Kodaikanal trip from Bangalore

About Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is farther than the Karnataka hill stations, so it works best as a three-day trip with a comfortable first day for the drive. Mist, pine forests and a star-shaped lake define the town.

Winter nights are cold; the summer months are mild and popular with families.

Things to do in Kodaikanal

• Kodaikanal Lake and boating
• Coaker's Walk viewpoint
• Pillar Rocks and Guna Caves viewpoints
• Bryant Park
• Silver Cascade and nearby waterfalls

Who Kodaikanal suits

Families and couples who want a long, slow hill-station holiday.

Getting to Kodaikanal from Bengaluru

The nearest railway station is Kodai Road, about 80 km below the hills, and Madurai, about 120 km away, has the nearest major airport. Most visitors from Bengaluru drive via Salem and Dindigul. The road climbs through hairpin bends, so daylight arrival is best.

A sample plan for Kodaikanal

Day one: drive up and walk around the lake in the evening. Day two: Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rocks and Bryant Park. Day three: Silver Cascade and a slow morning before the long drive back.

Planning tips for Kodaikanal

• Plan a daylight arrival, because the road up has many bends.
• Carry warm clothing for the evenings.
• Expect crowds on weekends and holidays.

Good to know before you go

Because the drive from Bengaluru is long, many travellers break the journey with a night in Salem or Dindigul and arrive fresh. If you prefer to drive straight through, start before sunrise and plan to reach the hill road in daylight. Tell us which option you prefer and we plan it that way.

Stays and planning

Stays we recommend here include Tamara Kodaikanal. Availability and the final price are confirmed by the TripBanao team when you enquire. See our stays in Kodaikanal.