How to Reach Gokarna
Gokarna is a temple town on the Karnataka coast whose beaches are strung south of it along the headlands — the town and the sand are two different places, and only one has a road to it.

Ways in, by road
| From | Distance | Drive | Cab from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murudeshwar | 130 km | 2.5 hrs | ₹1,774 | See fare → |
| Hangal | 131.2 km | 2.5 hrs | ₹1,791 | See fare → |
| Irinjalakudacrosses into Karnataka | 131.6 km | 2.5 hrs | ₹1,796 | See fare → |
| Dandeli | 137.5 km | 3 hrs | ₹1,877 | See fare → |
| Kodungallurcrosses into Karnataka | 138.3 km | 3 hrs | ₹1,888 | See fare → |
| Goacrosses into Karnataka | 142.2 km | 3 hrs | ₹1,941 | See fare → |
| Goacrosses into Karnataka | 142.2 km | 3 hrs | ₹1,941 | See fare → |
| Hubballi | 146.3 km | 3 hrs | ₹1,997 | See fare → |
| Hubballi | 146.3 km | 3 hrs | ₹1,997 | See fare → |
| Kundapura | 152.6 km | 3 hrs | ₹2,083 | See fare → |
| Haveri | 156 km | 3 hrs | ₹2,129 | See fare → |
| Shikaripura | 167.1 km | 3.5 hrs | ₹2,281 | See fare → |
| Kalamasserycrosses into Karnataka | 168.5 km | 3.5 hrs | ₹2,300 | See fare → |
| Udupi | 168.6 km | 3.5 hrs | ₹2,301 | See fare → |
| Karamadaicrosses into Karnataka | 176.7 km | 3.5 hrs | ₹2,412 | See fare → |
| Ranebennur | 188.3 km | 4 hrs | ₹2,570 | See fare → |
| Saundatti | 189.2 km | 4 hrs | ₹2,583 | See fare → |
| Bailhongal | 202.1 km | 4 hrs | ₹2,759 | See fare → |
| Karumathampatticrosses into Karnataka | 203.1 km | 4 hrs | ₹2,772 | See fare → |
| Nargund | 206.6 km | 4 hrs | ₹2,820 | See fare → |
| Gadag | 210.4 km | 4 hrs | ₹2,872 | See fare → |
| Karkala | 212.7 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹2,903 | See fare → |
| Harihar | 216.6 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹2,957 | See fare → |
| Shivamogga | 217.2 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹2,965 | See fare → |
| Koothattukulamcrosses into Karnataka | 219.9 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,002 | See fare → |
| Kothamangalamcrosses into Karnataka | 221.9 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,029 | See fare → |
| Belagavi | 228.8 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,123 | See fare → |
| Moodbidri | 229 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,126 | See fare → |
| Davangere | 229.5 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,133 | See fare → |
| Mangalore | 229.6 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,134 | See fare → |
| Mangalore | 229.6 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,134 | See fare → |
| Bhadravati | 235.5 km | 4.5 hrs | ₹3,215 | See fare → |
| Idappadicrosses into Karnataka | 243.1 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,318 | See fare → |
| Gokak | 247.5 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,378 | See fare → |
| Kangeyamcrosses into Karnataka | 249.6 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,407 | See fare → |
| Kottayamcrosses into Karnataka | 250.9 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,425 | See fare → |
| Badami | 252 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,440 | See fare → |
| Bantwal | 252.7 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,449 | See fare → |
| Tarikere | 256.4 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,500 | See fare → |
| Channagiri | 259.6 km | 5 hrs | ₹3,544 | See fare → |
| Mavelikkaracrosses into Karnataka | 273 km | 5.5 hrs | ₹3,726 | See fare → |
| Kayamkulamcrosses into Karnataka | 273.1 km | 5.5 hrs | ₹3,728 | See fare → |
| Puttur | 276.5 km | 5.5 hrs | ₹3,774 | See fare → |
| Kasaragodcrosses into Karnataka | 278.4 km | 5.5 hrs | ₹3,800 | See fare → |
| Bagalkote | 280.3 km | 5.5 hrs | ₹3,826 | See fare → |
| Karunagappallycrosses into Karnataka | 290.1 km | 6 hrs | ₹3,960 | See fare → |
| Kattappanacrosses into Karnataka | 290.7 km | 6 hrs | ₹3,968 | See fare → |
| Chikkodi | 293.2 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,002 | See fare → |
| Ilkal | 293.8 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,010 | See fare → |
| Nipani | 294.1 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,014 | See fare → |
| Hosapete | 294.5 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,020 | See fare → |
| Koppal | 298.4 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,073 | See fare → |
| Mudhol | 300.4 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,100 | See fare → |
| Hampi | 306 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,177 | See fare → |
| Chikmagalur | 307.8 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,201 | See fare → |
| Chitradurga | 309.6 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,226 | See fare → |
| Kottarakkaracrosses into Karnataka | 309.8 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,229 | See fare → |
| Kollamcrosses into Karnataka | 309.9 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,230 | See fare → |
| Kadur | 310.1 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,233 | See fare → |
| Gangavathi | 310.8 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,242 | See fare → |
| Sullia | 311.8 km | 6 hrs | ₹4,256 | See fare → |
| Nileshwaramcrosses into Karnataka | 312.5 km | 6.5 hrs | ₹4,266 | See fare → |
| Challakere | 316.9 km | 6.5 hrs | ₹4,326 | See fare → |
| Sandur | 320.8 km | 6.5 hrs | ₹4,379 | See fare → |
| Jamkhandi | 329.5 km | 6.5 hrs | ₹4,498 | See fare → |
| Hiriyur | 333.1 km | 6.5 hrs | ₹4,547 | See fare → |
| Payyannurcrosses into Karnataka | 335.2 km | 6.5 hrs | ₹4,575 | See fare → |
| Vijayapura | 342.7 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,678 | See fare → |
| Manapparaicrosses into Karnataka | 344 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,696 | See fare → |
| Arsikere | 344.6 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,704 | See fare → |
| Lingsugur | 347.5 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,743 | See fare → |
| Sakleshpur | 353.1 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,820 | See fare → |
| Belur | 353.9 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,831 | See fare → |
| Kulithalaicrosses into Karnataka | 354.1 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,833 | See fare → |
| Ballari | 356.5 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,866 | See fare → |
| Tiptur | 356.6 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,868 | See fare → |
| Sindhanur | 357.8 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,884 | See fare → |
| Karurcrosses into Karnataka | 358.2 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,889 | See fare → |
| Anthoorcrosses into Karnataka | 361.2 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,930 | See fare → |
| Krishnagiricrosses into Karnataka | 361.6 km | 7 hrs | ₹4,936 | See fare → |
| Coorg | 362.7 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹4,951 | See fare → |
| Athani | 366.3 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,000 | See fare → |
| Kannurcrosses into Karnataka | 368.1 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,025 | See fare → |
| Siruguppa | 369.2 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,040 | See fare → |
| Sreekandapuramcrosses into Karnataka | 370.7 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,060 | See fare → |
| Taliparambacrosses into Karnataka | 370.7 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,060 | See fare → |
| Sira | 371 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,064 | See fare → |
| Kadayanallurcrosses into Karnataka | 374.2 km | 7.5 hrs | ₹5,108 | See fare → |
| Virajpet | 389.5 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,317 | See fare → |
| Channapatna | 391.7 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,347 | See fare → |
| Kushalnagar | 392.6 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,359 | See fare → |
| Manamaduraicrosses into Karnataka | 393.8 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,375 | See fare → |
| Kovalamcrosses into Karnataka | 394.2 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,381 | See fare → |
| Pavagada | 396.2 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,408 | See fare → |
| Karaikudicrosses into Karnataka | 398.2 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,435 | See fare → |
| Panoorcrosses into Karnataka | 400.5 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,467 | See fare → |
| Manvi | 400.9 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,472 | See fare → |
| Hassan | 402.8 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,498 | See fare → |
| Raichur | 403.6 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,509 | See fare → |
| Shorapur | 403.6 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,509 | See fare → |
| Thalasserycrosses into Karnataka | 403.7 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,511 | See fare → |
| Guntakalcrosses into Karnataka | 408.4 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,575 | See fare → |
| Madhugiri | 408.4 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,575 | See fare → |
| Tumakuru | 410.6 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,605 | See fare → |
| Vatakaracrosses into Karnataka | 411.4 km | 8 hrs | ₹5,616 | See fare → |
| Kuzhithuraicrosses into Karnataka | 420.8 km | 8.5 hrs | ₹5,744 | See fare → |
| Payyolicrosses into Karnataka | 420.9 km | 8.5 hrs | ₹5,745 | See fare → |
| Yadgir | 422.4 km | 8.5 hrs | ₹5,766 | See fare → |
| Kovilpatticrosses into Karnataka | 429.1 km | 8.5 hrs | ₹5,857 | See fare → |
| Adonicrosses into Karnataka | 436.9 km | 8.5 hrs | ₹5,964 | See fare → |
| Hunsur | 436.9 km | 8.5 hrs | ₹5,964 | See fare → |
| Kalakkadcrosses into Karnataka | 445.3 km | 9 hrs | ₹6,078 | See fare → |
| Gauribidanur | 446.6 km | 9 hrs | ₹6,096 | See fare → |
| Anantapurcrosses into Karnataka | 455.7 km | 9 hrs | ₹6,220 | See fare → |
| Hindupurcrosses into Karnataka | 457.2 km | 9 hrs | ₹6,241 | See fare → |
| Kozhikodecrosses into Karnataka | 459.5 km | 9 hrs | ₹6,272 | See fare → |
| Chikkaballapur | 460.6 km | 9 hrs | ₹6,287 | See fare → |
| Yemmiganurcrosses into Karnataka | 464.9 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,346 | See fare → |
| Wayanadcrosses into Karnataka | 466.3 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,365 | See fare → |
| Doddaballapura | 473.6 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,465 | See fare → |
| Nelliyalamcrosses into Karnataka | 474.3 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,474 | See fare → |
| Mukkamcrosses into Karnataka | 478 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,525 | See fare → |
| Mysore | 479.5 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,545 | See fare → |
| Nanjangud | 484.6 km | 9.5 hrs | ₹6,615 | See fare → |
| Tadipatricrosses into Karnataka | 487.6 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,656 | See fare → |
| Tirurangadicrosses into Karnataka | 489.5 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,682 | See fare → |
| Jayankondamcrosses into Karnataka | 489.6 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,683 | See fare → |
| Bangalore | 490.3 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,693 | See fare → |
| Bangalore | 490.3 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,693 | See fare → |
| Parappanangadicrosses into Karnataka | 490.3 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,693 | See fare → |
| Kalaburagi | 490.5 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,695 | See fare → |
| Rayachoticrosses into Karnataka | 492.1 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,717 | See fare → |
| Jolarpetcrosses into Karnataka | 492.2 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,719 | See fare → |
| Kallakurichicrosses into Karnataka | 492.2 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,719 | See fare → |
| Dharmavaramcrosses into Karnataka | 494.8 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,754 | See fare → |
| Sulthan Batherycrosses into Karnataka | 496.7 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,780 | See fare → |
| Gadwalcrosses into Karnataka | 497.5 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,791 | See fare → |
| Tanurcrosses into Karnataka | 498.7 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,807 | See fare → |
| Mandya | 504.5 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,886 | See fare → |
| Mannargudicrosses into Karnataka | 507.2 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,923 | See fare → |
| Tirurcrosses into Karnataka | 507.2 km | 10 hrs | ₹6,923 | See fare → |
| Koothanallurcrosses into Karnataka | 512.9 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,001 | See fare → |
| Valancherycrosses into Karnataka | 516.4 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,049 | See fare → |
| Puttaparthicrosses into Karnataka | 518.1 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,072 | See fare → |
| Nilamburcrosses into Karnataka | 518.5 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,078 | See fare → |
| Ramanagara | 519.5 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,091 | See fare → |
| Perinthalmannacrosses into Karnataka | 523.7 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,149 | See fare → |
| Hoskote | 524.4 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,158 | See fare → |
| Kayalpattinamcrosses into Karnataka | 525.7 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,176 | See fare → |
| Ponnanicrosses into Karnataka | 528.2 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,210 | See fare → |
| Kurnoolcrosses into Karnataka | 534.1 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,290 | See fare → |
| Sedam | 535 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,303 | See fare → |
| Kanakapura | 536.8 km | 10.5 hrs | ₹7,327 | See fare → |
| Gundlupet | 538 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,344 | See fare → |
| Pattambicrosses into Karnataka | 538.3 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,348 | See fare → |
| Kollegal | 538.7 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,353 | See fare → |
| Kadiricrosses into Karnataka | 539.4 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,363 | See fare → |
| Kilvelurcrosses into Karnataka | 540.3 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,375 | See fare → |
| Jammalamadugucrosses into Karnataka | 543.8 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,423 | See fare → |
| Cherpulasserycrosses into Karnataka | 545.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,441 | See fare → |
| Shoranurcrosses into Karnataka | 551.4 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,527 | See fare → |
| Nandyalcrosses into Karnataka | 551.7 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,531 | See fare → |
| Pulivendulacrosses into Karnataka | 552.3 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,539 | See fare → |
| Mahbubnagarcrosses into Karnataka | 553.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,550 | See fare → |
| Ottappalamcrosses into Karnataka | 557 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,603 | See fare → |
| Chamarajanagar | 557.8 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,614 | See fare → |
| Guruvayurcrosses into Karnataka | 559.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,632 | See fare → |
| Kundrathurcrosses into Karnataka | 560.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,645 | See fare → |
| Madurantakamcrosses into Karnataka | 560.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,645 | See fare → |
| Mangaducrosses into Karnataka | 560.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,645 | See fare → |
| Maraimalai Nagarcrosses into Karnataka | 560.1 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,645 | See fare → |
| Kolar | 560.6 km | 11 hrs | ₹7,652 | See fare → |
| Vikarabadcrosses into Karnataka | 562.6 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,679 | See fare → |
| Basavakalyan | 565.4 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,718 | See fare → |
| Humnabad | 567 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,740 | See fare → |
| Mulbagal | 567.4 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,745 | See fare → |
| Jadcherlacrosses into Karnataka | 569.9 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,779 | See fare → |
| Madanapallecrosses into Karnataka | 573.1 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,823 | See fare → |
| Proddaturcrosses into Karnataka | 574.1 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,836 | See fare → |
| Kolar Gold Fields | 580.7 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,927 | See fare → |
| Palakkadcrosses into Karnataka | 582.3 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,948 | See fare → |
| Thrissurcrosses into Karnataka | 583 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹7,958 | See fare → |
| Gudalur, Nilgiriscrosses into Karnataka | 586.7 km | 11.5 hrs | ₹8,008 | See fare → |
| Punganurcrosses into Karnataka | 588 km | 12 hrs | ₹8,026 | See fare → |
| Kadapacrosses into Karnataka | 596.8 km | 12 hrs | ₹8,146 | See fare → |
If you are flying
What the road asks of you
A round trip here is billed by the day, not the kilometre
A return journey is charged for at least 250 km per day, because the car stays with you for the whole trip rather than picking up another fare. This route is 230 km each way, so 459 km of driving over 3 days is still billed as 750 km. On a short trip that floor is most of the fare, and two one-way journeys can work out cheaper — worth comparing both before you book.
This route crosses into Karnataka
Leaving Andhra Pradesh for Karnataka means a state permit. Whether you pay it depends on the fare you pick: a toll-included fare has it inside, and nothing is collected at the border; the cheaper fare leaves it out, and it is handed over at the checkpost. The amount is set by Karnataka, not by us, and the receipt is theirs.
What is there
Mahabaleshwar Temple
The town's reason for existing, holding the Atmalinga.
Om Beach
The one shaped like the symbol, and the only beach with a proper road in.
Kudle Beach
The long bay between the town and Om, reached over the headland.
Half Moon and Paradise beaches
Further south again, on foot over the cliffs or by boat.
Gokarna town beach
The wide beach at the town itself, used for rituals more than swimming.
Worth knowing before you go
- Kudle, Half Moon and Paradise are reached on foot over headlands or by boat, not by car.
- It is a working temple town — the temple itself has its own dress and entry customs.
Questions people ask
What is the cheapest way to reach Gokarna by cab?+
From Murudeshwar — 130 km, about 2.5 hrs, from ₹1,774 for the whole car.
Which is the nearest airport to Gokarna?+
Hubballi Airport, 153.6 km away, from ₹2,097 by cab.
Is a cab fare to Gokarna per person or for the car?+
For the car. The fare is the same whether one person travels or the car is full.
Anything to know about the road to Gokarna?+
A return journey is charged for at least 250 km per day, because the car stays with you for the whole trip rather than picking up another fare. This route is 230 km each way, so 459 km of driving over 3 days is still billed as 750 km. On a short trip that floor is most of the fare, and two one-way journeys can work out cheaper — worth comparing both before you book.
