Karnataka is a large state in southwest India, stretching from the Arabian Sea coast across the forested Western Ghats to the Deccan plateau. It combines the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hampi, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, the royal city of Mysuru, coffee-covered Coorg hills, and the beaches of Gokarna and Udupi, with Bengaluru as India's technology capital.
Karnataka is one of India's safer and more visitor-friendly states, with a strong tourism industry and low rates of violent crime against foreign travellers. The main concerns are road traffic, petty theft and scams in busy areas (Majestic in Bengaluru, Mysuru Palace approaches, Hampi Bazaar), monsoon-season rip currents on the coast, seasonal dengue in cities and coastal towns, and food and water hygiene. Wildlife encounters in Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Bandipur require caution. Government advisories for India as a whole call for increased caution, but specific security warnings apply to Jammu and Kashmir, the Indo-Pakistan border and parts of the northeast and central India, not to Karnataka.
Current safety advisory
Low
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Karnataka is generally safe for tourists; the main risks are road accidents, petty theft, overcharging by autorickshaw drivers, and stomach illness. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon.
Use ride apps (Uber, Ola, Namma Yatri, Rapido) in Bengaluru and Mysuru; note the vehicle number and share the trip with a contact. Metered autos are required to use the meter, but many refuse, so agree a price or use an app.
Drink only sealed bottled or filtered water; avoid ice at street stalls and eat freshly cooked hot food. Carry oral rehydration salts (ORS sachets from any pharmacy).
Bengaluru traffic is severe and pedestrian crossings are rare; cross with locals, use footbridges and allow double the expected travel time, especially to Kempegowda International Airport.
In forest reserves (Bandipur, Nagarhole, Kabini) follow park rules strictly, never leave the vehicle, and only walk in cleared areas; wild elephants regularly cross highways near Bandipur and Coorg.
On Gokarna, Karwar and Udupi beaches, swim only where lifeguards or locals are present; strong rip currents cause drownings every monsoon season (June-September); red-flag beaches are closed to swimming.
At Hampi, carry a hat, sun protection and water; boulders are slippery and snakes and scorpions occur on hill trails. Avoid climbing at sunset without a torch.
Keep passport copies and a digital scan; hotels are legally required to ask for ID and Form C (foreigners) registration.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Autorickshaw meter refusal and inflated fares
Drivers at Bengaluru's Majestic (KSR railway station), the airport and Mysuru station often refuse to use the meter or quote several times the normal fare, especially at night or in the rain
How to avoid: Book with Namma Yatri, Uber or Ola; use the prepaid auto counter at railway stations; check the fare estimate before starting
Fake guides and 'closed today' stories at monuments
At Hampi, Mysuru Palace and Badami, unlicensed touts claim a site is closed or offer 'free' tours, then demand large payments or steer visitors to shops
How to avoid: Buy tickets only at official ASI counters or online; use guides displaying an official ASI, KSTDC or Karnataka tourism ID and agree the fee in advance
Sandalwood, silk and 'government emporium' mark-ups
Shops near Mysuru Palace and Chamundi Hill sell adulterated sandalwood products or Mysore silk at inflated prices, sometimes with commission-paid escorts
How to avoid: Buy sandalwood oil and Mysore silk only from government outlets such as Karnataka State Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) and Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium; check the hallmark or silk mark
Fake taxi or homestay booking scams
Online 'Coorg homestay' or 'Kabini resort' listings with advance payments by UPI to individuals, and cab operators demanding extra fees at the end of a trip
How to avoid: Book through Booking.com, MakeMyTrip or the property's official website; pay only a verified deposit; confirm cab price and toll or parking inclusions in writing
ATM and card skimming
Skimming devices have been found on standalone ATMs in cities and tourist strips
How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches, cover the keypad, and check card statements; use UPI or contactless where possible
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Routine vaccines (measles, tetanus, diphtheria, polio) should be up to date. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are recommended for most visitors; hepatitis B, rabies (for those with forest or animal contact) and Japanese encephalitis may be advised for long stays. Yellow fever certificate is required only if arriving from a yellow-fever risk country. Consult a travel clinic 6-8 weeks before travelling.
- Water
- Tap water is not safe to drink. Use sealed bottled water or filtered water and avoid ice from unknown sources.
- Food
- Standards vary. Eat at busy restaurants with high turnover; freshly cooked hot food is safest. Avoid uncooked salads and cut fruit from street carts in the monsoon. Shellfish on the coast is best avoided in June-August.
- Facilities
- Bengaluru has excellent private hospitals (Manipal, Apollo, Fortis, Narayana Health). Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi have good private care. In rural areas such as Coorg, Gokarna or Hampi, facilities are basic; serious cases are transferred to Bengaluru, Mysuru or Mangaluru. Dengue, malaria (low risk in some forest and coastal areas), chikungunya, and monkey fever (Kyasanur Forest Disease) in parts of Malnad are seasonal concerns: use DEET repellent and long sleeves, especially June-December.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 100 or 112
- Medical
- 108 (ambulance) or 112
- Fire
- 101 or 112
- Coast Guard
- 1554 (Indian Coast Guard toll-free) or 112
- General Emergency
- 112 (unified emergency number, works nationwide)
- Main Hospital
- Victoria Hospital (Bangalore Medical College), Fort Road, K R Market, Bengaluru; Manipal Hospital, 98 HAL Airport Road, Bengaluru
- Embassy Us
- US Consulate General Chennai (covers Karnataka): +91 44 2857 4000; US Embassy New Delhi: +91 11 2419 8000
- Embassy Uk
- British Deputy High Commission Bengaluru: see gov.uk for the current Bengaluru contact; British High Commission New Delhi: +91 11 2419 2100