Bangalore to Wayanad by road
The usual drive from Bengaluru to Vythiri takes 6.5 to 7 hours via Mysuru, Gundlupet and the Bandipur and Muthanga forests. Time it around the night closure of the forest road.
How far is Wayanad from Bangalore?
About 290 km from Bengaluru to Vythiri in south Wayanad, a drive of 6.5 to 7 hours. The main route runs via Mysuru, Gundlupet, the Bandipur and Muthanga forests, Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta. The forest stretch on NH 766 is closed to most traffic from 9 pm to 6 am, so plan to cross it in daylight.
Updated
The route, stage by stage
| Stage | Distance | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru → Mysuru | about 145 km | 2–2.5 hr | Bengaluru–Mysuru expressway; slow leaving the city |
| Mysuru → Gundlupet | about 60 km | 1–1.5 hr | Last fuel and food before the forest |
| Gundlupet → Muthanga (Kerala border) | about 30 km | 45 min | Bandipur forest, closed 9 pm to 6 am |
| Muthanga → Sulthan Bathery → Kalpetta | about 40 km | 1 hr | Busy towns, good lunch stops |
| Kalpetta → Vythiri | about 15 km | 30 min | NH 766 towards Kozhikode |
Distances and times are approximate and grow on holiday weekends.
Driving through Bandipur and Muthanga
This stretch is the highlight and the main constraint. Elephants, deer and gaur often cross the road, so keep to the speed limit, do not stop, and never feed animals. The forest department enforces the night closure strictly; arriving at the barrier after 9 pm means a long wait or a long detour.
Other ways to get there
- By air: fly from Bengaluru to Kozhikode (CCJ) or Kannur (CNN) and drive up, about 3 hours.
- By train: take a train to Mysuru and a taxi from there, or to Kozhikode and drive up the Thamarassery Ghat.
- By bus: state and private buses run to Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta; take a taxi for the last stretch to Vythiri.
Arriving in Wayanad
From Bengaluru you reach Sulthan Bathery first, then Kalpetta; Vythiri is about 15 km past Kalpetta on the road towards Kozhikode. If you are coming from Bengaluru, ask us for resorts near Bathery or Kalpetta to save the last hour of driving.
Places to visit
| Place | Distance | Drive | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pookode Lake | 3 km | 10 min | Families, a slow first evening |
| Edakkal Caves | 40 km | 1 hr 15 min | History, a steep morning climb |
| Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary | 55 km | 1 hr 30 min | Jeep safari, elephants |
Approximate road distances from Vythiri. Ghat roads are slow after rain, so add time in the monsoon.
Questions
Can I drive from Bangalore to Wayanad at night?
Not through Bandipur. The NH 766 forest stretch between Gundlupet and the Kerala border is closed to most vehicles from 9 pm to 6 am to protect wildlife. Leave Bengaluru by early afternoon at the latest, or set off before dawn so you reach the forest after 6 am.
Which is the best time to leave Bangalore?
Leaving at 5 or 6 am gets you past Mysuru before traffic builds and into Wayanad by early afternoon, in time for check-in. On Friday evenings the Bengaluru–Mysuru stretch is slow, which makes the 9 pm forest closure hard to beat.
Where should I stop on the way?
Mysuru has plenty of breakfast places, and Gundlupet is the last proper town before the forest. Inside Bandipur and Muthanga you may not stop or get out of the car. Sulthan Bathery, just after the forest, is a good lunch stop.
Is there a bus from Bangalore to Wayanad?
Yes. Kerala and Karnataka state buses and private operators run from Bengaluru to Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta and Mananthavady. From Kalpetta, Vythiri is about half an hour by bus or taxi. Check current timings, as forest rules affect night services.
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