Mysore Palace & Srirangapatna Day Trip from Bangalore

Summary

Royal palaces, ancient temples & Mysuru’s vibrant markets in one day

You’ll step inside Mysore Palace’s grand halls, wander through Devaraja Market’s riot of colors and scents, taste South Indian flavors at lunch, and feel centuries-old stone beneath your feet at Srirangapatna—all with a local guide who brings stories to life. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s feeling Mysuru breathe around you.

What’s the experience like?

"You have to try the masala dosa here," our guide grinned as we stepped out into the early morning air in Bangalore. I was still waking up, honestly, but the excitement kind of jolted me more than the coffee did. The drive to Mysuru took a couple of hours—long enough for the city noise to fade and those stretches of green fields and coconut palms to take over. Our driver (I think his name was Ravi?) played old Kannada songs quietly, and at some point, I just watched sunlight flicker through the window and tried not to doze off.

The first real stop was Mysore Palace. Even with all the stories I'd read about the Wadiyars, nothing quite prepared me for that moment when you see it up close—the colors are almost too much, like someone turned up the contrast on reality. Our guide pointed out little details: carvings above doorways, a faint scent of sandalwood in one hall (or maybe that was my imagination?), and how the palace faces Chamundi Hills for a reason I’ve already half-forgotten. There were families everywhere—kids chasing each other across marble floors—and I remember thinking how alive it all felt for a place so heavy with history.

We wandered through Devaraja Market after that. It's loud in a way that's kind of joyful—vendors calling out prices, piles of marigolds so bright they hurt your eyes a bit, turmeric dust floating in sunbeams. I tried saying "mallige hoovu" (jasmine flower) and Li laughed when I butchered it—she still teases me about that. Lunch at Hotel RRR was messy and delicious; banana leaves instead of plates, rice sticking to my fingers no matter how hard I tried to eat neatly.

Srirangapatna felt quieter somehow—the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple’s stone corridors cool underfoot, incense curling up toward painted ceilings. Our guide told us about Tipu Sultan’s summer palace nearby (Daria Daulat), built from teakwood that still smells faintly sweet if you press your nose against it—yes, I actually did that. By afternoon the light had softened over everything; even traffic seemed slower as we headed back toward Bangalore. There’s something about seeing so many layers of history stacked together in one day—it sticks with you longer than you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Mysore's royal and cultural sites

• Visit Mysore Palace
• Tour Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
• Explore Daria Daulat Bagh palace
• Stop at Devaraja Market for shopping
• Enjoy lunch at Hotel RRR
• Visit St. Philomena Church
• Tour Sand Museum

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Bangalore to Mysore?

The private tour starts around 7:30 am from Bangalore and continues until evening.

What main places are visited on this Mysore day trip?

You’ll visit Mysore Palace, Devaraja Market, Srirangapatna (including Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or Daria Daulat), plus lunch at Hotel RRR.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Bangalore are included.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch at Hotel RRR in Mysuru is included in the tour price.

Are there options for different itineraries?

You can choose between two itineraries: one includes Daria Daulat Bagh and Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon; another features Somnathpur Temple or Sand Museum.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Are entry fees included in this private day trip?

The tour includes all entry fees as part of its package price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Bangalore in an air-conditioned vehicle, guided visits to Mysore Palace and other key sites like Devaraja Market or Srirangapatna temples, all entry fees covered along the way, plus a traditional South Indian lunch at Hotel RRR before heading back in the evening.