Tirumala Accommodation: How to Book TTD Rooms Online or at the CRO
Almost all lodging on Tirumala hill is run by TTD, and a pilgrim gets a room either by booking online in advance or by registering for a current room at the Central Reception Office. This guide explains both routes and the figures that are still unconfirmed.
Information guide for pilgrims. We are a taxi service and we do not provide or arrange darshan, sevas, rooms, tickets or donations. Please book only on the official TTD websites, and confirm details there. Last checked October 2026.
- Online bookingttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in or the TTD app
- ReleaseUsually 3 pm, a few days after darshan quotas, about 2.5 to 3 months ahead
- OfflineCRO current booking near the Tirumala bus stand, first come first served
- TariffVaries by block; reported figures conflict (see confirm list)
- People per roomUp to about 4-6 (guides differ)
- ID neededOriginal photo ID (Aadhaar); photocopies reportedly not accepted
- DepositRefundable caution deposit with the rent
- PaymentUPI and cards online; cash or UPI at counters
What is on offer
Nearly all lodging on Tirumala hill is run by TTD: cottages, guest houses, rest houses and dormitories (pilgrim amenity complexes). Mutts and some trusts also run low-cost rooms. One guide says there are no private hotels on the hill.
A pilgrim gets a room in one of two ways. You can book online in advance, or register for a current (on-arrival) room at the Central Reception Office, called the CRO. Online bookers collect the room at the ARP counter near the CRO.
Cost and deposit
Tariffs vary by block and room type. One 2026 guide gives three bands for Tirumala rooms: Rs 100, Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 per day. Another gives rough bands: dormitory from Rs 100 per person, non-AC Rs 200-500, AC Rs 500-1,200 and cottages Rs 1,000-3,000. These do not match, so check the figure on the booking page.
The Padmavathi Guest House area, on the VIP or recommendation route, is quoted at Rs 1,800 and above, up to Rs 2,800-6,500 per day. A refundable caution deposit is collected with the rent, and overstay or damage is adjusted against it.
Who can book and what you need
Online rooms generally need a valid darshan or seva ticket for the same period, as reported for 2026. Aadhaar is reported as mandatory at the CRO, with a face scan. Bring original photo ID for adults.
Up to about 4-6 persons are allowed per room. One 2026 guide reports a rule of one room per person within 30 days, checked by face recognition, but this is a single source and not confirmed.
Online booking
TTD announces a monthly schedule by press release. A news report dated 12 April 2026 said the July 2026 accommodation quota for Tirumala and Tirupati would open on 24 April at 3 p.m., the day after Special Entry Darshan tickets. Other reports mention the same 3 p.m. slot, for example for the October 2026 quota on 18 July and the September 2026 quota on 24 June.
So rooms open about 2.5 to 3 months ahead, a few days after darshan and seva quotas. They are reported to sell out within minutes. Online cancellation is done from the same online account.
Offline: the CRO current booking
The CRO counter near the Tirumala bus stand opens early morning, at about 6 a.m., and people queue from 4-5 a.m. You get a waitlist number and an SMS when a room is allotted. Report to the cottage reception within 30 minutes or the room is released.
Waits of 2-6 hours are reported. Only about half the rooms are said to be released online, and half kept for on-arrival. Offline allotments are not cancellable. Without a darshan ticket, online booking is generally not possible, but the CRO counter may allot a room subject to availability.
On the day
Report to the ARP counter if you booked online, or to the CRO if you registered for a current room. Check-in is reported as generally from noon, though no official check-in or check-out time was found. Rooms are given in 24-hour units.
To extend by a day, ask at reception before checkout. It depends on availability and costs extra rent. Rules: ID is required, no outsiders overnight, and TTD premises rules apply. Free buses and annaprasadam are nearby.
Best time
Peak season, October to January, Brahmotsavam and long weekends, sells out at release. July to September has better availability.
How to book, step by step
- Watch for the releaseCheck the TTD portal and press for the month's schedule. Rooms usually open at 3 pm.
- Log inUse mobile number and OTP on the official TTD site or app.
- Open AccommodationChoose Tirumala as the place.
- Pick date, room type and occupantsSelect what is available for your dates.
- Enter pilgrim detailsAdd details for each adult, matching original ID.
- PayUPI or card online.
- Download the confirmationKeep it with your original ID and darshan or seva ticket.
- Collect the room at the ARP counterGo to the ARP counter near the CRO on arrival.
Please confirm before you travel
Reports differ on these points, and TTD can change rules at short notice.
- Tariffs: Rs 100/1,000/1,500 per day in one guide versus Rs 200-3,000 bands in another.
- Refund schedule: one guide says 90% (7+ days), 50% (3-7 days), nil under 3 days; others say cancel up to 2 days before and no refund after. Not verified with TTD.
- One room per person in 30 days: reported by a single secondary source.
- Offline wait times reported as 2-3 hours by some and 5-6 hours by others.
- Online lead time is reported at about 60-90 days.
- The official rest-house tariff page on tirumala.org could not be checked.
Getting there from Tirupati by taxi
Tirumala CRO and bus stand area. The Tirumala bus stand and CRO are about 22 km from Tirupati railway station by the ghat road, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Private cars and taxis can go up to the CRO area and cottage blocks, but parking is limited, so leave Tirupati early.
Day rent for a Tirupati to Tirumala trip. Diesel, driver charge and toll are charged extra. See the local taxi page for other trips.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a room without a darshan ticket?
Online, generally no. The CRO current counter may allot a room subject to availability.
Are there private hotels on Tirumala?
One guide says none; rooms are TTD-run or mutt rooms.
How soon do online rooms sell out?
Reports say within minutes of release.
Can I book more than one room?
It may be limited to one per person in 30 days, but this is unconfirmed.
How many people can stay in a room?
Usually up to 4 to 6, depending on the room.
Can I pay at the counter?
Yes, the CRO current booking takes cash or UPI.