Tirupati to Hyderabad distance is approximately 560–561 km by road, depending on the route., and the drive takes approximately 10 to 11 hours by car under normal traffic conditions, via NH44 and NH40 through Kurnool and Kadapa. This is a long haul, so it's a route mostly used by pilgrims completing their Tirumala darshan and heading back to Hyderabad, along with families and long-distance travellers connecting Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. If you'd rather not drive the full stretch yourself, you can book a reliable Tirupati to Hyderabad cab with HurryUp Cabs and travel in comfort with an experienced driver.
Mode | Distance | Travel Time | Approx. Cost |
| Road (Car/Cab) | ~560 km | ~10–11 hrs | ₹6,900 – ₹15,000 (sedan to Innova, one-way) |
| Bus | ~554–557 km | ~10.5–11 hrs | ₹450 – ₹6,000+ (seater to Volvo AC) |
| Train | ~620+ km (rail route) | ~11–12 hrs | ₹250 onward |
| Flight | — | ~1 hr | Varies by airline and date |
Best Route: NH44 + NH40 via Kurnool and Kadapa Nearest Railway Station (Tirupati side): Tirupati Railway Station / Renigunta Junction Nearest Airport (Tirupati side): Tirupati Airport (TIR), ~14–15 km from Tirupati town (roughly 35–40 km from the Tirumala temple itself)
Most drivers and cab operators take NH44 + NH40, running from Tirupati through Kadapa and Kurnool before joining NH44 toward Hyderabad. This is the shorter and more reliable of the two main options at around 560 km, with a long, well-maintained stretch that makes it the default choice for both bus operators and cab drivers.
There's also an alternate route via NH16 through Nellore, which runs about 590–592 km — roughly 30 km longer, with the trade-off being smoother, more consistently maintained road surface in some stretches even though it adds 30–45 minutes to the trip. Unless you have a specific reason to detour, NH44 + NH40 remains the faster and more commonly used option.
Route | Distance | Time | Best For |
| NH44 + NH40 via Kurnool–Kadapa | ~560 km | ~10–11 hrs | Fastest, most-used route |
| NH16 via Nellore | ~590–592 km | ~10.5–11.5 hrs | Smoother road surface, minor detour |
FASTag is effectively mandatory on both routes — there are several toll plazas along the way, and not having an active FASTag will cost you time at every single one.
Driving or hiring a cab gives you full control over your stops, which matters on a journey this long. A one-way taxi from Tirupati to Hyderabad covers the 560 km in about 10 to 11 hours, with fares varying by vehicle type and operator (details in the FAQs below).
Both APSRTC/TSRTC and several private operators run frequent daily services on this route, including overnight Volvo and sleeper options that let you sleep through most of the journey. The bus covers roughly 554–557 km in about 10.5 to 11 hours, with fares generally starting around ₹450–650 for standard seating and going up from there for AC and sleeper classes.
Rail connectivity exists via Renigunta Junction, with direct trains such as the Sabari Express connecting to Hyderabad's Kacheguda and other stations. Because the rail route doesn't follow the direct road path, the distance covered is somewhat longer — some trains cover 620+ km — and journey times generally run 11 to 12 hours, making the train a comparable or slightly slower option than the road route, but a comfortable one if you'd rather not drive.
Given the 560 km distance, flying is genuinely the fastest option here — daily flights connect Tirupati Airport and Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in about an hour. This is worth considering if you're short on time and don't mind the extra cost and airport transfers on both ends.
Mode | Time | Comfort | Best For |
| Cab/Car | ~10–11 hrs | High (private, flexible stops) | Families, groups, flexible schedules |
| Bus | ~10.5–11 hrs | Moderate to high (AC/sleeper options) | Budget travellers, solo pilgrims |
| Train | ~11–12 hrs | Moderate | Those preferring not to drive, budget-conscious travel |
| Flight | ~1 hr | High | Time-constrained travellers |
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) manages darshan through a free darshan queue as well as a special entry (₹300) ticket, with online slot booking available for those who plan ahead. Free darshan wait times can range from a few hours to well over 12 hours depending on the day and season, while special entry is meaningfully faster. If your trip is timed around a Hyderabad departure or arrival, it's worth booking your darshan slot in advance through the official TTD portal rather than relying on a walk-in queue, especially since this is already a long travel day on either end.
A modest dress code applies inside the temple — most pilgrims wear traditional attire, and it's worth checking TTD's current guidelines closer to your travel date since they're occasionally updated.
November to February offers the most comfortable weather for both the long drive and the darshan queue, which can get uncomfortable in direct sun during warmer months. April and May bring peak summer heat and are best avoided if your schedule allows flexibility. Weekdays — particularly Tuesday and Wednesday — tend to see both lighter road traffic and shorter darshan queues than weekends, when the temple draws considerably larger crowds from across South India.
Given the length of this route, a few stops along NH44/NH40 are worth considering if you want to break up the drive:
None of these require a major detour on the direct route, so they work well as practical breaks on a long journey rather than full sightseeing stops.
The distance and travel time figures in this guide were cross-checked against multiple independent travel and booking sources rather than a single estimate, so you can plan your trip with confidence.
The road distance between Tirupati and Hyderabad is approximately 560 km via NH44 and NH40, and the drive typically takes around 10 to 11 hours under normal traffic conditions.
NH44 combined with NH40 via Kurnool and Kadapa is the standard, fastest route at around 560 km. An alternate via NH16 through Nellore covers roughly 590–592 km and is mainly used when road conditions or diversions favor it.
Buses cover approximately 554–557 km on this route, with journey times generally running between 10.5 and 11 hours depending on traffic and the specific operator. Both government (APSRTC/TSRTC) and private operators run frequent daily services, including overnight Volvo and sleeper options.
Taxi fares for this route generally range from around ₹6,900 for a sedan to ₹15,000 for an Innova on a one-way trip, depending on the operator, vehicle type, and direction of travel. Most quotes include driver allowance and GST, with toll charges sometimes added separately.
Kadapa and Kurnool are the two main practical stopovers along NH44/NH40, both offering fuel stations and highway restaurants for a break on this long drive. Neither requires a significant detour from the direct route.
Yes — flying between Tirupati and Hyderabad takes about an hour, compared to 10 to 11 hours by road. Flying is worth considering if you're short on time, though it adds airport transfer time and cost on both ends compared to a direct cab.
November to February offers the most comfortable weather for both the long drive and the temple darshan queue. April and May bring peak summer heat and are best avoided if your schedule allows flexibility.
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