If you enter from the wrong gate in Lalbagh, you will end up walking an extra kilometer inside the 240-acre garden. I have seen many first-time visitors do this, especially during the flower show.
Lalbagh is not a small park with one entry. It is surrounded by a stone wall on all four sides and has four proper entry gates. Each gate faces a different part of Bangalore and leads you to a different attraction inside.
Here is the breakdown that actually helps you decide.
How Many Gates Are There in Lalbagh Botanical Garden?
There are 4 main gates:
- West Gate (Siddapura Gate)
- South Gate (Main Gate / Lalbagh Road Gate)
- East Gate (Double Road / KH Road Gate)
- North Gate (Subbaiah Circle Gate)
All gates are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. During flower shows, timings are extended till 7:30 PM.
Lalbagh Gates at a Glance
| Gate Name | Exact Location | Nearest Metro / Bus Stop | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Gate | Siddapura Circle, Basavanagudi, RV Road | Lalbagh Metro Station – 100 meters | Metro users, Morning walkers, Bonsai Garden |
| South Gate | Lalbagh Road, Near Jayanagar | South End Circle | Car parking, First-time visitors, Full garden tour |
| East Gate | KH Double Road, Near NIMHANS | Shantinagar Bus Stop | Lalbagh Lake, Less crowd, Jayanagar side |
| North Gate | Subbaiah Circle, Near Urvashi Theatre | KR Market | Glass House exit during Flower Show |
1. West Gate – The Most Used Gate Now
This is the gate you should use if you are coming by Metro. The Green Line Lalbagh Metro Station exit drops you right in front of the West Gate ticket counter. It is hardly a 2-minute walk.
As soon as you enter from West Gate, the famous Bonsai Garden is on your right and the Topiary Park is on the left. Morning walkers love this gate because the free entry for walkers (6 AM to 9 AM) is best managed here and you will find a whole community of joggers.
Parking at West Gate: Paid parking is available just outside. Rs 30 for two-wheelers, Rs 60 for cars. During the Flower Show, this parking gets full by 10 AM, so try to come early.
2. South Gate – The Official Main Gate
This is considered the main gate of Lalbagh. If you are coming from Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Banashankari, or BTM Layout by car, this is the most logical entry.
Why is it called the main gate? Because it has the largest parking space inside the garden premises and the main administrative office is near this gate. The straight road from South Gate takes you directly to the Glass House in about 10 minutes of walk.
If it is your first visit and you want to explore the entire garden slowly, enter from South Gate.
3. East Gate – The Quietest Gate
East Gate is on KH Double Road. People coming from Shantinagar, Wilson Garden, and Jayanagar 4th Block will find this gate closest.
Most tourists don’t know about this gate, so there is almost no queue here even on weekends. If you want to see Lalbagh Lake, this is the gate for you. The lake is just 300-400 meters from this gate, while from West Gate you have to walk almost 1.5 km to reach the lake.
This gate is also best for photography because the light near the lake is perfect in the evening.
4. North Gate – Mostly Used as an Exit Gate
North Gate is located at Subbaiah Circle, close to Chamarajpet and KR Market side.
On normal days, it works as an entry gate, but during the Republic Day and Independence Day Flower Shows, the horticulture department makes it an Exit Only gate to manage the crowd. The Glass House is just 200 meters from this gate.
If you search “Lalbagh Main Gate” on Google Maps, sometimes it shows North Gate, which confuses people. Don’t get confused – South Gate is the official main gate.
Which Gate Should You Use? Final Answer
For Lalbagh Flower Show 2026: Always use West Gate for entry. The Glass House, where the show is held, is closest from West Gate (5 mins walk) and North Gate (3 mins walk). If you enter from South Gate, you will walk for 15-20 minutes to reach the show and get tired before seeing it. Exit is usually from North Gate.
If you are coming by Metro: West Gate. No second thought.
If you are coming by Car with family: South Gate. You will get safe parking and you can start your tour systematically.
If you want to see Lalbagh Lake and Rose Garden: East Gate.
For Morning Walk and Jogging: West Gate. You will get company and the Bonsai Garden stretch is the best for walking.
Important Tips Before You Go
- You cannot take your vehicle inside Lalbagh. So choosing the right gate saves you a lot of walking.
- All 4 gates have ticket counters, but during low season, East Gate counter is sometimes closed. Keep UPI ready, tickets are Rs 30 for adults and Rs 20 for children.
- For Flower Show, buy tickets online from the official horticulture department website. The queue for offline tickets at West Gate can be 30-45 minutes long on weekends.
- If you put “Lalbagh Botanical Garden” in Google Maps, it will take you to South Gate by default. If you want West Gate, type “Lalbagh West Gate, Siddapura” specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many gates does Lalbagh Botanical Garden have?
Lalbagh has 4 gates – West Gate near Siddapura, South Gate on Lalbagh Road, East Gate on Double Road, and North Gate near Subbaiah Circle.
Q. Which is the main gate of Lalbagh Botanical Garden?
South Gate on Lalbagh Road is considered the official main gate because of its large parking area.
Q. Which gate is best for Lalbagh Flower Show?
West Gate is best for entry and North Gate is for exit during flower shows, as Glass House is located between these two gates.
Q. Is there parking at all gates in Lalbagh?
Yes, all gates have parking, but South and West Gates have the most organized paid parking.
Chavi Devi is the founder and author of Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Based in Bengaluru, she has been documenting Lalbagh for the last 2 years – from ticket prices and timings to hidden rules and photography permissions. She visits the garden regularly to verify information and creates simple, practical guides for first-time visitors.
Read More About Chavi→ About Us