Where to stay in Udupi: quick answer
Stay near the Krishna Matha and Car Street for pilgrimage, in the centre for convenience, at Malpe for the beach, and in Manipal for modern hotels.
| Pilgrims who want to walk to the temple | Near Krishna Matha and Car Street. Walkable to the temple, eateries and market. |
|---|---|
| Convenience and transport | City centre and Service Bus Stand. The widest choice of hotels. |
| Modern hotels and cafes | Manipal. A university town with a quieter feel. |
| A beach stay | Malpe. Sea-view stays and boats to St Mary’s Island. |
| Quiet southern beaches | Kaup and Padubidri. A few resorts, with a lighthouse. |
Page updated November 2026. Rates, timings and access change, so confirm before you book. About Travelyne
Where to stay in Udupi: the short guide
Udupi is a temple town on the coast of Karnataka, best known for the Sri Krishna Matha and as the birthplace of the Udupi style of South Indian vegetarian food. The most convenient base is near the Krishna Matha and Car Street, within walking distance of the temple, the eateries and the old market, with pilgrim-friendly hotels in every price range.
The city centre and the Service Bus Stand area have the widest choice of hotels and easy transport. Manipal, about 6 km away, is a university town with modern hotels and cafes, and Malpe, a few kilometres west, is a fishing harbour and beach with sea-view stays and the boats to St Mary’s Island. Kaup and Padubidri, further south, have quiet beaches and a few resorts.
Best areas to stay in Udupi
Near Krishna Matha and Car Street
The pilgrim hub, walkable to the temple, eateries and market.
City centre and Service Bus Stand
Central, with the widest choice of hotels and easy transport.
Manipal
A university town with modern hotels, cafes and a quieter feel.
Malpe
A fishing harbour and beach with sea-view stays and boats to St Mary’s Island.
Kaup and Padubidri
Quiet southern beaches with a few resorts and a lighthouse.
Getting to Udupi: Konkan railway, Mangaluru airport and the coastal highway
Udupi has its own railway station on the Konkan Railway, with trains along the coast from Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru and Kerala. Autos and taxis run from the station to the temple and the town.
The nearest airport is Mangaluru International (IXE) at Bajpe, about 55 km away, roughly 1.5 hours by road, with flights from Bengaluru, Mumbai and other cities. Taxis and buses run from the airport.
By road, Udupi is on the coastal highway (NH-66) between Mangaluru and Goa, and it is a usual base for Murudeshwar, about 100 km to the north, and the Mookambika temple at Kollur.
Find the right kind of hotel in Udupi
Pilgrim stays near the temple
Hotels and lodges walkable to the Krishna Matha.
Central city hotels
Convenient stays near the bus stand and restaurants.
Malpe beach stays
Sea-view hotels and resorts near the harbour.
Manipal hotels
Modern stays in the university town.
Couple-friendly stays
Most hotels accept couples with valid photo ID for both guests. Check the property policy before booking.
Budget lodges
Simple rooms around the temple and bus stand.
Hotels for every budget in Udupi
Budget lodges and hotels
Near the temple and bus stand. Simple rooms; cheapest in the monsoon.
Mid-range hotels
Comfortable stays in the centre and Manipal.
Premium hotels and beach resorts
Upscale stays at Malpe and the southern beaches.
Rates change with season, day of the week and local events, so search your exact dates to see live prices.
What to do near your hotel
- Sri Krishna Matha: The famous temple, where Krishna is viewed through a small window.
- Malpe Beach: A wide beach and fishing harbour, with water sports in season.
- St Mary’s Island: A small island of striking rock columns, reached by boat from Malpe in season.
- Kaup Beach and Lighthouse: A quiet beach with a lighthouse and sunset views.
- Anantheshwara Temple: One of Udupi’s oldest temples, close to the Krishna Matha.
- Manipal End Point: A viewpoint over the Swarna river in Manipal.
- Udupi cuisine: Dosa, idli and the classic Udupi vegetarian meals, a highlight.
- Day trips to Kollur and Murudeshwar: The Mookambika temple and the Murudeshwar Shiva statue.
A 2-day plan for Udupi
Day 1: Temple and town
Visit the Sri Krishna Matha early, then the Anantheshwara Temple. Enjoy a classic Udupi vegetarian lunch and visit Manipal End Point in the evening.
Day 2: Malpe and the island
Spend the morning at Malpe Beach and take a boat to St Mary’s Island if boats are running. See the sunset at Kaup Beach and its lighthouse.
When to visit Udupi
| October to March | Dry, pleasant weather, the best time for beaches and temples. |
|---|---|
| April to May | Hot and humid, with lower prices; plan sights for mornings and evenings. |
| June to September | Heavy monsoon rain and rough seas; boats to the island usually stop. |
Good to know before you book
- Boats to St Mary’s Island run in season and usually stop in the monsoon, so check before you plan.
- The Krishna Matha has set darshan timings and dress rules, so plan accordingly.
- Udupi is a vegetarian-food town, so expect mostly vegetarian restaurants near the temple.
- Heavy rain from June to September can disrupt travel, so choose your dates with that in mind.
Hotel price snapshot for Udupi
Based on live price checks made on Travelyne. Indicative only: rates change daily and depend on dates and room type.
See live prices for Udupi
Travelyne checks Booking.com, Agoda, Tripadvisor and direct hotels in one search. You book on the supplier's own page.
Compare hotels in UdupiFrequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Udupi?
Near the Krishna Matha and Car Street for pilgrimage, in the centre for convenience, at Malpe for the beach, or in Manipal for modern hotels.
What is the nearest airport to Udupi?
Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), about 55 km away, roughly 1.5 hours by road.
Does Udupi have a railway station?
Yes. Udupi (UD) is on the Konkan Railway, with trains from Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru and Kerala.
How do I get to St Mary’s Island?
By boat from Malpe, usually between October and May. Boats typically stop in the monsoon, so check before you go.
How many days do you need in Udupi?
One to two days covers the Krishna Matha, Malpe and St Mary’s Island.
When is the best time to visit Udupi?
October to March, for dry, pleasant weather.