Port information & tips for New Mangalore Port
New Mangalore Port is the fascinating gateway to the Indian state of Karnataka and welcomes travelers with a rich culture and lush tropical landscapes. The port city on the Malabar Coast impresses with its authentic charm and offers a relaxed atmosphere between living tradition and modernity, thanks to the palm-fringed coast of the Arabian Sea. Cultural highlights nearby include the famous St. Aloysius Chapel with its elaborate ceiling paintings, as well as the spiritual Kadri Manjunatha Temple and the golden Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple. Cruise ships dock directly at the New Mangalore Port Trust in the Panambur district, where the comfortable Cruise Lounge Terminal ensures a smooth reception. The city center, located about ten kilometers away, can be reached easily and quickly via available taxis or shuttle services.
Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship
New Mangalore Port (NMPT) in Panambur is the only major port in the state of Karnataka and serves as an important port of call for cruise ships in India. The port features a modern cruise terminal that offers customs clearance, currency exchange, and duty-free shops. It is easily accessible from the region thanks to good connections by air and road.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), located approximately 7 to 13 kilometers from New Mangalore Port. There are currently no direct flights from the DACH region, but good international connections exist via major hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Dubai. Given the long journey from Europe, a pre-cruise overnight stay is recommended to start your cruise relaxed.
Transfer & Shuttle
From Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), you can easily reach New Mangalore Port by taxi in about 13 minutes, with fares costing approximately 360-440 Indian Rupees. Local ride-sharing services like Uber and Ola Cabs are becoming increasingly popular in the region and offer transparent rates. Additionally, many cruise lines provide their own shuttle services that take you directly from the terminal to Mangalore city center, which is about 10 kilometers away.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
An overnight stay in one of the comfortable hotels in Mangalore city center is highly recommended after a long-haul flight from the DACH region. This allows you to acclimatize and explore the city before embarking on your cruise. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are easily available from city center hotels to reach the cruise terminal. The port is also well-connected to National Highway NH-66. For those traveling by car, parking facilities for private vehicles are available at the port itself.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents usually include a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time—depending on the cruise line and destination—is generally about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times may change at short notice.
