Karnataka Road Trip Itineraries Starting from Bangalore Airport

Skip Bangalore Traffic—Start Your Trip at the Airport

Karnataka's got everything you'd want in a road trip. Coffee hills that smell amazing even from your car window. Beaches where you can actually relax without dodging a million people. Temple ruins that make you wonder how they built this stuff 500 years ago. Dense forests where you might spot an elephant crossing the road.

Most people landing at Kempegowda International Airport make the mistake of heading into the city first. Why? The highways out of the airport connect directly to every major destination. You're already 40 km north of the city mess. Just pick up your Bangalore airport taxi for outstation travel and go.

I've done most of these routes multiple times—sometimes solo, sometimes with family screaming in the backseat. These itineraries are what actually works, not what looks good on paper.

Here's What Usually Goes Wrong

You get off your flight. Everyone's tired but excited. Someone suggests Coorg. Great choice. But wait—should we stop at Mysore first? Or go straight? What time will we reach? Can we fit seven people in one car? Should we book hotels now or later?

Three hours into the drive, reality hits. The kids need a bathroom break. Again. Nobody packed snacks. The guy navigating keeps saying "I think it's this exit." Your phone's dying and you forgot the car charger.

Groups have it worse. I've seen wedding parties trying to coordinate four different cabs, each taking different routes because one driver "knows a shortcut." By the time everyone reaches, half the group is not talking to the other half.

That's why I'm writing this down. These routes work. The timings account for meal breaks and bathroom stops. The vehicle suggestions come from watching what actually handles these roads well.

The Classic 4-Day Trip: Coorg Then Chikmagalur

Everyone does this one eventually. There's a reason it's popular.

Day 1: Airport to Coorg (290 km, takes about 6 hours)

You'll take Mysore Road heading out. Once you cross Ramanagara (the rocky hill you see in Sholay), the landscape opens up. Around Kushalnagar, stop at the Golden Temple if you want—it's right off the highway, won't add much time.

Nisargadhama is hit or miss. If your kids need to run around, fine. Otherwise skip it. The river rafting near Kushalnagar runs from June through September, depends on water levels.

Coorg hits you about 40 km before Madikeri. Suddenly everything's green. Curves everywhere. Temperature drops. You'll smell coffee plantations before you see them.

Day 2: Wander Around Coorg

Abbey Falls gets packed by 11 AM. Go at 8 if you want decent photos. Raja's Seat has those valley views everyone posts—sunset's better than sunrise there.

Talacauvery is up in the Brahmagiri range. It's where Cauvery River supposedly starts. Bit of a drive but peaceful.

Most homestays in Coorg will walk you through their coffee estates. Actually interesting if you've never seen how coffee grows. They'll explain the difference between arabica and robusta, show you the drying process, probably offer you the freshest coffee you've had.

Madikeri Fort's right in town. Quick visit if you're into old British-era stuff.

Day 3: Coorg to Chikmagalur (170 km, about 4 to 4.5 hours)

You'll go through Hassan. If you've got time and even slight interest in architecture, stop at Belur and Halebidu temples. The stone carving work is crazy detailed—dancers, gods, elephants, all chiseled out of single stone pieces. Hoysala dynasty built these 900 years back.

Chikmagalur feels different from Coorg. Quieter somehow. More spread out. Mountains everywhere you look.

Day 4: Chikmagalur to Airport

Set an alarm. Drive up to Mullayanagiri before sunrise—it's Karnataka's highest peak. Cold up there, bring a jacket. Or hit Jhari Falls if waterfalls are your thing.

Leave by noon to make evening flights comfortable. The drive back through Hassan is straightforward.

5 Days: Mix Culture and Nature (Mysore, Coorg, Chikmagalur)

Better pace. Less rushing. Works great if you're traveling with parents or older relatives.

Day 1: Airport to Mysore (185 km, 4 hours)

Mysore Palace stays open till 5:30 PM. They light it up on Sundays and holidays—looks incredible at night. Brindavan Gardens has the musical fountain thing, but honestly, it's skippable unless you're with kids who'll love it.

Day 2: Actually See Mysore

Drive up Chamundi Hills in the morning before it gets hot. Temple's up there, and you get the whole city view. St. Philomena's Church is one of Asia's tallest churches—Gothic style, pretty impressive. Mysore Zoo's decent if zoos are your thing. Devaraja Market smells like sandalwood, jasmine, and spices all mixed together.

Day 3: Mysore to Coorg

Short driving day. Check into your plantation stay. Relax. Read a book. Stare at trees. You're on vacation.

Day 4: Coorg to Chikmagalur

Another scenic drive through coffee country. Stop wherever looks interesting.

Day 5: Chikmagalur to Airport

Morning walks around the estate. Pack up. Head back.

3 Days: Quick Wildlife Experience

Got a long weekend? Try this.

Day 1: Airport to Mysore

Palace visit. Walk around. Sleep early.

Day 2: Mysore to Bandipur

Morning safari, evening safari if you book both slots. Stay inside the forest—there are decent lodges. No phone signal. It's great.

Day 3: One more safari, drive back

Bandipur has elephants (you'll definitely see these), spotted deer, gaur, tons of birds. Tigers exist but you need serious luck. Even without tigers, the forest experience is worth it.

6 Days: Adventure Stuff (Sakleshpur, Chikmagalur, Kudremukh)

For people who like hiking and don't mind getting muddy.

Days 1-2: Sakleshpur

Waterfalls everywhere during monsoon. Manjarabad Fort looks like a star from above—built by Tipu Sultan. The railway track walks through those old British-era tunnels and bridges are fun, but check if they're currently allowing tourists before you go.

Days 3-4: Chikmagalur

Trek Mullayanagiri. Walk through estates. Drink too much coffee.

Day 5: Kudremukh

This trek needs permission from the forest department—apply at least a week ahead. It's a proper hike, not a casual walk. Wear real trekking shoes.

Day 6: Back to Airport

7 Days: Hampi Ruins Plus Gokarna Beaches

When you've got a full week and want variety.

Days 1-3: Hampi

Boulders everywhere. Massive temples carved into rock. Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple with the stone chariot, Lotus Mahal. Rent a scooter or bicycle—the ruins are spread across a huge area. Sunset from Matanga Hill is spectacular.

The landscape doesn't look like anywhere else in Karnataka. More like a movie set for a fantasy film.

Day 4: Drive to Gokarna

Long drive. Around 280 km from Hampi. Road quality's good though.

Days 5-6: Gokarna Beaches

Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Half Moon Beach. Way less crowded than Goa beaches. Fewer shacks, which means less noise and plastic everywhere. Good for swimming. Some cafes play decent music. Nice place to read and do nothing.

Day 7: Gokarna to Airport

You'll need to leave early. It's nearly 500 km. But the coastal route is beautiful, so it doesn't feel as long as it is.

What Vehicle Should You Book?

Regular Innova-Type Cab

Works fine for 4-5 people. Normal luggage. Standard Bangalore airport taxi for outstation booking—every travel company offers this.

Tempo Traveller (9 to 14 Seats)

This is what you want for groups. Pushback seats that actually recline. Proper legroom. Handles mountain roads better than big buses. Storage under the seats. When you split costs among 10 people, it's cheaper than booking two Innovas. An outstation Tempo Traveller in Bangalore is pretty easy to arrange—just book a few days ahead during peak season.

Minibus (20+ Seats)

Wedding groups, company trips, big family reunions. More luggage space than you'll probably need. Everyone travels together, which matters more than people think.

These numbers include stopping for chai, bathroom breaks, and that random photo spot. Add an hour during Dasara or Diwali when roads get busier.

When Should You Go?

October through February: Best weather. Everything's comfortable. Also most expensive and crowded.

March to May: Plains get hot but hill stations stay pleasant. Good time for Bandipur—animals come to waterholes more often. Fewer tourists too.

June to September: Monsoon completely changes Karnataka. Every waterfall's at full power. Everything's green. Roads can get slippery in heavy rain, especially ghat sections. Some treks close. But if you don't mind rain, this is when Western Ghats looks best.

Just Start Driving

Look, the main thing is starting from Bangalore Airport skips the worst part—crawling through Silk Board and Hosur Road traffic. You land, collect bags, meet your driver, and you're already heading toward better scenery.

These itineraries work because they're tested. Not theoretical. The Bangalore to Coorg travel plan is popular for good reason. The Bangalore to Chikmagalur road trip hits different during coffee blossom season. The longer routes to Hampi or Gokarna give you more variety.

Book your vehicle ahead of time, especially if you need an outstation Tempo Traveller in Bangalore during holidays or long weekends. Pack a light jacket even if you're going in summer—hill stations get cool at night. Carry a phone charger. Download offline maps just in case.

And then just go. Karnataka's got more scenic road trips than most people realize. You'll figure out the rest as you drive.