5th ISME South Asia Regional Conference

21-23 May, 2026
The Bangalore School of Music & Fine Arts, Bangalore, India

Conference Theme : Music education and sustainability

Travel

Getting to Bangalore

By Air

Bangalore is served by Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), with direct connections to major international and domestic cities. This is the most convenient option for most delegates.

By Rail

  • The nearest railway station to the venue is Bangalore Cantonment Station, located approximately 6–7 km away.
  • Other major hubs are KSR Bengaluru (Bangalore City Railway Station), Yelahanka Junction, and SMVT Bengaluru (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal), all of which are well connected to different parts of the city.

By Road

Bangalore is well connected by national highways and intercity bus services. Major outstation bus depots include:

  • Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic)
  • Shantinagar Bus Stand (KSRTC Terminal)
  • Yelahanka New Town Bus Stand
  • Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic)
  • Kalasipalya Bus Stand
  • Additional KSRTC satellite bus stations (Mysuru Road and Peenya/Yeshwanthpur) also serve intercity routes.

Please allow buffer time for city traffic when planning your arrival.

Airport to Conference Venue (The Bangalore School of Music & Fine Arts)

The venue is approximately 30 km from the airport. Travel time can range from 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Taxi / Ride Apps

Prepaid airport taxis and app-based cabs (Ola / Uber) are the most convenient and direct options. This can cost Rs. 800-1500 (US$ 8-16) depending on the vehicle and time of day.

KIAL Vayu Vajra Airport Bus

This is a reliable and economical option connecting the airport to key areas such as Hebbal. While most buses stop at Hebbal Flyover, only a few stop at the CBI road (the nearest stop to the venue), so please check before boarding. From Hebbal flyover, the venue is about 10-12 minutes by autorickshaw/tuk-tuk, while from CBI stop it is approximately 3-5 minutes. The bus can cost around Rs 250 (US$ 2.75).

Please check out more transport options from the airport here.

Where to Stay

To avoid Bangalore’s well-known traffic delays, we strongly recommend booking accommodation close to the venue in the following areas:

  • RT Nagar
  • Ganganagar
  • Veeranpalya
  • Hebbal
  • Nagavara

Staying within these neighbourhoods will significantly reduce commute time and ensure a smoother conference experience.

See here for accommodation options. Please contact the hotels directly for booking.

Bengaluru at a Glance

Currency
The local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Credit/debit cards and digital payments (UPI) are widely accepted, though it’s useful to carry some cash for small expenses.

Languages Spoken
Kannada is the official language. English is widely spoken. Hindi and Tamil are also commonly understood.

Greetings
A simple “Hello” is perfectly acceptable. You may also hear “Namaskara” as a traditional greeting.

Local Travel
Auto rickshaws are a convenient way to travel short distances. App-based options (Ola/Uber/Namma Yatri Auto) are recommended for ease and transparent pricing. If using street autos, fares should be by meter, though this is not always followed.

Food and more
Bangalore offers a wide range of cuisines, from South Indian staples (idli, dosa, filter coffee) to diverse international options. Vegetarian food is widely available.

Important: Do not drink tap water. Carry a water bottle to fill up wherever available.

Medical facilities
Bangalore offers excellent medical facilities catering to a wide range of needs and budgets. Well-equipped hospitals and clinics are easily accessible across the city, and pharmacies are widely available. In addition, several mobile apps provide quick home delivery of medicines, often within short time frames.