Photo: Ms Sarah Welch · CC0
Hyderabad to Hampi cab, and why we go via Kurnool
Hampi is about 375 km from Hyderabad and takes seven to eight hours — the longest route we run from the city. We go down NH44 through Mahbubnagar and Kurnool and then west on NH150A, which is not the shortest line on a map but is comfortably the best-provisioned one.
There is a lot to know about Hampi before you arrive: the river has no bridge at the site, the monuments are split across two banks, and the last stretch of road is slower than the distance suggests. All of it is easier when someone else has planned for it.
Book this tripHyderabad to Hampi distance and travel time
- Distance: 375 km one way
- Travel time: 7–8 hours
- Route: NH44 via Mahbubnagar and Kurnool, then NH150A to Hospet
- Charging stop: One stop, budget an hour
- Car: BYD e6 electric SUV, 4 seats, 4 large suitcases
Charging on the Hyderabad to Hampi route
This is why we take the Kurnool road rather than the shorter route through Raichur. The Raichur, Ballari and Koppal stretch has essentially no fast charging our cars can use, whereas NH44 has a manned hub at Beechupalli and several chargers around Kurnool. We charge to full on NH44 and cover the last 160 km to Hospet on that, which means the trip does not depend on the single fast charger at the destination.
We are field-verifying the chargers on this route — our chauffeurs charge at each one and photograph it before we list it here. Until then, our operations team plans and confirms the charging stop for your specific booking.
What to know about this drive
- There is no bridge across the Tungabhadra at Hampi. The bridge at Anegundi collapsed during construction in 2009 and was never completed. The ferry carries people, not cars.
- The monuments are split across two banks — Virupaksha, Vitthala and the Kamalapura museum on the south side, Anjanadri Hill and Anegundi on the north. Seeing both by car means a road detour of roughly 11 km, not a river crossing. Tell us what you want to see and we will plan the day around it.
- Cars reach most of the site, but not the Vitthala temple: vehicles park about a kilometre away and visitors continue by electric shuttle.
- In flood season, heavy releases from the Tungabhadra dam submerge the riverside mantapas and cut off Virupapur Gaddi entirely. We watch the releases for trips in August and September.
Places to stop between Hyderabad and Hampi
- Beechupalli: Where we charge, on the Krishna about 165 km out.
- Kurnool: The last large town on NH44 before turning west.
- Hospet: The base town for Hampi, about 13 km from the main site.
- Kamalapura: The museum and the southern approach to the monument cluster.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hyderabad to Hampi take?
Seven to eight hours for about 375 km, plus a charging stop of an hour. The distance is not the problem; the road quality drops in the final stretch, which is where the time goes.
Can the car cross the river at Hampi?
No. There is no bridge at the site — the one at Anegundi collapsed during construction in 2009 and was never finished. The ferry takes people but not cars, so seeing both banks by car means a road detour of about 11 km.
Can we drive to the Vitthala temple?
Not all the way. Vehicles park about a kilometre from the complex and visitors continue by electric shuttle. Most of the rest of the site is reachable by car.
Is Hampi worth doing as a two-day trip?
Two days is the minimum we would suggest for a seven to eight hour drive each way, and three is better. The site is far larger than most people expect.
Will an electric car make it to Hampi without running out of charge?
Yes. We depart at 100% charge and plan one charging stop on the way. The BYD e6 returns 380-420 km on a highway with the air conditioning running and a full load, and we never plan a route that depends on arriving with an empty battery.
What happens if the charging station is not working?
Every planned stop has at least one named alternative within reach, and our operations team checks charger status on the morning of departure. Charger downtime is a real problem on Indian highways, which is why we plan for it rather than hope.
Does the charging stop make the trip longer?
We budget a full hour for a charging stop, and we schedule it where you would want a break anyway - somewhere with a clean restroom and food. Often it takes less, but we plan the day on an hour so a busy charger does not put you behind schedule.
Which car will I get?
Every Shoffr outstation trip is a BYD e6 - a quiet, Innova-sized electric SUV that seats 4 adults and fits 4 large suitcases, with a 71.7 kWh battery.
Are fares fixed, or does the price change on the day?
The fare is fixed when you book. There is no surge pricing and no renegotiation with the driver. Tolls are payable separately on applicable routes.
Can I travel with my pet?
Yes - Shoffr is officially pet-friendly. Indicate pets while booking; a deep-cleaning fee of Rs 500 for cats and Rs 750 for dogs applies.