Ask anyone in Bengaluru where the city’s heart beats loudest and most chaotically, and a significant number will point toward Majestic — the neighborhood that grew up around Kempegowda Bus Station and the adjacent City Railway Station to become the most intensely transited square kilometre in Karnataka. KBS, as Bengaluru’s residents almost universally call it, is not just a bus terminal. It is an urban institution of the first order — a place where the city’s extraordinary diversity of language, occupation, origin, and aspiration becomes visible in a single panoramic glance across the platforms. IT professionals heading to weekend getaways, sugarcane workers returning to their villages in Mandya, pilgrims departing for Dharmasthala and Udupi, students heading home to Mysuru and Tumakuru — they all pass through KBS with the particular mix of purposeful motion and patient waiting that defines long-distance bus travel everywhere.
Named after the founder of Bengaluru, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the station underwent significant renovation and modernization in recent years, transforming from a somewhat chaotic older terminal into a substantially improved facility with better organized platforms, cleaner passenger amenities, improved signage, and a more logical operational layout. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates the majority of services from here, while the neighbouring private bus terminus handles premium operators running luxury coaches to Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and other major cities. The station’s integration with Bengaluru’s suburban rail system and Namma Metro makes it one of the most genuinely multimodal transit hubs in South India.
Kempegowda Bus Station Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Kempegowda Bus Station (KBS / Majestic Bus Stand) |
| Location | Majestic, Central Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Address | Gubbi Thotadappa Road, Majestic, Bengaluru — 560009, Karnataka |
| Operated By | KSRTC and Private Operators |
| Nearest Metro Station | Kempegowda — Namma Metro Green and Purple Lines |
| Nearest Railway Station | Bengaluru City Railway Station — Approx. 500 m |
| Distance from Kempegowda Airport | Approx. 35–40 km via NH-44 |
| Number of Platforms | 60+ bus bays across the terminal |
| Primary Routes Served | Mysuru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mangaluru, Hubli, Pune, Goa |
| First Bus | As early as 4:00 AM on major routes |
| Last Bus | 24-hour operations on several corridors |
| Public Transport Options | Namma Metro, BMTC City Bus, Suburban Rail, App Cabs |
| Best Suited For | Pan-Karnataka and inter-state travel from Bengaluru |
Location
Kempegowda Bus Station occupies a commanding position in Majestic — Bengaluru’s original commercial and transit core — sitting virtually adjacent to Bengaluru City Railway Station on Gubbi Thotadappa Road. This proximity creates one of South India’s most naturally integrated rail-road transit hubs, where passengers can switch between train and bus services with minimal time and no intermediate transport. Kempegowda Metro Station at the intersection of the Green Line (north-south) and Purple Line (east-west) sits just outside the terminal, completing a trimodal transit convergence that makes this the most accessible point in the entire Bengaluru metropolitan area.
Routes from Kempegowda Bus Station
Mysuru: The Bengaluru-Mysuru corridor is KBS’s single most traveled route by sheer frequency, with KSRTC services departing practically every 5 to 10 minutes during peak hours on this 145-kilometre journey. Multiple service categories including Airavata Club Class, Rajahamsa, and ordinary buses serve every price point.
Chennai: One of South India’s most important inter-state bus corridors, the Bengaluru-Chennai route sees dozens of daily departures across KSRTC and private operators. The 350-kilometre journey takes approximately 5.5 to 7 hours.
Hyderabad: Long-distance services to Hyderabad operate throughout the day and overnight, covering approximately 575 kilometres in 9 to 11 hours, serving a large migrant and business travel population.
Mangaluru: Services to the port city run multiple times daily across regular and AC categories, covering approximately 350 kilometres through the Western Ghats in 6 to 8 hours.
Hubli and Dharwad: North Karnataka’s twin cities are well-connected from KBS with frequent departures throughout the day, serving the business and cultural links between Bengaluru and northern Karnataka.
Goa: Tourist and resident services to Goa operate daily from KBS, covering approximately 565 kilometres through NH-4A and the coastal route in 9 to 12 hours depending on service type.
Pune and Mumbai: Inter-state services to western Maharashtra operate daily, with overnight departures dominating the format for these 840-kilometre-plus journeys to Mumbai.
Timings
KBS effectively operates around the clock. The earliest departures on high-frequency routes like Mysuru begin at 4:00 AM, with overnight arrivals and departures for long-distance services running through all night hours. The Mysuru corridor in particular operates near-continuously during daylight hours. Peak activity runs from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. KSRTC’s online booking platform provides real-time timetable information for all routes.
Fares
Ordinary KSRTC Services: Bengaluru to Mysuru ordinary fare is approximately ₹130 to ₹160. Bengaluru to Hubli ordinary costs approximately ₹350 to ₹400.
Airavata Club Class AC: KSRTC’s premium Airavata AC buses on the Mysuru corridor charge approximately ₹250 to ₹300 per person one-way.
Rajahamsa Semi-Luxury: A mid-tier option popular on multiple corridors charging approximately 25 to 40 percent more than ordinary services.
Private Luxury and Sleeper: Private operators on the Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune corridors charge approximately ₹600 to ₹1,400 depending on route length, operator, and berth category.
Metro and Public Transport Connectivity
Kempegowda Metro Station at the Green-Purple Line interchange is directly accessible from the bus terminal, giving KBS passengers instant access to the full Namma Metro network. BMTC city buses serve dozens of routes originating from or passing through Majestic, connecting the bus station to every major residential and commercial zone in Bengaluru. Bengaluru City Railway Station’s suburban and intercity services are a 5-minute walk away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where is Kempegowda Bus Station located in Bengaluru?
A: It is at Gubbi Thotadappa Road, Majestic, Bengaluru — 560009, adjacent to Bengaluru City Railway Station.
Q2. How frequently do buses run from KBS to Mysuru?
A: Buses to Mysuru depart approximately every 5 to 10 minutes during peak hours, making it one of the most frequent bus corridors in South India.
Q3. What is the fare from Bengaluru to Chennai by bus?
A: KSRTC ordinary fares are approximately ₹350 to ₹420, with private AC services charging ₹500 to ₹800 depending on the operator.
Q4. Which metro station serves Kempegowda Bus Station?
A: Kempegowda Metro Station at the Green and Purple Line interchange is directly adjacent to the bus terminal.
Q5. Does KBS operate overnight services?
A: Yes, KBS operates effectively around the clock with overnight services to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, and other long-distance destinations.