Blog · Wayanad Travel Guides
Bangalore to Wayanad by Taxi: Route, Bandipur Timings and Stops
The Bangalore to Wayanad drive by taxi: the Mysore–Bandipur route, the 9 pm to 6 am forest closure and how to time your departure, where to stop on the way, the return trip, and which cab suits your group.
A Bangalore to Wayanad taxi is one of the easiest ways to reach Kerala's hill district from Karnataka. You are picked up at your door in Bangalore and dropped at your hotel or homestay in Wayanad, with no change of vehicle on the way.
The usual route runs from Bangalore to Mysore, then south through Gundlupet and the Bandipur forest to Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad. Expect roughly 280 to 300 km and about 6 to 7 hours of driving. Both figures are estimates. The real distance and time depend on where in Wayanad you are staying, traffic leaving Bangalore, stops and the forest-road timings.
This guide explains the route, the Bandipur night closure, how to plan your departure, places to break the journey, and how to choose the right cab for a Wayanad trip from Bangalore.
01Bangalore to Wayanad at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Starting point | Bangalore (Bengaluru), Karnataka |
| Destination | Wayanad district, Kerala (Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta, Mananthavady, Vythiri, Meppadi and nearby areas) |
| Approximate distance | About 280–300 km, depending on your Wayanad destination |
| Estimated driving time | About 6–7 hours, excluding long breaks |
| Main route | Bangalore – Mysore (Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway) – Nanjangud – Gundlupet – Bandipur – Muthanga – Sulthan Bathery |
| Key consideration | Private vehicles cannot use the Bandipur forest stretch of NH 766 between 9 pm and 6 am |
| Night alternative | Via Hunsur, Gonikoppal and Kutta to Mananthavady (longer) |
Distance and duration change with your final destination, traffic, weather, road conditions, how often you stop, and whether you need to take the longer night route. To book the trip itself, see our outstation taxi service.
02Bangalore to Wayanad Route Explained
Most taxi trips follow three stages.
- Bangalore to Mysore. The Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway, part of NH 275, is about 119 km long and opened in March 2023. Getting out of Bangalore city can take longer than the expressway itself, especially on weekday mornings.
- Mysore to the Kerala border. From Mysore, NH 766 heads south through Nanjangud and Gundlupet, then enters Bandipur Tiger Reserve before reaching the Kerala border.
- Into Wayanad. On the Kerala side, the road passes through the Muthanga area of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and reaches Sulthan Bathery, the first major Wayanad town.
Which Wayanad town are you going to?
Wayanad is a district, so the last part of the trip depends on where you are staying.
- Sulthan Bathery: the first town you reach on NH 766, and usually the shortest drive from Bangalore.
- Kalpetta: the district headquarters, a further drive west of Sulthan Bathery.
- Vythiri and Lakkidi: beyond Kalpetta, towards the top of the ghat road to Kozhikode. Many resorts are here.
- Meppadi: south of Kalpetta, near tea estates and Chembra.
- Mananthavady: north Wayanad. It can also be reached from Mysore via Hunsur and Kutta, avoiding Bandipur, though that road is longer.
Share your exact hotel location when you book. Your driver can then choose the most sensible road and give a realistic arrival time.
03Bangalore to Wayanad via Bandipur Forest
Where Bandipur fits into the journey
After Gundlupet, NH 766 passes through Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and then the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. ThePrint (February 2026) describes the Gundlupet–Sulthan Bathery section as about 57 km, with roughly 20 km inside the reserve forest.
The 9 pm to 6 am night closure
Since 2009, private vehicles have not been allowed through the Bandipur forest stretch between 9 pm and 6 am. The rule protects tigers, elephants and other animals that cross the road at night. As of February 2026, ThePrint reported that the ban remained in place, with proposals for a tunnel and the case still before the Supreme Court.
How to plan your departure
- Leave Bangalore early in the morning. An early start gets you through Mysore before heavy traffic and through Bandipur in daylight.
- Build in buffer time. If you leave in the afternoon, a traffic jam or long lunch can push you past the forest cut-off.
- Do not race the clock. If arriving at the checkpost before 9 pm looks tight, change route early rather than speeding through the forest.
If you cannot reach Bandipur in time
You have two sensible choices:
- Take the longer night route via Hunsur, Gonikoppal and Kutta to Mananthavady, then continue within Wayanad. Wikipedia's Wayanad transport page lists this as the road where night travel is allowed. Expect a longer drive.
- Stop for the night in Mysore or Gundlupet and cross the forest after 6 am.
The road from Mysore through H.D. Kote and Bavali to Mananthavady is shorter, but it also passes through forest. Its Bavali checkpost is reported to be open only until 6 pm.
Driving safely in wildlife areas
- Keep to the speed limit; animals often cross without warning.
- Do not stop, get out, feed or photograph animals at close range.
- Do not honk at elephants or follow them.
- Never try to enter a closed forest stretch or argue at a checkpost.
04Bangalore to Kalpetta by Taxi
If your stay is in or around Kalpetta, the Bangalore to Kalpetta trip follows the main route to Sulthan Bathery and then continues west through central Wayanad.
- Pickup planning: choose a pickup time that avoids peak Bangalore traffic. Give your driver a precise address and a landmark.
- Luggage: tell us how many large bags you have. Four adults with suitcases may need an SUV rather than a sedan.
- Families: plan breaks every couple of hours, and carry snacks and water for the forest stretch, where there are no shops.
- The final approach: some resorts and homestays sit on narrow estate roads. Share your hotel's location pin so the driver can find the gate, especially after dark.
05Wayanad to Bangalore by Taxi
The Wayanad to Bangalore journey has its own planning points, mainly because you are usually heading for a flight, a train or work the next morning.
Choosing your departure time
Work backwards from where you need to be. If you have an evening flight from Bangalore, a morning departure from Wayanad leaves room for city traffic at the other end. Remember that the forest stretch closes from 9 pm, so an evening departure from Wayanad may mean the longer Kutta route.
Hotel and resort pickups
Agree the pickup time with your driver the evening before. Check out early, and confirm whether the vehicle can reach your cottage or will wait at the resort gate.
Onward travel
If you are flying out of Kempegowda International Airport, which is on the far north side of Bangalore, allow extra time beyond the city centre. Tell us your flight time when you book so the driver plans the drop correctly.
06Places to Stop on the Bangalore to Wayanad Road Trip
| Stop | On the route or a detour? | Why stop | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysore city | Short detour off the bypass | Breakfast, fuel, or a quick look at the palace area | Can add significant time in city traffic; keep it short if you are timing Bandipur |
| Nanjangud | On NH 766 | Nanjundeshwara (Srikanteshwara) Temple, a large Shiva temple | Karnataka Tourism lists entry as free, open 6 am–1:30 pm and 4 pm–9 pm (Mon–Sat); timings can change on festival days |
| Gundlupet | On NH 766 | Last sizeable town before the forest: food, fuel, restrooms | Use it as your final break before Bandipur |
| Bandipur forest stretch | On NH 766 | Forest views from the moving vehicle | Do not stop or get out inside the reserve |
| Sulthan Bathery | On NH 766 | First Wayanad town; food and a short rest | Good place to stretch before continuing to Kalpetta or Vythiri |
If you want a wildlife safari, book it through the official forest department channels rather than stopping on the highway. Once you reach Wayanad, your driver can plan sightseeing around Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam and other Wayanad sightseeing places.
07Bangalore to Wayanad Taxi vs Other Travel Options
| Option | Convenience | Flexibility | Luggage | Families and groups | Extra transfers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or cab | Door to door | Choose your departure time and stops | Easy | Good; pick the vehicle size | None |
| Bus | Fixed boarding point and time | Low | Limited by bus rules | Fine for light travellers | Usually a local taxi or auto at the Wayanad end |
| Train plus road | No railway into Wayanad; travel to Mysore by train, then by road | Medium | Several changes | Tiring with children | Taxi or bus from Mysore (about 120 km) |
| Self-drive | Full control | High | Easy | Good | None, but you drive the forest and ghat roads yourself |
A bus can cost less per person, especially for solo travellers. A taxi is usually more practical for families, groups with luggage, early-morning or late arrivals, and anyone who prefers not to drive unfamiliar forest roads.
08Choosing the Right Bangalore to Wayanad Cab
Safari Tours' fleet covers the following.
| Group | Vehicle | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, couple or small family with light luggage | Swift Dzire or Toyota Etios sedan | 1–4 |
| Family with more luggage | Toyota Innova SUV | 5–7 |
| Larger family or friends' group | Tempo Traveller | 9–17 |
| Weddings, school and corporate groups | Mini bus or full-size bus (group travel) | 20–50 |
Vehicles are available with AC or non-AC. For a 6 to 7 hour drive, most families prefer an SUV for legroom and boot space.
When you ask for a quote, share
- Travel date and preferred pickup time.
- Exact pickup address in Bangalore.
- Hotel or area in Wayanad.
- Number of adults and children.
- Number and size of bags.
- Preferred vehicle, and whether you need AC.
- One-way or round trip.
09Bangalore to Wayanad Taxi Fare and Booking Tips
Safari Tours does not publish a fixed Bangalore to Wayanad fare. Your quote depends on:
- Vehicle type: a sedan costs less than an SUV or Tempo Traveller.
- One-way or round trip: a one-way trip may include the vehicle's return run.
- Dates and season: long weekends and holidays are busier.
- Exact pickup and drop: a pickup on the far side of Bangalore, or a resort deep in Wayanad, adds distance.
- Waiting time and extra stops: sightseeing on the way adds time.
- Other charges: ask whether tolls, parking, state permit charges and driver allowance are included.
Get the quote in writing on WhatsApp so there are no surprises on the day.
10Planning a Wayanad Trip from Bangalore
- Departure time: an early-morning start is the safest plan for crossing Bandipur in daylight.
- Season: October to May is the most comfortable time to visit. June to September brings heavy monsoon rain, which can slow roads and close some attractions.
- Comfort: carry water, snacks, motion-sickness tablets if needed, and a light jacket; Wayanad is cooler than Bangalore.
- Hotel details: keep your booking confirmation and the hotel's phone number handy for the driver.
- Sightseeing after arrival: the same cab can show you around. See our Wayanad sightseeing taxi options or follow our one-day Wayanad itinerary by taxi.
- Delays: allow time for traffic, roadworks and weather.
- Route conditions: confirm Bandipur timings and any road advisories before you set out.
11Frequently Asked Questions
01How far is Bangalore from Wayanad by road?
About 280–300 km by the usual route via Mysore and Bandipur. The exact distance depends on which Wayanad town you are going to.
02How long does it take to reach Wayanad from Bangalore by taxi?
Usually about 6 to 7 hours of driving, plus breaks. Traffic leaving Bangalore and the route you take can change this.
03What is the best route from Bangalore to Wayanad?
By day, most taxis take the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway, then NH 766 through Nanjangud, Gundlupet and Bandipur to Sulthan Bathery.
04Can I travel from Bangalore to Wayanad at night through Bandipur?
No. Private vehicles are not allowed on the Bandipur forest stretch from 9 pm to 6 am. At night, the longer route via Hunsur, Gonikoppal and Kutta is used. Check the current rules before you travel.
05What is the best time to start a Bangalore to Wayanad taxi journey?
Early morning. You avoid city traffic and cross the forest in daylight with time to spare.
06Is a one-way taxi available from Bangalore to Wayanad?
Yes. Safari Tours offers both one-way and round-trip outstation cabs. Ask for a quote for the option you need.
07Can I book a taxi from Wayanad to Bangalore?
Yes. We pick up from hotels and resorts across Wayanad, and can plan the drop around your flight or train time.
08Which vehicle is suitable for a family travelling to Wayanad?
A Toyota Innova (5–7 seats) suits most families with luggage. Groups of 9 to 17 usually choose a Tempo Traveller.
09How do I get a quotation?
Call or WhatsApp +91 99472 54169 with your date, pickup address, Wayanad destination, number of passengers, luggage and preferred vehicle.
12Book Your Bangalore to Wayanad Taxi with Safari Tours
Safari Tours is a local Wayanad taxi service offering outstation taxi trips between Wayanad and Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore and Kochi, along with airport transfers, railway pickups and sightseeing tours. Our drivers are experienced on long routes and on Wayanad's ghat roads.
To book your Bangalore to Wayanad cab, send us your travel date, pickup location, Wayanad destination, number of passengers, luggage and preferred vehicle. We will reply with a quote.
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