Wayanad has become one of Bangalore's go-to escapes, a green Kerala district with tea and spice estates, misty viewpoints and treehouse resorts, about 280 km away. The drive goes through Mysore and then crosses the Bandipur and Muthanga forests on NH 766, taking six to seven hours. Because the forest road shuts at night, the pickup time from Bangalore matters a lot. Our Bangalore to Wayanad taxi plans that for you, arranges the Kerala permit in advance, and can be kept for the whole trip so your driver also takes you around Wayanad and on to Kabini or Coorg if you like.
| Vehicle | Seats | One way (280 km) | Round trip (560 km, 2 days) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire or Similar Compact Sedan | 4 People | ₹4,600 ₹15/km | ₹8,000 | Book |
| Toyota Etios Premium Sedan | 4 People | ₹4,880 ₹16/km | ₹8,600 | Book |
| Maruti Ertiga or Similar Compact SUV | 6 People | ₹6,100 ₹20/km | ₹10,400 | Book |
| Toyota Innova Premium SUV | 7 People | ₹6,660 ₹22/km | ₹11,000 | Book |
| Toyota Innova Crysta Luxury SUV | 7 People | ₹7,500 ₹25/km | ₹12,200 | Book |
One-way fares include fuel and driver allowance (minimum 130 km). Round-trip fares are for the same car returning to Bangalore, billed at the round-trip rate with a daily minimum. Tolls, parking and interstate permits are extra where they apply. Tempo Travellers, Urbania and mini buses are available for round trips.
NH 766 through Bandipur is closed to most traffic at night, commonly between 9 pm and 6 am. Gundlupet, the last town before the forest, is four hours or more from much of Bangalore. That gives you a practical window:
The return works the same way. Leaving Wayanad in the morning or around lunch brings you back to Bangalore by evening.
For Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta, Vythiri and Meppadi, the driver takes NH 766 via Nanjangud, Gundlupet and Muthanga. For north Wayanad, around Mananthavady, Thirunelli and Tholpetty, the route via HD Kote and Bavali can be more direct; it also runs through forest with night restrictions. Your resort's location decides the route, so share it when booking.
Early pickup, breakfast near Mandya or Mysore, through the forest by noon. Check in, then an easy evening at Pookode lake or a tea estate viewpoint near Vythiri.
Edakkal caves in the morning before the climb gets hot, the Jain temple and the town of Sulthan Bathery, then Banasura Sagar dam for the afternoon. Adventurous travellers can add the Chembra Peak trek, subject to permits and season.
A morning at Kuruva island or Thirunelli temple if you are staying north, or the Lakkidi viewpoint at the top of the Thamarassery ghat if you are staying south. Head back by midday to clear the forest in good time.
Kabini, on the Karnataka side, is known for some of the best wildlife viewing in South India. It sits between Mysore and Wayanad, so a loop of Bangalore, Kabini, Wayanad and back is a natural four- or five-day trip. Coorg can also be linked to Wayanad via Kutta and Tholpetty or via Gonikoppal. Ask for a multi-day itinerary and we will sequence it around the forest timings.
Entering Kerala requires a permit for a Karnataka taxi, which we arrange beforehand. It is normally shown separately from the base fare along with expressway tolls and parking. Your fare already covers fuel and the driver's daily allowance, including the nights he stays with you in Wayanad on a round trip.
Six to seven hours is a long stretch for young children and elderly travellers, so plan two proper breaks: one for breakfast before Mysore and one in Gundlupet before the forest, since stopping is not allowed inside Bandipur and Muthanga. Carry water, snacks and any medicines in the cabin. If someone in the family gets car-sick, the forest section is gentle, but the ghat roads inside Wayanad towards Lakkidi and some resorts can be winding.
Wayanad is beautiful in the rains, and many Bangaloreans visit for exactly that reason. But it receives heavy rainfall from June to September, and landslides have caused serious damage in some areas in recent years, notably around Meppadi in 2024. We check official advisories before departure and will suggest changes to the route or dates if needed.
Many Wayanad resorts and treehouses are on steep or unpaved approach roads. An Ertiga, Innova or Innova Crysta copes better with these than a sedan, especially in the rain. For couples staying in Kalpetta or Sulthan Bathery town, a Dzire or Etios is perfectly adequate. For groups, a tempo traveller or Urbania is available, subject to the resort road.
Breakfast options are plentiful between Bangalore and Mysore. Once in Wayanad, try Kerala meals, appam with stew, and the local bamboo rice dishes; drivers usually know a good small restaurant near your resort.
Temple town south of Mysore on NH 766, the start of the road to Wayanad.
The first big Wayanad town after the border, with a historic Jain temple.
A viewpoint at the top of the Thamarassery ghat with views over the hairpin road below.
A cluster of river islands on the Kabini reached by raft, open in the drier months.
A wildlife destination on the Karnataka side between Mysore and Wayanad, known for elephant herds.
Ideally between 5 and 7 am. Departures after mid-afternoon risk reaching the Bandipur checkpost after it closes for the night.
About six to seven hours for around 280 km, depending on Bangalore traffic, breakfast stops and where in Wayanad you are staying.
Yes. Kabini lies between Mysore and Wayanad, so a loop covering both over four or five days works well.
Yes, it is usually listed separately from the base fare along with tolls and parking. We arrange it before departure.
For town hotels, yes. Many resorts and treehouses have steep or rough approach roads, especially in the monsoon, where an Ertiga or Innova is better.
Talk to our travel desk for a quote, extra stops or a bigger vehicle. We answer 24/7.
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