Exploring Ooty – A Beautiful Hill Station
Being an equally beautiful hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, Ooty, popularly known as Udhagamandalam, presents cool climate, endless rows of tea estate, misty mountains, and colonial architecture to hook wildlife lovers, honeymooners, and adventurous types alike. This hill station is blessed with lakes, gardens, viewpoints, and many others that allows full respite from the busy city life. Tourists all year long visit Ooty to see the greenery, tranquil landscapes, and serenity that it has to offer.
If you are going to the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, it is great to know the chances of reaching there on time. Here is a complete write-up covering the road, air, or train access to Ooty.
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How to Reach Ooty by Road
Ooty is well connected through major roads to cities like Coimbatore, Bangalore, Mysore, and Chennai. The most travelled route to Ooty is through the National Highway NH181, which has a beautiful well-maintained road where one can sight the Nilgiris. The following lengths of journey can be taken according to how far a place is from Ooty:
- Coimbatore to Ooty: 85 km (Approx. 3-4 hours)
- Bangalore to Ooty: 270 km (Approx. 6-7 hours)
- Mysore to Ooty: 125 km (Approx. 3-4 hours)
- Chennai to Ooty: 560 km (Approx. 9-10 hours)
Daily scheduled services from Coimbatore and Bangalore to Ooty run by the State run KSRTC and TNSTC. Private operators run services to Mysore and Chennai, apart from these. Sleeper, luxury and Volvo types of bus services are offered by KSRTC and TNSTC. For an open and comfortable journey, taxis and self-drive cars are also used extensively.
The Nilgiri Ghat Roads are a total of 36 hairpin bends which lead to the Ooty and offer some of the most spectacular driving views in South India as they snake over lush green hills, valleys and waterfalls. Gudalur route and Coonoor route are the two main approaches to Ooty, one being scenic and the other more picturesque.
Reaching Ooty by Air: Nearest Airports
There are no airport facilities in Ooty, and the nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), situated at a distance of about 88 km. It is well connected with all the major Indian cities-Namely, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad-and with a few international locations.
After reaching Coimbatore Airport, travelers can avail of taxis, private cabs, or buses to reach Ooty within 3-4 hours.
Nearby Airports:
Mysore Airport (MYQ) – 125 km away from Ooty (limited domestic flights)
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bangalore – 273 km from Ooty (best for international travelers)
Many international tourists would rather fly into Bangalore, having much better international connectivity. From Bangalore, tourists can either take a short flight to Coimbatore or Mysore and continue their journey by road or by train.
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How to Reach Ooty by Train
Mettupalayam (MTP) is the nearest railway station, about 47 km away from Ooty. From there, you can take a leisurely drive or ride to reach this charming hill station. Udhagamandalam Railway Station (UAM) acts as the little railway station at Ooty; however, for all practical purposes, it is connected to the world by way of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR). It is a beautiful toy train ride that connects Mettupalayam to Ooty, which traverses the hilly terrain in almost five hours, with many parts of the journey passing through thick green forests, under massive stone tunnels, and finally through steep valleys. Ooty is just 40 km from Mettupalayam Railway Station, making it one of the main advantages for the station; it is also the point from where the Nilgiri Mountain Railway begins.
Mettupalayam is very well linked to cities such as Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore, therefore becomes very easily accessible. Another station, about 86 km away from Ooty, Coimbatore Junction (CBE), intends to cater to Ooty on the train routes connecting it with other major cities of India as Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. From here, the passengers can take any train from Coimbatore to reach Mettupalayam and then take the cab and bus for a quicker access to Ooty.
| Nearest Railway Station to Ooty | Distance from Ooty | Connected Hill Stations/Popular Places |
|---|---|---|
| Mettupalayam (MTP) | 47 km | Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Coonoor |
| Udhagamandalam Railway Station (UAM) | 0 km (Located in Ooty) | Ooty, Nilgiri Hills, Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake |
| Coimbatore Junction (CBE) | 86 km | Ooty (via Mettupalayam), Siruvani Waterfalls, Western Ghats |
| Podanur Junction (PTJ) | 87 km | Ooty (via Mettupalayam), Coimbatore, Western Ghats |
Another railway station located around 87 km from Ooty is Podanur Junction (PTJ), which lies close to Coimbatore. Passengers arriving at either of these stations will find easy and comfortable means of getting to Ooty through state buses, private taxis or rented vehicles.
Important Contact Information for Tourists
Tourist Information Centers:
- Tourist Officer, Ooty
- Phone: 0423-2443977
- Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC)
- Toll-Free Number: 1800-425-31111
- Phone: 044-2533 3113 (For Online Bookings)
- Email: support@ttdconline.com
Accommodation in Ooty:
- Youth Hostel, Ooty
- Phone: 0423-2443665
- Ooty Stay (Govt. Registered Accommodation)
- Email: rajeshooty@gmail.com, ootystay.in@gmail.com
- Phone: +91 94430 33551, +91 94874 73551
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Emergency Services:
- 24×7 Tourist Helpline:
- Toll-Free Number: 1800-11-1363
- Short Code: 1363
Ooty is a hill station with all connecting links, whether by road or air or rail. Travel by train, road, or air makes going to Ooty delightful, as each promises spectacular scenery and excitement in the journey. The beautiful hill station, along with its salubrious climate, happens to be the most accessible, most lovable, and top-ranking tourist spot in southern India.
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