Hire an Ertiga from Mysore to Chikmagalur, with a driver
| Distance | 180 km |
|---|---|
| Drive time | 3h 45m off-peak · up to 4h 30m at busy times |
| One way, from | ₹4,200 incl. GST |
| Round trip, from | ₹7,707 incl. GST |
| Highway | via Hassan and Belur |
| Best departure | Leave by 6.30am to take Belur on the way |
How that fare is built
| Item | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Chargeable distance | 180 km | 360 km |
| Rate per km | ₹20 | ₹19 |
| Distance cost | ₹3,600 | ₹6,840 |
| Driver bata | ₹400 | ₹500 |
| Toll and parking | At actuals, with receipts — quoted on the call | |
| Sub-total | ₹4,000 | ₹7,340 |
| GST at 5% | ₹200 | ₹367 |
| Total, from | ₹4,200 | ₹7,707 |
One way is charged for your direction plus the minimum distance. A round trip charges both legs with the daily minimum applied — which is why the one-way total is lower even at a higher per-km rate. Prefer a single agreed figure with toll and permit folded in? Ask for an all-inclusive quote.
The approach with a temple on it
Chikmagalur is reachable from both Mysore and Bangalore, and the reason to write a separate page for the Mysore run is straightforward: from here, Belur is on your road.
The route goes via Hassan and Belur, which means the finest Hoysala stonework in Karnataka is a stop rather than a separate excursion. From Bangalore you can reach Chikmagalur without going near it.
So the recommendation for this route is not about the driving. It is: build two hours in for Belur, and if you have the appetite, Halebidu as well. The Chennakesava temple at Belur is banded with friezes of elephants and horsemen and epic scenes, with lathe-turned pillars inside that are each different. It is the sort of thing people fly to other countries for and drive past here.
What is at Chikmagalur
Coffee, and the hills it grows on. Chikmagalur is quieter and less developed than Coorg, which is its main appeal — the plantations are working farms rather than resorts with a few bushes.
Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, with a road most of the way and a short climb at the end; the ridge walk along to Baba Budangiri is the best half day in the district. Hebbe and Kalhatti falls both take some effort to reach, which keeps them pleasant. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary lies to the north for anyone wanting to add wildlife.
One practical warning worth more than any list: the roads inside the district are slow. Narrow, winding, and often single-track past estates. A plan with four stops in a day becomes a plan with two. Our drivers will reorder your list rather than let you discover that at four in the afternoon.
Why this route suits an Ertiga
Under four hours out with a stop at Belur, then narrow estate roads at the far end — where a smaller, more manoeuvrable car is a genuine advantage over something wide. Comfortable for four or five with a weekend’s luggage and the third row folded. Six adults for that long, followed by two days of slow single-track, is more than we would recommend from this car.
Still coming to this page: named toll plazas and amounts, named break stops. Those come from our own drivers rather than from a map, and we would rather leave them off than print a figure we have not checked. Ask on the call and we will tell you the toll for this route.
All bookings include a professional driver. We do not offer self-drive rentals.
Booking this route
We drive Chikmagalur to Mysore as well, at the same rate — the fare depends on the distance and the direction of travel, not on which end you start from. There is one page for both directions rather than two pages saying the same thing.
Related routes
Mysore to Chikmagalur — FAQs
Is Belur really on the way from Mysore?
Yes, and that is the distinguishing thing about this approach. The road runs via Hassan and Belur, so the Hoysala temple is a stop rather than an excursion. From Bangalore you reach Chikmagalur without passing it.
How long is the drive?
About three and three quarter hours without stops. Add two hours if you do Belur properly, which we would recommend — it turns a transfer into a day worth having.
Is a permit needed?
No. Both Mysore and Chikmagalur are in Karnataka.
Is it closer than from Bangalore?
Somewhat, and the bigger difference is what you pass. Bangalore's route is around four and a half hours through Hassan on the highway; Mysore's is under four and takes in Belur and Halebidu country on the way.
How much can we see in the district itself?
Less per day than you expect. The roads within Chikmagalur are narrow and slow, so two stops a day is realistic. Plan for that rather than fighting it.