Bhopal is spread across hills with the lakes dividing the city into distinct zones, which makes getting around more complicated than a flat city. Auto-rickshaws are the main form of urban transport and are readily available; meters are used for short distances but bargaining is often necessary for longer trips. App-based cab services (Ola) work well.
The old city and the new city (Shyamla Hills, the lake area, Bharat Bhavan) are separated by the lakes and are about 4–5km apart. Walking between the main sights is not practical, but walking within each zone — the old city's market streets, the lakefront promenade — is pleasant. The Van Vihar National Park on the northern shore of the Upper Lake is best reached by auto.