Bangalore → Kodaikanal
Bangalore to Kodaikanal is about 465 km by road (9.5–11.6 hours via Krishnagiri and Salem), with a one-way fuel cost of about ₹3,720 for a petrol car.
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- Hill station
- Best: April–June (a summer escape) and September–October are the most popular
- Plan 3 days
Bangalore to Kodaikanal at a glance
- Distance
- ~465 km
- Drive time
- 9.5–11.6 h
- Fuel estimate
- ₹3,720
- Toll allowance
- ₹465
- Fuel + tolls
- ₹4,185
- Per person · 2 travellers
- ₹2,093
About these numbers: petrol ₹102/litre (17 Sep 2026) at 15 km/litre; ₹2/km toll allowance, not verified against NHAI rates. Method · Report an error
About the Bangalore to Kodaikanal drive
Kodaikanal, in the Palani Hills of Dindigul district, is one of South India's best-known hill stations, with a lake at its centre and long viewpoints over the plains.
Best time to visit Kodaikanal & how many days
Best months
April–June (a summer escape) and September–October are the most popular; December–February is cold but clear.
How long to plan
Bangalore to Kodaikanal route
Bangalore → Krishnagiri → Salem → Karur → Dindigul → Kodaikanal
Road: NH44 via Krishnagiri, Salem, Karur and Dindigul, then the Batlagundu ghat road up to Kodaikanal
Places to pause on the way
Tips for this drive
- The ghat road from Batlagundu climbs about 50 km of hairpin bends; allow 1.5–2 hours for it.
- Expect queues near the lake and Coaker's Walk on weekends and in April–May.
- Nights get cold from December to February; carry warm clothes.
- October–November brings the northeast monsoon and heavy rain in the hills.
Crosses from Karnataka into Tamil Nadu (ask taxis about permit charges).
Weather in Kodaikanal
Forecast: MET Norway, CC BY 4.0
Bus, train & flight
Bus
State bus operators: KSRTC Karnataka ↗ · TNSTC ↗.
Train
- Bangalore: Bangalore Cantonment or Bangalore City (KSR)
- Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal Road (about 80 km)
Flight options
- Bangalore: Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore (BLR)
- Kodaikanal: Madurai Airport (IXM), about 120 km
Things to do in Kodaikanal
Local food to try: Homemade Kodaikanal chocolates · Tamil meals and local bakeries.
Return trip: Kodaikanal to Bangalore
Same 465 km back, about ₹4,185 each way or ₹8,370 for the round trip.