Tulu Nadu · Western Coastal Strip
How to reach
By air
- Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) — At Bajpe, on a plateau above the city, with runways built up on a table-top ridge. The region's only airport, and the point of departure for most of its Gulf traffic.
- Kannur International Airport (CNN) — The nearest alternative for the Kasaragod belt, about 90 km south.
By rail
- Mangaluru Central (MAQ) — The Southern Railway terminus in the city, for trains south and east.
- Mangaluru Junction (MAJN) — At Kankanady. Mangaluru is where the Konkan Railway from the north meets Southern Railway, so through trains along the coast pass here and many reverse.
- Udupi (UD) — On the Konkan line, about 5 km from the temple town.
- Kasaragod (KGQ)
- Surathkal (SL) — For Kateel, Mulki and the Kambala belt.
By road
NH 66 — the coastal spine, running the length of the regionNH 75 — Mangaluru to Bengaluru over the Shiradi Ghat, the region's main inland link and its worst road in rainNH 169 — Mangaluru to Moodabidri, Karkala and Shivamogga, the monolith routeCharmadi Ghat to Chikkamagaluru, and the Sampaje road to Madikeri
By water
New Mangalore Port at Panambur — the deep-water port, handling most of Karnataka's coastal cargoMalpe fishing harbour, and the seasonal boats to St Mary's IslandsRiver ferries across the Netravati and Gurupura where bridges are far apart
Getting around
Mangaluru runs on a private bus network of unusual density — routes are known by number and terminus, and the buses go where the state ones do not. Autos are metered in the city. Udupi and Kasaragod are an hour and two hours away respectively on NH 66. For a Kola or a Kambala you will need a car and a local contact, because neither is advertised.
How to reach Tulu Nadu by air, rail, road and water, and how to get around once there. (7)