Fastest ~2h by train
| 🚆 Train | ~2h (Vande Bharat) / | Indian Railways, KSR Bangalore–Mysore Junction, book ahead |
| 🚌 Bus | ~2.5–3.5h | KSRTC Volvo AC/Airavata, frequent, good fallback |
| 🚗 Car | ~2–2.5h | Bangalore–Mysore Expressway (NH275), allows Srirangapatna stop |
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Mysore — officially Mysuru — is one of South India's most rewarding destinations: a palace city of wide boulevards, flowering gardens and one of India's most elaborate royal residences. From Bangalore, it is an easy journey: trains run the roughly 140 km in as little as 2 hours, and buses are frequent and affordable. Here is how to make the trip.
By train: the fastest and most comfortable option
The best service on this route is the Vande Bharat Express, India's modern semi-high-speed train operated by Indian Railways. It covers the Bangalore–Mysore corridor in approximately 2 hours, running a limited number of departures per day. Seats are air-conditioned, comfortable and reserved — you will need to book in advance, especially for weekend travel when the route is busy with day-trippers and weekend visitors from Bangalore.
Beyond the Vande Bharat, a good selection of other Indian Railways express trains serves the route daily, including the Shatabdi Express and various intercity and mail/express services. These take between 2 hours and 3 hours depending on the number of stops. Ticket classes range from non-air-conditioned chair cars to air-conditioned first class; the chair car and second-class AC options are the most popular for this short journey.
All Indian Railways trains between Bangalore and Mysore depart from Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Bangalore City station, usually referred to as Bangalore City or simply Bangalore station. Mysore Junction is in the heart of Mysore city, within easy auto-rickshaw distance of the major attractions. Tickets can be booked through the IRCTC website or app — creating an IRCTC account in advance is strongly recommended for international visitors, as it is the most reliable booking channel.
Book ahead for Vande Bharat: The Vande Bharat Express has limited seats and sells out quickly, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Book several days in advance if your dates are fixed.
By bus: frequent, affordable and flexible
KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) operates a dense schedule of buses between Bangalore's Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic) and Mysore's Central Bus Stand, running almost throughout the day and into the evening. Services include standard buses, Rajahamsa (semi-deluxe), Airavata (Volvo air-conditioned) and Karnataka Sarige premium coach services.
The Volvo AC services are well regarded — they are comfortable, point-to-point and popular enough that booking ahead on the KSRTC online portal or app is worthwhile for weekend travel. Journey time is typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic, the specific route and how many stops the service makes. Private bus operators also run the route and can be booked through redBus and similar platforms.
The main advantage of the bus over the train is frequency — when all trains are booked, a bus is almost always available. The downside is that road travel between Bangalore and Mysore, particularly the section leaving Bangalore, can slow in peak-hour traffic.
By car or taxi
The drive from Bangalore to Mysore follows the Bangalore–Mysore Expressway (NH 275), a well-maintained highway that has cut journey times significantly compared to the old road. In comfortable traffic, the drive takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. Hiring a car and driver for the day is extremely popular, as it gives you the flexibility to stop at Srirangapatna (the historic island fortress of Tipu Sultan, just outside Mysore) or Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary along the way.
Outstation taxis can be booked through Ola and other local providers, as well as numerous tour operators. This makes most sense for groups or for anyone wanting to combine Mysore with other stops en route.
What to see in Mysore
The Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) is the main draw — a spectacular Indo-Saracenic palace that is one of India's most visited monuments. It is especially dramatic when illuminated on Sunday evenings and during the Mysore Dasara festival in October, when the city comes alive for ten days of processions, music and the famous elephant parade.
Beyond the palace, Chamundi Hills (the temple above the city, with panoramic views), Devaraja Market (flowers, sandalwood and silk) and Brindavan Gardens (a formal garden with evening light display on the KRS Dam, about 20 km outside the city) are all worth visiting. Mysore is also India's silk capital; the government-run Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) showroom is the most reliable place to buy genuine Mysore silk.
Mysore connects onward to Coorg (Kodagu) for coffee and hill scenery, and to Ooty across the border in Tamil Nadu — both reachable by road.
Which should you choose?
For most visitors, the Vande Bharat Express is the ideal choice if you can book in advance: fast, comfortable and leaving from a well-connected city station. If the Vande Bharat is full, other Indian Railways express trains are a solid alternative. The KSRTC Volvo bus is the best backup when trains are full, and the car hire option is best for groups or for those who want flexibility to stop along the way.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Vande Bharat Express take from Bangalore to Mysore?
The Vande Bharat Express covers the route in approximately 2 hours. It is the fastest rail service on the corridor but runs a limited number of times per day, so bookings sell out quickly on weekends.
How do I book an Indian Railways ticket as an international visitor?
The IRCTC website and app are the main booking channels. International visitors can create an IRCTC account using a foreign address and phone number, though the process can require some patience. The IRCTC Tourist Quota offers a small allocation of seats set aside for foreign nationals. Third-party sites and travel agents are alternatives if direct booking proves difficult.
Is the bus from Bangalore to Mysore comfortable?
KSRTC Airavata Volvo coaches and Karnataka Sarige premium services are air-conditioned and comfortable. Standard KSRTC buses are more basic. Book ahead through the KSRTC portal or apps like redBus for reserved seating on the better services.
Can I do Mysore as a day trip from Bangalore?
Yes, with an early start. A morning train, a full day at the palace and key sights, and an evening train back works well. Staying a night gives you more time, the Sunday palace illuminations or the evening Brindavan Gardens light show, and a slower pace.
Sources and further reading:
- Train schedules and booking: IRCTC official website and app.
- Bus services: KSRTC Karnataka official portal.
- Mysore Palace visitor information: Karnataka Tourism.