We get a lot of calls from tourists asking us how to reach Coorg, and what are the closest bus stations, railway stations and airports. Here we have compiled a simple layout of how to reach Coorg (Kodagu) and what are the modes of transportation. If you are driving, use this as a guide to compliment google maps.
What is Coorg, Kodagu and Madikeri?
Coorg is the anglicized name of Kodagu district. Kodagu is the official name of Coorg district. When somebody refers to Coorg they mostly mean Kodagu District.
Madikeri is the District Headquarters of Kodagu (Coorg). Madikeri is sometimes referred to as Mercara. It is also the largest urban centre in Kodagu. Other towns are Virajpet, Somwarpet, Gonikoppa and Ponnampet. These are pretty much the major urban centres in Coorg.
Chirpy Haven is located in Madikeri.
How to Get to Madikeri?
From Bengaluru Airport (By Bus)
If you want to reach Coorg from Bangalore Airport there are luxury buses (“flybus”) that ply between Bangalore international Airport ( Kempegowda international Airport- KIAL) and Madikeri .
The last we checked, there were two direct buses from Bengaluru Airport to Madikeri ( 1:00 am and 11:30 am ) You can book tickets from the official Karnataka State Road Transport Organization (KSRTC) website.
If the timing doesn’t suit you, or if you didn’t manage to get the direct bus from Bengaluru Airport to Madikeri, you can try the bus from the Airport to Mysore, instead. These buses are more frequent, Mysore being a large city. In Mysore, you can switch buses and take a direct bus to Madikeri. Buses ply, frequently, between Mysore and Madikeri. Average travel time by bus, from Mysore to Madikeri is between 2hr 30 mins and 3 hrs.
From Bengaluru City (By Bus)
You will find numerous buses plying from Bengaluru City to Madikeri. The route generally is Bengaluru to Mysuru (Mysore) . Mysuru to Madikeri. Some night buses may bypass Mysuru. You can book tickets at the official KSRTC website.
There are private bus services. However , we suggest prioritizing KSRTC (Govt. buses), unless you absolutely have no seats on the KSRTC buses. Most Government (KSRTC) buses to Madikeri depart from Satellite Bus Station in Bengaluru. Make sure you book tickets beforehand if you’re traveling during peak tourist season.
From Bengaluru City (By Car)
If you are coming from Bengaluru you will probably have your GPS on. The Route is Bengaluru – Mysuru – Madikeri. You can bypass Mysuru by taking the bypass road at Srirangpatna. However its not advisable to take the bypass if you are travelling by night.
If you are traveling via Mysuru City, consider taking the ring road in Mysuru to avoid getting into the City. The route is Bengaluru – Maddur – Mandya – Mysuru – Hunsur – Periyapatna – Kushalnagar – Madikeri
Here is a list of approximate distances
Bengaluru to Madikeri : Approx 270 KM
Bengaluru to Mysuru : Approx 135 KM
Mysuru to Madikeri : Approx 120 KM
From Mangalore (Mangaluru)
Mangalore is about 130 Km from Madikeri. The route is Mangalore – Puttur- Sulia – Madikeri . There are frequent buses from Mangalore (Mangaluru) to Madikeri.
How to Get from Bangalore to Gonikoppa and Virajpet ( South Coorg)?
If you are traveling from Bangalore (Bengaluru) to Virajpet or Gonikoppa (South Coorg) you will need to take a deviation midway. Your route will be Bengaluru- Maddur – Mandya – Mysuru – Hunsur – Gonikoppa- Virajpet
You will need to take a deviation at Hunsur. Hunsur is approximatley 30-40 min from Mysuru. After Hunsur (About 10 min past Hunsur) you will find a deviation. The road splits in a Y shape. Keep left to go to Gonikoppa and Virajpet (south Coorg) . Keep right to go to Kushalnagar and Madikeri.
If you are going to South Coorg , you will get to go through Nagarahole Forest ( Renamed to Rajiv Gandhi National Park). We have spotted elephants 50% of the time, while traveling through this route.
You can still get to Madikeri by taking the Gonikoppa/Virajpet route. This route will add an extra hour to your journey to Madikeri . In case you decide to do this , your route will now be Bengaluru – Maddur – Mandya – Mysuru – Hunsur – Hunsur Deviation (Keep left) – Gonikoppa – Virajpet – Murnad – Madikeri
Travel Information
Nearest Airport to Madikeri:
Kannur International Airport (Kerala) : 90 KM, 2hr 15 mins
Mangalore (Mangaluru) International Airport (Karnataka) : 138 Km, 3 hr 10 mins
Mysuru (Mysore) Airport : 130 Km, 2hr 45 mins
Bengaluru International Airport ( BIAL/KIAL): 290 Km, 6 hrs
The whole of Coorg does not have an airport.
Nearest Railway Station to Madikeri:
Mysuru Railway Station: 120 Km, 2hrs 45 mins
Mangaluru Railway station: 130 Km, 3 hrs
Puttur Railway station: 86 km, 2 hrs
The whole of Coorg does not have a railway station.
Nearest Bus Station to Madikeri
KSRTC Bus Station, Madikeri
KSRTC Bus Station, Kushalnagar: 30 km, 40 mins
KSRTC Bus Station Virajpet: 31 Km, 1 hr
KSRTC Bus Station Mysuru (Mysore): 120 Km, 2.5 hr to 3 hr
KSRTC Bus Station Mangaluru (Mangalore ): 130 Km, 3hr
The KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation) bus station is located at the heart of Madikeri city . It is located 2 km (5 mins) from Chirpy Haven. There is also a bus stop right next to Chirpy Haven ( Field Marshall Cariappa Circle)
There are bus services approximately every 45 mins to Mysore (Mysuru) and every 1-2 hours to Bengaluru . If you want to go to Bengaluru, from Madikeri, you don’t always need to wait for direct buses. You can always take a bus to Mysore bus station, and from there take a bus to Bengaluru. Mysore has buses to Bengaluru almost every 10 mins.
Nearest Airport to Virajpet:
Kannur International Airport (Kerala) : 60 KM, 1hr 30 mins
Mangalore (Mangaluru) International Airport (Karnataka) : 170 Km, 4 hrs
Mysuru (Mysore) Airport : 120 Km, 2hr 30 mins
Bengaluru International Airport ( BIAL/KIAL): 290 Km, 6 hrs
Nearest Railway Station to Virajpet:
Mysuru Railway Station: 105 Km, 2hr 30 mins
Mangaluru Railway station: 160 Km, 3 hr 30 mins
Puttur Railway station: 115 km, 2 hr 45 mins
Nearest Bus Station to Virajpet
KSRTC Bus Station, Virajpet Town
KSRTC Bus Station, Gonikoppa: 16 km, 25 mins
KSRTC Bus Station, Madikeri: 31 km , 1 hr
KSRTC Bus Station Mysuru (Mysore): 107 Km, 2 hr 30 mins