Bengaluru is surrounded by some of the best short trips in South India. Coffee estates, ancient temples, palace cities, forest reserves, river islands and misty hill stations are all a few hours away. Best of all, many places near Bengaluru are cheap to reach by KSRTC bus or train, and budget homestays are everywhere.
This guide lists the cheapest places to visit near Bengaluru for two days. Each pick includes the distance, what to see, costs and tips, followed by sample plans, a budget table and advice on stays and food.
Why Bengaluru Is a Great Base
- KSRTC buses run to almost every town in Karnataka, often every few minutes.
- Trains reach Mysuru, Hampi, Tumakuru and beyond.
- Highways lead to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
- Low costs: many two-day trips near Bengaluru cost ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 per person.
Quick Table: Cheapest Places Near Bengaluru
| Place | Distance | Highlight | 2-day cost (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysuru and Srirangapatna | ~145 km | Palace, gardens, fort | ₹2,000–3,500 |
| Coorg | ~260 km | Coffee estates, waterfalls | ₹3,000–4,500 |
| Chikmagalur | ~245 km | Coffee hills, treks | ₹3,000–4,500 |
| Hampi | ~340 km | Ruins, boulders | ₹2,500–4,000 |
| Belur and Halebidu | ~220 km | Hoysala temples | ₹2,000–3,500 |
| Nandi Hills | ~60 km | Sunrise viewpoint | ₹500–1,200 |
| Lepakshi | ~120 km | Hanging pillar temple | ₹600–1,500 |
| Shivanasamudra | ~135 km | Waterfalls | ₹800–1,800 |
The Cheapest Places to Visit Near Bengaluru
1. Mysuru and Srirangapatna
Mysuru is the most popular trip near Bengaluru. Trains take under three hours. See the Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hill, the zoo and Brindavan Gardens. On the way, stop at Srirangapatna for Tipu Sultan’s fort, Daria Daulat Bagh summer palace and the Ranganathaswamy temple. The palace is lit up on Sunday evenings and holidays.
2. Coorg (Kodagu)
Coorg is coffee country, full of misty hills, waterfalls and homestays. Visit Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, the Namdroling Monastery’s Golden Temple near Kushalnagar and the Dubare elephant camp. Homestays with Kodava meals give the best value. Read Coorg on a Budget: Affordable Homestays and Nature Activities.
3. Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is where coffee first grew in India. Trek to Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, visit Baba Budangiri and see Hebbe and Jhari waterfalls. Homestays on estates are cosy and affordable.
4. Hampi
Hampi is a little far, but the overnight Hampi Express makes it perfect for two days. Explore the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal and Matanga Hill. Rent a bicycle and stay in budget guesthouses. Read Hampi on a Budget: Cheap Accommodation and Heritage Sightseeing.
5. Belur and Halebidu
These twin towns hold some of the finest Hoysala temples. The Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu are covered in incredibly detailed carvings. They were recently listed among UNESCO’s Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas. Shravanabelagola, with its giant Gommateshwara statue, is nearby.
6. Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills is the closest escape near Bengaluru. Go before dawn to watch the sunrise above a sea of clouds. Tipu’s Drop and the old temples make a quick, cheap morning trip. Check vehicle entry rules and timings before you go.
7. Lepakshi
Lepakshi, just across the border in Andhra Pradesh, has the Veerabhadra Temple with a famous “hanging pillar” and beautiful ceiling paintings. A giant Nandi statue stands nearby. It is a cheap day trip.
8. Shivanasamudra and Talakadu
Shivanasamudra’s Gaganachukki and Bharachukki falls are spectacular after the monsoon. Talakadu, with temples half-buried in sand, is a strange and fascinating stop nearby.
9. Kabini and Nagarhole
Kabini, on the edge of Nagarhole National Park, is a famous wildlife area. Jungle Lodges’ properties are costly, but government safari buses from Nagarhole and budget stays in nearby towns keep it affordable.
10. Bandipur and Ooty
Bandipur National Park sits on the way to Ooty. Ooty itself has the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, lakes and gardens. KSRTC buses run often. It is a classic hill trip near Bengaluru.
11. Yercaud
Yercaud, in Tamil Nadu, is a quiet hill station about five hours away. It is cheaper and calmer than Ooty.
12. Skandagiri and Savandurga
These rocky hills near Bengaluru are popular for night and sunrise treks. They are cheap and good for fitness lovers.
13. Melukote
Melukote is a peaceful hilltop temple town with old stepwells and the Cheluvanarayana Swamy temple. It is rarely crowded.
Sample Plans Near Bengaluru
Plan 1: Mysuru and Srirangapatna
- Day 1: Early train to Mysuru, stopping at Srirangapatna on the way. Palace in the evening.
- Day 2: Chamundi Hill, the zoo and Brindavan Gardens. Evening train back.
Cost: ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 per person.
Plan 2: Coorg Coffee Weekend
- Night 0: Overnight KSRTC bus to Madikeri.
- Day 1: Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat and Madikeri Fort.
- Day 2: Dubare and the Golden Temple. Bus back.
Cost: ₹3,000 to ₹4,500 per person.
Plan 3: Hoysala Temples
- Day 1: Bus to Hassan. Belur and Halebidu.
- Day 2: Shravanabelagola. Bus back.
Cost: ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 per person.
Budget Breakdown for Trips Near Bengaluru
| Item | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| Bus or train (return) | ₹300–1,500 |
| 1 night stay | ₹600–1,500 |
| Food | ₹500–900 |
| Entries and local transport | ₹200–700 |
| Total | ₹1,600–4,600 |
How to Travel Cheaply to Places Near Bengaluru
- KSRTC buses from Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station) and Satellite bus stand.
- Trains to Mysuru and Hosapete.
- Shared cars for Nandi Hills, Lepakshi and Shivanasamudra.
Where to Stay Near Bengaluru
- Mysuru: budget hotels near the bus stand and palace.
- Coorg and Chikmagalur: homestays on coffee estates.
- Hampi: guesthouses near the bazaar.
- Hassan: budget hotels for Belur and Halebidu.
What to Eat Near Bengaluru
Try Mysore pak and masala dosa in Mysuru, pandi curry and akki roti in Coorg, filter coffee in Chikmagalur and simple North Karnataka meals in Hampi. Meals cost ₹100 to ₹250 on most trips near Bengaluru.
Money-Saving Tips for Trips Near Bengaluru
- Travel by KSRTC buses or trains.
- Stay in homestays with meals included.
- Visit on weekdays for lower rates.
- Share cars for short trips.
- Carry snacks and water.
For more ideas, read Budget Travel in India: Daily Costs for Food, Transport and Accommodation and Coorg on a Budget: Affordable Homestays and Nature Activities.
Best Time to Visit Places Near Bengaluru
- October to February: best weather for most places.
- July to September: waterfalls and green coffee country.
- March to May: hot in Hampi; hills stay cooler.
Mistakes to Avoid Near Bengaluru
- Visiting Nandi Hills on a weekend sunrise without planning. Queues can be long.
- Booking Coorg on long weekends. Prices double.
- Ignoring monsoon road warnings in the Western Ghats.
- Rushing Hampi. It needs at least two days.
Places Near Bengaluru for Different Travellers
- Families: Mysuru’s palace and zoo, Coorg’s elephant camp and Shivanasamudra’s falls are great places near Bengaluru for children.
- Couples: Coorg and Chikmagalur estate homestays, Yercaud’s quiet lake and Nandi Hills at sunrise.
- History lovers: Hampi, Belur, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola, Lepakshi and Srirangapatna.
- Trekkers: Mullayanagiri, Kudremukh, Skandagiri, Savandurga and Tadiandamol in Coorg.
- Wildlife lovers: Kabini, Nagarhole, Bandipur and the BR Hills.
Day Trips Near Bengaluru
When you only have a day, these places near Bengaluru work well:
- Nandi Hills: sunrise above the clouds, back by breakfast.
- Lepakshi: temple art and the giant Nandi, about two hours away.
- Ramanagara: rocky hills famous from old films, good for short climbs.
- Shivanasamudra and Talakadu: waterfalls and sand-covered temples.
- Melukote: a calm temple town with stepwells.
Most cost under ₹1,500 per person with a shared car.
Seasonal Guide
From October to February, the weather near Bengaluru is perfect for treks, temples and Hampi. The monsoon months of July to September bring roaring waterfalls and green coffee estates, though the Western Ghats get heavy rain. Summer from March to May is hot in Hampi and the plains, but Coorg, Chikmagalur and Ooty stay pleasant.
Packing Tips
Carry light layers, a rain jacket in the monsoon, good walking shoes for treks and ruins, a scarf for temples, insect repellent for coffee country and a refillable water bottle.
Quick Tips Before You Go
Leave early. City traffic is the biggest delay. Book KSRTC buses online for weekends. Carry a light jacket for the hills. Pack a rain cover in the monsoon. Keep cash for small homestays. Book coffee estate stays a week ahead on long weekends. Eat local. Share rides. Keep Sunday evening free for the journey home. These small steps make trips near Bengaluru easy and cheap.
How Much Should You Budget?
Most two-day trips cost ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 per person. Day trips like Nandi Hills or Lepakshi cost under ₹1,500. Coffee estate homestays cost a little more but often include meals. Groups save the most by sharing cars and rooms. Solo travellers save by using buses, trains and hostels. A simple rule works well: spend on one special stay or experience, and keep everything else simple.
Weekend Trips Near Bengaluru by Distance
- Under 2 hours: Nandi Hills, Skandagiri, Savandurga, Ramanagara.
- 2 to 3 hours: Mysuru, Lepakshi, Shivanasamudra, Melukote.
- 4 to 6 hours: Coorg, Chikmagalur, Belur, Halebidu, Yercaud, Ooty.
- Overnight: Hampi, Gokarna and Kabini.
Why These Trips Stay Cheap
Karnataka’s bus network is one of the best in India. Fares are low. Buses are frequent. Homestays often include food. Many temples and viewpoints are free. That is why trips near Bengaluru cost less than most weekend breaks in other big cities. Choose a place, check the bus timings and go.
Final Checklist
Book KSRTC buses for Friday nights, carry a rain jacket in the monsoon, pack leech socks for coffee country and keep cash for estate homestays near Bengaluru.
A Note on Long Weekends
Long weekends turn the roads out of the city into slow queues, and homestays near Bengaluru raise prices. If you must travel then, book two weeks ahead, leave before dawn and pick lesser-known spots like Melukote, Yercaud or Kotagiri instead of Coorg and Chikmagalur.
Sample Budget for Two Friends: Coorg
Two friends taking the overnight KSRTC bus to Madikeri spend about ₹1,200 each on return tickets. A shared homestay room with breakfast costs about ₹2,000 a night, or ₹1,000 each. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants cost around ₹500 each per day. An autorickshaw for half a day of sightseeing costs about ₹800 to share. The whole weekend comes to roughly ₹3,500 each, a typical figure for trips near Bengaluru.
Frequently Asked Questions About Places Near Bengaluru
What are the best two-day trips near Bengaluru?
Mysuru, Coorg, Chikmagalur, Hampi and Belur–Halebidu are top picks near Bengaluru.
Which is the cheapest trip near Bengaluru?
Nandi Hills, Lepakshi and Skandagiri are the cheapest.
Which hill station is closest to Bengaluru?
Nandi Hills is the closest. Coorg, Chikmagalur and Yercaud are the best full hill stations.
Can I visit Hampi from Bengaluru in two days?
Yes, with the overnight Hampi Express train.
When is the best time for waterfalls near Bengaluru?
July to October, after the monsoon rains.
Final Thoughts
There is no shortage of cheap places near Bengaluru for a two-day escape. Choose coffee hills, palace cities or ancient temples, and enjoy Karnataka’s beauty without spending much. For more ideas, read Coorg on a Budget: Affordable Homestays and Nature Activities and Hampi on a Budget: Cheap Accommodation and Heritage Sightseeing.