Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Take a morning train from Chennai to Bengaluru; the trip usually takes about 5–6 hours, depending on the service. Book ahead, especially for weekend travel, and check whether your train arrives at KSR Bengaluru City or Yesvantpur—the ride to a central hotel can take 20–45 minutes, longer in traffic. If you’re arriving at KSR Bengaluru City, allow extra time to find your pickup point amid the busy station frontage; a prepaid taxi or app cab is easiest with luggage.
After checking in and taking a breather, head to Church Street for an easy first wander. Its bookshops and cafés make a good introduction to central Bengaluru; allow about an hour, and don’t feel obliged to cover the whole stretch. Shops generally get going around late morning, so this works best after lunch rather than immediately on arrival. Blossom Book House, also on Church Street, is the natural next stop: give yourself around 45 minutes to browse its famously packed shelves of second-hand books. The lanes can be busy, and the shop’s hours may vary, so check before setting out if you’re arriving late.
Walk or take a short cab ride to Koshy’s on St. Mark’s Road for a classic Bengaluru dinner. It’s an easygoing, old-school spot; budget roughly ₹500–₹1,000 per person, and expect a lively room at peak dinner time. Keep the evening unhurried after the train journey—if you’re tired, a cab back to your hotel is usually more comfortable than navigating the traffic on foot.
Start at Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Basavanagudi, giving yourself about two hours for the garden paths and the historic Glass House. It generally opens around 6:00 AM; entry is usually free before 9:00 AM and about ₹25 afterward, though timings and fees can change. The grounds are large, so choose a gate near the part you want to explore and wear comfortable shoes. Take an auto or cab to Vidyarthi Bhavan in Gandhi Bazaar afterward—allow roughly 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Have the famous dosa at Vidyarthi Bhavan; budget around ₹150–₹300 per person. It’s a compact, busy old-school spot, so expect a queue at peak breakfast time and keep the meal simple. Then continue to Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace in Chamrajpet, about 10–15 minutes away by cab or auto. Set aside an hour for the carved teakwood structure and exhibits; check the day’s opening hours before setting out, as museum schedules can vary.
Head north to Cubbon Park for a gentler stretch of the day—roughly 15–25 minutes by car from the palace, traffic permitting. Wander for an hour or so, leaving time to sit in the shade rather than trying to cover the whole park. Finish at the National Gallery of Modern Art on Palace Road, a short cab ride away. Allow about 1.5 hours for the galleries; it is commonly open Tuesday–Sunday, with Monday closures, so check before you go. Keep a little buffer between stops: Bengaluru traffic can turn even short cross-city rides into slow ones.
Leave Bengaluru in the morning in your pre-arranged car, allowing 3–4 hours of driving overall, plus time for the stops. Take NH 275 via Srirangapatna; agree in advance on luggage space, parking and waiting time so you can keep your bags in the car while you explore. Spend about an hour at Dariya Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, known for its painted interiors. Then allow around 45 minutes at Ranganathaswamy Temple, a historic riverside temple. Check current opening hours before setting out, particularly for the temple’s worship breaks, and dress modestly; leave shoes at the designated stand.
Continue to Mysuru and stop at Guru Sweets in the city centre for a taste of Mysore Pak; half an hour is plenty, and you can pick up a box for later. Finish with a hearty Andhra-style meal at RRR Restaurant—budget roughly ₹300–₹600 per person. Your arrival time will depend on traffic and how long you linger in Srirangapatna, so keep the afternoon flexible; confirm the restaurant’s current hours and whether there’s a queue before you head over.
Leave central Mysuru around 6:00–6:30 AM for Chamundi Hill; the drive takes roughly 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic. The early start is worth it for cooler air and broad views over the city. Visit Chamundeshwari Temple if it’s open when you arrive—darshan timings can vary, so check locally—and allow about 1½–2 hours for the hilltop. A taxi or auto is the easiest way up; agree on the return pickup before you start exploring.
Head back to the centre for Mysore Palace, which generally opens at 10:00 AM; set aside around two hours and check current entry and camera rules before you go. From there, it’s a short auto ride or walk to Devaraja Market. Give yourself about an hour to browse the flower, spice and produce stalls, and keep small cash handy. The market is busiest and most atmospheric in the morning, so expect lively aisles.
Take a taxi or auto to Old House in Gokulam for a leisurely meal; budget roughly ₹400–₹800 per person and check the day’s opening hours before heading over. For the return to Chennai, a direct train is simplest if its departure time fits the day—check the current timetable and book ahead. Since the journey takes roughly 7–9 hours, choose your train before committing to the morning’s pace; if no direct service works, travel via Bengaluru. Allow time to collect luggage and reach the station, especially if you’re relying on a taxi during peak traffic.
No packing list attached yet.