Route 201 connects Mysore Railway Station to Chamundi Hills every 30 minutes from 6:00 AM, carrying thousands of devotees daily to the hilltop temple. Mysore city bus routes cover 450+ numbered services operated by KSRTC, connecting every corner of the heritage city with affordable public transport starting 8.
Major Bus Route Categories
City Routes: 201-250 (Central areas, major attractions)
Suburban Routes: 251-300 (Outer city limits, industrial areas)
Express Routes: 301-350 (Limited stops, faster connectivity)
Extended Routes: 351-450 (Neighboring towns, villages)
Special Routes: Airport, Railway Station, Palace circuits
Frequency: 5-30 minutes peak hours, 15-45 minutes off-peak
Operating Hours: 5:30 AM – 10:30 PM daily
Popular Tourist Route Numbers
Route 201: Railway Station – Mysore Palace – Chamundi Hills (12-18, 45-60 minutes). Most useful for visitors covering major attractions. Buses every 20 minutes, crowded during festival seasons.
Route 202: City Bus Stand – St Philomena Church – Karanji Lake – Zoo (10-15). Ideal for half-day sightseeing. Route 216: Banashankari – Hinkal – Hebbal industrial area. Route 231: City center to Airport (25, flight-timed services).
Railway Station Connectivity Routes
Multiple routes serve Mysore Railway Station from different city areas. Route 201, 202, 211 from city center (8-12). Route 206 from Vijayanagar 4th Stage (15). Route 226 from Bogadi (18).
Early morning services start 5:30 AM for catching trains. Last buses depart 10:30 PM. Auto-rickshaw 50-80 alternative during non-operational hours. Pre-paid auto counter available at railway station.
Mysore Palace and City Center Routes
Route 201, 202, 211 connect Mysore Palace to various city areas. Route 212: Palace to Krishnarajasagar (KRS) Dam (20, 1 hour journey). Route 215: Palace circuit covering major heritage buildings.
Sunday palace illumination (7:00-8:00 PM) sees heavy rush. Special buses operate during Dasara festival with extended services. Parking near palace costs 20, making bus travel economical option.
Educational Institution Routes
Route 206: Connects University of Mysore, JSS colleges, NIE campus. Student-heavy route with increased frequency during academic sessions. Route 221: Covers engineering colleges in Srirampura area.
Route 236: Services medical colleges, district hospital areas. Special timings coordinate with college hours. Student concession available with valid ID cards. Monthly passes offer significant savings for regular college commuters.
Hospital and Healthcare Connectivity
Route 216: Covers major hospitals – KR Hospital, Cheluvamba Hospital, Columbia Asia. Route 226: Apollo BGS Hospital, private nursing homes in Bogadi area. Route 241: Government hospitals, ESI hospital connections.
Emergency services operate 24/7 with limited night buses to major hospitals. Ambulance alternative when public transport unavailable. Route timings consider OPD hours and visiting times.
Shopping and Commercial Area Routes
Route 211: Devaraja Market – Commercial Street – Sayyaji Rao Road shopping areas. Route 206: Covers malls, multiplexes in newer commercial zones. Route 216: Industrial areas, wholesale markets.
Festival seasons see increased frequency to shopping areas. Diwali, Dasara special services operate till 11:00 PM. Parking challenges in commercial areas make bus travel convenient option.
Residential Area Connectivity
Vijayanagar routes (201-210): Cover all 5 stages of largest residential layout. Gokulam routes (211-220): Connect 3 stages to city center. Dattagalli routes (221-230): New residential developments.
JP Nagar, Ramakrishnagar, Saraswathipuram served by specific route numbers. Frequency increases during office hours (8:00-10:00 AM, 5:00-7:00 PM). Weekend services reduced but maintain connectivity.
Fare Structure and Payment Options
Minimum fare 8 for up to 3 km, 12 for 3-6 km, 15 for 6-10 km, maximum 25 for longest city routes. Express services charge 5 additional. AC buses (limited routes) charge 1.5x regular fare.
Payment methods: Cash to conductor, QR code payment through PhonePe/Paytm. Monthly passes: 450 unlimited travel, 250 for students. Daily passes 35 for unlimited rides within city limits.
Peak Hour Operations and Frequency
Morning peak (7:00-9:30 AM): Buses every 8-15 minutes on major routes. Evening peak (5:00-7:30 PM): Similar frequency with additional services. Off-peak: 20-45 minutes depending on route popularity.
Festival days see special schedules with extended hours and increased frequency. Dasara, Diwali, major temple festivals trigger additional services. Check KSRTC website or call 0821-2425819 for updates.
Bus Stand and Boarding Points
Central Bus Stand (City): Main hub for routes 201-250. Suburban Bus Stand: Routes 251-350 and inter-district services. Sayyaji Rao Road: Popular boarding point for multiple routes.
Major boarding points: Mysore Palace gate, Railway Station, University campus, KR Circle, Devaraja Market. Electronic display boards show next bus arrival times at major stops.
Special Services and Facilities
Low-floor buses for disabled passengers on select routes. Ladies special timings 6:00-8:00 AM on college routes. GPS tracking allows real-time bus location through mobile apps.
Night services (limited): Essential routes till 11:00 PM. Emergency services during bandhs/strikes. Tourist information available at major bus stands with route maps and timings.
Connectivity to Nearby Towns
Route 366: Mysore to Srirangapatna (25, 45 minutes, every 30 minutes). Route 378: Mysore to Nanjangud (30, 1 hour). Route 385: Mysore to Hunsur (35, 1.5 hours).
These routes connect to local attractions like Tipu Sultan Palace, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Somnathpur temples. Useful for day trips without private transport.
Mobile Apps and Digital Services
KSRTC mobile app provides live bus tracking, route information, digital tickets. ‘MYBMTC’ app works for basic route planning. Google Maps integration shows bus stops and timings for popular routes.
SMS service: Send route number to 56767 for next bus timing. WhatsApp helpline: +91-96631-11111 for route queries. Facebook page @KSRTCMysore provides service updates.
Luggage and Travel Guidelines
Free luggage allowance: One handbag per passenger. Large luggage 10-20 additional charge at conductor’s discretion. Bicycles allowed during off-peak hours with 10 charge.
Reserved seats for senior citizens, pregnant women, disabled passengers. School children travel free with valid school ID. Give way to priority passengers during peak hours.
Alternative Transport Integration
Auto-rickshaw sharing at major bus stops during peak hours. Ola/Uber pickup points near major bus stands. Cycle sharing (MySuru Cycle) integrated with bus stops for last-mile connectivity.
Railway station shuttle: Free service for train passengers with valid tickets. Airport connectivity through Route 231 and private shuttles. Metro rail planning stage for future integration.
Tips for First-Time Users
Carry exact change for faster boarding. Buy monthly pass if using buses regularly. Download route map from KSRTC website. Ask conductor for guidance – they’re helpful to tourists.
Avoid peak hours for comfortable travel. Evening buses can be crowded after office hours. Board from front door, exit from rear door. Keep valuables secure during crowded journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main bus routes for tourists visiting Mysore?
Route 201 (Railway Station-Palace-Chamundi Hills), Route 202 (City-St Philomena-Zoo), Route 216 (Industrial area-Banashankari). These cover major attractions with 12-18 fares.
How much does Mysore city bus travel cost?
Minimum 8 for short distances, 12-15 for medium, maximum 25 for longest routes. Monthly unlimited pass 450, student pass 250. Daily pass 35 for unlimited rides.
What are the operating hours for city buses?
5:30 AM to 10:30 PM daily. Peak frequency 8-15 minutes, off-peak 20-45 minutes. Limited night services till 11:00 PM on essential routes. Festival days have extended hours.
How to track live bus timings and locations?
KSRTC mobile app for live tracking. SMS route number to 56767 for next bus time. Google Maps shows major route timings. WhatsApp +91-96631-11111 for queries.
Can I use monthly passes for all city bus routes?
Yes, 450 monthly pass covers all KSRTC city routes within Mysore limits. Student pass 250 with valid ID. Daily pass 35 for unlimited same-day travel across all routes.
Last Updated: August 2025
Next Update: New route additions October 2025