Tirupati Balaji Temple, also known as Sri Venkateswara Temple, is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India. Located in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, it attracts millions of devotees every year seeking blessings from Lord Venkateswara.
If you're planning a Tirupati Balaji darshan, this guide covers everything you need to know—how to book online, VIP darshan tickets, best time to visit, and important travel tips.
Visit
.
Register/Login with your mobile number & OTP.
Select "Special Entry Darshan" (₹300) or Free Darshan (Sarva Darshan).
Choose your preferred date & time slot.
Enter the number of people and their details (Aadhaar card is required).
Make the payment online (for paid darshans).
Download/Print the e-Ticket for entry.
Pro Tip: Book at least 1-2 months in advance, as slots fill up fast!
Pro Tip: If you want a faster darshan, Special Entry Darshan (₹300) is the best option for most devotees.
✔ Requires a VIP recommendation letter from government officials, MPs, MLAs, or temple authorities.
✔ Submit the letter at the JEO Office in Tirumala a day before.
✔ Limited slots; approval is not guaranteed.
✔ Introduced in 2023, this premium ticket includes:
Pro Tip: Avoid weekends & festival days if you want a faster darshan.
✔ By Air: Nearest airport Tirupati Airport (TIR) (15 km from temple)
✔ By Train: Nearest railway station Tirupati Railway Station (TPTY)
✔ By Road: Regular buses from Chennai (150 km), Bangalore (250 km), and Hyderabad (550 km)
Pro Tip: From Tirupati town, take a TTD bus or taxi (₹100-₹150) to reach Tirumala.
✔ Private Hotels: ₹1,500 – ₹5,000 per night (Luxury hotels available)
✔ Best Areas to Stay: Tirumala (Near the temple) or Tirupati town
Pro Tip: TTD rooms are cheap but hard to get, so book online in advance!
✔ Govindaraja Swamy Temple Area (Budget restaurants)
✔ Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Bhimas Residency (Popular for South Indian food)
✔ Dress Code: Men must wear dhoti/kurta, and women must wear saree/salwar (No jeans, shorts, or sleeveless allowed).
✔ Don’t Carry Bags & Mobiles: Phones, bags & electronics are not allowed inside. Deposit them at lockers outside the temple.
✔ Laddu Prasadam: Each darshan ticket includes free laddu prasadam (extra laddus available for purchase).
✔ Avoid Peak Days: Weekends, Ekadashi, and Vaikunta Ekadashi have huge crowds.
Pro Tip: For a peaceful darshan, book a weekday morning slot (Tuesday-Thursday).
✔ Book online in advance to avoid last-minute rush.
✔ Go for ₹300 Special Entry Darshan for a faster experience.
✔ Visit on a weekday (Feb-March or July-August) for less crowd.
Have you visited Tirupati Balaji? Share your experience & tips below!
If you're planning a Tirupati Balaji darshan, this guide covers everything you need to know—how to book online, VIP darshan tickets, best time to visit, and important travel tips.
How to Book Tirupati Balaji Darshan Online?
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board allows devotees to book darshan tickets online via the official website:Steps for Online Booking (TTD Website & Mobile App)
Visit
. Register/Login with your mobile number & OTP. Select "Special Entry Darshan" (₹300) or Free Darshan (Sarva Darshan). Choose your preferred date & time slot. Enter the number of people and their details (Aadhaar card is required). Make the payment online (for paid darshans). Download/Print the e-Ticket for entry.Pro Tip: Book at least 1-2 months in advance, as slots fill up fast!
️ Types of Darshan at Tirupati Balaji Temple
| Darshan Type | Description | Booking Method | Ticket Price | Waiting Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarva Darshan (Free Darshan) | General queue for all devotees | Offline (Current Queue) | Free | 5-10 hours |
| Special Entry Darshan (₹300 Darshan) | Faster darshan with dedicated entry | Online (TTD Website/App) | ₹300 per person | 2-3 hours |
| VIP Break Darshan | Priority darshan with less waiting time | Through recommendation letters or ₹10,500 VIP ticket | ₹500 per person (letter) / ₹10,500 (VIP) | 30 min - 1 hour |
| Divya Darshan | For pedestrian pilgrims walking via Alipiri or Srivari Mettu | Free | Free | 2-4 hours |
| Senior Citizen & Disabled Darshan | For elderly (above 65) & differently-abled devotees | Offline at Special Counter in Tirumala | Free | 1-2 hours |
How to Get a Tirupati Balaji VIP Darshan Ticket?
VIP Darshan is available in two ways: Recommendation Letter VIP Darshan (₹500 per person)
✔ Requires a VIP recommendation letter from government officials, MPs, MLAs, or temple authorities.✔ Submit the letter at the JEO Office in Tirumala a day before.
✔ Limited slots; approval is not guaranteed.
₹10,500 VIP Break Darshan Ticket
✔ Introduced in 2023, this premium ticket includes:- VIP Darshan (fastest entry)
- Laddu Prasadam
- Seva participation
✔ Book via TTD Official Website (Limited slots available).
Best Time to Visit Tirupati Balaji Temple
| Season | Months | Crowd Level | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Season | April – June (Summer), September – January (Festivals & New Year) | Extremely High | Hot in Summer, Cool in Winter |
| Moderate Season | February – March, July – August | Medium | Pleasant |
| Best Time for Less Crowd | February – March, July – August (Weekdays) | Low | Best Weather |
How to Reach Tirupati Balaji Temple?
Tirumala is well-connected by air, train, and road.✔ By Air: Nearest airport Tirupati Airport (TIR) (15 km from temple)
✔ By Train: Nearest railway station Tirupati Railway Station (TPTY)
✔ By Road: Regular buses from Chennai (150 km), Bangalore (250 km), and Hyderabad (550 km)
Pro Tip: From Tirupati town, take a TTD bus or taxi (₹100-₹150) to reach Tirumala.
Where to Stay & Eat in Tirupati
Best Accommodation Options
✔ TTD Guesthouses & Mutts: Best budget option (~₹100 to ₹1,500 per night)✔ Private Hotels: ₹1,500 – ₹5,000 per night (Luxury hotels available)
✔ Best Areas to Stay: Tirumala (Near the temple) or Tirupati town
Pro Tip: TTD rooms are cheap but hard to get, so book online in advance!
️ Best Places to Eat
✔ TTD Free Annaprasadam Hall (Free food for all devotees)✔ Govindaraja Swamy Temple Area (Budget restaurants)
✔ Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Bhimas Residency (Popular for South Indian food)
Important Tips for a Smooth Darshan
✔ Dress Code: Men must wear dhoti/kurta, and women must wear saree/salwar (No jeans, shorts, or sleeveless allowed).✔ Don’t Carry Bags & Mobiles: Phones, bags & electronics are not allowed inside. Deposit them at lockers outside the temple.
✔ Laddu Prasadam: Each darshan ticket includes free laddu prasadam (extra laddus available for purchase).
✔ Avoid Peak Days: Weekends, Ekadashi, and Vaikunta Ekadashi have huge crowds.
Pro Tip: For a peaceful darshan, book a weekday morning slot (Tuesday-Thursday).
Final Thoughts – Plan Your Tirupati Balaji Trip Smartly!
Tirupati Balaji is one of the most sacred temples in India, and with proper planning, you can have a smooth & blessed darshan.✔ Book online in advance to avoid last-minute rush.
✔ Go for ₹300 Special Entry Darshan for a faster experience.
✔ Visit on a weekday (Feb-March or July-August) for less crowd.
Have you visited Tirupati Balaji? Share your experience & tips below!
