Last Friday, I was completely exhausted after finishing a hectic work deadline at the office. While thinking of ways to refresh my mood, I called my college friend, and she invited me to her flat in Mysore.
Since I’m still new to Bangalore, I had often thought about exploring nearby cities and going on a weekend trip—but never actually did it. This time, I finally made it happen: a complete Mysore one day trip from Bangalore. If you’re planning to visit in South India, Mysore should definitely be on your list. In this post, I’ll share exactly how I planned it and what I experienced
Why I Choose Mysore?
First, I want to clarify that in 2014, the Indian government officially changed the name from Mysore to Mysuru, although Mysore is still commonly used and preferred by people.
I wanted a city that feels different from Bengaluru’s tech tempo but doesn’t demand hotel booking or vacation days. Mysore is perfect for that: compact, beautifully walkable in parts, big on heritage, and full of photogenic pauses. Most importantly, it compresses nicely into a single day if you sequence your stops right and start early.
Since my friend’s flat was nearby, I didn’t need to book a hotel. My goal was to cover the ‘Big Four’ of Mysore in a single day—Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, St. Philomena’s Church, and Brindavan Gardens
How to Reach Mysore from Bangalore?
The distance from Bangalore to Mysuru is approximately 145 kilometers one-way, and it takes around 3 hours by road, depending on traffic conditions.
Everyone knows how bad the traffic jams in Bangalore can be. That’s why I always suggest leaving early in the morning if you’re planning to go to Mysore by car. The drive usually takes around 2 hours, depending on the traffic.
I set out before sunrise and chose to travel by bus. There are plenty of options like RedBus, KSRTC, AbhiBus, and many more to book your tickets. The average fare for a Bangalore to Mysore AC bus is around ₹1000. My bus departed from Marathahalli at 5:10 a.m., and I reached Mysore by 8:00 a.m. My ticket cost me ₹1100 in total.
You can also enjoy the journey by train. Simply visit IndiaRailInfo to find accurate train schedules and details. The trip usually takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on the train you choose.
Mysore One Day Trip from Bangalore | My hour-by-hour itinerary (with honest notes)
9:45 a.m. – Mysore Palace
- Opening time : 10 am–5:30 pm
- Ticket price: ₹40 for Indians, ₹20 for children, ₹10 for students.
- For Sound and Light Show, For Indians ₹100 and ₹50
- Address: Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka 570001
According to data from the Times of India, more than 40 lakh tourists visited the Mysuru Palace in 2023–2024, setting a new record.
After reaching around 8 am, I headed straight to my friend’s place to freshen up. After a quick break, we headed out, and the very first stop on our list was the Mysore Palace. I’d seen countless pictures of it before—always grand, always elegant—but standing there in front of it? A totally different feeling.
Unfortunately, cameras and mobile phones are not allowed inside Mysore Palace. However, you can still snap some great shots of the palace itself and the gardens outside. Honestly, the grounds are so pretty, you’ll end up taking plenty of photos anyway.
The palace, officially called Amba Vilas Palace, isn’t just any old building—it’s a royal residence with loads of history. And with Dasara coming up, the whole place is buzzing. The gardens are already getting dressed up for the celebrations.
From September 22 to October 2, Mysore turns into this huge cultural hub with an 11-day festival full of events, parades, music, and the works. If you’ve ever thought about visiting, this is the year to do it. Dasara here feels like stepping into another world.
But here’s where I messed up—I should’ve come in the evening. I actually missed the sunset view at the palace and the famous light-and-sound show. So, my suggestion to you: plan your visit around evening time, that way you’ll catch both the magical sunset and the dazzling show at the Mysore Palace. Trust me, it’s worth it.
11.00 a.m. – Devaraja Market
What I loved most about this market is that it feels authentic. You’ll see shopkeepers making flower garlands right in front of you, piles of turmeric and kumkum in bright reds and yellows, and even stalls with Mysore silk, sandalwood products, and local sweets. Here I bought a little packet of sandalwood powder and some local snacks like mysore pak along with a few homemade treats.
12.00 P.M. – St. Philomena’s Church
- Opening time : 5 AM to 6 PM
- Ticket price: Free of cost [ INR 10.00 per person for footwear storage]
- Address: Ashoka Road,Mandi Mohalla, Mysuru
Next I visit one of the oldest cathedrals in India, St. Philomena’s Church. The church reminds me of the famous Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Its twin towers create a truly majestic appearance. Surprisingly, it is also among the tallest churches in Asia. The interior can accommodate up to 800 people, which is quite impressive. Photography is not permitted inside the main hall, and every day, the Holy Mass is conducted in Kannada, Tamil, and English.
1:00 p.m. – Lunch
I hunted down a local joint for masala dosa with chutney trinity and a second round of coffee. I also sampled a small slice of Mysore Pak—rich, crumbly, and absolutely worth the calories. If you’re short on time, keep lunch near your next stop to avoid cross-town zigzags.
1:30 p.m. – Chamundi Hill
Chamundi Hill is mostly known for the Chamundeshwari Temple. There’s a long stairway—about 1000 steps in total. It will take you up to the temple. Honestly, I wanted to try it myself but time was not on my side. Maybe next time…
One of the major attractions in the temple is the colossal stone statue of Nandi, standing 16 feet tall and 25 feet long. You stand there thinking, how did they even build this? At the very top, you get this crazy view of the whole city, like a postcard but better. I caught myself just staring for a while. And if you’re planning around Dussehra or Diwali, — the place turns into a sea of people. The place is packed with pilgrims and tourists, all caught up in the festival buzz.
3.00 p.m. – Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Fees: Adult: Rs.75/-
- Child: Rs.25
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the largest bird sanctuary in the state, located about 16 km north of Mysore. I took a guided boat ride on the Kaveri River, which cost me Rs. 100. As soon as you enter the sanctuary, you’ll notice a large number of bamboo trees. There are also several boards with pictures and names of the birds that can be spotted throughout the area.
5:30 p.m. – Brindavan Gardens
Approximately 2 million tourists per year arrive at Brindavan gardens.
I visited Brindavan Gardens mainly for its famous light show. The show runs on weekdays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and on weekends from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. You can also enjoy boating on the central lake inside the garden.
After a long and tiring day, I headed to my friend’s flat and stayed there for the night. The next morning, I returned to my place. Honestly, after all the office stress, this short weekend getaway from Bangalore refreshed my mind and lifted my mood.
“People also ask” (and so did I) – Mysore one day trip from bangalore
As I mentioned before, Bangalore is famous for its traffic, especially on weekends. So, if you’re taking a bus, cab, or bike in the morning, try to start your journey between 5:00 am and 6:00 am.
For highlights, yes. Palace, Chamundi, Church, Devaraja Market, and Brindavan fit comfortably with an early start. If you want museums, silk workshops, or longer nature breaks, consider an overnight.
If you are traveling from Bangalore, the AC bus will cost around ₹1,000.
Food and coffee (solo): ₹400–₹700.
Tickets/parking/miscellaneous: ₹300–₹700, depending on your choices.
Pick a central tiffin spot for masala dosa, bisi bele bath, or ragi mudde with sambar. If you love sweets, grab Mysore Pak from a reputed shop before closing time.
Self-drive: Maximum freedom, some parking/route decisions to make.
Train + local cabs: Efficient, lighter on the wallet, less flexible on in-between detours.
Guided day package: Timed, tidy, and good for first-timers who want zero planning.
Absolutely. A bangalore mysore package tour for 2 days lets you slow down: add the Rail Museum, KRS Dam in daylight, Karanji Lake birdwatching, and maybe a silk weaving stop. If you crave green hills afterward, you can route onward to Coorg—but that’s another story.
Yes—if you prefer group travel with set stops and air-conditioned comfort, check a bangalore to mysore 1 day tour package by ac bus. It’s easy, predictable, and friendly for families or solo travelers who don’t want to drive.
Comfortable shoes (palace floors + garden walks), a light scarf or cap, water, sunscreen, and small change. Photography is usually allowed in public areas; sensitive zones may restrict it.
I felt safe. Crowded areas like markets demand the usual common sense: keep wallets zipped, bags in front, and avoid leaving valuables in a parked car.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Brindavan Gardens
KRS Dam
Chamundi Hills
Shivanasamudra Falls
B.R. Hills
Srirangapatna
Melukote
Somnathpur
Mysore Palace
So, this was my one day trip to Mysore from Bangalore. If I had 36–48 hours, I would have loved to explore more — like visiting the Payana Car Museum, Jaganmohan Palace, Gumbaz (Tomb of Tipu Sultan), Srirangapatna Fort, spending time at the Mysore Zoo, revisiting the palace to catch the sunset, and enjoying the light and sound show.
After a long but fulfilling Mysore one day trip from Bangalore, I realized why it’s considered a must-visit. So, for those living in Bangalore or nearby places, I highly recommend visiting Mysore for a perfect weekend getaway.