Payana Vintage and Classic Car Museum

Pitstop Perfection: The Ultimate Guide to Payana Vintage and Classic Car Museum

Payana Car Museum
Payana Car Museum, Srirangapatna, Karnataka

Cruising down the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and looking for the ultimate road trip pitstop? Whether you are a hardcore automobile enthusiast, a history buff, or simply planning a refreshing weekend getaway from Bengaluru, there is a spectacular new landmark demanding a spot on your itinerary.

Welcome to Payana Vintage and Classic Car Museum—a treasure trove of automotive history so massive that your fully charged smartphone battery might just give up before you run out of things to photograph.

Fiat Cars
Fiat Cars (100 years old)

Payana Museum - The Ultimate Highway Eye-Catcher

You can’t miss it even if you try. As you approach Srirangapatna on the expressway, look to your left. You will be greeted by a gigantic, architectural tyre façade featuring striking ramps. It’s the ultimate backdrop for a quick road-trip photoshoot, but the real magic lies just beyond the gates.

Established under the visionary guidance of Shree D. Veerendra Heggade, Payana Car Museum has quickly become one of the hottest destinations for travellers heading toward Mysuru.

Getting There: Distance & Travel Time

Conveniently located right on the highway, Payana makes for the perfect standalone day trip or a strategic break during your drive to Mysuru.
  • Bengaluru - 126 km ~3 hours’ drive
  • Mysuru - 19 km ~35 minutes’ drive
  • Srirangapatna - 5.3 km ~8 minutes’ drive

Payana Car Museum Address:

Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, Next to SKDRDP RO Office, Opp. to Bharath Benz, Brahmapura, Srirangapatna, Karnataka - 571477.

Inside the Payana Car Museum: A Gearhead's Paradise

If you have a soft spot for classic wheels, prepare to spend at least half a day here. The museum beautifully chronicles the evolution of transportation, starting right from ancient wheels and tyres to complex mechanical engines.

The Star Attractions

The beautifully restored vehicle lineup features global automotive royalty, including legends from Daimler, Ford, Mercedes, Fiat, Cadillac, Mazda, Morris, and Buick.

Keep an eye out for these incredible historical highlights:
  • Royal & Celebrity Wheels: Cars once used by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nobel laureate C.V. Raman, and legendary Kannada actor Dr Vishnuvardhan.
  • A Personal Journey: The pristine 1962 Standard Herald driven by Dr Veerendra Heggade during his student days.
  • Military Might: A rugged collection of military trucks dating back to the 1980s.
  • More Than Just Cars: The Manjusha Museum
Daimler DE 36 Maharaja's Car
Daimler DE 36 - 1949 (used by the Maharaja of Mysore)

Your ticket also grants you access to the Manjusha Museum, a beautifully curated space dedicated to preserving the everyday heritage of bygone eras. It’s a nostalgic walk down memory lane featuring:
  • Vintage Tech: Antique telephones, heavy typewriters, telescopes, and classic gramophones.
  • Heritage Artefacts: Traditional brass kitchenware, historic weighing scales, ornate mirrors, and rare stone sculptures.
  • Industrial & Military History: Old-school printing presses alongside historic weaponry, including swords, vintage rifles, and pistols.
Antique rifles
Antique rifles and muzzle loaders

Know Before You Go: Payana Visitor Guidelines

To make the most of your trip, keep these quick operational details and guidelines in mind:
  • Payana Car Museum Timings: 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM daily.
  • Entry Fee: ₹50 per adult.
  • Free Entry: Children under 12 years (carry an ID card) and Army/Ex-Army personnel enjoy complimentary entry.
  • Dress Code: No strict code—just dress comfortably for walking!
  • Amenities: There is a fantastic vegetarian restaurant on-site if you want to grab breakfast or lunch.
  • The Rules: Large baggage is prohibited (small pouches are subject to security checks). Food and drinks are not allowed inside the galleries. Please refrain from touching the exhibits and stick to the designated walkways.
Need assistance? You can reach the museum desk directly at +91-82362 53050.

A Note on Responsible Travel

We love keeping our travel destinations pristine. When visiting Srirangapatna and the surrounding historic regions, please practice the "Leave No Trace" principle. Secure your trash, use public bins, and leave the environment exactly as beautiful as you found it.

Over to You!

This post is part of our ongoing "1-Day Trips from Bengaluru" and "Places to Visit in Mysuru" series. All gallery photos were captured on an iPhone 13 during a visit in February 2026. For official updates, check out the award-winning Payana Museum Official Website.

Have you visited Payana yet? Which classic beauty stole your heart?

Cadillac Fleetwood 1949
Cadillac Fleetwood 1949

Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for your next weekend road trip!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Quick Guide for First-Time Visitors to Palani Hills

Exploring the Hosur Pratyangira Devi Temple

Discovering Dakshina Tirupati in Hosur

Aquaria KLCC: A Must-Visit Oceanarium in Kuala Lumpur

Exploring the Istana Negara: Malaysia’s National Palace in Kuala Lumpur