Mangaluru International Airport

Mangaluru International Airport sits 13 kilometres northeast of the city centre in the village of Kenjar, serving the coastal Karnataka region with connections to domestic destinations and a few international routes. It is a relatively compact facility, handling around two million passengers annually, but its location at the convergence of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea gives it an outsized importance. The airport operates as a secondary hub for Air India and is also served by IndiGo, SpiceJet, and other carriers. Despite its modest size, the terminal handles its traffic efficiently, though the 7pm peak on weekdays can create congestion in the departures area.

Getting There

Mangaluru International Airport is accessible by road from the city centre and surrounding areas. The drive from Mangaluru city centre (Hampankatta or State Bank of India Circle) typically takes 30 to 45 minutes via the NH-66 bypass, depending on traffic. Auto-rickshaws are available but not recommended for the 13-kilometre journey due to slow speeds and lack of luggage space. Prepaid taxis operate from a booth outside the arrivals hall, with fares to the city centre around ₹400-500. App-based services such as Uber and Ola also serve the airport, though surge pricing during peak hours is common. For those driving, a paid parking lot is located directly in front of the terminal, with separate areas for cars and two-wheelers. Rates are modest: ₹50 for the first hour for cars, with a daily maximum of around ₹200. Public bus service is limited; city buses from Mangaluru to Kenjar stop on the main road about 2 kilometres from the terminal, so a short auto-rickshaw ride is needed to complete the journey. The nearest railway station is Mangaluru Central (12 km away), with connecting taxis available. From the Mangaluru City bus stand, buses route 42 and 42A reach the Kenjar junction, but schedules are infrequent.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single building with separate levels for arrivals and departures. On departure, check-in counters line the left wall, with airline kiosks and a few self-service machines. Security screening is on the upper level, and passengers should allow 15-20 minutes during normal hours, longer at the 7pm peak. The airside waiting area has seating, a small café serving snacks and beverages, and a duty-free shop for international passengers. Toilets are available on both levels, including accessible toilets and a changing table in the family restroom. Wheelchair-accessible entrances and car park spaces are marked, and airport staff or airline personnel can assist with mobility needs. Baggage storage is available near the arrivals area, charging ₹50 per bag per day. The terminal has free Wi-Fi (Mangaluru Airport Free Wi-Fi) that requires an OTP via mobile number. No smoking is allowed inside the terminal; a designated smoking area is outside near the parking lot. The atmosphere is generally calm, but the evening peak sees queues at check-in and security. For early morning flights (departures from 5am), the terminal opens around 3am.

Mangaluru International Airport and Kenjar HC, Mangaluru

Kenjar is a small village on the outskirts of Mangaluru, a city that has evolved from a historic port to a modern commercial centre. The airport sits amidst coconut groves and red-earth fields, a reminder that this region is still deeply agricultural. Mangaluru itself, also known as Mangalore, is the largest city in the Dakshina Kannada district and a hub for maritime trade, IT, and education. The city's culture is dominated by the Tulu-speaking community, and it has a distinct identity separate from the rest of Karnataka.

What draws travellers to this part of India? Food is a primary reason. Mangalorean cuisine, known for its generous use of coconut, chilli, and seafood, includes dishes like fish curry, neer dosa, and the fiery Mangalorean chicken ghee roast. The coastal location means fresh seafood is abundant. The city also has a strong coffee culture—many estates in the nearby Western Ghats produce robusta and arabica beans.

Tourists come for the beaches: Panambur, Tannirbhavi, and Someshwara are within 15 kilometres of the airport. These are less crowded than Goa's shores, with clean sand and water sports available. For cultural attractions, the Kadri Manjunatha Temple, dating back to the 11th century, features a bronze statue of Lokeshvara. The Sultan Battery, a watchtower built by Tipu Sultan, offers views of the Gurupura River and is a short drive from Kenjar. The St. Aloysius Chapel, with its frescoed ceilings, reflects the city's Portuguese Catholic heritage.

Many visitors use Mangaluru as a base to explore the Western Ghats. The hill stations of Chikmagalur, Coorg (Kodagu), and Sakleshpur are 100-150 kilometres away, accessible via winding roads through coffee plantations and forests. Pilgrims head to Dharmasthala (70 km), a temple town, or Kollur (140 km) for the Mookambika Temple. The region is also known for its Yakshagana performances—a traditional theatre form blending dance, music, and elaborate costumes.

Kenjar itself is unremarkable, a typical Indian village with a few shops and a temple. But its proximity to the airport makes it a convenient stop for last-minute shopping (coconut products, cashews, spices) or a simple meal at a roadside eatery.

Practical Information

The airport is open from 3:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily, with flights operating primarily between 5 AM and 10 PM. The busiest times are Monday through Thursday at 7 PM, when multiple departures are scheduled. For check-in, arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The website (https://www.adani.com/mangaluru-airport) provides flight schedules, parking fees, and updates on facilities. The airport phone number is +91 63588 59896.

One concrete piece of advice: if you are departing during the evening peak, consider using web check-in and carrying only cabin baggage to skip the check-in queue entirely. The security line moves steadily at that hour, but check-in counters can have waits of 20 to 30 minutes.