Bangalore to Wayanad Cab: Route, Fare, Forest Timings & Trip Guide

Wayanad is Kerala's closest hill district to Bangalore — about 280 km away, through Mysore and the forests of Bandipur and Muthanga. Waterfalls, caves, tea and spice estates and forest homestays make it one of the most popular 2- to 3-day road trips from the city, and the forest stretch is a drive people remember.

This guide covers the route, the drive time and forest-checkpoint timings, what a Bangalore to Wayanad cab costs, which vehicle suits your group and what to see once you are there.

Bangalore to Wayanad distance and drive time

The road distance to Kalpetta, the district's main town, is about 280 km. Most trips take 6 to 7 hours with a breakfast stop near Mysore. Sultan Bathery, closer to the Karnataka border, is a little nearer; Vythiri and Lakkidi are a little further.

• Distance: ~280 km to Kalpetta (approx.)
• Drive time: 6–7 hours with one stop
• Best departure time: early morning, so you cross the forest stretch in daylight

Best route from Bangalore to Wayanad

The usual route is Bangalore → Mysore → Gundlupet → Bandipur → Muthanga → Sultan Bathery → Kalpetta. The section through Bandipur and Muthanga runs through protected forest, where wildlife sightings from the road are common.

Night traffic restriction: the highway through the Bandipur forest is closed to most vehicles at night (roughly 9 pm to 6 am). Plan to cross it in the daytime — your driver will time the departure so you do not get stuck at the checkpoint. An alternative route via Hunsur and Kutta is sometimes used when the forest road is busy.

Bangalore to Wayanad cab fare

As a guide, one-way fares start from about ₹6,000 for a sedan, and a 2-day round trip in a sedan starts from about ₹7,500. SUVs, Innova Crysta, tempo travellers and buses cost more. See the live starting fares for every vehicle on our Bangalore to Wayanad route page, or check the exact fare for your dates in the booking box on this page.

Fares include fuel, driver allowance, tolls, state tax and GST. Kerala state entry tax is included in the fare too, so there is nothing extra to pay at the border. Kilometres beyond the included distance per day are charged extra.

One-way drop or round trip?

Wayanad's sights are spread out — Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, Soochipara Falls and Pookode Lake can be an hour or more apart — so most visitors book a round trip and keep the cab for local sightseeing. A one-way drop works if your resort arranges local transport or you are continuing to Calicut or Coorg.

Which vehicle should you book?

• Sedan (4 seats): couples and small families.
• SUV or Innova Crysta (6–7 seats): families and anyone heading to estates with steep or unpaved access roads.
• Tempo traveller (12+ seats): friends' trips and family groups — see our tempo traveller hire guide.
• Bus (21+ seats): office outings and large groups — see bus hire in Bangalore.

Places to stop on the way

• Mysore or Srirangapatna: breakfast and an optional quick stop.
• Gundlupet: known for its sunflower and marigold fields in season.
• Bandipur and Muthanga: drive slowly and watch for elephants and deer — stopping is not allowed inside the forest stretch.

What to see in Wayanad

• Edakkal Caves: ancient rock engravings and a short, steep climb — closed on Mondays, so plan around it.
• Banasura Sagar Dam: one of India's largest earth dams, with boating.
• Soochipara and Meenmutty Falls: best after the monsoon.
• Pookode Lake and the Lakkidi viewpoint near Vythiri.
• Chembra Peak: a trek to the heart-shaped lake (check that the trail is open before you go).

A simple 3-day plan

Day 1: leave Bangalore at 6 am, breakfast near Mysore, cross Bandipur and Muthanga by late morning, check in and visit Banasura Sagar in the evening.

Day 2: Edakkal Caves in the morning, then Soochipara Falls and an estate walk.

Day 3: Pookode Lake and Lakkidi, then leave by noon to cross the forest well before the night closure.

Best time to go

October to May is the best time for sightseeing and treks. The monsoon (June to September) is lush and beautiful but brings heavy rain, slippery trails and occasional landslides — some sights may close. Carry a light jacket year-round for the evenings.

Where to stay

Wayanad is known for plantation homestays, treehouses and forest resorts around Vythiri, Kalpetta and Sultan Bathery. Browse stays on XploreCabs and book your cab and stay together.

Booking your Bangalore to Wayanad cab

Pick your dates and vehicle in the booking box and our team will call to confirm before anything is charged. You can cancel free until your driver starts the trip. For more ideas see weekend getaways from Bangalore, our Bangalore to Coorg and Bangalore to Ooty routes, and all popular routes from Bangalore.