajra buses to reach the airport. A cab ride from central Bengaluru to the airport typically costs around Rs 900, with BIAL recently increasing pickup fees for ride-hailing services.

Currently, SWR operates six trains connecting KSR Bengaluru, Yeshwantpur, and Bengaluru Cantonment stations with the KIA Halt station. These trains, which are a mix of DEMU (Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit) and MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit), have eight to 12 cars.

Why Aren’t People Taking the Train?

Sustainability expert Dhawall Mane points out that trains might never be the top choice for most Bengalureans. “I live in Vivek Nagar, and the nearest station, Bengaluru Cantonment, is 30 minutes away. How many times would you want to load and unload your luggage?” he says. Mane would consider the train only if he had extra time and company.

Rail activist K N Krishna Prasad highlights that these trains aren’t designed specifically for airport commutes. “They run up to Chikkaballapur and Kolar, and after Yelahanka, there’s only a single track, causing delays,” he explains.

To increase ridership, Prasad suggests adding more boarding points in high-density areas like Whitefield and Kengeri, starting more trains from KSR Bengaluru station, which is connected to the metro, and ensuring the service runs every day.

In a move to boost ridership, four more trains now stop at Bettahalsoor and Doddajala.

How to Travel to and From Bengaluru Airport by Train?

SWR currently operates six trains from KSR Bengaluru (SBC), Yeshwantpur (YPR), and Bengaluru Cantonment (BNC) stations that stop at the KIA Halt station. These trains also stop at Bengaluru East, Baiyappanahalli, Channasandra, Yelahanka, Bettahalsoor, Doddajala, Malleswaram, Lottegollahalli, and Kodigehalli.

BIAL provides a free shuttle bus between the station and the airport terminals, arriving five minutes before the train reaches the station. However, there are no trains on Sundays, and fares range between Rs 10 and Rs 30.

The earliest airport-bound train departs from Bengaluru Cantonment at 5:10 am, while the last leaves KSR Bengaluru station at 6:20 pm. For those heading back to the city, the first train from the KIA station departs at 8:18 am, with the last at 7:23 pm.