Bangalore to Munnar road trip has always been a memorable ride for us. We must have done this quite a few times and every time, we have our “wow” moments! The experience of driving from Bangalore to Munnar by road is enriching.
Bangalore to Munnar distance is around 450 KMs. With three spectacular routes to explore, it is an awesome road trip experience. If you are planning a Munnar trip from Bangalore, we strongly recommend you to do a road trip.
We have read many questions by rookie and experienced drivers planning a Bangalore to Munnar road trip like…….
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How can i go to from Bangalore to Munnar by road?
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What is the best route from for Bangalore to Munnar road trip?
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Where can i stop for breakfast and lunch while going from Bangalore to Munnar?
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What is Bangalore to Munnar distance?
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What are the places to see on the way from Bangalore to Munnar by car?
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How is the driving experience from Bangalore to Munnar by bike?
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Are Munnar roads safe for a road trip?
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Is it safe to drive from Bangalore to Munnar by car/bike?
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Is there a Bangalore to Munnar road trip blog?
We hope all these questions will be answered by this road trip guide!!
We always feel the best time to do a Bangalore to Munnar road trip is during monsoon if you are comfortable with rains.
If not, then you should go there immediately after the rains. This is the best time to visit Munnar when nature is at its best.
It is soothing green everywhere. Waterfalls are at their glorious best. Streams with crystal clear waters. Cascades everywhere! Lakes brimming with water.
If you are travelling in summer months of March to May, it will be warm and humid during day time and cool in the mornings and evenings. Spell of summer rains will bring down temperatures!
If you are planning Bangalore to Munnar road trip, it can be reached by 3 spectacular routes. The Bangalore to Munnar distance can be easily covered in a day. We give you all details here in this step by step guide on how to reach from Bangalore to Munnar.
Please make sure you have recharged/topped up your FASTag account before going on the road trip.
Route 1 – Bedazzled by Bodi Ghat!
The route via Bodinayakkanur is very picturesque. Especially during monsoon and immediately after that. As soon as you leave Bodi, you will start climbing. The winding roads offer beautiful views of the plains below. The road is curvy but there are not too many hairpin bends. You will see mighty hills with peaks rising to sky!
Once you cross Theni, you will see greenery all around. This is a beautiful countryside. Enjoy your drive as you climb up the Bodi Ghat. You will get many photo opportunities. Stop and experience the nature at its best. Enjoy the drive. Check out these pictures below as a sample! Click on them to see in larger size.
Mountains beckon!!
Soaring peaks!
Love at first sight! First sight of Munnar valley
Colourful tea village!
Chinnakanal falls in monsoon!
The Details
- Route – Bangalore – Salem – Dindigul – Theni – Bodinayakkanur – Munnar
- Google map – https://goo.gl/maps/stBokGmZ8E82
- Distance – 553 KMs
- Time – 10 Hours
- Road Condition – Very Good. Be aware that road barriers have come up at all major intersections on this route in Tamil Nadu in the last few months. There is enough signage to warn motorists. Please be alert to these while driving.
- Suggested stops
- Breakfast – Though there are many options for breakfast between Bangalore and Salem, if you are leaving around 6 AM, then the best place to have breakfast will be Assai Dosai Saravana Bhavan (See map) which is on the highway. If you are not careful, you may miss this as new flyover has become operational. When you enter Salem, you need to go under the first flyover to reach this place. If you are leaving late, say around 7 AM, then the best place to have BF is Saravana Bhavan in Krishnagiri after the toll gate. Don’t go to first hotel which also has same name. The one we are recommending is the second one bang opposite the boat house. You cant miss it!
- Lunch – If you are a non vegetarian, then we recommend that you eat or pack Biryani in famous Talappakatti Restaurant in Theni (See map) . If you are packing biryani, you can stop over at any lovely place on the ghat and have a picnic lunch. If you are a vegetarian, Theni will be a good place to break for lunch. There are many good restaurants in Theni on the highway.
Route 2 – Ultimate joy of driving on Udumalpet ghat!
When you are driving from Bangalore to Munnar by car, keep your windows open as soon as you leave Udumalpet. It is a blissful driving. The driving on the hair pin bends on Udumalpet ghat is exciting indeed! Add to that lovely landscape along the way.
You will get a chance to see many lovely waterfalls like Thoovanam Waterfalls, Lakkam Waterfalls and Karimutty waterfalls on the way. You can take a small deviation to go and see Amaravathi Dam.
Don’t miss to see lovely views of Chinar wild life sanctuary from Chinar Watch tower. Enjoy the beautiful vistas from Talaiyar view-point.
Check out these pictures below as a sample! Click on them to see in larger size.
Karimutty Waterfalls!
Panoramic view of Thoovanam waterfalls from highway!
Closer look of Thoovanam waterfalls
Lakkam waterfalls
View from Talaiyar valley view point
The details
- Route – Bangalore – Salem – Udumalpet – Munnar
- Distance – 477 KMs
- Route map – https://goo.gl/maps/GNfpScht2Lk
- Time – 10 Hours
- Road Condition – Very Good. Be aware that road barriers have come up at all major intersections on this route in Tamil Nadu in the last few months. There is enough signage to warn motorists. Please be alert to these while driving.
- Suggested stops
- Breakfast – Though there are many options for breakfast between Bangalore and Salem, if you are leaving around 6 AM, then the best place to have breakfast will be Assai Dosai Saravana Bhavan (See map in route 1). If you are not careful, you may miss this as new flyover has become operational. When you enter Salem, you need to go under the first flyover to reach this place. If you are leaving late, say around 7 AM, then the best place to have BF is Saravana Bhavan in Krishnagiri after the toll gate. Don’t go to first hotel which also has same name. The one we are recommending is the second one bang opposite the boat house. You cant miss it!
- Lunch – One can have late lunch at Munnar. If feeling hungry, then the best place ti break for lunch is Udumalpet. Kickgrass or Hotel Annavasal. We suggest you pack the food and eat it on the way at one of the waterfalls.
Route 3 – Spectacular drive from Thekkady!
If you are planning Bangalore to Munnar with Thekkady, this is the route to follow. Follow route No 1 above till Theni. From Theni, Kumili which is the Headquarters for Thekkady region is 58 KMs.
The drive from Thekkady to Munnar is a very picturesque drive. You can take small detours to see magnificent Kalvari Mount which provides a panoramic view of Idukki backwaters, Idukki dam, Karimban Kuthu Waterfalls on the way.
Check out these pictures below as a sample! Click on them to see in larger size.
Spectacular view of Idukki backwaters from Kalvari mount!
Idukki dam
Karimbu Kuthu falls in Periyar valley
The details
- Route – Kumili – Kattapana – Idukki dam – Munnar
- Distance – 189 KMs
- Route map – https://goo.gl/maps/ZaceM2ATNQ92
- Time – 4 hours
- Road condition – After the recent floods some parts of the road may not be in great condition.
- Suggested stops
- One can have tea/snack break at Idukki dam
Plan and embark on Bangalore to Munnar road trip. You won’t regret it. As we said earlier, Bangalore Munnar distance can be easily covered in a day. We suggest that you plan to go by route No 1 and return by Route No 2. Whether you are driving Bangalore to Munnar by bike or car, this will help you to experience both the routes.
Postscript – If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can always take Bangalore to Munnar bus which are overnight busses. Those who wants to Bangalore to Munnar by train, then take any train which goes to Kerala from Bangalore and convenient station is Kochi. There is no direct Bangalore to Munnar train. There are no direct Bangalore Munnar flight and nearer airport is Kochi.
Want to read more about Munnar for an enhanced experience? Please check out these posts in this blog
Munnar – Mesmerised at first sight! http://traveltwosome.com/munnar-in-monsoon/
Munnar – 2 Lovely lakes and Spectacular Top Station! http://traveltwosome.com/munnar-monsoon-lovely-lakes-and-topstation/
Are you looking for a complete road trip guide from Bangalore covering hill stations of Coorg, Ooty, Munnar and Kodaikanal? Look no further! Here is the post giving you day wise itinerary to beat the summer heat!!
http://traveltwosome.com/bangalore-coorg-ooty-munnar-kodaikanal/
We encourage you to explore more around Bangalore! Do check these posts below.
11 Wonderful Weeklong Road Trips from Bangalore with Day Wise Itinerary! – http://traveltwosome.com/exciting-road-trips-from-bangalore/
7 Wonderful Weekend Trips from Bangalore (Covers Saturday & Sunday) with Day Wise Itinerary – http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/
What has been your experience of Shivanasamudra falls? We would like to hear from you. Please share it in the comments below.
Lastly, due to recent floods in Kerala, the road conditions in the state including Munnar may not be great. It will be good to join a road trip enthusiasts group HVK Forum managed by H V Kumar, the doyen of road trip in India. You can get the latest updates on the road conditions in this very active group.
We strongly suggest that you download customised Routo app from H V Kumar. HVK as he is fondly called, provides you customised route maps, live support on the road trip and will also help you with hotel accommodation as well. Check out all details here.
Routo – The Right Route & Travel Support For The Motorist Traveller
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