Major city · India
Shimoga
Spend 1–2 days: see Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Tyavarekoppa Safari and Kudali Sangama; day trips possible, return to Bangalore by train.
Shimoga is a small town in Karnataka's Malenadu region, reachable by frequent trains from Bangalore. Its main draws are a 16th‑century palace, a nearby lion‑tiger safari and river‑side nature spots. One full day covers the town centre; a second day allows a wildlife or bird‑sanctuary visit. Travel back to Bangalore by train (≈5 h) or bus (≈7 h).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon floods)
- Airport
- HBX
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Shimoga100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shimoga, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for unmetered autos, monsoon‑season road conditions, and carry supplies for forest trips.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 108 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHBX Hubli Airport (≈100 km (62 mi) by road, about 2 h drive).HBX Hubli Airport (≈62 mi (100 km) by road, about 2 h drive).
- Getting aroundAutos are common but not metered; minimum fare ₹20 (≈ under US$1) for short trips.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HBX Hubli Airport (≈100 km (62 mi) by road, about 2 h drive)HBX Hubli Airport (≈62 mi (100 km) by road, about 2 h drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shimoga: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Autos are common but not metered; minimum fare ₹20 for short trips. Buses connect the bus stand to the railway station and to nearby towns. Hire a cab for longer day‑trip legs.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari
goDoor to door: ≈45 min round trip
Auto or taxi, about 11 km (6.8 mi) from Shimoga bus standAuto or taxi, about 6.8 mi (11 km) from Shimoga bus stand
Entry ₹15, bus ticket ₹40; cameras extra.
Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary
goDoor to door: ≈1 h each way
Auto, ≈32 km (20 mi) on the way to ThirthahalliAuto, ≈20 mi (32 km) on the way to Thirthahalli
Boat rides available for close bird‑watching.
Kudali Sangama
goDoor to door: ≈30 min each way
Auto, ≈14 km (8.7 mi) from ShimogaAuto, ≈8.7 mi (14 km) from Shimoga
River confluence of Tunga and Bhadra; no facilities, bring water.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Vihangama Holiday Retreat
Family‑run resort on the Tunga River, 4 km (2.5 mi) from Thirthahalli; good base for nature trips.Family‑run resort on the Tunga River, 2.5 mi (4 km) from Thirthahalli; good base for nature trips.
Hotel Heritage
Low‑priced hotel opposite Shimoga railway station.
River View Farm Stay
River‑front farm stay 3 km (1.9 mi) from bus terminal, good for quiet evenings.River‑front farm stay 1.9 mi (3 km) from bus terminal, good for quiet evenings.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- High
- ₹2,000 (≈ US$25)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Auto minimum fare (intra‑city) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Tyavarekoppa Safari entry | ₹15 (≈ under US$1) |
| Safari bus ticket | ₹40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Camera (photo) at safari | ₹50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Camera (video) at safari | ₹150 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Autos are unmetered; agree on fare before boarding.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep) can cause road flooding and landslides in forest areas.
- Safari buses run every 30 min; arrive early to secure a spot.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire and ambulance
- 108
Pocket card
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ShimogaShimoga
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ಈ ವಿಳಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ದಯವಿಟ್ಟುTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire and ambulance108
Embassy
US consulate in Bangalore; other embassies in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bangalore → Shimoga (train, 2‑tier sleeper): ≈ ₹800–₹1,200, 5–6 h (check schedule)
- Auto minimum fare: ₹20 (≈ under US$1) intra‑city (negotiate longer trips)
Say or show
- क्षमಿಸಿ — Excuse me / Sorry (kshamisi)
- ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು — Thank you (dhanyavaadagalu)
- ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು? — How much is it? (idu eshtu?)
- ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ? — Where is the bus stand? (bas nildaana elli?)
- ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಮೂಲಕ ಪಾವತಿಸಬಹುದೇ? — Can I pay by card? (kaard moolaka paavatisabude?)
- ನನಗೆ ನೀರಿನ ಬಾಟಲಿ ಬೇಕು — I need a water bottle (nanage neerina baatali beku)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shimoga. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon floods) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Shimoga
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