New Delhi: IndiGo flight cancellations gripped India in December 2025, disrupting thousands of journeys amid pilot shortages and duty rule changes. Travellers
face stranded plans and endless airport waits, turning hoped-for getaways into frustration. Delayed travel dreams now demand smart pivots for stress-free escapes.
For Bengaluru folks, road trips emerge as the ultimate vacation fix—scenic, flexible routes to nearby gems. Bypass IndiGo chaos for open highways and instant adventures. Keen to uncover the best road trip destinations from Bengaluru?
IndiGo flight cancellations: What happened and how it affected Bengalureans
IndiGo’s crisis erupted from new DGCA Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules implemented November 2025, mandating longer pilot rest and capping night landings at two per week to combat fatigue – catching the airline unprepared after delays from its low-cost model. Compounded by Airbus A320 software glitches, crew rostering flaws, airport congestion, and tech issues, it triggered a “network reboot” with mass cancellations starting December 2. Nationwide, over 2,000 flights were axed by December 7, stranding thousands at Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and more, prompting government intervention and a 5% flight cut.
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport suffered severely: 20 flights on December 2, 42 on December 3 (22 arrivals, 20 departures to Delhi, Mumbai, etc.), 73 on December 4, 104 on December 6, 136 in 24 hours, and 60 more on December 10—fuelling road trip surges as passengers ditched skies for highways.
Top road trip destinations from Bangalore
Hit the road from Bengaluru for these weekend getaways under 300 km, blending hills, heritage, and beaches.
1. Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills, 60 km from Bengaluru via NH44, is an ancient 11th-century fortress built by Ganga dynasty, Tipu Sultan’s summer retreat. Famous for misty sunrises, Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, paragliding, and panoramic views at 1,478m.
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Best places to visit in Nandi Hills: Nandi Hills Fort, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple.
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Top things to do in Nandi Hills: Catch sunrise views, paraglide over valleys, trek historic trails.
2. Mysore
Mysore, 140 km from Bengaluru, is Karnataka’s cultural capital and Wadiyar dynasty seat for six centuries. Famed as City of Palaces with iconic Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, vibrant Dasara festival, silk markets, and yoga heritage.
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Best places to visit in Mysore: Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens.
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Top things to do in Mysore: Watch light shows, shop silk sarees, attend yoga sessions.
3. Coorg
Coorg, or Kodagu, about 267 km from Bengaluru, is a lush Western Ghats hill station famed for coffee plantations, misty valleys, waterfalls, and distinctive Kodava culture and homestays—ideal for serene nature escapes.
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Best places to visit in Coorg: Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, Mandalpatti viewpoint.
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Top things to do in Coorg: Coffee plantation tours, river rafting, homestay hikes.
4. Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur, around 244 km from Bengaluru, is Karnataka’s Coffee Land, nestled at the foothills of Mullayanagiri with rolling estates, cool climate, trekking trails, waterfalls, and tranquil hill views perfect for laid-back getaways.
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Best places to visit in Chikmagalur: Mullayanagiri Peak, Hebbe Falls, Coffee Museum.
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Top things to do in Chikmagalur: Peak trekking, waterfall dips, estate walks.
5. Ooty
Ooty, or Udhagamandalam, about 280 km from Bengaluru, is the Queen of Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris, known for cool climate, tea gardens, lakes, colonial charm, and the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
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Best places in Ooty to visit: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak.
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Top things to do in Ooty: Toy train rides, boating, tea tasting.
6. Wayanad
Wayanad, roughly 270 km from Bengaluru in northern Kerala, is a lush hill district of spice plantations, misty valleys, and rich wildlife, home to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary with elephants, big cats, and dense forests.
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Best places to visit in Wayanad: Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves, Pookode Lake.
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Top things to do in Wayanad: Wildlife safaris, cave explorations, peak treks
7. Pondicherry
Pondicherry (Puducherry), around 310 km from Bengaluru on the Coromandel Coast, is a former French colonial town famed for pastel-hued villas, cobbled French Quarter, beaches, Auroville, and serene seaside promenades lined with cafés.
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Best places in Pondicherry to visit: Promenade Beach, Auroville, Paradise Beach.
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Top things to do in Pondicherry: Cycle colonial streets, meditate at ashram, beach lounging.
Road trips from Bengaluru offer the perfect antidote to IndiGo’s flight woes—scenic drives, flexible schedules, and unforgettable escapes to hills, palaces, and beaches. Ditch airport stress for open roads, fresh air, and spontaneous adventures that recharge the soul.
