Best route from Badami to Hospet

Has anyoone travelled the route from Badami to Hospet?
Our intention is to get to Hampi (Hospet) from Badami and the LP offers three options:
a six hour bus from Badami to Hospet;
a three-hour bus to Hubli, then train to Hspet;
a two-hour bus to Gadag, then a train to Hospet.

I favour the third, Badami to Gadag, but the LP warns that the "tarmac's "rough down this lane". The last time I took a bus down a "backroad" it was full of pot-holes and the bus broke its front suspension - had to walk 2kms to the next village to find a local mini-bus to finish my journey. So wish to avoid this risk.

Any advice?

Hongkonger

We traveled in 2007 from Badami to Hampi by a hired car. It took about an hour of four and at that time we paid 1600 rs.

If you are traveling before 14th September there is a direct train between the two.

Or take a train to Gadag and another to Hospet

Thanks for your replies! We're travelling in November.

Can you remember which route you went, Vonkla? What was the condition of the road like? (Had a look at your journals - very interesting!)

I'm sorry but I don't know with route we went. As far as I recall the road was not bad. And during the last years the road conditions are mostly getting better.
Glad you liked the journal.