The Perfect Weekend Getaway from Bangalore
Stressed from the Bangalore city grind? A weekend trip to Murudeshwar is the perfect escape. Just an overnight journey away (480km), you can swap traffic jams for ocean waves, temple darshan, scuba diving, and coastal cuisine.
This guide outlines a Friday Night to Monday Morning itinerary that maximizes your 2 days off.
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Why Murudeshwar for a Weekend Trip?
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Perfect Distance | 480km - Ideal overnight bus distance |
| No Planning Stress | Everything within 3km radius |
| Activities | Temple, Beach, Scuba Diving, Sunset |
| Budget-Friendly | ₹5,000-12,000 for complete trip |
| Year-Round | Oct-May best, but doable all year |
The Plan at a Glance
| Day | Activity | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Depart Bangalore (9 PM) | Sleeper bus journey |
| Saturday Morning | Arrival + Temple Visit | Check-in, Temple darshan |
| Saturday Afternoon | Lunch + Rest | Recover from journey |
| Saturday Evening | Beach + Sunset | Water sports, sunset photos |
| Sunday Morning | Scuba Diving / Gokarna | Adventure day |
| Sunday Evening | Departure (9 PM) | Return bus to Bangalore |
| Monday Morning | Arrival Bangalore (6 AM) | Back to routine! |
Detailed Hour-by-Hour Itinerary
Friday Night: Departure 🚌
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Boarding
- Board KSRTC Airavat or Private Sleeper bus from Majestic/Anand Rao Circle/Electronic City
- Tip: Book lower berth on right side for comfort
- Popular operators: VRL, SRS, IntrCity, KSRTC
- Cost: ₹800-1,500 per person
9:30 PM: Bus departs
10:00 PM onwards: Sleep during overnight journey
Stops: Tumkur (11 PM), Nelamangala, Hassan, Shimoga
Saturday: Divine Vibes & Beach Sunsets 🕉️
6:30 AM: Wake up call (near Bhatkal)
**7:00 The website 7:15 AM: Arrive Murudeshwar Bus Stand
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Hotel Check-in
- Check into your pre-booked hotel
- Budget: Kamat Yatri Nivas (₹1,000/night)
- Mid-Range: RNS Residency (₹2,200/night) - Read Review
- Luxury: Shivani Beach Resort (₹4,000/night)
- Freshen up, light breakfast
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Temple Visit
- Visit Murudeshwar Temple (5 min from most hotels)
- See the 123-ft Lord Shiva Statue (2nd tallest in world)
- Climb 20-storey Raja Gopura for panoramic views (₹20 entry)
- Temple darshan queue (30-45 mins on weekends)
- Photography at beach backdrop
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
- Seafood: Naveen Beach Restaurant (Fish Thali ₹250)
- Vegetarian: Kamat Yatri Nivas (Unlimited Thali ₹120)
- Fine Dining: Prana at RNS Residency
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Rest Time
- Return to hotel for afternoon nap
- Important: You'll be tired from bus journey!
- Relax, shower, recharge
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Beach Time
- Head to Murudeshwar Beach
- Water sports (optional):
- Jet Ski: ₹500/person
- Banana Boat: ₹300/person
- Speed Boat: ₹150/person
- Beach walk, collect shells
- 6:15 PM: Position for sunset behind Shiva statue
- Golden hour photography (6:00-6:45 PM)
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Dinner
- Romantic dinner at Naveen Beach (beachfront seating)
- Try: Prawn Ghee Roast (₹350), Kane Fry (₹300)
10:00 PM: Return to hotel, sleep early (big day tomorrow!)
Sunday: Adventure Day 🤿
Choose Your Adventure:
Option A: Scuba Diving at Netrani Island (Recommended)
5:45 AM: Wake up
6:00 AM: Light breakfast (toast, banana)
6:30 AM: Pickup from hotel
7:00 AM: Board boat to Netrani Island (19km offshore)
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Scuba diving + snorkeling
- Beginners: Discover Scuba Diving (30 min underwater)
- See: Coral reefs, colorful fish, maybe whale sharks!
- Photos/videos included
- Breakfast + Lunch on boat
1:00 PM: Return to mainland
2:00 PM: Lunch (if not included in package)
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Rest at hotel OR visit Apsarakonda Falls (20km)
Option B: Gokarna Day Trip
8:00 AM: Checkout, store luggage at hotel
8:30 AM: Depart for Gokarna (80km, 2 hours by taxi)
10:30 AM: Reach Gokarna
11:00 AM: Visit Mahabaleshwar Temple
12:00 PM: Lunch at local eatery
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Beach hopping
- Om Beach (swimming, shacks)
- Kudle Beach (peaceful)
- Half Moon Beach (trek if time permits)
5:30 PM: Depart for Murudeshwar
7:30 PM: Reach back, collect luggage
Sunday Evening: Departure 🚌
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM:
- Final dinner in Murudeshwar
- Buy souvenirs (Shiva idols, keychains)
- Pack bags
9:30 PM: Board return sleeper bus to Bangalore
10:00 PM: Bus departs
Monday Morning: Back to Reality
6:00 AM: Arrive Bangalore (Majestic/destinations)
6:30 AM onwards: Head home/office with recharged mind!
Complete Weekend Budget Breakdown
Budget Option (₹6,000-8,000 per couple)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bus (Round trip) | ₹3,200 (₹1,600 x 2) |
| Hotel (1 night) | ₹1,000 (Kamat/budget) |
| Food (6 meals) | ₹1,500 |
| Local transport | ₹500 (autos) |
| Temple/sightseeing | ₹200 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹600 |
| Total | ₹7,000 |
Mid-Range Option (₹11,000-14,000 per couple)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bus (AC Sleeper) | ₹4,000 |
| Hotel (Sea view) | ₹2,500 (RNS) |
| Food (good restaurants) | ₹3,000 |
| Taxi (local) | ₹1,500 |
| Water sports | ₹1,500 |
| Shopping | ₹1,000 |
| Total | ₹13,500 |
With Scuba Diving (Add ₹7,000-8,000)
- Scuba diving: ₹3,500 x 2 = ₹7,000
- Grand Total: ₹14,500 - ₹21,500 per couple
Transport Options: Bangalore to Murudeshwar
Option 1: Sleeper Bus (Most Popular)
Operators:
- KSRTC Airavat (Government)
- VRL Travels
- SRS Travels
- IntrCity SmartBus
- Canara Pinto
Timings: 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM departure
Arrival: 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Cost: ₹800-1,500 per person
Pros: Sleep during travel, no hotel expense first night
Cons: Can be tiring, limited luggage space
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Option 2: Train
Route: Bangalore to Bhatkal (nearest station, 18km from Murudeshwar)
| Train | Departure | Arrival | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matsyagandha Express | 9:20 PM | 11:05 AM | ₹700 (3AC) |
| Karwar Express | 8:45 PM | 1:00 PM | ₹600 (Sleeper) |
Pros: More comfortable than bus
Cons: Need taxi from Bhatkal (₹400), longer journey
Option 3: Car/Taxi (Self-Drive or Hired)
Distance: 480 km
Route: Bangalore → Tumkur → Shimoga → Bhatkal → Murudeshwar
Drive Time: 9-10 hours
Cost:
- Self-drive rental: ₹3,000-4,000 (2 days)
- Hired cab (round trip): ₹10,000-14,000
Best For: Groups of 4-6, families with kids, flexible schedule
Our Weekend Package Deal
We handle everything so you just show up and enjoy!
"Murudeshwar Weekend Escape" Package Includes:
✅ AC Sleeper Bus Tickets (Both ways - confirmed seats)
✅ 1 Night Hotel Stay (AC Room with Sea View)
✅ Breakfast (Day 2)
✅ Station/Bus Stand Pickup & Drop
✅ Local sightseeing assistance
✅ Scuba Diving Booking (Optional add-on)
✅ 24/7 Support during trip
Package Price:
- Without Scuba: ₹4,999/person (twin sharing)
- With Scuba: ₹8,499/person
Group Discounts: 4+ people get additional 10% off
🎟️ Book Complete Weekend Package
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Packing List for Weekend Trip
Must-Carry
- ☑️ Government ID (for hotel check-in)
- ☑️ Comfortable clothing (2-3 pairs)
- ☑️ Swimwear (for beach/scuba)
- ☑️ Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- ☑️ Sunglasses & cap
- ☑️ Power bank & chargers
- ☑️ Cash (₹5,000-10,000)
- ☑️ Medicines (motion sickness, basic first aid)
Optional
- Camera/phone with good battery
- Flip-flops for beach
- Light jacket (bus AC can be cold)
- Reusable water bottle
Handy Tips for Bangaloreans
-
Bus Boarding Points: Majestic is most common. Some buses start from Electronic City, Madiwala, or Silk Board. Choose nearest to avoid Friday evening traffic.
-
Book in Advance: Hotels near temple get sold out by Wednesday for weekends. Book Wednesday evening latest.
-
Mobile Network: Airtel and Jio work best. BSNL can be patchy.
-
Cash vs Card: Carry cash for autos (₹50-100 rides), coconut water (₹30), street food. Hotels/restaurants accept UPI.
-
Temple Dress Code: Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. Remove footwear before entering (free cloakroom available).
-
Best Weekend: Avoid long weekends and festival dates - very crowded and expensive.
-
Return Bus: Book return ticket while booking onward. Last-minute bookings often sold out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough for Murudeshwar?
Yes, absolutely! Murudeshwar is compact - all attractions within 3km. 2 days (1 night) is perfect to cover temple, beach, scuba diving, and even a quick Gokarna trip.
What's the best time for this trip?
October to March is ideal (pleasant weather, calm seas for scuba All). April-May is hot but doable. Avoid June-September (monsoon - rough seas, scuba closed).
Can we do scuba diving on Saturday itself?
Scuba trips start early (6-7 AM). If your bus reaches by 7 AM, you can do Sunday scuba. Saturday arrival means only evening free, so Sunday scuba is better.
Is it safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, very safe. Murudeshwar is a temple town with families and pilgrims. Stay in reputable hotels, avoid isolated beaches late night. We can arrange female-only group packages.
Can we extend to Gokarna?
Yes! Add 1 more day. Stay Sunday night in Murudeshwar, visit Gokarna Monday morning, return Monday night. Total: 3D/2N trip.
What if scuba gets cancelled due to weather?
If booked through us, we offer alternatives: Gokarna trip, water sports, or partial refund. Direct bookings may not have this flexibility.
Is food expensive?
Not at all! Budget meal: ₹100-150. Good meal: ₹250-400. Hotels: ₹600-800 for couple.
Alternatives & Extensions
Add Jog Falls (Extra 1 Day)
- Route: Bangalore → Shimoga (Jog Falls) → Murudeshwar
- Makes it a 3D/2N trip
- Best in monsoon/post-monsoon (July-October)
Murudeshwar + Gokarna Combo (3D/2N)
- Day 1: Murudeshwar (temple + beach)
- Day 2: Scuba diving
- Day 3: Gokarna beaches
- Total budget: ₹10,000-16,000 per couple
Beach Circuit (4D/3N)
- Murudeshwar → Gokarna → Karwar → Murudeshwar
- For serious beach lovers
Related Guides
How to Reach from Bangalore (Detailed) →
Bangalore to Murudeshwar by Cab →
Escape the Bangalore chaos this weekend! Book your Murudeshwar trip now. Call +91 78290 08264 for packages and assistance.
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Book Through Local Experts & Save
We're a local Murudeshwar agency with direct relationships with every lodge and hotel in town. We bargain on your behalf and get you 15-25% lower prices than online booking sites.
- No hidden fees or booking charges
- 24/7 local support during your stay
- Package deals: Room + Scuba + Transport
- Verified clean rooms we personally inspect
