Have you ever wondered what makes a road trip memorable? We all know that any trip is not just about reaching the destination. It includes the complete journey to have the wholesome experience of the trip. The Bangalore to Coorg road trip is one of those where the journey goes beyond travel. As you leave the chaos of Bangalore behind, the road unwinds into a scenic drive with hills, coffee plantations and tiny towns. Every few kilometers there is something new to see. A local shop in Channapatna selling traditional wooden toys. A vendor in Mandya serving fresh sugarcane juice. A historical palace in Mysore telling stories of the past. Let us get into every detail that will make your trip smooth, enjoyable and full of discoveries.
The distance to Coorg from Bangalore is between 248 to 265 Km depending on the route you take. Via NH 275 it is about 248 km. This is the more popular route as the roads are good and there are multiple food and fuel stops. Via NH 75 the distance is around 265 km. This route is a bit longer but goes through Shravanabelagola which is a famous Jain pilgrimage site. The actual driving distance is under 270 km but the roads of Coorg can make the last stretch feel longer. Whatever route you take, this journey is a good transition from city life to the hills and plantations of Coorg.
The time taken to reach Coorg from Bangalore by road depends on traffic and the route you take. If you take NH 275 then it will take about 5 and a half hours under normal conditions. This is the better road and fewer divertions. Choosing the alternate route by NH 75, the journey takes almost 6 hours because of the additional distance and curves near Shravanabelagola. But heavy traffic in Mysore or Nelamangala can add to the time. If you start early in the morning, say before 6 AM, you can avoid the peak hour traffic. The last stretch of the journey, as you enter Coorg, has winding roads which will slow down the speed but is a nice drive through coffee plantations and misty hills.
The NH 275 route is a favourite among travellers as it’s shorter and has more attractions in between. Starting from Bangalore, the journey goes to Ramanagara, a town famous for sericulture and the shooting location of the Bollywood film “Sholay”. Here you can go to the Ramadevara Betta hills and see the panoramic views and local mythology.
Next comes Channapatna, famously known as the “Toy Town of Karnataka”. This town is famous for its handcrafted wooden toys which has been a traditional craft for generations. Visit the local artisans’ workshops to see this unique tradition.
Mandya is the next big stop, also known as the “Sugar City” due to its vast sugarcane fields. You can enjoy fresh jaggery and sugarcane products from the road side vendors, a sweet break in the journey.
As you move further, Mysore emerges as a major cultural hub. The city is famous for its Mysore Palace, Devaraja Market and Chamundi Hill. A detour to see these places can add to the experience.
Further ahead, Bylakuppe is the home to one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India. The Namdroling Monastery, also known as the Golden Temple is a beautiful Tibetan architecture and spirituality. You can relax in the peaceful atmosphere, see the rituals and enjoy Tibetan food at the local eatouts.
The last leg of the journey winds through coffee plantations and hills and ends in the beautiful landscapes of Coorg.
Or you could take the NH 75 route which is a quiet and offbeat route. This route starts from Bangalore and goes to Nelamangala which is a town famous for its Karnataka cuisine. All the small restaurants on the highway serve fresh and authentic South Indian food.
Then the route goes to Kunigal which was once famous for horse breeding farms. Although the farms are not as active as before the town still holds historical importance. The next major stop is Bellur Cross which is a junction to many pilgrimage centers. From here one can take a short detour to Shravanabelagola which has the massive monolithic statue of Gommateshwara Bahubali. This is an important Jain pilgrimage centre and attracts visitors from all over India.
Further the road goes to Holenarasipur which is a peaceful town with ancient temples and rural charm. After this stop the route goes to Kushalnagar which is near Coorg. Kushalnagar is a well developed town with many hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. The town is famous for Nisargadhama which is an island park surrounded by the Cauvery River. One can see the bamboo groves and wildlife here before moving on to Coorg.
The final stretch from Kushalnagar to Coorg is through dense forests and coffee estates. This part of the drive is refreshing before entering Coorg. The roads are good but have a few curves as they go through hills.
Driving from Bangalore to Coorg is one of the best options. With your own vehicle you can make stops and take breaks as you like. The roads are smooth and well maintained. It’s better to start early morning to avoid traffic in Bangalore. Be cautious while driving in the hilly areas of Coorg where the roads have sharp turns. We suggest you go for a Tempo Traveller in Banglore as is it budget friendly and comfortable. You do not need to worry about the route and driving.
Several private and government buses ply between Bangalore and Coorg. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs buses direct to Coorg from Bangalore. Private operators also offer AC sleeper and semi-sleeper buses. The bus journey takes around 6 hours. Most buses depart from the main bus stations in Bangalore like Majestic and Satellite Bus Stand.
Coorg has no railway station of its own, the nearest major station is Mysore Junction which is 95 km away. You can take a train from Bangalore to Mysore, which takes 2 to 5 hours depending on the train. There are around 25 trains on this route and 14 of them are daily. Once you reach Mysore you can hire a Tempo Traveller on Rent or take a car on rent to Coorg which takes around 3 hours. Please check the latest train timings and book in advance through Indian Railways website or authorized portals.
Coorg has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is Mysore’s Mandakalli Airport (MYQ) which is 131 km from Coorg. Currently, there are limited flights to Mysore and only a few flights are available between Bangalore and Mysore. Alternatively, you can fly into Mangalore International Airport (IXE) which is 145 km from Coorg. From either airport you need to travel 3 to 4 hours by taxi or bus to reach Coorg. Given the limited flights and the subsequent travel required many people prefer to take the road route directly from Bangalore to Coorg.
There are many restaurants along the Bangalore to Coorg route where you can stop for food.
Kamat Lokaruchi (Ramanagara): Serves authentic Karnataka breakfast. Thatte idli vada and dosas are popular. Spacious and village style restaurant.
Shivalli Tiffin Room (Channapatna): Known for vegetarian food. Offers South Indian dishes like ragi dosa and khara bath. Quick service is a plus for travellers in a hurry.
Empire Restaurant (Mysore): Famous for grilled chicken and kebabs. Also has vegetarian options like paneer curries and rice dishes. Open late at night so good for evening travelers.
Fishland (Kushalnagar): Great for seafood lovers. Serves fresh fish fry and coastal Karnataka dishes. Quick service and reasonable prices.
This is one of the most visited places in Coorg. The water falls from a height of 70 feet. The best time to visit Abbey Falls is after the monsoon season when the water flow is maximum.
Raja’s Seat is a garden with a viewpoint from where you can see the surrounding hills. It was a favourite haunt of the Coorg kings who used to come and watch the sunset.
Dubare Elephant Camp is a unique place where you can interact with elephants. You can watch the elephants being bathed and even feed them. The camp also offers river rafting on the Cauvery River.
Madikeri Fort is a historical site dating back to the 17th century. The fort houses a museum that has artefacts of Coorg’s past. The structure has been renovated many times and has a mix of different architectural styles.
Talacauvery is the birthplace of the Cauvery River. It’s a famous pilgrimage centre for Hindus. You can find a small temple of Goddess Kaveri here. This place is surrounded by lush green forests and is very peaceful.
Coorg is surrounded by many interesting places to visit. Nagarhole National Park is about 67 km from Coorg. One of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka. Home to tigers, leopards, elephants and many bird species. Safari rides are available for those who want to experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Iruppu Falls is another beautiful place about 75 km from Coorg. The falls is surrounded by dense forests. The best time to visit is during monsoon when the water flow is strong.
Bhagamandala is a pilgrimage centre about 36 km from Coorg. It is the confluence of three rivers and is a sacred place for prayer because Bhagandeshwara Temple is the main attraction here.
