Travelling to Karnataka
Overview
Karnataka is well-connected, accessible, and travel-friendly — whether you’re coming from another state or exploring within. From modern airports to scenic train routes and a wide road network, getting to and around Karnataka is convenient and filled with options.
Major Airports in Karnataka
Karnataka has 8 operational airports with scheduled commercial flights. Two of these serve both domestic and international sectors while others offer regional/domestic services.
| # | Airport Name | City | Code | Service | Major Airlines |
| 1 | Kempegowda International Airport (BIAL) | Bengaluru | BLR | Domestic & International | Air India, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, British Airways, Indigo, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia, Srilankan, Vistara, Spicejet, Ethiopian, Malindo Air |
| 2 | Bajpe International Airport | Mangaluru | IXE | Domestic & International | Air India Express, Indigo, Spicejet |
| 3 | Hubballi Airport | Hubballi | HBX | Domestic | Air India, Spicejet, Indigo |
| 4 | Belagavi Airport | Belagavi | IXG | Domestic | Air India, Spicejet |
| 5 | Kalaburagi Airport | Kalaburagi | GBI | Domestic | Star Air |
| 6 | Jindal Vijayanagara Airport | Ballary | VDY | Domestic | Trujet |
| 7 | Mysuru Airport | Mysuru | MYQ | Domestic | Air India, Trujet, Spicejet |
| 8 | Bidar Airport | Bidar | IXX | Domestic | Trujet |
Disclaimer: Flight schedules may vary from time to time at airline’s discretion. Please refer to respective airline websites to know latest schedule.
By Rail:
Karnataka is part of an extensive railway network with direct trains to and from most Indian states. Key junctions include Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, and Belagavi, making rail travel a scenic and cost-effective choice.
Local Transport Options
Buses:
- KSRTC has extensive network of bus services connecting all cities of Karnataka. Refer ksrtc.in for details.
- Within Bengaluru city, BMTC operates an extensive network of buses connecting all parts of city.
- Karnataka also has large network of private bus operators. These buses can be booked through your nearest travel agent, online on respective operator websites or on aggregators such as Redbus.in, Abhibus.in etc
- All cities/districts have their own network of local bus services.
Taxi:
Karnataka has large number of taxi operators, app based aggregators as well as self drive car and bike rental companies. Taxi can be booked online, via app, through a hotel/nearby travel agent or by walking into designated taxi stands in airports/railway stations.
Other options:
Autorickshaws are popular modes of commute for short distances. App based scooter rentals (such as Bounce), Cycle rentals (such as Trin Trin in Mysuru), Tonga in Mysuru, Metro service in Bengaluru are other popular options.
Travel Tips
- Plan your travel based on the season and region — for instance, coastal areas are best in winter, while hill stations are popular year-round.
- Book trains and flights in advance during festival seasons and holidays.
- If you’re planning to drive, make sure to carry a valid license and check for state permit rules for certain vehicles.