How Foreign Professionals Commute in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Hyderabad & Pune

Thousands of foreign professionals have established themselves in the four major business hubs in India: Gurgaon, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. One of the first bills of business for expatriates and long-term business visitors is getting around these cities. The transport nature of each city is different, and knowledge of the options available to the person will make daily travel less stressful.

Gurgaon (Gurugram)

Gurgaon is the corporate capital of the Delhi-NCR area and houses a huge number of MNCs, especially in the finance, IT, and consulting industries. The city is well connected with Central Delhi through the Yellow Line of Delhi Metro, which is used by a lot of foreigners for commuting to Connaught Place or South Delhi for their meetings. In Gurgaon, the Rapid Metro is operating in specific corridors of the commercial areas in Cyber City and DLF Phase areas.

But not all of the city is covered by the metro. Users of apps like Ola and Uber are the daily drivers for many expatriates. Corporate housing societies located in places such as DLF Phases, Sushant Lok, and South City are relatively near the business centres, and the short rides are manageable. NH-48 is especially congested in peak hours, as is Sohna Road, and many professionals leave work early or work at off-peak times to avoid the traffic.

For those who live abroad for extended periods of time, they may decide to use a full-time driver and hire a car, providing convenience and flexibility. Those who are not fans of driving on Indian roads choose self-driven car rentals, which provide them with the flexibility to travel and explore the nearby area at their own convenience and timing.

Bangalore

The situation in Bangalore is special. Technologies hub of India and one of the highest concentrations of foreign professionals in India, but it is also notorious for the poor road congestion, among other metros in India. In recent years, the Namma Metro network has grown and is now operational on several important corridors, such as the Whitefield to MG Road and Indiranagar to Yeshwantpur corridors. This is a safe and affordable solution for professionals who live and work in the vicinity of metro-connected areas.

In non-metro areas, cab services are the major means of transportation. Ola and Uber are widely used throughout the city, and the auto-rickshaws continue to be a popular mode of transportation for short distances. There are also a number of companies in the technology sector having their own shuttle service between the residential areas and their campus, especially along the outer Ring Road and Electronica City.

It is a special case when it comes to traffic in Bangalore. Depending on the route and time of day, it may take a person 20 minutes or more to cover a 10-kilometre round trip. Many people overseas working in Electronic City, Whitefield, or Sarjapur Road opt for accommodation that is within the vicinity of their work area because of less travel time. Those who prefer the freedom of their travel options are also opting for self-drive travel so they can find a route they prefer to take without making themselves dependent on the availability of a cab during the rush hours.

Hyderabad

India's Hyderabad has come a long way in gaining urban infrastructure, and it's evident in the commute experience. The Hyderabad Metro Rail is currently operating on three corridors and has linked some key professional areas such as HITEC City, Madhapur, Ameerpet, and LB Nagar. Expats living in the vicinity of these corridors will find the metro clean, air-conditioned, and fairly reliable.

The majority of the multinational companies are situated in the HITEC City and in nearby areas of Gachibowli and Financial District. These are areas of relatively wider and well-kept roads in comparison to other older parts of the city. That makes Hyderabad one of the more driving-friendly cities out of the four, and many foreign professionals opt to be driven or drive themselves to work here.

There are many cabs that are available through apps, and cars are everywhere around the city. Another interesting fact about Hyderabad is that it is a less polluted city than Bangalore, making it a better city to commute in overall. Having a private vehicle (hired or by rental) makes travelling to nearby spots like Ramoji Film City, Nagarjuna Sagar, and the heritage sites of the old city very convenient, at least from time to time.

Pune

Pune is now an attractive city for foreign professionals, especially in the automotive, IT, and manufacturing industries. Compared to Bangalore or Hyderabad, the city is more compact in terms of the business activity being concentrated in the city, and the main professional hubs for expatriates are Hinjewadi, Kharadi, and Baner.

As of now, the metro in Pune hasn't reached its full extent, and it covers less ground than the metros in other cities. This implies that most of the foreign professionals in Pune use cabs or take two-wheelers for rent or by their own arrangements. Pune is a relatively easy city for most people to drive in, with the roads being relatively easy to handle for those who are willing. The traffic is here, but much more predictable than in Bangalore.

The proximity of Pune to Mumbai (about 150 kilometres by the motorway) makes it a common occurrence for professionals to fly to Mumbai by day for work or by night to visit their families. When the details of inter-city travel are talked about, it is extremely convenient and flexible to have a self-drive car available in comparison to taking cabs every time.

Self-Drive as a Commute Option

The fact is that all around the four cities, many foreign professionals are getting quick and convenient access to car rentals for self-drive and using them as a means of commuting and travelling. Ideal for people on extended work assignments who prefer the independence of having their own form of transport but don't wish to purchase a car.

Self-drive rentals also enable professionals to select a suitable vehicle for them depending on their comfort level, distance to travel, and the nature of the road they will be driving along. Compact cars are most appropriate for in-city driving, whereas people who are travelling to different locations on a regular basis or areas where the road surfaces vary in quality are likely to prefer an SUV.

If you are an expatriate considering car rentals in one of these cities while you're staying there, Rentrip has a selection of vehicles to satisfy both your short-term and longer-term needs. Foreign nationals are advised to check beforehand if their international driving licence is valid in India or if they are going to stay for a longer period, get an Indian driving licence.

A few practical notes to foreign professionals

In India, traffic rules are legalised, and the enforcement of these rules differs from city to city and from zone to zone. Increasingly, speed limits, lane discipline, and road signage are uniform in major cities. There is a definite advantage for most foreign professionals to first observe what is happening and then travel independently, and they are the ones who are often the first to learn this.

Google Maps is well-known and fairly accurate in all four cities, even offering real-time traffic data. In older residential or commercial areas, though, local input can sometimes be necessary for the last-mile navigation.

If you're not keen on driving in Indian conditions, full-time driver hires from car rental companies are a safe, convenient option. From metro to cab rental to driver-assisted rental to self-drive, each of the four cities has plenty of alternatives for foreign professionals to develop a commuting schedule that is right for them.