Wayanad can be accessed by Air, Rail and by Road; the most popular being the road option with major chunk of tourists coming from Bengaluru in Karnataka.
By Air: One of the best ways to reach Wayanad via Air. Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode is 98 kms from Wayanad with a drive time of 3 hours. Kannur International Airport is the other option located 95 kms away from Wayanad with a. Beautiful drive of 2.5 hrs. You can take a flight to Kozhikode or Kannur, which are well connected to most cities in the country as well as the Middle East. There are cabs available in the airport that you can access to arrive at Wayanad.
By Train: If you wish to go to Wayanad via train then you need to first book a train to Kozhikode. This is the nearest railway station and is about ninety kilometres from Wayanad. It is two hours’ drive from Kozhikode to Wayanad with spectacular landscapes and natural beauty throughout the stretch.
By Road: Wayanad is well connect by road network rom all three states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka and many state transports are accessible from Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mysore, Kozhikode, Kochi and Trivandrum that will take you to Wayanad. The drive by the Western Ghats is appealing and adventurous. There are lovely roads that lead you to Wayanad.
There are 3 routes from Bangalore to Wayanad.
Route 1: Bangalore – Mysore – Hunsur- Nagarhole – Kutta – Kartikulam – Mananthavady
Route 2: Bangalore – Mysore – HD Kote – Bavali – Kartikulam – Mananthavady
Route 3: Bangalore – Mysore – Gundlupet – Muthanga (Bandipur forest) – Sulthan Bathery
Few important tips to keep in mind when driving from Bangalore to Wayanad.
- Plan your trip so that you will exit the Bandipur forest road before the closing time. You cannot drive through the forests after 9 pm. Once the roads are closed, the gates will be opened only at 6 am.
- The best time to spot animals is early morning. If you can reach the forest entrance just before 6 am and if you are one of the first few vehicles to enter the forest, you will have much higher chances of spotting animals.
- If you prefer to go by bus, you can reach Wayanad and rent a self-drive rental car. Self-drive rental cars are becoming popular and there are many options available. Some of them have offices in Wayanad and will deliver the car to you at the bus stop.
Do not exit your vehicle in the forest area. Animals may approach you unexpectedly and avoid taking such risks since help may not reach you immediately in case something goes wrong.
