Onam gets a rail boost: Special Mysuru‑Kannur trains via Bengaluru

As the scent of jasmine and the chatter of Onam celebrations start to fill the air, the South Western Railway (SWR) has decided to lend a hand – or rather, a set of wheels. Starting later this month, four special express trains will shuttle passengers between Mysuru and the coastal town of Kannur, cutting across Bengaluru on the way.

What does the timetable look like? In simple terms, you’ll get two round‑trips. The first Mysuru–Kannur Special Express (train 06227) pulls out of Mysuru at 10:30 pm on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, and rolls into Kannur at 2:00 pm the following day. Its return counterpart (train 06228) leaves Kannur at 6:25 pm on Wednesday, 26 August, reaching Bengaluru Cantt the next morning around 8:35 am.

For those who miss the first wave, there’s a second set. Train 06229 departs Mysuru at 11:55 pm on Saturday, 29 August, and touches down in Kannur just before 6 pm on Sunday. The home‑bound version (train 06230) heads out of Kannur at 7:45 pm that same day, arriving at Bengaluru Cantt by 10:00 am on Monday, 31 August.

Both journeys thread through a string of familiar stops – Mandya, KSR Bengaluru, Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Vadakara and Thalassery – before finally reaching the Kerala coast. In the opposite direction, the Bengaluru‑Cantt halt is added to the list.

Inside the train, the composition aims to suit everyone’s pocket. There are 20 coaches in total: a single AC Two‑Tier coach for those who like a bit of space, two AC Three‑Tier coaches, nine Sleeper Class coaches, six General Second Class coaches for budget travellers, and two luggage‑cum‑brake vans to handle bags and the usual railway necessities.

While the schedule looks set, the railways always leave a little wiggle room for adjustments – especially during a busy festival period. Still, for anyone planning to combine a pilgrimage to temples with a seaside stay, these specials provide a convenient (and fairly comfortable) bridge between Karnataka’s royal city and Kerala’s golden shores.

So, if you’re gearing up for Onam and wondering how to get there without a marathon road‑trip, you now have a rail‑based option that’s both scenic and, frankly, a bit festive in spirit.