Karnataka
Travelers go to Karnataka for the boulder-strewn ruins of Hampi, the palace in Mysuru, and hill country that runs from the Western Ghats down to the Arabian Sea coast.
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Karnataka is a state in southwestern India with a coast on the Arabian Sea. Bengaluru is the capital. The land climbs from the coast into the Western Ghats hills, then flattens onto the Deccan plateau inland. Kannada is the state language, and it is the one you will see on most signs outside the big cities.
Hampi is the place to see the history: the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire's capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mysuru's palace shows the later royal era of the Wodeyar rulers. Coastal towns add their own food and temple traditions, and inland hill stations and wildlife areas suit a slower pace. Karnataka works for a trip that combines history, food and nature without a fixed route. Allow about a week to ten days to cover the main areas at a relaxed pace. October to February is the most comfortable window, with cooler days. March to May is hard going, especially inland.
Karnataka in five
- Get an e-Visa before you flyMost foreign visitors need an e-Visa or another visa before arriving in Karnataka. Apply through the official Indian e-Visa portal and check your eligibility there.Visas and entry
- Set up an eSIM and download offline mapsMobile data works in Bengaluru and Mysuru, but signal can drop around Hampi's boulders and on rural roads. Download offline maps before you leave the cities.Phones and eSIM
- Carry rupee cash for autos and small shopsAuto-rickshaws, temple stalls and village vendors often take only cash, so carry rupees.Money and costs
- Book trains to Hospet for HampiTrains to Hospet are the usual way to reach Hampi, about 13 km away. Book early for weekends and festival periods, using the official Indian Railways site or app.Getting around
- Dress and remove shoes at templesTemples and shrines ask visitors to remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf so you can enter a shrine in Hampi or Mysuru without a detour.Hampi
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Karnataka, the full guide
Bengaluru
- Price band: $$
Hampi
Hampi is the site of Vijayanagara, a 14th to 17th century capital set among boulder hills and river bends in Karnataka.
Mangaluru (Mangalore)
Mangaluru is a port city on the Arabian Sea in Karnataka, known for seafood, old churches and temples, with Udupi and Dharmasthala within reach by road.
Mysuru (Mysore)
Mysuru is the former royal capital of Karnataka in southern India, known for its palace, sandalwood and silk.
Things to do in Karnataka
See all attractions in Karnataka
Need to know
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)
- Entry
- e-Visa or visa for most foreign visitors; apply on the official portal Read more
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; 100 police, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Small tips for porters, drivers and guides
- Time
- UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryPleasant, dry
- MarchHot, dry
- AprilHot, dry
- MayHot, storms
- JuneMonsoon rains
- JulyMonsoon rains
- AugustMonsoon rains
- SeptemberWet, green
- OctoberMild, dry
- NovemberMild, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Karnataka
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Karnataka
04:07 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°21°20%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Wed31°22°33%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Thu30°22°33%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri30°21°37%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sat30°21°39%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun30°20°37%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Mon29°18°19%Monday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 19%.
Updated 03:03 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mysuruabout 3 hours by road from BengaluruMysuru Palace and Chamundi Hill, a common day trip from the city.Read the guide
- Hampiabout 6 to 8 hours by road from BengaluruBoulder-strewn ruins of the Vijayanagara capital; plan a night rather than a day return.Read the guide
- Mangaluruabout 6 to 7 hours by road from BengaluruA coastal city of beaches and temples, best as an overnight stop.Read the guide
Before you go to Karnataka
Rules for Karnataka, checked
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees before entering temples, mosques and dargahs.
- Hampi's monuments are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India; check its rules on filming, drones and entry before you visit.Source
- Liquor rules are set by the state, and some days are dry; check local rules before you buy alcohol.
Plan around Karnataka
Metro lines, cafés and the old city
Read the guideMysuruThe palace, Chamundi Hill and the old market
Read the guideHampiBoulder-strewn ruins of the Vijayanagara capital
Read the guideMangaluruThe coast, temples and seafood on the Arabian Sea
Read the guideGetting around KarnatakaTrains, buses, autos and when a driver helps
Read the guideVisas and entrye-Visa steps and what to carry at arrival
Read the guideKarnataka FAQ
How many days do you need in Karnataka?
Four to six days covers Bengaluru, Mysuru and Hampi, with a train or bus between them. Add Mangaluru if you want the coast, and give Hampi at least one overnight stay.
Can you reach Hampi without a car?
Yes. Take a train or bus to Hospet, then a local bus or auto to Hampi. The trip from Bengaluru is a long day, so book a night in Hampi rather than a day return.
What is the best month to visit Karnataka?
October to February is the most comfortable period across the state. Hampi and the inland plateau get hot from March to May, and the coast is wet during the monsoon from June to September.
Do you need a car to get around Karnataka?
Not for the main cities. Bengaluru has the metro and ride-hailing apps, Mysuru is easy by auto or bus, and trains link the big towns. A driver helps mainly for remote temples and the coast.
Can you pay by card in Karnataka?
Hotels and larger shops accept cards, but many small vendors and autos need cash. Carry rupees for daily spending and use cards for bigger bills.