Bangalore to Munnar: Distance, Routes, Trains and Day-Wise Plans (2026)

By Raja V., YatraKraft co-founder from Munnar. Last updated 12 October 2026.

Quick answer Munnar, the Kerala hill station, is roughly 470 to 490 km from Bangalore by road, about 9 to 10 hours of driving via Salem, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet. Without a car, take a train to Ernakulam or Aluva, or fly to Kochi, then continue about 110 to 120 km by road into the hills.

Bangalore to Munnar at a glance

Road distance	About 470 to 490 km, depending on route
Driving time	About 9 to 10 hours of driving, plus breaks
Main road route	Hosur, Krishnagiri, Salem, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Chinnar, Marayoor
Alternative route	Via Dindigul, Theni and the Bodimettu ghat
Nearest railway stations	Aluva (about 120 km) and Ernakulam
Nearest airport	Kochi, about 110 km from Munnar
Other airport option	Coimbatore, roughly 175 km via Chinnar
Ideal trip length	4 to 5 days including travel

How far is Munnar from Bangalore, and how long does it take?

By road, Bangalore to Munnar is roughly 470 to 490 km, depending on which way you climb into the hills. Plan on 9 to 10 hours of actual driving, and closer to 12 hours once you add breakfast, lunch and fuel stops. The first stretch on the highway towards Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem is fast. The last part, after you leave the Tamil Nadu plains and climb into Munnar, Kerala, is slow and full of bends, and it is best done in daylight.

If you are travelling with children or elderly parents, we suggest leaving Bangalore before dawn, or breaking the journey with a night in Coimbatore or Pollachi so the hill section never runs into the evening.

Which road route is best from Bangalore to Munnar, Kerala?

Both popular routes begin on the highway out of Bangalore through Hosur and Krishnagiri. After Salem, you choose how to reach the hills.

• Route 1: via Coimbatore, Pollachi and UdumalpetSalem, Erode or the bypass to Coimbatore, then Pollachi, Udumalpet and the Munnar-Udumalpet road through Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Marayoor. This is the route most Bangalore drivers use. The dry, rain-shadow forest of Chinnar slowly gives way to sandalwood country at Marayoor and then the green tea estates.
• Route 2: via Dindigul, Theni and BodimettuSalem, Karur or Namakkal towards Dindigul, then Theni, Bodinayakanur and the Bodimettu ghat, Poopara and Lockhart Gap into Munnar. Many travellers find the climb a little gentler, and it suits those combining Munnar with Madurai.
• Coming backGoing up one way and returning the other lets you see both sides of the Western Ghats on one Kerala trip.

On either route, fill fuel before the climb, keep cash for small eateries, and avoid the ghat sections after dark. Mist settles on the higher bends in the evening, wild elephants cross some forest stretches, and night travel on hill roads can be restricted during heavy rain alerts. Our guide to getting around Munnar safely explains how we plan drives in the hills.

Can you reach Munnar from Bangalore by train or bus?

Munnar has no railway station, so any train journey ends in the Kerala plains. The usual choice is a train from Bengaluru to Ernakulam or Aluva. The daily Bengaluru to Ernakulam Intercity is a daytime train of a little over 10 hours, and other trains on the same line run overnight. Aluva is about 120 km from Munnar, so book a cab in advance and aim to reach the hills before dark.

By bus, Karnataka RTC has operated a non-AC Bengaluru to Munnar service via Salem, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet, taking about 13 hours. It began as a festival and weekend service, so check the current timetable on the KSRTC website. Private overnight buses also run on this sector.

Is it better to fly from Bangalore to Kochi for a Munnar Kerala trip?

If time is short, yes. The flight from Bangalore to Kochi is about an hour, and Kochi airport is about 110 km from Munnar, so you can reach the tea hills the same day. Kochi is also the natural start and end point if you are adding the backwaters to a longer Kerala tour package. Our Kochi to Munnar guide covers that drive and the best stops on the way.

Coimbatore airport is another option, especially if you want the scenic road through Pollachi, Udumalpet and Chinnar, though the drive to Munnar is longer, roughly 175 km.

Sample day-wise plans from Bangalore

• By car, Day 1Early start from Bangalore through Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem. Either push on to Munnar via Udumalpet and Marayoor, or stop overnight in Coimbatore or Pollachi.
• By car, Day 2If you halted on the way, climb through Chinnar and Marayoor to Munnar in the morning light. Check in and keep the afternoon slow.
• By car, Days 3 and 4Munnar sightseeing: Eravikulam National Park, the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam and a walk through the tea estates.
• By car, Day 5Drive back to Bangalore, ideally by the other route, starting early so the ghat descent is done in daylight.
• By train or air, Day 1Train to Ernakulam or Aluva, or a flight to Kochi, then a pre-booked cab up to Munnar.
• By train or air, Days 2 and 3Munnar sightseeing at an easy pace, then return to Kochi or Aluva for the journey home.

Coming from the east coast instead? Our Chennai to Munnar guide covers the Trichy and Dindigul routes. And if you are unsure how long to stay once you arrive, read our how many days in Munnar guide.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Munnar from Bangalore by road?

Munnar is roughly 470 to 490 km from Bangalore by road, depending on the route. Expect 9 to 10 hours of driving, plus breaks, so most families leave very early or split the journey with a night in Coimbatore or Pollachi.

What is the best route from Bangalore to Munnar?

Most drivers take the highway through Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem to Coimbatore, then Pollachi, Udumalpet, Chinnar and Marayoor into Munnar. Some prefer the Dindigul, Theni and Bodimettu route, which climbs into the hills from the Tamil Nadu side.

Is there a direct train from Bangalore to Munnar?

No. Munnar has no railway station. Take a train from Bengaluru to Ernakulam or Aluva, such as the daily Bengaluru to Ernakulam Intercity, then continue by cab. Aluva is about 120 km from Munnar.

Is there a direct bus from Bangalore to Munnar?

Karnataka RTC has operated a non-AC Bengaluru to Munnar service via Salem, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet, taking about 13 hours, and private overnight buses also run. Schedules change, so check the current timetable before booking.

Which airport is closest to Munnar from Bangalore?

Kochi airport is the usual choice, about 110 km from Munnar. Coimbatore airport works too if you want the scenic road through Pollachi, Udumalpet and Chinnar, which is a longer drive of roughly 175 km.