Bangalore to Wayanad is one of South India’s favourite road trips: a fast expressway to Mysore, a drive through the Bandipur forest, then the green hills of Wayanad. This guide covers everything you need to plan the journey: distance, the best route, the Bandipur night rule, buses, trains, flights and the best time to travel. Our base, Sulthan Bathery, is the first Wayanad town you reach after the forest.
Key rule: the Bandipur forest stretch of NH 766 is closed to private vehicles from 9 PM to 6 AM. Distances and times below are approximate; road, weather and bus details change, so check before you travel.
Bangalore to Wayanad at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Distance to Sulthan Bathery | About 255–265 km |
| Driving time | About 6–7 hours with a breakfast stop |
| Main route | Bangalore → Mysore → Gundlupet → Bandipur → Muthanga → Sulthan Bathery |
| Night closure | Bandipur forest road closed 9 PM–6 AM |
| By bus | Daily KSRTC and Karnataka buses, mostly overnight, about 7–9 hours |
| Nearest railway stations | Mysore and Kozhikode |
| Nearest airports | Kozhikode (Calicut), Kannur, Bangalore |
Bangalore to Wayanad by car
Main route: via Mysore and Bandipur (NH 766)
- Take the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway to Mysore.
- Continue towards Nanjangud and Gundlupet.
- Drive through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve forest on NH 766. Stopping or feeding animals inside the forest isn’t allowed.
- Cross into Kerala at Muthanga, then about 15 km more to Sulthan Bathery.
This is the shortest and most popular route, about 255–265 km in total. Because of the 9 PM–6 AM forest closure, plan to reach Gundlupet with enough time to clear the forest before 9 PM.
Tip from Le Venzia: Leave Bangalore by 5:30–6 AM. You’ll avoid city traffic, enjoy the forest in morning light and reach Sulthan Bathery by early afternoon, in time for an afternoon Muthanga safari.
Alternative routes
- Via H.D. Kote and Bavali to Mananthavady: shorter to north Wayanad, but the Bavali forest checkpost closes in the evening (around 6 PM), so it’s also a daytime-only route.
- Via Hunsur, Gonikoppa and Kutta to Mananthavady: longer and slower, but generally used when you can’t cross the forests in time. From Mananthavady it’s a further drive to Sulthan Bathery.
For Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga and Edakkal Caves, the Bandipur route (NH 766) is the most direct by far.
Breakfast, fuel and breaks
- Plenty of breakfast stops along the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway and in Mysore.
- Fill up fuel before the forest stretch; there are no fuel stops inside Bandipur.
- Gundlupet is the last town before the forest, a good place for a short break.
Bangalore to Wayanad by bus
- Kerala RTC (KSRTC) and Karnataka RTC run daily buses from Bangalore to Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta.
- Most leave Bangalore in the evening (around 9–11 PM) and arrive early morning; the journey takes about 7–9 hours.
- Options usually include ordinary, semi-luxury and AC buses. Book in advance on weekends and holidays.
- Sulthan Bathery is a main stop on these routes, so you can step off the bus close to your stay.
Bangalore to Wayanad by train
Wayanad has no railway line. The usual options are:
- Train to Mysore, then about 115 km by road to Sulthan Bathery via Gundlupet and Bandipur (daytime only through the forest).
- Train to Kozhikode (Calicut), then about 98 km by road up the Thamarassery ghat to Sulthan Bathery.
Bangalore to Wayanad by flight
- Kozhikode (Calicut) International Airport is the usual airport for Wayanad; allow around 3 hours by road to Sulthan Bathery.
- Kannur International Airport is closer to Mananthavady (north Wayanad); Sulthan Bathery is a longer drive from there.
- From Bangalore, most travellers find driving or the overnight bus quicker than flying.
Best time to travel from Bangalore
- October to February: cool, pleasant weather and green landscapes. The most popular season, so book early for weekends and holidays.
- March to May: warmer days but still cooler than Bangalore. A good time for wildlife, as animals gather near water.
- June to September (monsoon): Wayanad at its greenest, with full waterfalls. Drive in daylight, expect heavy rain, and check weather alerts and closures before you leave.
Tip from Le Venzia: On long weekends, traffic out of Bangalore builds up on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Leaving very early on Saturday, or on a weekday, makes the drive much easier.
Plan your stay
For a ready-made plan, see our 3-day Wayanad itinerary from Bangalore, our guide to 17 best tourist places in Wayanad, and tourist places near Sulthan Bathery.
Le Venzia Luxury Apartments is in Sulthan Bathery, the first Wayanad town after the Bandipur forest: 4 km from town, 100 m from the National Highway, with free parking. Our two-bedroom serviced apartments have a full kitchen, AC bedrooms and a private balcony, ideal for families and groups driving from Bangalore. Contact us or WhatsApp +91 82899 76000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the distance from Bangalore to Wayanad?
About 255–265 km to Sulthan Bathery via Mysore and Bandipur, roughly 6–7 hours by road.
Can I drive from Bangalore to Wayanad at night?
Not through Bandipur. The forest stretch of NH 766 is closed to private vehicles from 9 PM to 6 AM. Plan your drive so you cross it in daylight.
Is there a direct bus from Bangalore to Sulthan Bathery?
Yes. KSRTC and Karnataka RTC run daily buses, mostly overnight, taking about 7–9 hours.
Which is the nearest railway station to Wayanad from Bangalore?
Mysore is the most convenient railhead from Bangalore. From there it is about 115 km by road to Sulthan Bathery.
What is the best time to visit Wayanad from Bangalore?
October to May is best for sightseeing. The monsoon (June to September) is beautiful and green, but drive in daylight and check weather alerts.
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