Bandipur is close enough to Mysore that people sometimes treat it as an afterthought, a stop on the way to Ooty rather than a destination worth its own trip. That is a mistake if wildlife is what you are actually after. This guide covers the real distance, safari timings, and taxi fare so a Bandipur trip is planned properly instead of squeezed in as a quick roadside stop.
How Far Is Bandipur From Mysore, and How Long Does It Take
Bandipur National Park is about 80 km from Mysore on NH766, and the drive itself takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours on a normal day. It is the same road used for both the Ooty and Wayanad routes, so if you are combining a Bandipur safari with either of those trips, this stretch does double duty. Beku andre morning ge hogi, drivers often say, meaning if you actually want to see animals, go in the morning, since sightings drop noticeably once the afternoon heat sets in.
Bandipur Safari and Taxi Fare at a Glance
| What You Want to Know | Answer |
|---|---|
| Distance from Mysore | 80 km via NH766 |
| Travel time | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Morning safari window | 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM |
| Evening safari window | 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
| Sedan one-way fare | ₹11 to ₹12 per km |
| Safari booking | Karnataka Forest Department website or at the gate |
Booking the Safari Before You Book the Cab
This is the one step people get backwards. Safari slots at Bandipur fill up fast during the October to March season, and if you show up without a booking, you may end up waiting hours or missing the window entirely. Book your safari slot on the Karnataka Forest Department’s official portal first, then plan your cab timing around it, not the other way around. Morning safaris run 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM, and evening ones from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, with jeep and bus safari options depending on group size and budget.
Getting the Timing Right for a Morning Safari
If you want the 6:30 AM slot, you need to leave Mysore by 4:30 AM to 5 AM at the latest, since you also need buffer time to reach the gate at least 30 minutes early for ticket verification. This early a start is not for everyone, but it is genuinely when sightings are best, before the heat pushes animals deeper into cover. A more relaxed alternative is targeting the evening safari instead, leaving Mysore around 1 PM to 1:30 PM, which still gets you there comfortably with time to settle in before the 3:30 PM window.
A Real Trip: What Happens When You Skip the Morning Slot
A couple from Bangalore once booked their Bandipur trip assuming they could just walk up and join whichever safari had space. They reached the gate around 10 AM, past both the morning safari cutoff and well into the no-safari midday window, and ended up waiting nearly five hours for the evening slot. Munche book maadidre chennagirtitte, the driver told them afterward, meaning it would have gone much smoother with an advance booking. It is a small planning step that makes the difference between a wasted afternoon and a proper wildlife trip.
Which Safari Type Should You Pick
Jeep Safari
Smaller group, more flexibility to move through narrower forest trails, generally the preferred option if you specifically want tiger or leopard sightings around the waterhole zones.
Bus or Canter Safari
Larger group, guided by a naturalist, better suited for families or groups who want a more relaxed, informative ride through the forest without needing to book months in advance.
Combining Bandipur With a Longer Trip
Since Bandipur sits directly on the route to both Ooty and Wayanad, many travellers combine a morning safari here with onward travel the same day. If that is your plan, keep in mind the forest road closes to general traffic between 9 PM and 6 AM, so any onward evening drive needs to clear this stretch well before nightfall. Our Mysore to Ooty cab and Mysore to Wayanad cab pages both cover onward routes that pass through this same forest stretch.
What to Carry for a Bandipur Safari Day
- Valid ID proof for every traveller, required at safari ticket verification.
- Earthy-coloured clothing, khaki, olive, or beige, to avoid startling wildlife.
- Binoculars, if you have them, since bird and distant animal sightings benefit far more from these than a phone camera.
- Water and a light breakfast, especially for the early morning slot when nothing is open near the gate yet.
Common Questions About the Bandipur Safari Trip
How far is Bandipur from Mysore?
About 80 km via NH766, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road on a normal traffic day.
What are the Bandipur safari timings?
Morning safaris run 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and evening safaris run 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. No safaris operate outside these windows.
Do I need to book the safari in advance?
Yes, especially during October to March. Booking through the Karnataka Forest Department website ahead of time avoids long waits or missing the slot entirely.
What time should I leave Mysore for a morning safari?
By 4:30 AM to 5 AM to comfortably reach the gate 30 minutes before the 6:30 AM slot, accounting for ticket verification.
Is Bandipur worth visiting as a standalone trip, or only as a stop on the way to Ooty?
It is worth its own dedicated visit if wildlife sightings are your priority, since squeezing it in as a quick stop usually means missing both safari windows.
Can I combine Bandipur with a Wayanad or Ooty trip the same day?
Yes, both routes pass through the same forest stretch. Just plan around the 9 PM to 6 AM road closure if your onward travel extends into the evening.
Book Your Bandipur Safari Taxi
Mysore Taxi Seva runs this route often enough to know the safari timings inside out, and our drivers can help you plan the cab schedule around whichever slot you manage to book.
Contact Us
- Address: 285/1, Dewans Road, Opposite Marimallappa School, Chamaraja Mohalla, Mysuru, Karnataka 570024
- Call: +91-7353443366
- Email: info@mysoretaxiseva.com
- Google Reviews: Read verified reviews
Planning your safari day? Contact us once your safari slot is booked, or check the Bandipur cab page for the full fare details.