One Day Trip from Bangalore — 14 Best Places to Visit

Bangalore sits within easy reach of an unusually wide spread of day-trip options — sunrise hilltops, ancient temples with centuries of history, wildlife parks, monolithic rock hills, waterfalls, and even a 16th-century coffee-country palace town. None of these need an overnight stay; with an early start and a comfortable cab, you can be back home the same evening.

This guide rounds up 14 of the best one day trips from Bangalore, organised by what kind of day you're after — spiritual and heritage sites, hills and trekking spots, family and wildlife outings, and waterfalls. For five of these we've published full visitor guides with detailed fares, routes, and timings; for the rest, you'll find distance, what to expect, and how to plan your visit right here.

All 14 Destinations at a Glance

A quick reference table to help you pick a destination based on distance and what you're looking for.

Distances are approximate, measured from central Bangalore. Tap "Book" next to any destination to get an instant fare quote and confirm your cab on WhatsApp.

Spiritual & Heritage Day Trips

Temples and historic sites that combine a meaningful visit with an easy, well-paved drive from the city.

🕉️ Adiyogi, Chikkaballapur

~65 km

The 112-foot Shiva statue at Isha Foundation's campus, with a daily 7:15 PM light show and completely free entry. One of the most accessible spiritual day trips from Bangalore.

Read the full Adiyogi guide →

🛕 Kotilingeshwara, Kolar

~100 km

One of the tallest Shivalingas in the world, surrounded by over 90 lakh smaller lingas at Kammasandra village. Entry ₹20, open 6 AM–9 PM.

Read the full Kotilingeshwara guide →

🛕 Lepakshi Temple

~125 km

A 16th-century Vijayanagara-era temple in Andhra Pradesh, famous for its gravity-defying hanging pillar and a 27-foot monolithic Nandi statue. Free entry.

Read the full Lepakshi guide →

Hills, Sunrise & Trekking Day Trips

For early risers — these spots reward a 4–5 AM departure with cool air, panoramic views, and far fewer crowds.

🌄 Nandi Hills

~60 km

Bangalore's favourite sunrise point at 1,478 metres, with a famous sea-of-clouds view, Tipu Sultan's fort, and a popular cycling climb.

Read the full Nandi Hills guide →

⛰️ Skandagiri

~60 km

A popular night-trek destination — climb in darkness and reach the hilltop fort ruins just before sunrise for a cloud-top view. Night treks require advance booking through the Forest Department.

🪨 Savandurga

~50–70 km

One of Asia's largest monolithic hills, rising around 1,200 metres. A challenging but rewarding day trek, also popular for birdwatching and sunset views near the Savandurga dam.

🎬 Ramanagara

~50 km

The granite hills made famous by the Bollywood classic Sholay. A favourite for rock climbing, rappelling, and a quick adventure-sport day trip close to the city.

Wildlife & Family Day Trips

Easy, close-to-city options that work well with kids and don't need an early start.

🦁 Bannerghatta National Park

~22 km

A zoo, safari park, and butterfly park rolled into one, just outside the city. One of the easiest and most kid-friendly day trips on this list.

🎢 Wonderla Bangalore

~28 km

A full-day amusement and water park with rides for every age group — a reliable choice when the plan is simply a fun family outing rather than sightseeing.

🌳 Big Banyan Tree

~28 km

A single, centuries-old banyan tree (Dodda Alada Mara) that has spread into what looks like a small forest. A quick, easy stop — often combined with other nearby spots.

🪀 Channapatna

~60 km

Karnataka's "Toy Town," famous for centuries-old lacquered wooden toy craftsmanship. Visit a workshop, watch artisans at work, and pick up souvenirs en route to Mysore.

Waterfalls & City Day Trips

💧 Shivanasamudra Falls

~120–135 km

A dramatic segmented waterfall on the Kaveri river, at its most spectacular during and just after the monsoon, roughly July to December.

🌊 Hogenakal Falls

~130 km

Nicknamed the "Niagara of India," this Kaveri river waterfall on the Tamil Nadu border is famous for its traditional coracle (round boat) rides through the rocky gorge. Best between October and March.

👑 Mysore

~145 km

The classic Bangalore day trip — Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Srirangapatna, and Brindavan Gardens, all covered in a single well-planned day with an early start.

Read the full Mysore day-trip itinerary →

Planning Tips for a One Day Trip from Bangalore

• Start early. Leaving by 5–6 AM beats traffic on the way out and gives you the most time at your destination, especially for sunrise spots like Nandi Hills and Skandagiri.
• Keep total distance realistic. Destinations under 100 km leave more time to explore; anything past 120–145 km (Lepakshi, Mysore, Shivanasamudra) means most of the day is genuinely a day trip, not a half-day add-on.
• Book trekking permits in advance. Skandagiri night treks need prior Forest Department booking — don't plan around them without confirming a slot first.
• Carry water, snacks, and cash. Smaller destinations like Savandurga, Ramanagara, and Hogenakal have limited food options and may not accept cards.
• Combine nearby spots. Mysore + Channapatna, or Ramanagara + Savandurga, pair naturally into a single day if you start early.
• Book a round-trip cab rather than arranging transport at the destination — the same driver waits for you, which is far more convenient for tight day-trip schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions