Shimoga Bus Stop — officially the Shivamogga Bus Terminal (KSRTC), located on BH Road, Vidyanagar, Milagatta — is one of the most important and best-maintained KSRTC bus terminals in Karnataka, consistently rated among the state’s Top 10 bus terminals. Serving the gateway city of the lush Malnad region, this terminal connects the dense forests, sacred rivers, and spectacular waterfalls of central Karnataka to Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and dozens of district towns across the state. Shivamogga — officially renamed from Shimoga — is the commercial, administrative, and tourist hub of the Malnad belt, and its KSRTC terminal handles thousands of passengers daily who travel to and from the coffee estates of Chikkamagaluru, the sacred shrines of Dharmasthala and Sringeri, and the legendary Jog Falls cascade. Inaugurated by former Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, the terminal was built as a flagship model of modern bus station infrastructure in Karnataka — combining retail, dining, and passenger services under one roof.
Location and Address
Address: Shivamogga Bus Terminal, BH Road, Vidyanagar, Milagatta, Shivamogga (Shimoga) — 577202, Karnataka
The terminal is centrally located in Shivamogga city — approximately 1 kilometre from the Shivamogga Town Railway Station, 274 kilometres from Bengaluru (Kempegowda Bus Station), 180 kilometres from Mangaluru, and 100 kilometres from the world-famous Jog Falls.
How to Reach Shimoga Bus Stop
| Mode of Transport | Details | Approx. Time |
| Shivamogga Town Railway Station | 1 km — short auto-rickshaw ride | 5 — 10 minutes |
| From Bengaluru (KBS) | KSRTC — Airavat / Karnataka Sarige | 5.5 — 7 hours |
| From Mangaluru | KSRTC Ordinary / Express | 3.5 — 4 hours |
| From Udupi | KSRTC / Private | 3 — 3.5 hours |
| Auto-Rickshaw | Available throughout the day at the terminal | Readily available |
| App-Based Cab | Ola, Uber active in Shivamogga | 5 — 15 minutes within city |
| Private Vehicle | BH Road — centrally located | Well-connected road network |
Shimoga Bus Stop Timings
| Service | First Bus | Last Bus | Notes |
| KSRTC — Bengaluru (KBS) | 12:15 AM | 11:59 PM | Every 15 — 20 minutes all day |
| KSRTC — Mangaluru | 12:00 AM | 11:30 PM | Multiple daily departures |
| KSRTC — Udupi | 12:30 AM | 10:00 PM | Regular service |
| KSRTC — Chikkamagaluru | 1:00 AM | 10:45 PM | Multiple daily trips |
| KSRTC — Dharmasthala | 12:15 AM | 11:30 PM | Very frequent pilgrimage route |
| KSRTC — Hassan | 1:15 AM | 5:30 PM | Multiple daily trips |
| KSRTC — Hubli | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM | Regular service |
| KSRTC — Sringeri | Regular | Regular | Via Thirthahalli |
| KSRTC — Jog Falls (via Sagar) | 6:00 AM | 5:00 PM | Tourist route — scenic corridor |
| KSRTC — Hyderabad | Night service | Night service | Long-distance overnight |
| KSRTC — Mumbai / Chennai | Night service | Night service | Long-distance overnight |
| Terminal Operations | 24 hours | 24 hours | Round-the-clock services |
Facilities at Shimoga Bus Stop
| Facility | Status | Details |
| KSRTC Ticket Reservation Counter | ✅ Available | Government booking windows — 24 hours |
| Helpdesk | ✅ Available | Staff assistance for route and timing queries |
| Aramane Restaurant | ✅ Available | Full-service veg restaurant inside terminal |
| Reliance Bazaar | ✅ Available | Retail department store — clothing and snacks |
| Reliance Digital | ✅ Available | Electronics and accessories outlet |
| Karnataka Bank ATM | ✅ Available | 24-hour ATM inside terminal |
| Hitachi ATM | ✅ Available | Additional 24-hour ATM |
| Underground Parking | ✅ Available | Spacious vehicle parking facility |
| Waiting Rooms | ✅ Available | Separate waiting areas for passengers |
| Washrooms | ✅ Available | Separate male and female facilities |
| Small Refreshment Shops | ✅ Available | Tea, snacks and beverages throughout |
| CCTV Surveillance | ✅ Active | Round-the-clock terminal monitoring |
| Online Booking | ✅ Available | KSRTC.in and redBus |
| City Bus Stand | ✅ Across Road | Shivamogga city bus stand directly opposite |
Major KSRTC Bus Routes From Shimoga Bus Stop
| Destination | Bus Type | Journey Time | Frequency |
| Bengaluru (KBS) | Airavat / Karnataka Sarige | 5.5 — 7 hours | Every 15 — 20 minutes |
| Mangaluru | Airavat / Rajahamsa / Ordinary | 3.5 — 4 hours | Multiple daily |
| Udupi | KSRTC Ordinary / Express | 3 — 3.5 hours | Multiple daily |
| Chikkamagaluru | KSRTC Ordinary / Airavat | 2.5 — 3 hours | Multiple daily |
| Dharmasthala | KSRTC Ordinary / Airavat | 4 — 5 hours | Very frequent |
| Hassan | KSRTC Ordinary | 3 — 4 hours | Multiple daily |
| Sringeri | KSRTC Ordinary | 3.5 hours | Regular service |
| Jog Falls (via Sagar) | KSRTC Ordinary | 2.5 hours | Daily tourist buses |
| Hubli | KSRTC Express | 4 hours | Regular service |
| Hyderabad | Long-distance overnight | 11 — 12 hours | Night departures |
Nearby Area
Jog Falls — Approximately 100 kilometres from the Shivamogga Bus Terminal via Sagar, Jog Falls is India’s second-highest plunge waterfall and Karnataka’s most spectacular natural attraction — a four-pronged cascade where the Sharavathi River plunges 253 metres into a misty gorge. KSRTC operates regular buses from Shivamogga to Jog Falls, making the terminal the most practical departure point for one of Karnataka’s most dramatic day trips.
Tunga River and Shivamogga City — The Tunga River — one of Karnataka’s most sacred rivers and the source of the Tungabhadra — flows through Shivamogga city, and its riverfront ghats and temple complexes give the city a deeply spiritual character. The Sharada Vilas College, Shivamogga Fort remnants, and the bustling Gandhi Bazaar market near the bus terminal are all within easy walking or auto distance.
Bhadravathi Steel Plant — The historic Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant at Bhadravathi — approximately 15 kilometres from the terminal — is one of India’s oldest and most historically significant steel manufacturing facilities, a landmark of Karnataka’s industrial heritage accessible by frequent city buses from the stand across BH Road.
Western Ghats and Coffee Country — The Shivamogga terminal is the literal gateway to the Karnataka segment of the Western Ghats — with Chikkamagaluru’s coffee estates, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kemmannugundi hill station, and the teak forests of the Malnad belt all accessible by KSRTC services departing from this terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is Shimoga bus terminal a 24-hour facility?
A: Yes. Shivamogga KSRTC Bus Terminal operates 24 hours a day. The Bengaluru route alone sees departures from 12:15 AM through midnight, with buses every 15 to 20 minutes.
Q2. How do I reach Shimoga bus stand from Bengaluru?
A: Take a KSRTC Airavat, Karnataka Sarige, or Rajahamsa bus from Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic) — 274 kilometres, 5.5 to 7 hours. Tickets are bookable on KSRTC.in or redBus.
Q3. Are there buses from Shimoga to Jog Falls?
A: Yes. KSRTC operates daily buses from Shivamogga to Jog Falls via Sagar — approximately 100 kilometres, 2.5 hours journey.
Q4. What top-rated facilities are inside the Shimoga KSRTC terminal?
A: The terminal features Aramane restaurant, Reliance Bazaar, Reliance Digital, Karnataka Bank and Hitachi ATMs, underground parking, KSRTC helpdesk, and 24-hour waiting rooms — ranking it among Karnataka’s Top 10 bus terminals.
Q5. Is the Shivamogga Railway Station near the bus terminal?
A: Yes. Shivamogga Town Railway Station is approximately 1 kilometre away — a short auto-rickshaw ride.
Q6. How frequent are buses from Shimoga to Dharmasthala?
A: Extremely frequent — with services departing from as early as 12:15 AM and running throughout the day, Dharmasthala is one of the most heavily served pilgrimage routes from this terminal.
