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Tirumala Toll Gate, Timings and Vehicle Fees at Alipiri Entrance
The Tirumala ghat road from Alipiri to Tirumala hill is open 4:00 AM to 10:30 PM for four-wheelers and 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM for two-wheelers. The Alipiri Mettu footpath is open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Toll charges at the Alipiri entry point vary by vehicle: Rs. 50 for cars/jeeps/vans, Rs. 100 for mini-buses, Rs. 200 for buses and heavy vehicles. Minimum travel time on the ghat road is 40 minutes, TTD enforces a 28-minute lower bound from Alipiri to GNC Toll Gate to discourage speeding on the curves.
Ghat road timings
- Four-wheelers (cars, jeeps, vans, mini-buses, buses): 4:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Two-wheelers (motorcycles, scooters): 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Alipiri Mettu (foot path): 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Srivari Mettu (alternate foot path): 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Vehicles arriving outside the timings are not admitted. Pilgrims arriving by late-night train or flight should plan to stay overnight in Tirupati city and start the climb the next morning.
Toll gate fees (one-way, valid for one return within 24 hours)
| Vehicle type | Toll fee |
|---|---|
| Car, jeep, van, SUV | Rs. 50 |
| Mini-bus | Rs. 100 |
| Bus (incl. APSRTC) | Rs. 200 |
| Heavy commercial vehicle | Rs. 200 |
| Two-wheeler | No toll (free) |
The fee is collected at the Alipiri Tollgate entry point. Two-wheelers pass through a separate lane without payment.
Minimum journey time
TTD enforces a minimum journey time on the ghat road as a safety measure on the curved climb:
- Minimum 40 minutes Alipiri to Tirumala, vehicles arriving at the GNC Tollgate (top) faster than this are flagged for over-speeding
- Distance from Alipiri to GNC Tollgate: 16.9 km
- The 28-minute lower bound for the Alipiri-to-GNC stretch is enforced via timestamped entry/exit tags
The road has 50+ hairpin curves; the speed limit is 30 km/h. Over-speeding fines start at Rs. 500.
How to use the toll gate
- Approach the Alipiri Tollgate from Tirupati city, well signposted from the APSRTC bus stand and Tirupati Railway Station
- Stop at the toll booth; pay cash or use the FasTag lane if your vehicle is fitted with FasTag
- Receive an entry token with timestamp
- Drive up the ghat (one-way road), observe 30 km/h limit, do not stop on the curves, no horn use beyond essential signalling
- Exit at GNC Tollgate at the top; entry token verified
Return journey: similar process, downhill road. Exit token issued at GNC Tollgate.
FasTag
FasTag is accepted at the Alipiri Tollgate for compatible vehicles. The advantage is faster passage; the toll fee is unchanged. FasTag-enabled vehicles can use the FasTag lane to avoid the cash counter queue.
Cars without FasTag use the cash lane. Both lanes operate during all open hours.
What’s restricted on the ghat
- Stopping on the curves, pull off only at the marked viewpoints (Sila Toranam, Selavu Sangamam, etc.)
- Eating, smoking, or consuming alcohol during the climb
- Using high-beam headlights at night (regular dipped headlights only)
- Honking on the curves, reserved for emergencies and signalling overtaking on straight stretches
- Carrying restricted goods (alcohol, weapons, animal products)
For pilgrims without a private vehicle
APSRTC operates frequent buses on the ghat road from Tirupati to Tirumala. Fares are Rs. 60 to Rs. 110 per person depending on bus type. APSRTC pays the bus toll separately and does not charge it to the passenger. The bus journey typically takes 60-75 minutes including the toll wait.
TTD also operates free shuttle buses from its Tirupati complexes (Srinivasam, Madhavam, Vishnu Nivasam) to the Alipiri Tollgate Bus Station, from where APSRTC paid buses run to Tirumala.
For two-wheeler pilgrims
No toll, no FasTag needed. Two-wheelers should:
- Wear helmet (mandatory at the Alipiri entrance check)
- Carry valid driving licence and vehicle registration
- Plan around the 4 AM to 10 PM window
- Note that pillion riders count, two adults on the same bike is permitted with proper helmets for both
Footpath pilgrims (Alipiri Mettu / Srivari Mettu)
Pilgrims who climb up by foot use the dedicated stepped paths. These paths have separate timings (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM) and require pilgrims to register at the start of the climb for the Divya Darshan token (free darshan as a footpath pilgrim).
Common questions
How much does it cost to climb Tirumala in my own car? Rs. 50 toll one-way. Return is free within 24 hours of entry. Fuel is your only other cost.
Is FasTag mandatory at Alipiri? No, cash lane available. FasTag is just faster.
Are night arrivals practical? Yes, until 10:30 PM for four-wheelers. After that, you must stay in Tirupati overnight.
Can I drive my own scooter / motorcycle up the ghat? Yes, no toll for two-wheelers. Open 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Is there parking at the top? Yes, TTD provides free parking at multiple Tirumala parking lots. Larger vehicles park at designated zones away from the temple core.
For current ghat road timings and any temporary closures (festival days, monsoon advisories), only use tirumala.org/TransportFacilities.aspx and news.tirumala.org.
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- APSRTC Darshan Packages
- Mobile Phone Storage at Tirumala
- Tirumala Dress Code
- Footpath Routes (Alipiri vs Srivari Mettu)
