India GOHow to get around Udupi
Udupi is small enough that you rarely need a car. The temple core around Car Street is walked, rickshaws cover the rest of town for about ₹50–100, and local buses run to Manipal (4–5 km) every couple of minutes and to Malpe beach (6 km), for about ₹20 or less a ride. A taxi earns its price for the 60 km to Mangaluru airport. Rickshaws here do not use meters, so agree the fare before you get in.
Rickshaws
The everyday transport here. Meters are not used, so name the destination and agree the price first; the prepaid counter at the station sets a fair benchmark.
~₹50–100 across town
The local bus network
Unusually dense even by Indian standards: Manipal is 4–5 km away with departures every couple of minutes, and Malpe beach is 6 km along the same principle.
under ~₹20 for most trips
Car Street on foot
The Krishna Matha, the tanks and the eight monasteries around them make one compact square; the core of the town is walked, not driven.
free
Walk, rickshaw, bus or taxi: how to choose
On foot. The Krishna Matha, the temple tanks and the eight monasteries around them form one compact square on Car Street. This part of town is walked, not driven.
Rickshaw. The everyday way around town, about ₹50–100 for a ride across Udupi. Meters are not used: name the destination, agree the price, then get in. The prepaid counter at the railway station is a fair benchmark for what a ride should cost.
Local bus. The network is unusually dense even by Indian standards, and most trips cost about ₹20 or less. Buses to Manipal, 4–5 km away, leave every couple of minutes; Malpe beach, 6 km away, works the same way.
Taxi. Worth it mainly for the airport and for trips out of town. From Mangaluru airport a taxi straight to Udupi costs about ₹1,800–2,500 and takes about 1.5 hours.
From the station and the airport
Udupi railway station (UD) stands in Indrali, about 3 km from Car Street. Outside the exit is a prepaid rickshaw counter: pay at the counter, take the slip and get in, with the fare into the centre fixed at about ₹50–100 and nothing left to bargain over after a night train. More on the station is on the Udupi railway station page.
Mangaluru airport (IXE) is 60 km away. The cheap way is an express bus: first to the Mangaluru city bus stand, then one of the buses to Udupi that leave constantly, about 1–1.5 hours and about ₹60–100. The taxi is about ₹1,800–2,500. Details are on the airport and how to get to Udupi pages.
Good to know
- Manipal counts as the same town — The university campus is 4–5 km up the road, and many of the cafés and bookshops are there rather than in Udupi. Buses run constantly and cost about ₹20 or less.
- Agree the rickshaw fare first — There is no meter to fall back on. If a quote sounds high, compare it with the prepaid fare from the station.
- A base on the Konkan line — Udupi works for day trips in both directions: Mangaluru is about an hour away, Murudeshwar 1–1.5 hours, Gokarna about 2.5 and Goa 4–5. Ideas are on the day trips from Udupi page.
- English is enough in tourist places — The languages of the town are Tulu, Kannada and Konkani, but in the places travellers go English is enough to name a destination and agree a fare.
FAQ
How much is a rickshaw in Udupi?
About ₹50–100 for a ride across town. Rickshaws do not use meters, so agree the fare first; the prepaid counter at the station is a good benchmark.
How do I get from Udupi to Manipal?
By local bus: Manipal is 4–5 km away, buses leave every couple of minutes and cost about ₹20 or less. A rickshaw is the other option.
How do I get to Malpe beach from Udupi?
Malpe is 6 km away and served by frequent local buses for about ₹20 or less; a rickshaw also works.
How much is a taxi from Mangalore airport to Udupi?
About ₹1,800–2,500 for the 60 km, roughly 1.5 hours. The express bus via the Mangaluru city stand costs about ₹60–100.
How far is Udupi railway station from the Krishna temple?
About 3 km. The station is in Indrali, and a prepaid rickshaw into the centre costs about ₹50–100.
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
The full catalogue, hidden spots and districts on the map, plus “nearby” mode.
Open in India GO