India GOUdupi airport: how to fly in and reach the town
Udupi has no airport of its own. The nearest is Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), about 60 km to the south, with domestic flights and a few Gulf routes. From there it is roughly an hour to an hour and a half to Udupi: by express bus via the Mangaluru city stand, or by taxi straight to your hotel.
Mangalore airport (IXE), 60 km
The nearest airport, with domestic flights and a few Gulf routes. From there it is either a bus for the price of a coffee or a taxi that costs thirty times as much.
Mangaluru airport (IXE)
The airport serving Udupi is in Mangaluru, at Bajpe, about 13 km north-east of Mangaluru city centre and about 60 km from Udupi. It is run by an Adani group company and sits on a hilltop with two tabletop runways, which is why the approach can look unusually close to the edge.
Flights are mostly domestic. The international routes are to the Gulf and the Middle East, among them Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait City and Jeddah. For most travellers from further away, the trip to Udupi means a connection through a large Indian hub first.
From the airport to Udupi
Two ways to cover the 60 km. Fares are approximate.
- Express bus, about ₹60–100
First get to the Mangaluru city bus stand; from there express buses to Udupi leave every few minutes and take about 1–1.5 hours. The cheapest way, and with luggage it is still manageable.
- Taxi, about ₹1,800–2,500
Straight to Udupi in about 1.5 hours. Prepaid taxis are available around the clock at the counter in the arrival hall, which saves negotiating with drivers outside.
If there is no good flight to Mangaluru
Udupi is on the Konkan Railway and on the main bus routes along the coast, so flying into a bigger airport and continuing overland works well.
Via Bengaluru
The Panchaganga SF Express is the fastest of the overnight trains, about 9.5 hours (roughly ₹400 in sleeper, ₹1,070 in 3A). KSRTC and private sleeper buses take about 8.5–10 hours, from about ₹510 without AC and about ₹1,500 with AC.
Via Goa
Konkan Railway expresses down the coast take about 4–5 hours, from about ₹150.
By train from Mangaluru
The Vande Bharat and the Madgaon–Mangaluru Intercity cover Mangaluru–Udupi in about an hour, an option if you land in the evening and stay in Mangaluru.
Arriving in Udupi
Udupi station is in Indrali, about 3 km from Car Street, and has a prepaid rickshaw counter at the exit: pay at the counter, take the slip and the fare into the centre (about ₹50–100) is fixed. Around town, rickshaws do not use meters, so agree the price before you get in. Train times and fares change: check them on the Indian Railways or Konkan Railway sites when you book. More on trains and buses: how to get to Udupi and Udupi railway station.
FAQ
Is there an airport in Udupi?
No. The nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), about 60 km south of Udupi.
How do I get to Udupi by flight?
Fly into Mangaluru, then take a taxi (about 1.5 hours, roughly ₹1,800–2,500) or go to the Mangaluru city bus stand for an express bus to Udupi (about 1–1.5 hours, roughly ₹60–100).
How far is Mangaluru airport from Udupi?
About 60 km. The airport is at Bajpe, about 13 km north-east of Mangaluru city centre.
Does Mangaluru airport have international flights?
Yes, a few, mainly to the Gulf and the Middle East, such as Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait City and Jeddah.
Can I fly to Bengaluru and travel on to Udupi?
Yes. The overnight Panchaganga SF Express takes about 9.5 hours, and overnight sleeper buses about 8.5–10 hours.
Sources (1)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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