Bangalore to Bandipur Road Trip Guide: Route, Stops & Itinerary
Bandipur Tiger Reserve is one of the closest wildlife getaways from Bengaluru, easily combined with a Mysuru stop.
How to reach Bandipur from Bengaluru by road
Via Mysuru and Nanjangud (NH766) — main route
From Bengaluru, drive to Mysuru via Mandya and Srirangapatna, then continue on NH766 through Nanjangud and Gundlupet before entering Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which straddles the highway itself.
Via T. Narsipura as a quieter alternative
Some travellers route via T. Narsipura to reach Nanjangud, bypassing some of Mysuru city’s traffic — a reasonable option if you prefer to skip a stop in the city on the way out.
Distance and drive time to Bandipur
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance (one way) | About 220 km from central Bengaluru |
| Drive time | 4.5–5 hours |
| Suggested trip length | Day trip |
Distance (one way)
- Detail
- About 220 km from central Bengaluru
Drive time
- Detail
- 4.5–5 hours
Suggested trip length
- Detail
- Day trip
A mid-morning departure around 6–7 am works well, giving you time to reach Bandipur well before dusk for a safari or resort check-in. The route is smooth national highway for most of the drive, with light traffic once past Mysuru.
The forest stretch through Bandipur and onward towards Mudumalai enforces a night driving restriction, conservatively understood as roughly 9 pm to 6 am — plan your movements within the sanctuary accordingly. Fuel up in Mysuru or Gundlupet before entering the reserve.
Best time to visit Bandipur
October to May is the best period for visiting Bandipur, with drier trails and better chances of wildlife sightings as water sources shrink and animals gather near remaining ones. This period also offers stable, dry driving conditions on NH766.
The monsoon (June–September) brings lush greenery but denser undergrowth that makes sightings harder, along with wetter road conditions — the drive itself remains manageable but safari visibility drops.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Mar–May | Best sightings — animals gather near water sources |
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Very good — cool, comfortable, good visibility |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Lush but harder sightings — drive carefully |
Summer
- Months
- Mar–May
- What to expect
- Best sightings — animals gather near water sources
Winter
- Months
- Oct–Feb
- What to expect
- Very good — cool, comfortable, good visibility
Monsoon
- Months
- Jun–Sep
- What to expect
- Lush but harder sightings — drive carefully
Places to stop on the way to Bandipur
Srirangapatna
A quick heritage stop at Tipu Sultan’s fort and temple on the way out.
Mysuru
A good breakfast and fuel halt, with the option to combine city sightseeing on the return leg.
Nanjangud
A temple town along the way, useful for a short break before the final stretch.
Gundlupet
The last town before entering the Bandipur forest zone — fuel up here.
Suggested Bandipur itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Same-day safari trip
Leave Bengaluru mid-morning, drive via Mysuru and Gundlupet to reach Bandipur by early afternoon, take an afternoon safari if booked, and begin the return drive in time to clear the forest stretch before dusk.
- 2
Alternative — overnight safari stay
For a fuller experience, stay overnight at a resort near Bandipur, take both a late-afternoon and an early-morning safari, and drive back to Bengaluru the next day at a relaxed pace via Mysuru.
What a Bandipur trip from Bengaluru costs by vehicle
Estimates below are for a same-day round trip of about 220 km each way plus roughly 20 km a day of local sightseeing, using our current per-km rates and daily minimums, with driver bata included. They are a planning guide, not a quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Rate | Billable km | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios) | Up to 4 | ₹13/km (min 250 km/day) | 460 km | ≈ ₹6,300 |
| MUV (Ertiga) | Up to 6 | ₹18/km (min 250 km/day) | 460 km | ≈ ₹8,600 |
| SUV (Innova Crysta) | Up to 6 | ₹20/km (min 300 km/day) | 460 km | ≈ ₹9,600 |
| Tempo Traveller (12 seats) | Up to 12 | ₹26/km (min 300 km/day) | 460 km | ≈ ₹12,500 |
Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
- Seats
- Up to 4
- Rate
- ₹13/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 460 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹6,300
MUV (Ertiga)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹18/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 460 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹8,600
SUV (Innova Crysta)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹20/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 460 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹9,600
Tempo Traveller (12 seats)
- Seats
- Up to 12
- Rate
- ₹26/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 460 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹12,500
Tolls, parking, interstate permits (where applicable) and GST are extra at actuals. Your exact fare depends on pickup point, dates, stops and the final kilometres — ask us for an exact quote before you travel.
Travel tips for a Bandipur road trip
- A sedan handles this route comfortably; an SUV is preferable if continuing into rougher resort access roads.
- Book your jeep safari in advance through the forest department or your resort, as slots fill up quickly.
- Respect the forest stretch’s night driving restriction — plan arrivals and departures well before dusk.
- Keep speeds low through the sanctuary zone and watch for wildlife crossing the highway.
- FASTag covers tolls on the highway; carry some cash for local expenses near Bandipur.
- Network coverage is patchy inside the forest stretch — inform your resort of your arrival window in advance.
- Carry binoculars and a camera with zoom for the best safari experience.
- Book your cab a few days ahead for weekends, when this popular wildlife route sees high demand.
Ready to go? Book your Bandipur ride
Bangalore to Bandipur cab — fares & booking
Doorstep pickup anywhere in Bengaluru, one-way or round trip, sedan to tempo traveller. Get an exact quote in minutes.
How outstation fares work
Per-km billing, daily minimums, driver bata, tolls and GST explained in plain English.
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