Last Updated on 1 September 2026 by Poorna & Brinda
Bangalore to Udupi Road Trip is one of the most rewarding trips you can take in Karnataka.
This 4-day Bangalore to Udupi road trip takes you from the plains of Karnataka through the Western Ghats to the coast and back through the beautiful Agumbe–Malnad route.
Along the way, you will experience scenic ghats, ancient temples, beautiful beaches, islands, backwaters, coastal towns and some wonderful Karnataka food.
We have driven this route multiple times, and this itinerary combines the places and experiences we particularly enjoy with a practical day-by-day plan that you can follow without having to plan every stop yourself.
Bangalore to Udupi Road Trip at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Starting point | Bangalore |
| Destination | Udupi |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Total circuit distance | About 1200 km |
| Outbound route | Bangalore → Hassan → Mudigere → Charmadi Ghat → Karkala → Udupi |
| Return route | Udupi → Agumbe → Kundadri → Tirthahalli → Shivamogga → Chitradurga → Bangalore |
| Best for | Couples, families, friends and road-trip lovers |
| Highlights | Temples, Western Ghats, beaches, islands, coastal towns and scenic drives |
| Recommended mode | Self-drive or car |
| Ideal season | From September till February for coastal Karnataka and the Western Ghats |
The complete circuit described in this itinerary covers approximately 865 km.
The Bangalore–Udupi Road Trip Route
Bangalore → Hassan → Mudigere → Charmadi Ghat → Karkala → Udupi → Malpe → St Mary’s Island → Kapu → Kodi Bengre → Kollur → Murudeshwar → Maravanthe → Anegudde → Udupi → Agumbe → Kundadri → Tirthahalli → Shivamogga → Chitradurga → Bangalore
This is not simply a drive to Udupi and back.
The beauty of this itinerary is that the outbound and return journeys use different routes, allowing you to experience both the Charmadi and Agumbe sections of the Western Ghats.
Day 1: Bangalore to Udupi via Charmadi Ghat & Karkala
Bangalore → Hassan → Mudigere → Charmadi Ghat → Karkala → Udupi
Distance: About 413 km. Check out Google Map here.
Best part of the day: Western Ghats, Charmadi and Karkala
6:00 AM – Leave Bangalore
Start early from Bangalore.
You can have breakfast on the way. One of our favourite stops is Swathi Delicacy before Yediyur, particularly for their masala dosa and filter coffee.
If a 6 AM start feels too early, you can stop for breakfast in Hassan instead.
Drive through Charmadi Ghat
The drive becomes particularly scenic as you approach the Western Ghats.
There has been road-widening work along sections of the route, and there can be rough patches on the Charmadi Ghat section. So don’t hurry through this part of the journey.
Make a short stop at Charmadi Viewpoint for the spectacular views of the Western Ghats.
1:30 PM – Lunch at Karkala
Reach Karkala around lunchtime.
After lunch, you can visit the impressive Bahubali statue at Karkala and, if time permits, the Savira Kambada Basadi, the famous 1,000-pillared Jain temple at Moodabidri.
These make a wonderful heritage break before you continue towards the coast.
4:00 PM – Arrive in Udupi
Check into your hotel and spend the evening at the Sri Krishna Temple, visiting the temple and its surroundings.
The temple surroundings are worth exploring at a leisurely pace, particularly if this is your first visit to Udupi.
Dinner
For dinner, you can consider Diana, MTR or another good restaurant in Udupi.
And remember — Udupi is as much a food destination as it is a temple town.
Stay: Udupi
Day 2: Udupi Beaches, St Mary’s Island & Sunset at Kapu
Udupi → Malpe → St Mary’s Island → Udupi → Kodi Bengre → Kapu → Padubidri
This is your coastal Karnataka day and exploring local attractions.
The beaches and attractions covered today are all relatively close to Udupi, making this a relaxed day compared with the long driving days.
8:00 AM – Breakfast or a Backwater Cruise
If you are up early, you have an interesting option: take a breakfast cruise on the Swarna River. See details in the travel tips section.
If you prefer a relaxed morning, have breakfast at your hotel and head straight to Malpe Beach.
Malpe Beach & Sea Walk
Start with Malpe Beach and the Sea Walk.
The main beach is a short walk from the Sea Walk, and you can park your vehicle near the Sea Walk before taking the ferry towards St Mary’s Island. Don’t miss out on some lovely sculptures in the garden near the parking area. The jetty is close to the Sea Walk, and there is a huge parking area.
St Mary’s Island
Take the ferry to St Mary’s Island and spend about an hour exploring the island.
The distinctive rock formations and the setting in the Arabian Sea make this one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
Check the ferry timings and operating conditions before your trip, as island services can be seasonal.
1:00 PM – Return to Udupi
Return to Udupi for lunch and some rest.
Don’t underestimate the value of this break — coastal Karnataka can get hot and humid during the middle of the day.
4:00 PM – Beach Hopping
The evening is perfect for exploring some of the beaches around Udupi.
Kodi Bengre / Delta Point
Start at Delta Point at Kodi Bengre, where you get the unusual sight of the river on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other.
The riverside section is particularly attractive.
Kapu Beach
Continue to Kapu Beach.
The sunset here is gorgeous.
You can also climb the Kapu Lighthouse if it is open and you have the time.
Padubidri Blue Flag Beach
After sunset, you can either return to Udupi or continue to Padubidri Blue Flag Beach.
If you choose Padubidri, this makes for a longer but very satisfying beach-hopping evening.
Stay: Udupi
Day 3: Kollur, Murudeshwar & Maravanthe
Udupi → Kollur → Murudeshwar → Maravanthe → Anegudde → Udupi
Distance: About 245 km. Check out Google Map here
Best part of the day: Temples + Arabian Sea + the spectacular Maravanthe drive
This is a full day, but the route is comfortable and gives you a wonderful combination of temples, coastal scenery and iconic Karnataka landscapes.
7:00 AM – Leave Udupi
Start early and drive towards Kollur.
8:00 AM – Kollur Mookambika Temple
Reach Kollur around 8 AM.
If you intend to have a special darshan, plan accordingly.
Men should wear a dhoti and women a saree or Churidar for temple visits. Temple dress requirements can change, so check the current requirements before your trip.
9:00 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast at one of the restaurants around Temple Street before continuing towards Murudeshwar.
9:45 AM – Drive to Murudeshwar
Take the coastal route via Baindur.
11:15 AM – Murudeshwar
Arrive at Murudeshwar and spend some time exploring the temple complex.
One of the highlights is taking the elevator up for a panoramic view of the magnificent Shiva temple and the Arabian Sea.
You can have lunch in Murudeshwar.
If you enjoy non-vegetarian food, we recommend trying the famous Bhatkal Biryani at the iconic Kwality Restaurant in Bhatkal.
1:30 PM – Maravanthe
Leave Murudeshwar and stop at Maravanthe.
This is one of the most spectacular stretches of the Karnataka coast — the Arabian Sea on one side and the Souparnika River on the other.
Spend about 30 minutes enjoying the view and taking photographs.
2:00 PM – Anegudde Ganapati Temple
Continue to Anegudde Ganapati Temple.
The temple is about half an hour from Maravanthe, and around 45 minutes is enough for this stop.
4:00 PM – Return to Udupi
Reach Udupi around 4 PM.
If you still have energy, there is one more lovely option.
5:30 PM – Padubidri for Sunset
Head to Padubidri Beach and spend the evening watching the sunset.
Then return to Udupi for dinner and your final night.
Stay: Udupi
Day 4: Udupi to Bangalore via Agumbe & Kundadri
Udupi → Agumbe → Kundadri → Tirthahalli → Shivamogga → Chitradurga → Bangalore
Distance: About 475 km
Best part of the day: Agumbe Ghat and the Malnad landscape
For the return journey, we recommend taking a different route rather than retracing your steps through Charmadi Ghat.
This route takes you through Agumbe and the Malnad region before joining the road towards Bangalore.
7:00 AM – Leave Udupi
Start early.
The drive through Agumbe Ghat is one of the highlights of this return journey.
Stop briefly at Agumbe Sunset Point for the spectacular valley views.
You can then have breakfast in Agumbe town at Ganesh Grand.
10:00 AM – Kundadri Hill
After breakfast, drive to Kundadri Hill.
The panoramic view of the Malnad from the top is worth the detour.
Spend some time here before continuing towards Tirthahalli and Shivamogga.
Continue towards Bangalore
Leave Kundadri around 10:30 AM.
Have lunch in Shivamogga and continue towards Bangalore via Chitradurga.
If you need a coffee or snack break, Paakashala on the Sira bypass is a good option.
7:00 PM – Bangalore
With an early start, you can expect to reach Bangalore around 7 PM, depending on traffic and the duration of your stops.
Travel Tips for the Bangalore–Udupi Road Trip
1. Is this a good road trip for families?
Yes. This is an easy road-trip itinerary by car or bike, although Days 1 and 4 involve substantial driving.
2. Keep the coastal weather in mind
Mornings and evenings are generally pleasant, but daytime can be hot and humid.
Carry a hat, stay hydrated and take adequate breaks.
3. Consider a Swarna River cruise
If you have the time, a breakfast or lunch cruise on the backwaters near Kodi Bengre can be added to Day 2.
It takes around three hours, so treat it as an alternative rather than squeezing it into an already busy schedule.
Check out these links for more details: Panchajanya Cruises, Thirumala Cruises
4. Add Heroor Hanging Bridge
You can also consider visiting Heroor Hanging Bridge on Day 2 before heading towards Kodi Bengre.
5. Don’t miss Udupi food
Udupi has several iconic food stops.
Try Goli Bajji and Masale Dose at Mitra Samaj near the Krishna Temple.
Diana is known for fried idlis and its famous Gadbad ice cream.
And if you enjoy seafood, there are plenty of options around Udupi.
6. You don’t have to drive
If you don’t want to drive all the way from Bangalore, you can take an overnight bus or train to Udupi and hire a taxi locally for sightseeing.
7. Want more time on the coast?
You can add another day and make Mangalore a day trip from Udupi.
Visit – Mangaladevi Temple, Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, Tannirbhavi Beach, Pilikula Nisargadhama and Rosario Church.
Here is a detailed One-week itinerary to explore complete Coastal Karnataka from Bangalore
8. Adventure options around Udupi
If you enjoy adventure activities, surfing at Kodi Bengre and kayaking on the Swarna River backwaters are additional possibilities.
9. Bonus Tip
If you are a museum buff like us, then keep another day to explore the outstanding Hastashilpa Heritage Village and Culinary Museum curated by famous chef Vikas Khanna at Manipal Institute of Hotel Management
Which Route Should You Take?
For the outward journey, we recommend the Charmadi Ghat route through Hassan, Mudigere and Karkala.
For the return journey, take the Agumbe–Tirthahalli route.
This gives you two very different Western Ghats experiences in the same road trip.
The Agumbe route is particularly attractive because you get the opportunity to experience Agumbe Sunset Point and Kundadri Hill rather than simply retracing your route back to Bangalore.
If you don’t want to take the Agumbe route, you can return via Charmadi Ghat instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Udupi from Bangalore by road?
The Bangalore to Udupi road distance in this itinerary is approximately 403 km one way.
How is the road from Bangalore to Udupi?
The road via Hassan – Mudigere – Charmadi Ghat is generally good, although there can be rough sections on Charmadi Ghat.
The Agumbe–Tirthahalli route is excellent.
Can I drive from Bangalore to Udupi?
Absolutely. We highly recommend doing this road trip by car because the journey itself is a major part of the experience.
What is the best way to travel from Bangalore to Udupi?
For this itinerary, a self-drive or private car is the most convenient option.
If you don’t want to drive, overnight buses and trains are available from Bangalore. You can also fly to Mangalore and continue to Udupi from there.
Can I do this Bangalore to Udupi trip in fewer days?
Yes if you do night driving or travel by night bus, but we recommend keeping four days if you want to experience the beaches, temples and scenic routes without turning the trip into a rushed drive.
Travel Twosome Verdict
The Bangalore to Udupi road trip is much more than a drive to the coast.
It takes you through the Western Ghats, Jain heritage of Karkala and Moodabidri, the temples of Udupi and Kollur, the beaches of Malpe and Kapu, St Mary’s Island, Murudeshwar, Maravanthe and the beautiful Malnad landscape around Agumbe and Kundadri.
And that is what makes this such a satisfying Karnataka road trip.
If you have four days, take the long way. The journey is the destination.
Ready to Explore?
If you are planning a road trip from Bangalore to the Karnataka coast, save this itinerary and share it with your travel companions.
And if you want more ideas, explore our collection of Long Road Trips from Bangalore and discover your next route.
Pack your bags. Pick a place. Hit the road!
Happy travelling!
Travel Twosome — We inspire you to travel more.