Five Hyderabad drives, from lakeside to Old City

18.8 km of real streets in all. Each route has its own traffic, its own landmarks and its own way of catching you out.

Hussain Sagar

Tank Bund Road

The classic drive along the east bank of Hussain Sagar, past the lake and its row of statues.

Length

1.7 km

Turns

None

Level

Easy

Two-wheelers filtering past on both sides
Speed breakers near the statues
Strollers crossing to the lake promenade in the evening

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Hussain Sagar

Necklace Road

A sweeping lakeside loop around the west and north shores of Hussain Sagar.

Length

5.0 km

Turns

None

Level

Easy

Long sweeping bends along the lake shore
Buses pulling in and out of stops
U-turn openings in the median

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Old City

Charminar and Pathergatti

Up Charminar Road, round the Charminar itself, then north along the bustling Pathergatti Road.

Length

2.1 km

Turns

Level

Hard

The roundabout around the Charminar itself
Stalls, autos and shoppers close to the kerb
Narrow lanes with parked two-wheelers

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HITEC City

Cyber Towers to Jubilee Hills

From Cyber Towers past Inorbit Mall, across the Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge and along Road No. 36 to Jubilee Hills Checkpost.

Length

7.4 km

Turns

Level

Medium

Flyover ramps and lane choice before the bridge
Merging traffic at Inorbit Mall
Signals on Road No. 36

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Banjara Hills

Banjara Hills Road No. 1

Uphill from Masab Tank along Road No. 1, one of the city’s busiest arterials.

Length

2.6 km

Turns

None

Level

Medium

A steady 37 m climb from Masab Tank
Heavy traffic at every junction
Buses and autos stopping without warning

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Difficulty

Which route should you start with?

The level reflects the number of turns, how busy the junctions are and how tight the streets get.

Easy

Getting comfortable

No turns to make: settle into a lane and get a feel for the car and the traffic.

Routes: Tank Bund Road, Necklace Road.

Medium

Junctions and flyovers

A handful of turns, flyovers and busy junctions.

Routes: Cyber Towers to Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills Road No. 1.

Hard

Old City streets

Tight Old City streets, a roundabout and nine turns in two kilometres.

Routes: Charminar and Pathergatti.

A signalled junction with zebra crossings under the HITEC City flyover

Practice tips

Drive it the way the debrief marks it

Keep left: the blue band shows your lane on the route.
Indicate before every turn with Q or E. The indicator cancels itself after the turn.
Stop at the line on red; amber is not a reason to speed up.
Slow down for speed breakers. You will feel them if you don't.
Missed a turn? Look for the blue U-turn sign at the next median opening.

Pick a route and go

Start with Tank Bund Road if this is your first drive.

Start driving See the routes