India GOHow to reach Udupi
Udupi has no airport, but it is easy to reach. From Bengaluru the overnight Panchaganga Express or a sleeper bus gets you there by morning; from Mangaluru, 60 km south, buses leave every few minutes; and the Konkan Railway runs down the coast from Goa and Mumbai. The nearest airport is Mangalore International (IXE), about an hour to an hour and a half away.
Udupi station (UD), Indrali
The station stands in Indrali, about 3 km from Car Street, and there is a prepaid rickshaw counter outside, the one place on this coast where you do not have to bargain after a night train.
Best option
Buses from Bengaluru and Mangaluru
The overnight sleepers from Bengaluru arrive in the town itself, and from Mangaluru buses leave every few minutes: no planning needed at all.
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.
At a glance
| From | How | Time | Approx. fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | Panchaganga Express, overnight | ~9.5 h | ~₹400 sleeper, ~₹1,070 3A |
| Bengaluru | KSRTC or private sleeper bus, overnight | ~8.5–10 h | from ~₹510 non-AC, ~₹1,500+ AC |
| Mangaluru (60 km) | Express bus, every few minutes | ~1–1.5 h | ~₹60–100 |
| Mangaluru | Vande Bharat or Madgaon–Mangaluru Intercity | ~1 h | |
| Goa | Konkan Railway express | ~4–5 h | from ~₹150 |
| Mangalore airport | Bus via Mangaluru city stand | ~1–1.5 h | ~₹60–100 |
| Mangalore airport | Taxi | ~1.5 h | ~₹1,800–2,500 |
Fares are approximate and change; check them when you book.
By train
Udupi station (code UD) is on the Konkan Railway, in Indrali, about 3 km from Car Street and the Krishna Matha. Outside the exit there is a prepaid rickshaw counter: pay there (about ₹50–100 into the centre), take the slip and get in, with nothing left to bargain over after a night train.
From Bengaluru the fastest direct train is the daily overnight Panchaganga Express (16595/16596) between KSR Bengaluru and Karwar. It takes about 9.5 hours to Udupi.
From Goa Konkan Railway expresses come down the coast in about 4–5 hours, and from Mangaluru the Vande Bharat and the Madgaon–Mangaluru Intercity take about an hour. From Mumbai expresses run the length of the Konkan line towards Mangaluru; check on the Indian Railways enquiry site (NTES) which of them stop at Udupi.
Indian Railways opens bookings 60 days ahead (not counting the day of travel); around festivals book as early as you can. More on the station itself in Udupi railway station.
By bus
From Bengaluru KSRTC (the Karnataka state bus company) and private operators run overnight sleeper buses that arrive in the town itself, in about 8.5–10 hours. This is the simplest option if the train is full.
From Mangaluru express buses leave every few minutes and cover the 60 km in about 1–1.5 hours; there is nothing to plan. The same coastal buses link Udupi with Manipal, 4–5 km away, every couple of minutes.
By air
There is no airport in Udupi district. The nearest is Mangalore International Airport (IXE), about 60 km south, with domestic flights and a few routes to the Gulf. From the airport, either take a bus to the Mangaluru city stand and change to one of the constant buses up the coast (about 1–1.5 hours, about ₹60–100 in all), or a taxi straight to Udupi (about 1.5 hours, about ₹1,800–2,500). Details in Udupi's nearest airport.
From cities without a direct flight to Mangaluru, the usual route is a flight to Bengaluru and the overnight train or bus from there.
Udupi as a base on the Konkan line
Udupi works well in both directions along the coast: Mangaluru is about an hour away, Murudeshwar 1–1.5 hours, Gokarna about 2.5 and Goa 4–5. For the onward legs see how to reach Murudeshwar and how to reach Gokarna; for rickshaws and buses in town, getting around Udupi.
FAQ
Which is the nearest railway station to Udupi?
Udupi's own station (UD) on the Konkan Railway, in Indrali, about 3 km from Car Street, with a prepaid rickshaw counter outside.
What is the nearest airport to Udupi?
Mangalore International Airport (IXE), about 60 km south: about 1.5 hours by taxi or 1–1.5 hours by bus via Mangaluru.
How can I go to Udupi from Bangalore?
Overnight: the Panchaganga Express from KSR Bengaluru takes about 9.5 hours (approx. ₹400 in sleeper), and KSRTC and private sleeper buses take about 8.5–10 hours (from approx. ₹510).
How do I go from Mumbai to Udupi?
By the Konkan Railway: expresses from Mumbai run down the coast towards Mangaluru; check on NTES which ones stop at Udupi. Or fly to Mangaluru and take a bus up the coast.
How far is Udupi from Mangalore?
About 60 km: an hour by Vande Bharat or Intercity train, 1–1.5 hours by express bus (approx. ₹60–100), which leaves every few minutes.
How do I reach Udupi from Goa?
By a Konkan Railway express down the coast, about 4–5 hours, from approx. ₹150.
Sources (8)
- How to Reach, Udupi District Administration
- Udupi, Karnataka Tourism
- Panchaganga Express (16595/16596), Wikipedia
- Matsyagandha Express (12619/12620), Wikipedia
- Udupi railway station, Wikipedia
- Konkan Railway notice on 16595/16596 Panchaganga Express (KSR Bengaluru - Karwar, daily)
- Railways reduces advance booking limit from 120 to 60 days (Railway Board circular, from 1 November 2024)
- Margao-Mangaluru Vande Bharat: halts at Udupi and Karwar, The Goan
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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