Mangalore is aptly called the Gateway to Karnataka, strategically placed between the Arabian Sea on the west and the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats on the east. The metropolitan which is one of the country’s fastest growing cities is a tourist hub. Mangalore is the major port city of the coastal region of Dakshina Kannada, bordered by Udupi on the north, Hassan on the east, Kodagu on the southeast, Chikkamagalur to the northeast and Kerala’s Kasaragod on the south.

Take a break from the run-of-the-mill routine of everyday life with a hassle free trip to the seaside city of Mangalore which is well connected by air, rail, road and by sea, as well. The easiest way to reach Mangalore would be by air.

Mangalore International, also called Bajpe Airport is a hilltop airport. It serves domestic flights to cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi and Hyderabad. It flies international to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Muscat and Doha. To get to the city from the airport, you can hire a cab or rent one through the airport’s online booking portal.

Mangalore’s cruise terminal at the New Mangalore Port is about 10 km from the city. There are a host of cities around the world like Dubai, Male, Miami, Abu Dhabi ,Thailand and Singapore whose cruise ships dock at Mangalore, so you can explore the city before departure. The cruise can book a shuttle service from the terminal to your destination.  There is a cab stand and a public bus station at the exit point. You could even hire an auto rickshaw. Privately booked cabs might be allowed to come to the cruise terminal to pick you up at the pier.

Mangalore is well connected to most major cities around the country. Navyug Express (Jammu Tawi-Thirunelveli), Matsya Gandha (Lokmanya Tilak-Mangalore) and Bikaner AC Express (Abu Road-Mangalore) are few of the trains that halt at Mangalore, but then you have a wide choice of trains. Mangalore’s two major railway stations are the Mangalore Central Railway Station at Hampankatta and Mangaluru Junction at Padil. Mangalore serves both Southern and Konkan railways.

KSRTC and private Super Deluxe, Semi Deluxe and Express buses run from most major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Goa and Hyderabad to Mangalore. Otherwise you could drive your car or hire a cab from Bengaluru (351km), Kasaragod (51km) or Goa (355km).

Mangalore has auto rickshaws and app based cabs for hire. There are two main bus stations for long distance trips, one in the north of Mangalore and the other behind Town Hall. There are city buses that run within the city, apart from service buses for the neighbouring towns and express buses with limited stops that travel to places like Udupi, Kasaragod, Sullia and Moodabidri. You can rent cars, motorbikes or a minivan, if travelling in a group.