Key hubs
Mangaluru airport and railway station
- Nearest airport
- Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) at Kinnigoli, roughly 20–30 minutes by road from the city centre, traffic dependent
- Railway station
- Mangaluru Central Railway Station (MAQ) is the main station, serving trains from across India; some local trains stop at Surathkal and Bantwal
- Getting around
- Auto-rickshaws and app cabs are available; a private car and driver is most comfortable for visiting temples and beaches. Local buses connect the city, though they can be crowded.
How to reach Mangaluru by air
Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) at Kinnigoli is roughly 20–30 minutes by road from the city centre, traffic dependent.
How to reach Mangaluru by train
Mangaluru Central Railway Station (MAQ) is the main hub, with trains from across India; some local services stop at Surathkal and Bantwal.
How to reach Mangaluru by road
National highways link Mangaluru to Goa, Bengaluru and Kochi along the west coast.
Getting around Mangaluru
Auto-rickshaws and app cabs are widely available, but a private car and driver is more comfortable for temples and beaches; local buses connect the city but can be crowded.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Mangaluru
- Hire a car and driver for the day; auto-rickshaw queues and crowded buses are tiring. A driver also makes side trips (Pilikula, the northern beaches) manageable without fatigue.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.