Three-Day Mangalore and Udupi Trip from Bangalore

Day 1 · Fri, Oct 2
Mangalore

Travel to Mangalore

  1. Bangalore 8th Mile to Mangaluru — via NH 75 and the Shiradi Ghat route; leave around 4:00 AM and allow roughly 7–9 hours, including breaks. Take a proper breakfast stop en route, and check parking and hotel check-in arrangements before arrival.
  2. Mangaladevi Temple — Bolar; a historic temple and a gentle first stop after the drive, for about 45 minutes.
  3. Kudroli Gokarnath Temple — Kudroli; admire the distinctive temple architecture, allowing around 45–60 minutes.
  4. Gajalee — Kadri; enjoy Mangalorean seafood at this well-known restaurant, budgeting approximately ₹700–1,500 per person.
  5. Tannirbhavi Beach — Tannirbhavi; unwind by the sea in the late afternoon, allowing about 1–1.5 hours.

Early morning drive to Mangaluru

Leave Bangalore 8th Mile around 4:00 AM and take NH 75 via Hassan and the Shiradi Ghat route. Plan on roughly 7–9 hours with breaks; the ghats can be winding, and rain or roadworks may add time. Stop for breakfast along the highway around Hassan or Sakleshpur, and check your hotel’s parking and check-in arrangements before setting off. Once in Mangaluru, take a breather and freshen up before sightseeing rather than trying to race straight through the day.

Afternoon temples and lunch

Start at Mangaladevi Temple in Bolar, a peaceful, historic first visit; allow about 45 minutes and dress modestly. Then drive to Kudroli Gokarnath Temple in Kudroli—give its ornate architecture and colorful interiors 45–60 minutes. Temple hours can have a midday break, so check locally before you go; keep footwear in the designated area and carry a little cash for offerings. For a late lunch, head to Gajalee in Kadri for Mangalorean seafood; budget around ₹700–1,500 per person, and call ahead or expect a wait at busy times.

Late afternoon by the sea

After lunch, drive to Tannirbhavi Beach for an unhurried 1–1.5 hours by the water. It’s a lovely place to wind down after the long journey; check the ferry or road access before leaving, as the best approach can vary with conditions. Aim to arrive before sunset, keep an eye on the sea and local safety notices, and arrange your ride back in advance if you’re not driving yourself.

Day 2 · Sat, Oct 3
Udupi

Mangalore to Udupi

Getting there from Mangalore
Drive north via NH 66 (about 1.5–2 hours; roughly ₹500–900 in fuel, excluding tolls). Leave around 8:00 AM as planned; a car makes it easy to stop at Kaup en route. No booking platform needed if using your own car; for a rental, book through a local provider or a car-rental platform.
  1. Mangaluru to Udupi — drive north on NH 66, allowing roughly 1.5–2 hours without sightseeing stops; start around 8:00 AM to keep the day relaxed.
  2. Kaup Lighthouse — Kaup; climb for coastal views if it is open, and allow around 1–1.5 hours including the beach.
  3. Sri Krishna Matha — Udupi; visit the town’s celebrated temple complex, allowing about 1–1.5 hours and dressing appropriately.
  4. Thimmappa Fish Hotel — Udupi; try a local seafood meal, budgeting approximately ₹300–700 per person.
  5. Malpe Beach — Malpe; enjoy the coast in the late afternoon, allowing around 1–1.5 hours; check local conditions before swimming.

Morning

Leave Mangaluru around 8:00 AM and allow 1.5–2 hours to reach Kaup and Kaup Lighthouse. Give yourself 1–1.5 hours here for the beach and, if it’s open, the lighthouse climb; visiting hours can vary, so check at the entrance before planning around the climb. There’s usually a small entry fee, and the steps are steep—wear shoes with grip and carry water. From Kaup, it’s roughly a 30-minute drive to central Udupi.

Midday

Spend about 1–1.5 hours at Sri Krishna Matha. Dress modestly, leave footwear at the designated racks, and be prepared for a short queue; darshan timings can pause around rituals, so check locally on arrival. For lunch, head to Thimmappa Fish Hotel for a seafood meal—budget around ₹300–700 per person, and ask what’s fresh that day. It can get busy at lunchtime, so expect a little wait.

Afternoon

Drive about 15–20 minutes from town to Malpe Beach for a relaxed late-afternoon visit. Allow 1–1.5 hours to walk the shore and enjoy the sea breeze; swimming conditions and currents can change, so follow lifeguard advice and stay out of the water if flags or local guidance warn against it. Bring a light layer for the evening, and check the return-drive timing before you settle in.

Day 3 · Sun, Oct 4
Udupi

Udupi and return to Bangalore

  1. Mitra Samaj — Udupi town; have a relaxed breakfast of local vegetarian favorites, budgeting approximately ₹100–250 per person.
  2. Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village — Manipal; explore its traditional buildings and collections, allowing around 2–3 hours; confirm Sunday visiting arrangements in advance.
  3. Manipal End Point — Manipal; finish with a short walk and valley views, allowing about 45–60 minutes.
  4. Udupi to Bangalore — return via NH 75 and the Shiradi Ghat route; leave by about 11:30 AM–noon for a chance of reaching Bangalore around 10:00 PM, with breaks and traffic making that arrival time tight.

Morning

Start at Mitra Samaj in Udupi town for a relaxed breakfast—try the local vegetarian staples and budget about ₹100–250 per person. Go early to avoid the breakfast rush, then drive roughly 15–20 minutes to Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village in Manipal. Set aside 2–3 hours to explore; it’s a substantial open-air heritage collection, so check its Sunday visiting arrangements and entry details before setting out.

Afternoon

From Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village, it’s a short drive to Manipal End Point. Allow 45–60 minutes for an easy walk and the valley views; take water and sun protection, as much of the path is exposed. Keep an eye on the clock: with breakfast, the heritage visit and this stop, leaving Udupi by noon will be difficult.

Return to Bangalore

Head back on NH 75 via Hassan and Shiradi Ghat. The drive commonly takes around 7–9 hours before longer meal or rest stops, and Sunday traffic, rain or ghat conditions can add time. Reaching Bangalore around 10:00 PM is therefore tight—especially if you complete all three stops—so leave Manipal by early afternoon at the latest, keep breaks efficient, and expect a later arrival if the visit runs long.

When are you going?
Add your start date and we'll check in at two weeks out, one week out, and the day before — bookings, packing, and a day-one brief. Reply to any of them if plans change.
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version