City guide

Hyderabad

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)

Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)

Time zone

IST (UTC+5:30)

Currency

INR (₹)

Language

Telugu, Urdu, confident English

Getting to your hospital

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is notably further from the city than most Indian airports, typically 25-30km from the Banjara Hills/Jubilee Hills hospital corridor, often a 45-60 minute drive. Plan for this longer transfer, especially arriving after a long-haul flight.

Weather & best time to visit

Summers (March-June) are hot; the monsoon runs June to September. October to February is pleasant and generally the best window for travel and recovery.

Hospital districts

Hyderabad combines strong hospital infrastructure with a genuinely cosmopolitan character, shaped by its large IT and pharmaceutical sector. It's a comfortable choice for patients wanting a modern city feel alongside quality care.

Accommodation

Extended-stay and guesthouse options cluster around Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills, close to the main hospital groups.

Accessible transport

Generally safe for international visitors, with ride-hailing widely used for the longer distances the city's geography sometimes requires.

Dietary support

Hyderabadi cuisine is famous for its biryani, and both vegetarian and halal options are widely and easily available, reflecting the city's significant Muslim population, a genuine comfort factor for Gulf-origin patients specifically.

Recovery-friendly communication

Telugu and Urdu are widely spoken locally, alongside Hindi and confident English, particularly in hospital and business districts.

Staying connected

SIM/eSIM availability and connectivity are reliable across the hospital and accommodation districts.

Emergency numbers

All-in-one emergency112
Ambulance102
Police100
Fire101

Keep the treating hospital's helpline; most consular services for Hyderabad-based patients are handled via Chennai, Mumbai, or Delhi depending on nationality.

Planning checklist

Passport, visa and medical letter
Hospital 24-hour helpline saved offline
Prescription list and medical records
Local SIM or eSIM activated on arrival
Cash plus card (INR) for the first 48 hours
Travel and medical insurance details
Companion contact info shared with hospital