Located at Hampankatta in the heart of the city, Mangalore Central is a terminus, and is used only by the trains which terminate at Mangalore. And thus, most of the long distance trains interconnected with different cities stops here at Mangalore Junction. A few of major trains like Yesvantpur-Karwar Express and KSR Bengaluru City-Kannur Express makes it easier to cover Bangalore to Mangalore distance in a short duration. While to cover a distance from Mumbai to Mangalore, you have to take Mumbai LTT-Mangalore Junction.

Conveniently located about 395 kms to the South of Goa and 347 kms due west of Bangalore with National Highways connecting the city- Mangalore to both the sides. For the long distance, i.e. from Mysore, Goa, Mumbai and Bangalore to Mangalore bus services, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are highly recommended because of their low fare and comfort. However, there are numerous bus services from Mangalore to all the nearby towns in Karnataka and Kerala run by both the state government transport department (KSRTC) and numerous private companies, which operate at a little competitive rates. Although, the buses are operated by different private companies, the bus numbering scheme is unified, which is quite useful for travellers and bus drivers.