Sitting at 2000 meters, the ‘Princess of Hills Stations’ is a beauty that truly is a joy forever. Kodaikanal, commonly referred to as Kodai, is among the top places to explore in Tamil Nadu. It is a quiet and serene place and not commercialized like Ooty; it offers a pleasant experience to tourists with a comparatively low crowd. The new and modern Kodaikanal was recognized by British bureaucrats in 1845, as an escape from the high temperatures of the plains. In the 20th century, Indians started visiting this enchanting hill station and it started becoming popular among hill lovers.
Table of Contents:
- Why travel from Bangalore to Kodaikanal?
- Traveling from Bangalore to Kodaikanal by car
- Best Time To Visit
- Popular Routes from Bangalore to Kodaikanal
- Other means of traveling from Bangalore to Kodaikanal
- Attractions in Kodaikanal for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Kodaikanal
- Hotels and Resorts in Kodaikanal
Why travel from Bangalore to Kodaikanal?
Kodaikanal invites all kinds of travelers to explore its natural beauty and old-world charm. But the real highlight of this lush green hamlet is how you travel there. The best way to experience a journey to Kodaikanal is to do a road trip from Bangalore. When you book a car rental from Bangalore with Savaari, you can not only have that kind of journey but also customize your entire trip, the itinerary, and make it an incredible travel experience!
Traveling from Bangalore to Kodaikanal by car
The road from Bangalore to Kodaikanal lets you slowly escape from the city into pure nature. The route passes through suburbs and small towns of Tamil Nadu and into the quieter and greener locales, with fascinating nature and tourist spots along the way. Experience the freedom to explore and enjoy quick sightseeing at any of your desired destinations with Savaari’s Bangalore taxi service and fully customizable Bangalore to Kodaikanal trip packages. Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Bangalore to Kodaikanal by car.
Best Time To Visit
Being surrounded by the hills and forests of the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal enjoys pleasant weather most parts of the year. But the ideal time to visit this hilly town is from winter through spring. Summers are also comfortable to travel to but can be a little humid. Some people also like traveling to Kodaikanal during the monsoons. But do watch caution while driving around hilly areas during heavy rains.
Popular Routes from Bangalore to Kodaikanal
Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Kodaikanal via NH 44
This is the shortest and the best route to travel between Bangalore and Kodaikanal. It is also the fastest, because the Bangalore to Kodaikanal traffic on this route is very minimal and there are no road closures as of April 2021. The distance between Bangalore and Kodaikanal on this route is somewhere around 466 KM and takes roughly 9 hours. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Bangalore to Kodaikanal road conditions.
Here’s the basic route map from Bangalore to Kodaikanal
| Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Salem – Karur – Dindigul – Kodaikanal |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route
- Rajaji Memorial House, Thorapalli Agraharam – Birthplace & former house of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India.
- Archeological Museum, Krishnagiri – State-run museum housing archeological evidence and historical information, artifacts etc. of the town.
- Chenraya Perumal Temple, Jettihalli – An ancient temple site with ruins, showcasing classic Indian rock-cut architecture, good for a quick tour for art lovers.
- Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple, Salem – 500-year-old historical Shiva temple, known for its soaring towers, quaint gardens, and venue for religious festivals.
- Paravasa Ulagam, Salem – A locally famous water-themed park, good for kids and family, works as a great overnight break on a long drive.
- Dindigul Rock Fort, Dindigul – A historical site with ruins of a 17th-century hill fort, with views, arsenal depots, and a temple with sculptures and carvings.
Places to eat along this route
- Saravana Bhavan, Avanathanapatti – Local diner serving traditional vegetarian meals, in both North and South Indian cuisines, good for families and big groups.
- Saravana Bhavan, Vedasandur – Local eatery serving traditional South Indian meals, in conventional settings.
- Grills by the Promenade, Salem – Upscale restaurant in Radisson Hotel, serving multi-cuisine meals, grilled food, great for families.
- The Cascade, Salem – Locally popular Chinese restaurant, kid-friendly, good for late-night food.
- Seasons – All-day Restaurant, Salem – 24-hour restaurant located in a hotel, serving multi-cuisine and buffet meals, good for late night stops, kid-friendly.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Dindigul – Famous chain restaurant specializing in ethnic style biryani and non-vegetarian fare.
Bangalore to Kodaikanal Road Condition via Route 1
The Bangalore to Kodaikanal road condition via route 1 is excellent. It is the fastest route, has tolls but no road closures.
Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Kodaikanal via NH 44 & NH 544
This is a shorter distance to travel from Bangalore to Kodaikanal than the previous route but the route takes a little more time. Also, the road conditions on this route are variable. The distance from Bangalore to Kodaikanal on this route is around 450 KM and takes over 9 hours. To avoid road closures, always check for latest updates and follow a live map when traveling to get best idea of Bangalore to Kodaikanal road conditions.
Here’s the basic route map from Bangalore to Kodaikanal
| Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Dharmapuri – Erode – Palani – Kodaikanal |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route
- Rajaji Memorial House, Thorapalli Agraharam – Birthplace & former house of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India.
- Archeological Museum, Krishnagiri – State-run museum housing archeological evidence and historical information, artifacts etc. of the town.
- Thindal Murugan Temple, Thindal – Locally revered temple and sacred site, sitting atop a hill, known for great views.
Places to eat along this route
- Saravana Bhavan, Avanathanapatti – Local diner serving traditional vegetarian meals, in both North and South Indian cuisines, good for families and big groups.
- Saravana Bhavan, Vedasandur – Local eatery serving traditional South Indian meals, in a conventional setting.
- Thottathu Virunthu, Erode – Village-themed highway side eatery, known for serving traditional meal plates in a rustic setting.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Dharapuram – Famous chain restaurant specializing in ethnic style biriyani and non-vegetarian fare.
Bangalore to Kodaikanal Road Condition via Route 2
The Bangalore to Kodaikanal road condition via route 2 is good. Although it is the shorter route, it takes longer time than the previous route. This route has tolls and possible road closures.
Bangalore to Kodaikanal Best Route
Both the above routes are good for traveling from Bangalore to Kodaikanal. Each of these routes have interesting stop overs. However, if you want to save time and still have a scenic drive, then Route 1 is your best option.
Other means of traveling from Bangalore to Kodaikanal
How to Reach Kodaikanal By Train
You can also travel from Bangalore to Kodaikanal by train. There are 2 weekly trains and 1 daily train that run from Bangalore to Kodaikanal. The train distance from Bangalore to Kodaikanal is about 446 KM and could take nearly a day, depending on the train. The fastest train is TUTICORIN EXP (16236). For all train bookings from Bangalore to Kodaikanal, visit any online travel portal or Indian Railways’ website for latest information.
How to Reach Kodaikanal By Flight
There is no direct flight service between Bangalore to Kodaikanal. The nearest airport service is at Madurai International Airport (IXM), about 120 KM away. You can book a flight to Madurai from Bangalore and drive the rest of the distance to reach Kodaikanal. For your Bangalore to Kodaikanal flight booking, visit any online travel portal or check with airline’s direct website. You can book a convenient Madurai airport to Kodaikanal cab and reach your destination in about 3 hours. While combing back to Bangalore by flight, consider booking our reliable Bangalore airport taxi for a convenient and comfortable ride to your destination.
Attractions in Kodaikanal for Sightseeing
- With its endless natural wonders of lakes, hills, forests, and adventure options, this quiet town is as exotic as it can get.
- Solar Observatory Museum – A local museum and observatory housing astronomical instruments.
- Kodaikanal Lake –The highlight of the town and the hub of adventures like boating, kayaking, or do horse riding and cycling across the nature trails.
- Coaker’s Walk – A popular lakeside promenade with walkways and vantage points for mountain views.
- Dolphin Nose Point – A hilltop viewing point, known for panoramic views of the hills, sunsets/sunrises, and general photo ops.
- Silver Cascade Falls – A steep, rocky waterfall surrounded by greenery.
- Bryant Park – A manmade lake with a recreational park and boating options.
- Guna Caves – A cluster of massive, naturally-formed caves and is inhabited by bats.
- Green Valley View Point – A viewing point at the top of a cliff, surrounded by pine forests, good for picnics and day treks.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Kodaikanal
- When it comes to food, the flavors of Kodai are a heady mix of local, national, and international, owing to its huge international traveler community.
- These are some of the best-rated places to eat in Kodaikanal –
- Silver Oak Restaurant (At The Carlton), The Carlton Hotel, Lake Rd
- Cloud Street, 1st Floor, Opposite Govt. Tourist Office, P.T. Road, Sunday Market Road
- Nia’s Garden, Convent Rd, Brooklyn
- Ten Degrees, Poet Tyagaraja Rd
- Altaf’s Café, Dolphin Nose Road, Vattakanal
For a detailed offbeat recommendation list, refer to our travel guide for Kodaikanal & enjoy your road trip to the fullest.
Hotels and Resorts in Kodaikanal
| Place Name | Address | Phone Number |
| Red Lynch | Tapps Road, Lake Rd, near Sterling Resorts, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 098942 40630 |
| SaffronStays Kurinji Estate, Kodaikanal | Kurinji Temple Road, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 022 6811 0811 |
| The Tamara Kodai | #22, La Providence, St Mary’s Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 08071 077 701 |
| Hotel Raindrops | Boat House Road Seven Road junction, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 098652 83788 |
| The Fern Creek | No. 212/118, Fern Hill Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 089398 48741 |
Things to Keep in Mind
- Avoid driving/riding bikes on hilly roads in heavy rains.
- For high-intensity treks and outdoor sports, always accompany a professional guide/group.
- Try to make the most of daylight hours when in hilly locales, most places shut earlier.
- If you are renting a car, keep the vehicle with you all through the trip, local transportation is not as frequent as in cities.
- Pandemic rules may affect visiting hours of tourist sites and restaurants. Check online or call before you visit.
Savaari Safety Tips for Road Trips from Haridwar to Rishikesh
- Carry all hygiene-related items – sanitizer, masks, disinfectant sprays and a bed sheet to cover the seat with, while traveling.
- Use a hand sanitizer before and after your ride.
- Install the Aarogya Setu app before your trip.
- Running the AC continuously during the trip is not recommended. If you were to use the AC, please ensure that it is run in the recirculated mode and the windows are lowered at frequent intervals.
- Dispose of any tissues or pieces of cloth that you may have used outside the car.
- If you have opted for a car rental service, try to load your luggage in the boot of the car yourself to ensure a zero-contact ride.
- Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the driver.
Download our savaari car rental app for a smooth and pleasant journey.
