The real pleasure in exploring Hampi comes from on the bicycle or by walking around. Virtually every rock in Hampi has a story to say. This story is best heard if you give it time and walk around from rock to rock.
By road
It is very hot! Dry dry heat. And the walk between some sites can be at least 5 km. Plus, the surrounding area is quite breathtaking to ride around and you can explore some parts that the rickshaws won't take you. Guides are willing to ride on the back with you as well. This is a more expensive option not for the thrifty! than the rickshaw but it gives you more freedom and you can cover more in one day without rushing it. Take a guide with you one day, then do it all again by yourself the next. A bike like a scooty or kinetic honda will cost you about Rs150 a day with additional fuel charges. You can also hire a 100CC motor bikes for Rs 200 a day. A liter of petrol will be sufficient for sight seeing around Hampi, but two liters would be handy if you have plans to go to Tungabadra Dam some 15 Km from Hampi
When renting a scooters/motor bikes petrol costs extra, and normally sold at 40-50% premium in the place you rent A liter may cost Rs 65-75. A petrol pump is located in Kamalapur, which sells petrol at ordinary price. Two litres will get you to the major sites around Royal Centre and back, but three litres is a safer option. The countryside is a beautiful place for a leasurely drive so it's worth taking lots of fuel.
By ship
Most of the guest houses are on other side of the river area called Virupapur Gadde. To access them, you need to cross river by Motor boat Rs. 10 for locals, Rs. 15 for tourists, boat runs until 6:00 pm. If you cannot get on the boat, you have to pay auto Rs 500-600 to take you other side via Hospet-Hugili- Hanumanhalli, which is a 40km tour. During moderate/high rains, gates of Tungbhadra dam are opened which increases the water level and water flow in river. In that case, one might get stranded on other side of river (Virupapur Gadde area
By car
Bit more costly variant is renting a car. Various Car Rentals are available in Hospet. They normally charge Rs 750 to Rs 1,000 for a day site seeing and pick up/drop to railway station etc. There are several car rental companies in Hampi/Hospet including some prominent ones like SRB Travels [email protected], etc. Car rentals are also available from Various near by rail heads and airports like Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad,belgaum to Hampi.
The ruins of Hampi are located within a 30 sq km area. While most of the famous places have motorable roads leading upto them.