Traveling as a family of five is always an adventure, but choosing to rely entirely on public transport adds a whole new layer of excitement to the journey. I am Ikbal, and along with my wife Sabeera and our wonderful kids—Isha, Shabil, and our little one, Ishwa—we set out on a memorable trip to the royal city of Mysuru. We decided to ditch the private car and experience the changing landscapes through the wide windows of the KSRTC buses. Here on Ishabil.com, I am thrilled to share the complete story of our journey, from the misty hairpin bends of Wayanad to the glowing lights of Mysuru Palace.
The Morning Wait and the Winding Roads
Our journey began with an early start. With packed lunches in hand and sleepy but excited children, we reached the Malappuram KSRTC bus stand at 6:30 in the morning. We had booked tickets for a 7:00 AM KSRTC Swift ordinary bus traveling from Ponnani to Mysuru via Wayanad. However, travel rarely goes exactly as planned!
We waited as the clock struck seven. When I called the depot, they informed me there was a delay due to a technical problem. It tested our patience, especially with three kids, but finally, the bus arrived just after 9:00 AM. We climbed aboard and started our journey. I was a bit surprised that the bus staff didn't offer a word of apology for the delay—perhaps they were overwhelmed by the constant calls from waiting travelers. But once the wheels started turning, the frustration melted away.
The bus navigated through the familiar towns of Manjeri, Areacode, Mukkam, and Thamarasseri before we began our ascent up the famous Wayanad hairpin route. The traffic was heavy, making our progress slower than usual. We took a much-needed break at the beautiful town of Sulthan Bathery to stretch our legs, use the restrooms, and buy some refreshing juices and snacks to keep the kids' energy up.
A Jungle Safari from the Window Seat
The highlight of our onward journey was crossing the dense jungles bordering Kerala and Karnataka. As the bus rumbled through the quiet forest roads, all of our eyes were glued to the windows. Nature did not disappoint! We were lucky enough to spot a majestic elephant family peacefully grazing, a nervous but beautiful group of deer, and some massive, powerful bisons. Seeing wild animals from the comfort of a public bus was a thrilling experience for Isha, Shabil, and Ishwa.
After passing the long jungle stretches, we entered the Gundalpet area. The natural beauty of Gundalpet, with its open fields and distant hills, was stunning. We stopped for a lunch break, but since we had packed food, we only bought some light snacks and enjoyed the view. Finally, at around 4:00 PM, the grand city of Mysuru welcomed us.
Our Cozy Stay and a Bustling Evening
Upon reaching Mysuru, we caught an auto-rickshaw and headed straight to our booked Airbnb. We were welcomed into a beautiful upstairs section of a home. The ground floor belonged to a very warm and friendly elderly couple who went out of their way to make us comfortable. We also learned that their daughter, Meghna, is a techie, a passionate traveler, and the creator behind the YouTube channel "Life2Wander." It felt great to connect with a fellow traveler! Starving after the long ride, we finally sat down and ate our home-packed lunch at 4:00 PM. It tasted incredibly delicious after such a long journey.
Our initial plan was to visit the famous Brindavan Park that evening. However, after checking with the locals, we found out the traffic on that route was massive. Adapting to the situation, we took an auto into the city to explore the Dussehra Exhibition grounds instead.
The exhibition was a carnival of colors, sounds, and smells. We wandered past stalls selling beautiful local handicrafts, informative government department displays, and a massive variety of food stalls. There were stage programs running, and the kids had a fantastic time. We spent hours just soaking in the vibrant atmosphere and eventually had our dinner right there.
Not wanting the night to end, we took another auto to see the iconic Mysuru Palace illuminated with thousands of bulbs. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side—we reached just around 9:00 PM, exactly when the authorities switched the lights off! Despite the slight disappointment, we headed back to our Airbnb. Tired from the day's long adventures, we all slept like logs—or as we say, "fish on sleep"—the moment we hit the bed.
Day 2: Stepping Back in Time at Srirangapatna
We woke up fresh the next morning, checked out of the wonderful Airbnb, and took an auto to the Mysuru bus stand. To travel hands-free, we safely stored our heavy luggage in the cloakroom. We then negotiated with an auto driver to cover Srirangapatna and Brindavan Gardens for 1200 Rupees for the day. On the way, our stomachs grumbled for familiar food, so we stopped at a small Kerala-style restaurant for a hearty, comforting breakfast.
The Gumbaz and the Tiger of Mysore
Our first historical stop was the Gumbaz at Srirangapatna. The Gumbaz is an architectural masterpiece featuring a beautiful onion-shaped dome, majestic pillars, and intricate stone carvings that reflect rich Persian-Islamic design. It was originally built by Tipu Sultan in 1784 to serve as the resting place for his parents, Hyder Ali and Fakhr-un-Nisa. Following his death, Tipu Sultan himself was laid to rest here. Known as the "Tiger of Mysore," Tipu Sultan was a legendary ruler who fiercely resisted British colonial expansion in India. Walking through this beautifully landscaped, wide area, surrounded by tall cypress trees, felt like stepping into a serene chapter of history. We spent about half an hour admiring the quiet beauty of the tombs.
Dariya Daulat Bagh: The Summer Palace
Next, our auto whisked us away to Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, also known as Dariya Daulat Bagh, meaning "Wealth of the Sea." We had smartly booked our tickets online to skip the lines. Built in 1784, this palace is a striking example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, constructed almost entirely from rich teakwood. The walls and ceilings are covered in breathtaking frescoes that depict glorious battle scenes, including the victories of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan over the British forces. Today, the palace serves as an incredible museum housing a vast collection of Tipu’s personal belongings, historical paintings, coins, and ancient weapons. Walking through the wooden corridors, you can almost hear the echoes of royal durbars and wartime strategies.
The Fall of a King
Before leaving Srirangapatna, we visited a somber but historically crucial site: the exact spot where Tipu Sultan died. History tells us that during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, the British forces launched a massive siege on the island fortress of Srirangapatna. Despite fighting bravely alongside his soldiers, Tipu Sultan was betrayed and eventually killed near the Water Gate of the fort. Standing at the stone memorial that marks the location of his death brought a sense of solemn respect for the brave warrior who fought till his very last breath.
Lush Gardens and a Massive Zoo
Leaving the heavy history behind, we traveled to the famous Brindavan Gardens. Adjoining the massive Krishnarajasagara (KRS) Dam built across the river Kaveri, this garden is a visual treat. Spread over 60 acres, it is designed with perfect symmetry, featuring terraced layouts, colorful botanical varieties, and hundreds of beautiful fountains. We strolled through the vibrant pathways, taking endless photos of the kids running past the flowerbeds. It is easy to see why this location has been a favorite for so many classic Indian movies!
By the afternoon, we returned to Mysuru city to visit the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, simply known as Mysuru Zoo. Because of the Christmas and New Year vacation season, the place was packed with tourists. We initially wanted to rent a battery-operated cart to save time, but there was a waiting period of several hours! We decided to brave it on foot.
Mysuru Zoo is one of the oldest and largest in India, sprawling over 157 acres. Walking through it requires covering a distance of nearly 3 kilometers. The zoo is incredibly well-maintained and houses a spectacular variety of animals, from towering giraffes and massive African elephants to fierce big cats and exotic birds. Right in the middle of our exhausting but fun walk, my phone rang. It was the KSRTC bus staff. They informed me that due to the newly inaugurated Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, their travel time had reduced drastically, and our bus would be arriving at 3:00 PM—a whole hour earlier than scheduled! They hadn't adjusted the official timetable yet. We quickly finished our zoo tour, grabbed a quick lunch at the zoo premises, and rushed out.
A Glimpse of the Palace and a Luxurious Ride Home
With time running out, we made a lightning-fast dash to the main Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas Palace). Even though we had to rush through the massive crowds, the sheer grandeur of the palace left us speechless. The official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty, the palace is a magnificent blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic architectural styles. The incredibly detailed doorways, the towering pillars, and the stunningly colorful stained-glass ceilings of the public durbar hall are sights that stay etched in your memory forever. We promised ourselves a longer visit next time.
We hurried back to the bus stand, retrieved our luggage from the cloakroom, and right on time at 3:00 PM, our ride arrived. This time, we were traveling in style. We had booked the KSRTC Garuda Maharaja service, a premium multi-axle Scania luxury coach that runs the long route from Bengaluru down to Thiruvananthapuram. As soon as we stepped in, the blast of the air-conditioning, the deeply reclining seats, and the calf supports told us this was going to be a highly comfortable ride.
As we reached the Kerala border, the bus was stopped for a routine check. The police were actively inspecting passengers for narcotic items, paying close attention to the younger travelers. After clearance, we continued our journey. The Scania's high-end suspension made the ride super smooth, but unfortunately, heavy evening traffic in the Wayanad region slowed us down considerably.
We finally reached Kottakkal at midnight. Tired but with our hearts full of beautiful memories, we took a local auto-rickshaw and reached the comfort of our home. From the delayed ordinary bus in the morning to the luxurious Scania at night, from quiet historical tombs to bustling festive grounds, this public transport trip was an unforgettable chapter for the Ishabil family.
Travel Tip from Ishabil.com: Traveling by public transport with kids teaches patience and flexibility. Always pack extra snacks, stay hydrated, and don't let unexpected delays ruin your mood—sometimes, they just add to the adventure!
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