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Voykit pocket guide · 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).
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (monsoon floods)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–2,000 excl. bed · High ₹2,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 108
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Auto minimum fare (intra‑city) | ₹20 |
| Tyavarekoppa Safari entry | ₹15 |
| Safari bus ticket | ₹40 |
| Camera (photo) at safari | ₹50 |
| Camera (video) at safari | ₹150 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HBX · Hubli Airport
- ≈100 km (62 mi) by road, about 2 h drive≈62 mi (100 km) by road, about 2 h drive
Typical fares
- Bangalore → Shimoga (train, 2‑tier sleeper)
- ≈ ₹800–₹1,200, 5–6 h (check schedule)
- Auto minimum fare
- ₹20 intra‑city (negotiate longer trips)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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 and do
Known for
- Shivappa Nayaka Palace
- Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari
- Kudali Sangama river confluence
- Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari | 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 | ≈45 min round trip |
| Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary | Auto, ≈32 km (20 mi) on the way to ThirthahalliAuto, ≈20 mi (32 km) on the way to Thirthahalli | ≈1 h each way |
| Kudali Sangama | Auto, ≈14 km (8.7 mi) from ShimogaAuto, ≈8.7 mi (14 km) from Shimoga | ≈30 min each way |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | क्षमಿಸಿkshamisi |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavaadagalu |
| How much is it? | ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು?idu eshtu? |
| Where is the bus stand? | ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?bas nildaana elli? |
| Can I pay by card? | ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಮೂಲಕ ಪಾವತಿಸಬಹುದೇ?kaard moolaka paavatisabude? |
| I need a water bottle | ನನಗೆ ನೀರಿನ ಬಾಟಲಿ ಬೇಕುnanage neerina baatali beku |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Generally safe; watch for unmetered autos, monsoon‑season road conditions, and carry supplies for forest trips.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Shimoga yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shivappa Nayaka Palace
- Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari
- Kudali Sangama river confluence
- Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Shimoga coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Shimoga, revision 5297809 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5297809
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/shimoga). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.