Transit in Bengaluru (Bangalore)

[PaulyB]

I have asked this question elsewhere and been directed to the India Sub Forum. This is the closest option I can find but if there is such a thing, I'd love to know. In the meantime, I would appreciate some help with this...

In 8 weeks, we are transiting Bangalore from QF to BA, in J, on the way to LHR. I am concerned about the checked luggage and am very unclear as to whether the luggage will be booked through from Sydney.

To be specific: We arrive about 5.30pm and depart at about 0650 the next morning. It had been suggested to stay at the Taj just outside the airport but my more recent research seems to imply that this will mean collecting luggage and going through the whole immigration/check-in process again. Ugly.
Is there any on-the-ground experience with this? If we could avoid too many struggles at about 5 in the morning, we would be very happy!

I think I looked at 080 Transit Hotel | Arrival & Departure a while ago which is airside and it seemed expensive but if staying airside is possible and it means luggage can be checked through, then we would do that.

I appreciate any input.

Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have asked this question elsewhere and been directed to the India Sub Forum. This is the closest option I can find but if there is such a thing, I'd love to know. In the meantime, I would appreciate some help with this...

In 8 weeks, we are transiting Bangalore from QF to BA, in J, on the way to LHR. I am concerned about the checked luggage and am very unclear as to whether the luggage will be booked through from Sydney.

To be specific: We arrive about 5.30pm and depart at about 0650 the next morning. It had been suggested to stay at the Taj just outside the airport but my more recent research seems to imply that this will mean collecting luggage and going through the whole immigration/check-in process again. Ugly.
Is there any on-the-ground experience with this? If we could avoid too many struggles at about 5 in the morning, we would be very happy!

I think I looked at 080 Transit Hotel | Arrival & Departure a while ago which is airside and it seemed expensive but if staying airside is possible and it means luggage can be checked through, then we would do that.

I appreciate any input.

Thanks!

Good question. Is luggage being checked through dependent on whether you leave the airport or not? In most cases they are independent, but maybe india is different?

Entering India would however mean you need a visa… whether just to collect luggage, or to go to a hotel.

 

[PaulyB]

Good question. Is luggage being checked through dependent on whether you leave the airport or not? In most cases they are independent, but maybe india is different?

Entering India would however mean you need a visa… whether just to collect luggage, or to go to a hotel.

Thanks for this. It is a frustrating question!! If I am airside and the luggage is checked through, I presume no Visa will be needed..... QF says luggage is booked through because the itinerary is all one ticket, so I presume I have to rely on that.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for this. It is a frustrating question!! If I am airside and the luggage is checked through, I presume no Visa will be needed..... QF says luggage is booked through because the itinerary is all one ticket, so I presume I have to rely on that.

That would be normal… single ticket = through check. The only consideration is whether BLR can hold baggage overnight… some airports have restrictions. If no restrictions exist then should all be good to go, and probably the additional cost of the airside hotel would make up for having to get a visa.

The other consideration however is the location of the airside hotel. There are reports that transits at DEL for example aren’t necessarily easy because transferring between airlines can mean you have to wait in a holding room until checkin opens for the next flight and the airline can get you a boarding pass… so you’d effectively be in limbo until three or four hours before the BA flight.

Might be worth checking to see if that affects you, in which case entering india would be preferable. Your bags would still be checked through, subject to the overnight issue.

 

[PaulyB]

The only consideration is whether BLR can hold baggage overnight

Another distinction! Thankyou. I will tootle off to discover that one. Hopefully, someone knows...

 

[RooFlyer]

I think @Ade may have been through Bengaluru a few times and may have some ideas on this.

 

[Ade]

Let me see what I can find …

 

[PaulyB]

Let me see what I can find …

Thank you so much....

 

[milehighclub]

I believe any transit in India requires a visa.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS IN INDIA

INDIAN VISAS

Australian nationals require a valid visa for entry into India, either as a tourist or in transit or in any other capacity.

 

[PaulyB]

I believe any transit in India requires a visa.

INDIAN VISAS

Australian nationals require a valid visa for entry into India, either as a tourist or in transit or in any other capacity.

Thankyou yes. I will be staying airside at 080 Transit Hotel | Arrival & Departure but will have one as a precaution anyway!

 

[exLXCXFF]

There is we another thread about this somewhere else here but just saying that Qantas F check-in staff in SYD refused my in-laws (WPs, former P1s & CLs) to be checked through from QF to BA even though it‘s on the same PNR and they had to enter India to collect their luggage. Reason given was that it involves an „overnight stay“ - so think this is exactly your itinerary. Hence, to be safe, get the visa in advance!