By train
Honnavar has its own station on the Konkan Railway, station code HNA. The Panchaganga Express runs overnight between Bengaluru and Karwar and stops here in the early morning, which suits a weekend trip. The Matsyagandha Express between Mumbai and Mangaluru also stops at Honnavar, along with several local and passenger trains between Mangaluru and Madgaon.
Timetables change, so check the current schedule on IRCTC before booking. The station is a few kilometres from town, about fifteen minutes by auto. We pick guests up on request; message your train number and we will be there.
Honnavar homestay Rooms in Honnavar Photos of the house and rooms
By bus
KSRTC and private operators run overnight sleeper buses from Bengaluru to Honnavar, a journey of roughly nine to ten hours. There are frequent daytime buses along the coast from Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapura, Bhatkal, Kumta and Karwar, and services from Hubballi and Shivamogga over the ghats. The bus stand is in the middle of town, a few minutes from the homestay by auto.
By road
NH-66, the coastal highway, runs through Honnavar and is four-laned for most of the way. From Mangaluru it is about 180 km, from Goa a little more, and from Hubballi about 170 km over the ghats. From Bengaluru it is roughly 460 km; the usual route is through Shivamogga and Sagara and down the Sharavathi valley on NH-69, which passes Jog Falls on the way. There is parking for cars and bikes at the homestay.
- Gokarna to Honnavar: about 55 km, an hour and a half.
- Murudeshwar to Honnavar: about 28 km, forty minutes.
- Udupi to Honnavar: about 130 km, under three hours.
- Jog Falls to Honnavar: about 60 km, under two hours.
By air
There is no airport at Honnavar. The practical choices are Mangaluru International Airport to the south, Goa's Dabolim airport to the north, about 175 km away, and Hubballi airport inland. Each is roughly four hours by road, and all three connect to the coast by train or bus as well as taxi.
Getting around once you are here
Autos are plentiful and cheap for the beach, the boardwalk and Apsarakonda. For Murudeshwar, Gokarna and Jog Falls we arrange a car with a local driver, or you can hire a scooter or bike through us if you prefer to explore on your own. The backwater view points and the boat jetty are within walking distance of the house.
Places to visit around Honnavar Car, auto and bike hire Where to stay once you arrive Best homestay in Honnavar, compared honestly Honnavar 2 day itinerary
Quick answers
Which is the nearest railway station to Honnavar?
Honnavar itself has a station on the Konkan Railway, code HNA, about fifteen minutes from town by auto. Kumta and Murudeshwar are the next nearest.
Which is the nearest airport to Honnavar?
Mangaluru, Goa Dabolim and Hubballi are all roughly four hours away by road. Choose whichever has the better flight for you.
Is there a direct train from Bengaluru to Honnavar?
Yes. The Panchaganga Express between Bengaluru and Karwar stops at Honnavar. Check IRCTC for current timings.
Does the homestay offer pick-up?
Yes, from Honnavar bus stand or railway station, on request. Send your arrival time on WhatsApp.
How far is Honnavar railway station from the bus stand?
About 5 km, roughly fifteen minutes by auto. Autos wait at both, and we arrange pick-up from either on request.
What time do the Panchaganga and Matsyagandha Express trains run?
The Panchaganga Express from Bengaluru reaches Honnavar at about 6:25 AM and leaves for Bengaluru at about 7:05 PM. The Matsyagandha Express between Mumbai and Mangaluru stops here at about 3:20 AM and 5:30 PM. Timings change, so confirm on IRCTC before you book.
Are there other Konkan Railway stations near Honnavar?
Yes. Gokarna Road, about 55 km north, and Murudeshwar, about 28 km south, both have their own stations, useful if your train does not stop at Honnavar itself.
Do travel times change in the monsoon?
Yes. Konkan Railway trains run to a slower timetable from June to October, so check IRCTC close to your date. NH-66 along the coast is fine in the rain; if you drive from Bengaluru through the ghats, do that stretch in daylight, since fog and standing water are common there.
More from Honnavar
- Honnavar Homestay with Backwater BoatingDe antique Pauli's is a Honnavar homestay with boating built in: one family runs the house and the boats, so the room and the ride are booked together instead of arranged with two different people. Sleep a hundred metres from the jetty and take the first ride of the morning or the last one of the evening.
- A Quiet Homestay near Murudeshwar, in HonnavarMurudeshwar is forty minutes down a four-lane highway. Visit the temple in the morning and spend the rest of your trip somewhere quieter.
- A Homestay near Gokarna: Honnavar as Your BaseHonnavar is not Gokarna, and that is the point. Here is an honest look at when it makes the better base, and when it does not.
- Homestay near Honnavar Railway Station and Bus StandMost of our guests arrive on the overnight train or bus from Bengaluru. Here is exactly how the first and last hours of your trip work.
- Places to visit in HonnavarNine places from the backwaters next door to Jog Falls, with distances from the homestay.
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