By Autorickshaws
They are available all throughout Mangalore City, the starting fare is Rs.15. Pre-paid autos were available from the City Railway Station and the KSRTC bus stand at Bejai, but not any more. Autos also ply to far-off destinations, the outskirts, for one-and-a-half times the actual fare; this is roughly around Rs.150, depending on the amount of money you have to spare, although one would prefer using buses to reach these areas as a cheaper mode of transport.
The Auto drivers will charge exorbitant rates if you do not haggle. If there is a problem with them, just search for a cop nearby. If the cop talks to them, the Auto drivers treat you fairly.
By Cab
White Ambassador Cabs/Indicas are available: usually used by passengers on long-haul routes. Shared cabs are also available for travel between the city and other talukas viz. Bantwal BC Road, etc. Prepaid cabs are available from the airport to the city: this is generally at a flat rate of â¹350-400.
Car-Rent facilities are also available in Mangalore.
By bus
There are numerous private bus companies which run bus services within the city of Mangalore and its suburbs. They have names like Padmambika Bus Co. Ltd. emblazoned in large letters in English on the front windscreen of the bus and on its sides. These buses also connect to all the minor urban centres surrounding Mangalore. Most of them originate from the Central Bus Stand at Mangalore behind the Town Hall: the 'State Bank' bus-stand.
Even though the buses are operated by different private companies, the bus numbering scheme is unified and quite useful. The destinations and routes are, however, all written in Kannada. The best way to use these buses is to ask around and the people are most helpful. If you are armed with a city map, one can get the hang of things within a day or so. The minimum bus fare is â¹5If you are a student then you can avail concession on bus fares,that is, you just have ot pay half the bus fare.In addition city bus service, there is limited stop usually called express bus service the majority of these are run by various private bus companies for inter-town/city travelling to neighbouring places. You may find these useful to visit places like Udupi, Manipal, Kaup, Karkala etc. Bus fare ranges between â¹14 to â¹35 for a distance up to 65 km.