Bangalore to Wayanad Road Trip Guide: Route, Stops & Itinerary
Wayanad’s misty ghats, spice plantations and wildlife sanctuaries make it one of the most popular weekend drives out of Bengaluru.
How to reach Wayanad from Bengaluru by road
Via Mysuru and Bandipur (NH766) — the main route
Leave Bengaluru on the Mysuru road, pass Mandya and Srirangapatna, and continue through Mysuru city. From there NH766 runs through Nanjangud and Gundlupet before entering Bandipur Tiger Reserve, crossing into Kerala at Muthanga and reaching Sultan Bathery, the gateway town to Wayanad.
Via Hunsur and Gonikoppal
An alternative for travellers coming from north Bengaluru: head via Kunigal, Hassan and Hunsur towards Gonikoppal, then descend through Kutta into Wayanad from the north. It is quieter but slightly longer and less direct than the Mysuru route.
Distance and drive time to Wayanad
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance (one way) | About 290 km from central Bengaluru |
| Drive time | 6–7.5 hours |
| Suggested trip length | 2 days |
Distance (one way)
- Detail
- About 290 km from central Bengaluru
Drive time
- Detail
- 6–7.5 hours
Suggested trip length
- Detail
- 2 days
Start by 5–6 am so you clear Bengaluru’s outer ring road before peak traffic and reach the Bandipur forest stretch well within daylight hours. The Mysuru bypass and NH766 are well-surfaced highway for most of the way, with a gentle climb only after Gundlupet.
The Bandipur–Mudumalai forest corridor enforces a night driving ban, conservatively understood as roughly 9 pm to 6 am — plan your crossing before dusk. Fuel up in Mysuru or Gundlupet, as options thin out inside the sanctuary, and carry water and snacks for the stretch.
Best time to visit Wayanad
Wayanad’s elevation keeps it pleasant through most of the year, but October to May is the most comfortable window for road travel, with clearer skies and drier ghat sections. Winter mornings can be misty, so factor in slower driving near Bandipur.
The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain, occasional landslide risk on hill roads, and lush but slippery viewpoints — still scenic, but drive with extra caution and avoid night travel altogether in this season.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Best — cool, clear, ideal for sightseeing |
| Summer | Mar–May | Good — warmer but manageable, greener wildlife sightings |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Lush but wet — drive carefully, expect delays |
Winter
- Months
- Nov–Feb
- What to expect
- Best — cool, clear, ideal for sightseeing
Summer
- Months
- Mar–May
- What to expect
- Good — warmer but manageable, greener wildlife sightings
Monsoon
- Months
- Jun–Sep
- What to expect
- Lush but wet — drive carefully, expect delays
Places to stop on the way to Wayanad
Srirangapatna
Tipu Sultan’s island fort and Ranganathaswamy temple, a quick heritage break early on the route.
Mysuru
A good breakfast and fuel halt, with the option to visit Mysuru Palace if time allows on the way back.
Gundlupet
Last major town before the forest stretch — a sensible point to top up fuel and use restrooms.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve
The highway cuts straight through the sanctuary; keep speeds low and watch for wildlife crossing, especially at dawn and dusk.
Sultan Bathery
Wayanad’s main entry town, with a historic Jain temple and a good base for onward sightseeing.
Suggested Wayanad itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Drive in and settle
Leave Bengaluru early, break at Mysuru for breakfast, and drive through Bandipur into Wayanad by early afternoon. Check in, rest, and use the evening for a relaxed walk near your stay or a nearby viewpoint before dinner.
- 2
Day 2 — Sightseeing and return
Spend the morning covering Wayanad’s highlights — waterfalls, viewpoints or a wildlife sanctuary visit, depending on season and permits. Start the return drive by early afternoon so you cross the Bandipur stretch well before the night driving cut-off.
What a Wayanad trip from Bengaluru costs by vehicle
Estimates below are for a 2-day round trip of about 290 km each way plus roughly 60 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) | 700 km | ≈ ₹9,800 |
| MUV (Ertiga) | Up to 6 | ₹18/km (min 250 km/day) | 700 km | ≈ ₹13,300 |
| SUV (Innova Crysta) | Up to 6 | ₹20/km (min 300 km/day) | 700 km | ≈ ₹14,700 |
| Tempo Traveller (12 seats) | Up to 12 | ₹26/km (min 300 km/day) | 700 km | ≈ ₹19,200 |
Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
- Seats
- Up to 4
- Rate
- ₹13/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 700 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹9,800
MUV (Ertiga)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹18/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 700 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹13,300
SUV (Innova Crysta)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹20/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 700 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹14,700
Tempo Traveller (12 seats)
- Seats
- Up to 12
- Rate
- ₹26/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 700 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹19,200
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 Wayanad road trip
- A sedan is fine for the highway sections, but an SUV handles the Bandipur–Wayanad approach and any resort access roads more comfortably.
- Kerala entry requires an interstate permit; this is arranged and paid at actuals as part of your booking.
- Keep motion-sickness remedies handy for anyone sensitive to winding ghat roads near Sultan Bathery.
- Book wildlife safaris or sanctuary permits in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Carry cash as a backup even with FASTag, for any local expenses inside Wayanad.
- Network coverage can be patchy inside the forest stretch — download offline maps beforehand.
- Dress modestly if visiting temples along the route.
- Book your cab a few days ahead for long weekends, when Wayanad-bound traffic peaks.
Ready to go? Book your Wayanad ride
Bangalore to Wayanad 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.
Booked with us, handled by us.
You may also need
Bangalore to Wayanad Cab
Book a Bangalore to Wayanad cab with BLR Cabs for family holidays, couple trips, resort stays, sightseeing, corporate outings and weekend getaways. Doorstep pickup with direct dro…
Bangalore to Bandipur Road Trip Guide
Route, drive time, best season, stops, itinerary and trip cost.
Bangalore to Mysore Road Trip Guide
Route, drive time, best season, stops, itinerary and trip cost.
Bangalore to Coorg Road Trip Guide
Route, drive time, best season, stops, itinerary and trip cost.
Which Vehicle for Your Group Size in Bangalore? (10 to 50 People)
Not sure which vehicle fits your group? Use this decision table to match your headcount — 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 people — to the right BLR Cabs vehicle and rate.