Bangalore to Chikmagalur by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

Chikmagalur is a hill station in the Western Ghats situated at a height of 3,400 feet. Covering an area of 30 square km, a trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur is the perfect weekend stay. The climate fluctuates between moderate to cool which makes it an ideal place to visit throughout the year. Historically, Chikmagalur holds the title of being the first coffee plantation in India in the late 1600s. 

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Why travel from Bangalore to Chikmagalur?

The quaint town of Chikmagalur attracts thousands of tourists every year. And when you travel towards your destination, the road journey is as enticing as it can get. A road trip through the mountains passing through some of the ancient towns of India is all that you need to break the monotony of life. And thus, Savaari recommends you to hit the roads to explore this beautiful destination and book a Bangalore car rental.

Book a cab in Bangalore with Savaari from Bangalore to Chikmagalur, the most noteworthy part of it is that you can turn a simple drive into an experiential road trip. Not only do you get to stop at interesting places, you also get a chance to customize your itinerary fully to your liking.

Travelling from Bangalore to Chikmagalur by car

A road trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur by car is one of the best ways to experience the roads that connect the busy metro to the serene city. When you book Bangalore to Chikmagalur trip packages with us, you can enjoy a ride through the ancient towns and rural areas of Karnataka before you enter the Land of Coffee. You will pass through some popular as well as offbeat places on your Chikmagalur trip from Bangalore.

If you’ve planned to return to Bangalore by flight and need a Bangalore airport cab, Savaari provides you with convenient and affordable cabs.

Let us help you discover some of the best routes so your trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur by road is nothing short of amazing!

Best time to take a road trip from Bangalore to Chikmagalur by car

The temperature of Chikmagalur ranges between 14°C and 32°C. The weather is very pleasant and climatic conditions vary from moderate to cool throughout the year. This makes Chikmagalur ideal to visit during any time of the year. However, the best time to visit to Chikmagalur by car is between September to March. If you’re travelling with a group and require a spacious and comfortable trip, you can easily book an Innova cab in Bangalore with Savaari, which can seat up to 7 passengers and has features like air conditioning and plenty of luggage space.

Popular Routes from Bangalore to Chikmagalur

Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Chikmagalur via NH 75

Bangalore to Chikmagalur distance Via – NH 75

This is the shortest and fastest route to Chikmagalur covering a distance of 244 km. It takes around 4.5 hours to reach the destination and the drive is beautiful. You can witness the beauty of Hassan and also pass through the architectural marvel Belur, a town that holds historic importance. To make your round trip journey comfortable for larger groups, you can book a tempo traveller from Bangalore for your trip to Chikmagalur, providing spacious and convenient travel options.

Bangalore to Chikmagalur road conditions Via – NH 75

This is the best route to take, however, there might be some construction/expansion work ongoing. So, it is better to check the live traffic updates before leaving.

Here’s a basic Bangalore to Chikmagalur road map for this route:

Bangalore — Kunigal — Channarayapattana — Hassan — Belur — Chikmagalur

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Yediyur Lake: Take a short break  at this beautiful lake. If you have some time in hand, do not miss the water scooter rides and boating to enjoy the serene surroundings of the lake.
• Shettyhalli Church: Find the ruins of the popular Drowning Church at Shettyhalli. It gets its name from the fact that it is mostly submerged during the monsoons. 
• Gorur Dam: At a height of 146 feet above sea level, the Gorur Dam is one of the tallest reservoirs in Karnataka. Visit the dam for its scenic beauty as well as to spot some of the rarest birds in the state.
• Chennakeshava Temple at Belur: Marvel at the architectural beauty of the Chennakeshava Temple which is said to be over 100 years old.

Places to eat along this route:

• Swathi Delicacy: It is known for its great South Indian food on NH 75.
• Hotel Taj Kunigal: This place is known for its excellent service and tasty North Indian food on the way.
• Hotel Sri Srinivasa: This place is famous for its variety of meals from North Indian to South Indian served and is a recommended halt while you are on the route.

Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Chikmagalur via NH 48 & NH 73

Bangalore to Chikmagalur distance Via – NH 48 & NH 73

This route is a drive of about 236 KM and takes around 5 and a half hours to reach the destination. In this route, you will first travel on NH 275 and then on NH 48. You can take a short break at the town of Tumkur and Tiptur town. This route passes through the famous twin cities of Belur and Halebid.

Bangalore to Chikmagalur Road Conditions Via – NH 48 & NH 73

Here’s a basic Bangalore to Chikmagalur road map for this route:

Bangalore –Tumakuru — Tiptur — Arsikere — Chikmagalur

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Begur Lake: Visit this beautiful lake and spot the various varieties of birds that inhabit here. Carry your camera to capture the colourful birds.
• Sri Chowdeshwari Temple in Dasarighatta: You can visit this ancient temple located near Tiptur. The temple is known for its idol and is situated on an anthill. 
• Manjarabad Fort in Donigal: A little detour will help you find this rare gem. Majarabad Fort is a star-shaped fort at a height of 3240 feet. Learn about the story of the fort by the locals here.

Places to eat along this route:

• Anajur Restaurant: This place is known for its service and delicious fish dishes. 
• Hotel Majestic Family Restaurant: Stop here for a quick bite or a scrumptious meal. This place is known for serving delicious multi cuisine food while being extremely budget-friendly

Route 3: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Chikmagalur via NH 48 & NH 69

Bangalore to Chikmagalur distance Via – NH 48 & NH 69

Route 3 is the longest in terms of distance and time. It takes about 6 hours to reach Chikmagalur if you take the NH 48. While the scenery and stops are beautiful, it is recommended to take this route only if the other two routes are blocked or busy.

Bangalore to Chikmagalur Road Conditions Via – NH 48 & NH 69

Here’s a basic Bangalore to Chikmagalur road map for this route:

Bangalore — Tumkur — Hiriyur — Hosadurga — Kadur — Chikmagalur

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Devarayanadurga State Forest in Tumkur: Take a walk around this forest and try to capture the beauty of nature in your camera lenses.
• Siddara Betta: If you are a bird watcher, then definitely visit this place, It is said to be the stop of several migratory birds. It is also a great trekking spot. 
• Chitradurga Fort: A detour from the route, Chitradurga Fort is widely known for its four secret entrances, 35 unique entry points and 38 small doors.
• Madagadakere Lake in Ayyanakere: Stop by this like if you are driving during sunset time. You can also take a boat ride around this serene place.

Places to eat along this route:

Here are some restaurants on the way to Chikmagalur from Bangalore –

• Cafe NH48: Stop by for a quick bite or a refreshing coffee alongside some delicious dessert.
• Vilasi Delight: If you crave North Indian, then stop here for the perfect meal to satiate your hunger pangs.

Bangalore to Chikmagalur Best Route

While you can take any of the three routes, we recommend Route 1 via NH 75. The road conditions are excellent and the time taken is less. You can make a stop at Hassan and also pass through the architectural marvel Belur, a town that holds historic importance. However, it is advisable to check live traffic updates before leaving for your trip.

Other means of travelling from Bangalore to Chikmagalur

How to Reach Chikmagalur By Train

The nearest railway station is Kadur which is 40 km away from Chikmagalur. Chikmagalur doesn’t have a railway station. Other nearest stations are Birur and Tarikere. The average time taken from Chikmagalur to Kadur is 3.5-4 hours. There are 17 weekly trains and 7 daily trains that run between the cities. The shortest distance of about 176 km is covered by YPR TATA EXP (18112). For more details on Bangalore to Chikmagalur train ticket price, timings and bookings, visit the IRCTC website.

How to Reach Chikmagalur By Flight

You can also cover the Bangalore to Chikmagalur distance by flight. Mangalore airport is the nearest airport to Chikmagalur. It is situated at a distance of 113 km from Chikmagalur. You can take a flight from Bangalore to Mangalore and then a prepaid taxi to get to Chikmagalur. 

You can make your Bangalore to Mangalore flight booking from any of the airline websites or also through the various travel portals available online, for the best deals. Bangalore to Mysore flight can cost you INR 1000 to 4000, which will also depend on the booking window, available deals, and the travel season. You can book a Mangalore airport to Chikmagalur taxi to have a hassle-free road trip.

You can also take a bus. Check the Bangalore to Chikmagalur bus timings to avoid delays in your plans.

Explore Chikmagalur Like a Local: A Handy Guide

On visiting Chikmagalur you would be mesmerised by the aroma of the coffee plantations. Also known as the Land of coffee, Chikmagalur literally translates as ‘Young Daughter’s Town’. Legends have it that Chikmagalur was presented as a dowry to the younger daughter of the Chief of Sakrepatna, Rukmangada.

Chikmagalur stands at an elevation of 3,400 feet. The picturesque beauty of this town lies in the lush greenery of the Mullayanagiri ranges. You can find multiple temples that devotees visit in search of spirituality. Chikmagalur is also a popular spot for adventure seekers as the town has multiple treks to offer. Savaari curated a video travel guide on Chikmagalur, that gives you several reasons why Chikmagalur should be on your travel bucket list.

Attractions in Chikmagalur for Sightseeing

When visiting Chikmagalur, go for the thrilling treks, explore the lush green and beautiful forests. You can also find your peace and serenity at the popular temples here. Be ready to be amazed at the marvel of its stunning architectures – Sharadamba Temple, Vidyashankara Temple, Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple, and Amruteshwar Temple are some of the most popular ones. 

Take a walk around the coffee and tea plantations and taste the various flavour notes of the best coffee in the country. Explore these plantations and you would find several coffee enthusiasts telling you the origin story of coffee. 

Chikmagalur has some breathtaking views of waterfalls around. If you want to be spellbound by the beauty of water flowing on and against rough terrain, then this is the place to be. Visit Jhari Waterfalls, Hanuman Gundi Waterfalls, Shankar Falls, and Kadambi Falls to explore the serenity.

Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur is known to serve some of the most popular delicacies in the hills. From South Indian to North Indian, the eateries in Chikmagalur have a meal for all taste buds! The local delicacies include Akki Roti and Kakadu among others that are prepared with coconut milk. This place is well known for the coffee plantations and production. The staple food of the Chikmagalur is rice and fish curry.

Drop by these famous eateries to sample some of the most noteworthy dishes of Chikmagalur:

• Town Canteen SH 57, RG Rd
• Café Agape, RG Rd, beside Bhuvanendra School
• The Riders Nest, Ramanahalli
• Hill Brew Cafe, Milan Theater Road
• The Serai Chikmagalur, Mugthihalli Post, KM Rd
• Khansama Restaurant, Maharaja INN, Indira Gandhi Rd

Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Chikmagalur

Hotel Name	Address
Coffee city guest house	Barlane Rd, Joythinagar, Chikmagalur, Karnataka, 577101 PH: 098800 80844
The Serai Resort	Mugthihalli Post, K M Road, Chikmagalur, Karnataka, 577133PH: 080 48893964
The KAHN Dormitory	Floor 1, Maharaja INN, Indira Gandhi Road Near Punjab National Bank, Chikmagalur, Karnataka, 577101 PH: 088848 07615
The Grand Kubera Palace	RG Rd, Vijayapura, Chikmagalur, Karnataka, 577101 PH: 099808 08879
Treebo Trend Orchid Hotel	Indira Gandhi Rd, Cross, Chikmagalur, Karnataka, 577101 PH: 093228 00100

Nearby Road Trips

Destinations	Distance	Duration
Chikmagalur to Hassan	60 km	1 hour
Chikmagalur to Belur	25 km	36 mins
Chikmagalur to Kunigal	171 km	3 hours
Chikmagalur to Coorg	162 km	4 hours
Chikmagalur to Mangalore	150 km	4 hours
Chikmagalur to Mysore	171 km	4 hours
Chikmagalur to Bangalore	242 km	4.5 hours

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