How to Reach Ooty
Ooty is the best place to visit and enjoy your vacation. With its beautiful greenery, tea gardens, pleasant climate, and scenic views, it attracts visitors from across the country. Reaching Ooty is part of the adventure and beauty, whether you choose a road trip through winding ghat roads, a picturesque train journey, or a convenient flight followed by a drive. Here Ooty Vistas have given you information how to get to Ooty by car, flight, or train.
Reaching Ooty by car
Traveling to Ooty by car is one of the most thrilling and scenic experiences, especially for those who love long road trips. With a lot of lush greenery, misty hills, and hairpin bends which offer an unforgettable experience.
The various routes to travel by car to reach Ooty are as follows
From Chennai:
A road trip from Chennai to Ooty by caris one of the great travel experiences by road that will connect the city, town to the hills. You can hold for a minute at any of these places and do some quick sightseeing. For larger families or groups, are more convenient and comfortable way to travel. We also ensure that every traveller can travel together, enjoying the scenic journey while making memories along the way.
Distance from Chennai to Ooty:
557 Km via NH79 About 11h 5m.
From Bangalore:
A road trip from Bangalore to Ooty by car is one of the most scenic experiences from city to the lush greenery and a high hilly mountain from weather of hot to cold. You can feel the change in your mind from busy atmosphere to stress free life.
Distance from Bangalore to Ooty:
269 Km via NH275 About 5h 42m
From Mysore:
The road trip from Mysore to Ooty covers approximately 125 kilometers and takes around 4 to 5 hours by car, depending on the route. The most popular route is via Nanjangud – Gundlupet – Bandipur – Masinagudi, which passes through the Bandipur National Park, offering chances to spot wildlife animals like deer and elephants. This scenic stretch then leads to the steep Kalhatty Ghat, known for its 36 hairpin bends and breathtaking mountain views. Alternatively, travelers can opt for the Gudalur route, which is longer but smoother. The journey is ideal for nature lovers, offering a mix of forest, hills, and lush green tea estates.
From Coimbatore:
The road journey from Coimbatore to Ooty by car spans approximately 85 kilometers and takes around 3 hours via NH181. The route passes through Mettupalayam, a charming town at the foothills of the Nilgiris, and continues through the dense forests of Kallar and Burliar, offering picturesque views of waterfalls and valleys. As you ascend, the road features hairpin bends, lush green hills, and scenic tea plantations all around. The Ghats section is thrilling with the panoramic viewpoints, making it your favorite for nature lovers and photographers. This route provides a refreshing and adventurous drive to the cool climes of Ooty.
How to reach Ooty by Air/Flight:
The Coimbatore airport is very close to Ooty, at 3.5 hours by road. The Mysore airport is mostly about 4 hours away from Ooty by road and is serviced by a daily ATR service by Kingfisher Airlines and lies to the North of Ooty. The route from Coimbatore to Ooty is quite scenic. We also provide pickup and drop-off cab services from the Airports through Ooty vistas
How to Reach Ooty by Bus(Public Transport)
To reach Ooty, the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses, along with some private buses, connect Ooty with one of the major neighbouring cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Mysore. NH 209 and NH 275 connect Bangalore with Ooty, and also several luxury buses operate from Bangalore, which take around 7 to 8 hours. Ooty Vistas also provides cab services from Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Mysore. Connectivity via roads is a driving factor in making Ooty one of the best places to visit in India with your Family. The hills most consequently be reached from within Tamil Nadu by travelling up a heavily forested winding road, with many sharp hairpin bends. The road trip from any state is quite scenic, although the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty road (i.e. the Tamil Nadu route) is the most travelled and well-maintained. All roads to the Nilgiri hills are toll roads, although the tolls are quite nominal.
How to Reach by train:
From Chennai
The Nilgiri Express (No.:12671) starts from Chennai at night and reaches Mettupalayam (which Indian Rail spells Mettupalayam), a small town at the foothills of the Nilgiris, early the next morning. The train, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, starts from Mettupalayam at 7.10 am
From Bangalore:
Popular Trains from Bangalore to Coimbatore as follows:
Ernakulam Express (12677): Departs from Bangalore City Junction (SBC) at 06:10 AM and arrives at Coimbatore Junction (CBE) at 01:30 PM.
Kanyakumari Express (16526): Departs from Bangalore City Junction (SBC) at 09:00 PM and arrives at Coimbatore Junction (CBE) at 04:50 AM.
YPR Kannur Express (16527): Departs from Yesvantpur Junction (YPR) at 08:00 PM and arrives at Coimbatore Junction (CBE) at 04:00 AM.
From Mysore:
Traveling from Mysore to Ooty offers a scenic journey through the Nilgiri Hills. While there isn't a direct train connecting the two destinations, you can combine train and road travel to reach Ooty. Here's how:
Train Name: TPTY CMNR Express (Train No. 16220)
Departure: 07:20 AM from Mysore Junction
Arrival: 09:10 AM at Chamarajanagar (Note: This train does not go directly to Coimbatore)
From Coimbatore:
Traveling from Coimbatore to Ooty by train involves a two-step journey: first to Mettupalayam, and then onward to Ooty via the historic Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR). Here's how you can plan your trip:
Begin your journey by taking the Nilgiri Superfast Express (Train No. 12671):
Departure: Coimbatore Junction (CBE) at 05:20 AM
Arrival: Mettupalayam (MTP) at 06:20 AM
Mettupalayam to Ooty:
The Toy Train of Ooty, officially known as the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), is one of India’s most iconic and scenic railway experiences. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this train journey is a must for travelers seeking charm, nostalgia experience, and natural beauty in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.
Best Time to Visit
The best season to visit Ooty is from October to June. The temperatures are much colder, and you can explore a beautiful, colder, and fresher feel of mountain air. But if you wish to visit in the warmer time, the best season is between March and June. To enhance your best experience, consider booking a car for rent through Ooty Vistas cab service to Ooty for convenient travel around this deep forest and high hill station.
"Whether you choose to travel to Ooty by car, flight, or train, Ooty Vistas is always ready to assist you every step of the way."
