Mild weather, big green parks and a dosa on every corner. Here is how to plan a December to January trip to Bengaluru that the children will actually enjoy.
At a glance: is Bengaluru a good city for kids in the NZ summer holidays?
Yes. December and January are mild in Bengaluru, so children can be outdoors all day. The city has big parks, a zoo with a safari, a science museum, a planetarium and a water park, all within an easy cab ride. Fly Auckland to Bengaluru from NZD $992 per person (checked 15 October 2026, prices change daily). Term 4 ends by 18 December 2026 and Term 1 starts in late January or early February, so a three to five week trip fits well.
Why Bengaluru suits families in December and January
This is the third guide in our series, after Delhi with kids and Mumbai with kids. Of the three, Bengaluru is the easiest city to do with young children in the NZ summer holidays, and the reason is simple: the weather.
Bengaluru sits on a plateau, and December to January is its coolest, driest stretch. Days are mild and evenings are pleasantly cool, so there is no need to hide indoors from the heat the way you might in Delhi in May. Pack a light jacket for early mornings and you are set.
The city is also green, with two big parks right in the centre and a zoo and safari inside the city limits. Add tiffin rooms that serve a dosa in minutes and you have a city that works for small attention spans.
Getting there and getting around
Mann Travel books flights to Bengaluru from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. The Auckland to Bengaluru fare on our site is from NZD $992 per person (checked 15 October 2026, prices change daily). There is no non-stop, so expect one stop, usually in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, with a total journey of around 16 to 20 hours depending on the connection. Fares from Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown vary, so call us for a quote on your dates.
Kempegowda International Airport is about 35 to 40 kilometres north of the city. With traffic, allow 60 to 90 minutes to most neighbourhoods. The prepaid taxi counters and app cabs (Ola and Uber) are the easiest choice with children and luggage. The Vayu Vajra airport buses are air-conditioned, cheap and run to most parts of the city, a good option if you are travelling light.
Where to stay with kids
Area | Why families like it | Good for |
Indiranagar | Leafy streets, cafes, playgrounds, lots of serviced apartments | Families who want a kitchen and a quiet street |
Koramangala | Restaurants on every corner, easy cabs, close to the Bannerghatta road | Teenagers, foodie families |
MG Road and Cubbon Park area | Walking distance to Cubbon Park, the museums and the planetarium | Short trips, first-time visitors |
Whitefield | Near many relatives’ homes, big malls, calmer evenings | Staying close to family on the east side |
A serviced apartment with a kitchen makes the biggest difference with young children. Many families split the trip between a relative’s home and a few nights in the centre.
Things to do with kids in Bengaluru
1. Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Go early. The glasshouse, the lake and the rock on the hill are enough for a whole morning.
2. Cubbon Park and Bal Bhavan
Cubbon Park is the city’s green lung. Bal Bhavan inside the park has a toy train, a small play area and space for the children to let off steam while the grandparents sit in the shade.
3. Bannerghatta Biological Park
A zoo, a butterfly park and a bus safari past lions, tigers and bears. It is a full day with a packed lunch. Book the safari early in the day, because the queues grow after midday in the holidays.
4. Science museum and planetarium
The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum near Cubbon Park has engines, aircraft and hands-on galleries that keep eight-year-olds busy for hours. The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is a short walk away.
5. Wonderla
A big water and amusement park on the edge of the city. Give it a full day and take swimwear for everyone. Weekdays are quieter.
6. HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum
Real aircraft, a flight simulator and an aviation history that older children find surprisingly gripping. Easy to pair with a Whitefield or Indiranagar base.
7. ISKCON temple, Bengaluru Palace and Commercial Street
The ISKCON temple on the hill is calm in the early morning and a good first temple for children. Bengaluru Palace is a Tudor-style surprise with an audio guide. Commercial Street is where the cousins will want to go for bangles, kurtas and sweets.
What the children will eat
Bengaluru is the easiest Indian city for fussy eaters. A plain dosa, idli with ghee or a bowl of curd rice turns up in minutes at the old tiffin rooms, and nothing needs to be spicy. The classic stops are MTR, CTR and Vidyarthi Bhavan. Finish with filter coffee for the adults and a badam milk for the children. Stick to bottled or filtered water, and carry hand sanitiser.
A 7-day sample plan
| Day | Morning | Afternoon and evening |
| Day 1 | Arrive, settle in, short walk nearby | Early dinner, early night to beat jet lag |
| Day 2 | Lalbagh Botanical Garden | Tiffin lunch at MTR, rest, Commercial Street |
| Day 3 | Cubbon Park and Bal Bhavan | Science museum and planetarium |
| Day 4 | Bannerghatta zoo and safari (full day) | Quiet evening with family |
| Day 5 | ISKCON temple, then Bengaluru Palace | HAL Aerospace Museum |
| Day 6 | Wonderla (full day) | Dinner in Koramangala or Indiranagar |
| Day 7 | Nandi Hills sunrise drive, or a Mysuru day trip | Pack, last filter coffee, family farewell |
Staying longer? Nandi Hills is about an hour and a half north and is best at sunrise. Mysuru, with its palace and zoo, is a two to three hour drive and worth a night or two. We cover both in our Coorg and Mysuru holiday guide.
Practical tips for parents
- Traffic is the real planning issue, not heat. Group activities by area and avoid crossing the city between 5pm and 8pm.
- Use app cabs for anything with a pram. Autos are quick for short hops with older children. Agree the fare or use the meter before you get in.
- Water. Bottled or filtered only, including for brushing teeth with little ones.
- Pharmacies. Easy to find in every neighbourhood and many stay open late. Bring your children’s regular medicines from home with the prescription.
- Mornings are gold. Parks and the zoo are quiet before ten. Rest after lunch and go out again at four.
- Documents. New Zealand passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card for each child as well as each adult. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly.
Why book with Mann Travel
Mann Travel has been taking families home to India since 2007. Our team in Papatoetoe, Auckland speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English, is available 24/7, and specialises in family and group bookings. Verified NZ students, teachers, lecturers and education staff can join Mann Travel Offer or NZD $50 off selected return flights between NZ and India, valid for 30 days, renewable, and not combinable with other promotions. Ask us about flexible payment options such as PayLite and Afterpay.
Flying from the South Island? See our new guide to flights from Christchurch to Hyderabad, or the Bengaluru guides from Christchurch and Wellington. For more ideas, read NZ summer holidays in India.
Let’s take you home to Bengaluru this summer.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.nz/flights or call our team on 09 973 1940. We will put the whole family on one booking.
frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Bengaluru in December and January?
Mild and dry. Days are comfortable for being outdoors and early mornings are cool, so pack a light jacket for the children.
How much is a flight from Auckland to Bengaluru?
From NZD $992 per person on our site, checked 15 October 2026. Prices change daily, so check live fares or call us.
How far is Bengaluru airport from the city?
About 35 to 40 kilometres north. Allow 60 to 90 minutes by prepaid taxi, app cab or Vayu Vajra bus.
What are the best things to do with kids in Bengaluru?
Lalbagh, Cubbon Park and Bal Bhavan, Bannerghatta zoo and safari, the science museum and planetarium, Wonderla and the HAL Aerospace Museum.
Do children need an Indian visa?
Yes. Every New Zealand passport holder, including babies, needs an Indian visa or OCI card. Apply early through the official Indian visa website.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Always check live prices before booking.
