Bandipur is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, contiguous with Nagarhole, Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu) and Wayanad (Kerala) — together one of the largest protected tiger habitats in India. Its main road, the Mysuru–Ooty highway, cuts straight through the reserve and closes to traffic overnight, so you can see wildlife from a bus window even without a safari. For a proper visit, forest department stays and safaris here are considerably cheaper than Kabini's resort-led model.
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When to go
February to May sees animals concentrate around waterholes in the dry heat — good sighting season despite the temperature. October to January is more comfortable weather with decent sightings.
Bandipur right now and the next 7 days
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Bandipur, planned for you
A satellite map for every day with each stop pinned in order, photos of the places, timings, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Arrive in Bandipur · Forest department jeep or bus safari
- TravelBus: Mysuru → Bandipur₹80
- 11:00Forest department jeep or bus safari₹600
- 14:30Gopalaswamy Betta viewpointFree
- Day 2 Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta trek (permit-dependent)
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Bandipur on the map
Tap anything in the list: the map zooms straight to it. Tap your starting city to see the way there.
The area
Getting there
Places to see
Bandipur · Open in Google Maps ↗
Map by Google. Places are found by name, so check the exact spot in Google Maps before you go.
Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
Change anything and the numbers update. Every price is what the bus, room or ticket itself costs. We take no commission and sell no packages, so this is what you pay booking each piece yourself.
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Bandipur in 2 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Forest department jeep or bus safari2–3 h · ₹600 each · The most affordable safari option in this part of Karnataka. Morning slots have better sighting odds.
- 13:30Lunch break
- 14:30Gopalaswamy Betta viewpoint2 h · free · A hilltop temple and viewpoint over the reserve — access can be restricted seasonally, check current rules.
- 08:00Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta trek (permit-dependent)Half day · ₹200 each · A forest trek to the hilltop shrine, when currently permitted — confirm access with the forest office.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Bandipur
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Bus Cheapest
₹80Frequent buses on the Mysuru–Ooty route stop at Bandipur.
Flight + road
₹5,500Mysuru airport has limited flights; Bengaluru plus a 4–5 h drive is the common alternative.
Getting around once you're there
Forest dept safari
₹600Book at the Bandipur reception — jeep or the larger bus safari, both run by the forest department.
Resort safari
₹1,800Private resorts run their own jeep safaris into the buffer zone.
Where to stay in Bandipur
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Budget
₹1,800/nightBook via the Karnataka Forest Department — the cheapest way to sleep inside the reserve.
Mid
₹3,500/nightSeveral resorts just outside the reserve boundary, some with their own safari programmes.
Homestay
₹2,200/nightA quieter, cheaper alternative to the resort strip.
What to eat, and what it costs
Karnataka meals
₹90At the forest department canteen or nearby dhabas.
Resort meals
Check priceMost private resorts run full-board packages.
Places to visit and things to do in Bandipur
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Forest department jeep or bus safari
₹600The most affordable safari option in this part of Karnataka. Morning slots have better sighting odds.
Gopalaswamy Betta viewpoint
FreeA hilltop temple and viewpoint over the reserve — access can be restricted seasonally, check current rules.
Highway wildlife watching
FreeThe Mysuru–Ooty road itself cuts through the reserve and closes 9 pm–6 am, with a real chance of sightings from a passing vehicle even without a formal safari.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta trek (permit-dependent)
₹200A forest trek to the hilltop shrine, when currently permitted — confirm access with the forest office.
Day trips and next stops
Mysuru
₹100Bus
Ooty (Tamil Nadu)
₹80Bus, through the reserve
Kabini
₹1,500Taxi
Wayanad (Kerala)
₹100Bus via Sultan Bathery
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- The highway through the reserve is closed to all traffic from 9 pm to 6 am — plan arrival and departure times around this.
- Do not stop or get out of a vehicle to photograph animals from the highway.
- Safari slots, especially the cheaper forest department ones, fill up — book ahead in season.
Ways to spend less
- Forest department stays and safaris here are a fraction of Kabini's resort prices, for much of the same forest.
- Bandipur works well as a stop on a Mysuru–Ooty road trip rather than needing a dedicated visit.
- Even without booking a safari, the drive through the reserve at dawn or dusk often turns up wildlife.
Say it in Kannada
A few words go a long way, especially when you ask a price.
Hindi and English work in most towns and with drivers.
The pronunciation is a simple guide, not a native recording. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Before-you-go checklist
Bandipur in pictures
Tap a photo to see it full size.
Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Bandipur?
On our month-by-month scores, the best months are Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec. February to May sees animals concentrate around waterholes in the dry heat — good sighting season despite the temperature. October to January is more comfortable weather with decent sightings.
How do I reach Bandipur?
Bus: Mysuru → Bandipur, 1 h 30 m, about ₹80 one way. Train + bus: → Mysuru, then bus, varies + 1 h 30 m, about ₹250 one way. Flight + road: → Mysuru (MYQ), then 1 h 30 m, 1 h + 1.5 h, about ₹5,500 one way.
How much does a 2-day trip to Bandipur cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹2,400 on a shoestring, ₹5,000 mid-range or ₹10,000 in comfort over 2 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is bus (Mysuru → Bandipur) at about ₹80 each way.
How many days do you need in Bandipur?
2 days is right for most people. That covers Forest department jeep or bus safari, Gopalaswamy Betta viewpoint, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta trek (permit-dependent) without rushing.
Is Bandipur good for families or solo travellers?
Out of 5 on our scores: solo 4, couples 4, families 5, groups 4. It works well for families. It is easy to do on your own.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Bandipur?
Easy. Standard South Indian vegetarian food is the default here.
Will my phone and cards work in Bandipur?
Phone signal: Patchy inside the reserve. Cards and UPI: Resorts. Cash: Forest dept counters and small eateries.
Guides for Bandipur
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
Bangalore to Ooty: Distance, Drive Time and Every Way to Get ThereBangalore to Ooty is about 296 km by road, roughly 4 hours of driving via Mysuru and Bandipur. The night forest…Read the guide →
Bangalore to Wayanad: Distance, Every Way to Get There and What It CostsBangalore to Wayanad (Kalpetta) is about 278 km by road via Mysuru and Bandipur, about 3 h 40 min free-flow. Night…Read the guide →
Mysore to Ooty: Distance, Every Way to Get There and What It CostsMysore to Ooty is about 158 km by road through Bandipur, Mudumalai and Gudalur, about 2 h 10 min free-flow. Night…Read the guide →Similar underrated places
Masinagudi & MudumalaiElephants on the road, a forest safari for a few hundred rupees, and the famous elephant camp at…From ₹1,000/day · Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec.jpg/500px-Tea_estates_near_Kotagiri%2C_Nilgiris_(ultra-wide_view).jpg)
KotagiriThe oldest hill station in the Nilgiris, all tea slopes and shola walks, with a cliff-edge view at Kodanad…From ₹1,000/day · Jan–May, Dec
KabiniA reservoir on the edge of Nagarhole National Park where elephant herds come down to drink and boat…From ₹1,500/day · Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec
WayanadRainforest, a 3,000-year-old cave, and a heart-shaped lake on top of a peak you need a permit for.From ₹1,100/day · Jul–Sep, Nov–Dec
Silent Valley National ParkA rainforest that survived a 1970s dam controversy and stayed wild enough to be one of the last habitats…From ₹1,200/day · Jan–Feb, Nov–Dec
NelliyampathyTen hairpin bends into orange and coffee country, a viewpoint locals call 'the Kashmir of Kerala', and…From ₹1,100/day · Jan–Mar, Oct–DecTreks near Bandipur
.jpg/500px-Illikkal_Kallu_(%E0%B4%87%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D_).jpg)
Illikkal KalluModerate · Half day · Oct–MarFrom ₹400 at the baseChembra PeakEasy · 1 day · Oct–FebFrom ₹800 at the base.jpg/500px-Banasura_hills_from_View_Point_Wayanad_Resort%2C_Pulinjal_(18).jpg)
Banasura PeakModerate · 1 day · Oct–MarFrom ₹800 at the baseSacred places near Bandipur
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Make the plan yours
Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Soumendra Kumar Sahoo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Harish Garg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Dineshkannambadi at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Shashidhara halady · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Naveen R Gowda · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
