Nestled in the ‘Blue Mountains’ of the Nilgiris, Ooty is undoubtedly all about its undulating hills, lush valleys and beautiful lakes. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu which serves as a very popular tourist destination for anyone looking for a picturesque place to relax and unwind. Book a Bangalore car rental for the best experience on your effortless journey to Ooty by road and other means of travel. Besides visiting the sprawling tea plantations and admiring the red-roofed bungalows, there are plenty of things to do in Ooty that will fill you with memories of a lifetime.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Bangalore to Ooty?
- Traveling from Bangalore to Ooty by road
- Best time to take a road trip by car
- Popular routes to travel from Bangalore to Ooty
- Other means of traveling from Bangalore to Ooty
- How to Reach Ooty By Train
- How to Reach Ooty By Flight
- Attractions in Ooty for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Ooty
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Ooty
Why travel from Bangalore to Ooty?
The amazing natural exquisiteness of Ooty, along with its misty green trails, continues to attract thousands of nature lovers who bask amidst its pristine surroundings. When you book a Bangalore taxi rental with a driver for your Bangalore to Ooty road trip, you can enhance your experience by enjoying everything that lies on the way. With a Savaari, you can turn your drive into a fun-filled journey and also customize the trip to your liking, travel time, and budget.
Traveling from Bangalore to Ooty by car
Covering the Bangalore to Ooty trip distance of 280 km by car is one of the most wholesome ways. The 280 km journey is dotted with magnificent sights of the awe-inspiring Nilgiri hills, tea gardens, and serene waterfalls. With our completely customizable Bangalore to Ooty trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do a quick sightseeing. Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Bangalore to Ooty by car.
Therefore, experience the joy of being on the road by booking a Bangalore to Ooty cab with Savaari, and let our expert chauffeurs take you around like tour guides aka travel experts, so you take home only the best experience.
If you’re planning a group journey and searching for the perfect travel solution, Savaari offers an excellent option with our comfortable and spacious tempo traveller in Bangalore. Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, our tempo traveller provides ample space for everyone to sit back and enjoy the scenic drive from Bangalore to Ooty.
Important Highway information – Bangalore to Ooty
| Highway Name | Bangalore Mysore highway |
| Alternate Name | Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway |
| Highway Number | NH-275 |
| Total Distance | 142 Km |
| Starting Point | Mysore Road, Bangalore |
| End Point | Mysore |
| Highway Quality | Excellent |
Best time to visit Ooty
As a hill station, Ooty enjoys a cool and pleasant climate around the year. However, the best time to visit happens to be the summer months – from early March to early June, when the weather is absolutely at its best. Ooty enjoys moderate rainfall during the monsoons, and winters are not too harsh either. Though the temperature may fall to 2°C or 3°C, exploring Ooty in winter has its own charm. If you’re travelling with a group and require a spacious and comfortable trip, you can easily book an Innova cab in Bangalore with Savaari, which can seat up to 7 passengers and has features like air conditioning and plenty of luggage space.
Let us help you discover some popular routes which will take you on an epic road trip from Bangalore to Ooty –
Popular routes to travel from Bangalore to Ooty
Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Ooty via Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway
| Bangalore — Ramanagara — Channapatna — Mandya — Mysore — Nanjagud — Begur — Gundlupete — Ooty |
|---|
Popular places along the way:
- Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, Ramanagara – This place is also home to various critical birds that are on the verge of extinction, such as the Long-billed vulture, Egyptian vulture and Yellow-throated bulbul.
- Ramdevara Temple, Ramanagara – Atop a hill and a 30-minute climb away, is a significant religious center of the area, said to be more than 1000 years old.
- Channapatna – Around 58 km from Bangalore, Channapatna is a small town famous for wooden toys. These are extremely safe, colorful, good quality & eco-friendly toys. The wooden toys manufactured here are also world-famous.
- Thonnur Lake, Mandya – Spend hours just contemplating the beauty of the Thonnur lake in the Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district. Dotting the lake there are three stellar temples of Sri Nambinarayana, Sri Parthasarathy and Sri Narasimha. This exceptionally beautiful lake was once so beautiful that each and every pebble in the lake was visible from above.
- Mysore Palace, Mysore – Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it is the former palace of the royal family of Mysore and is still their official residence. Referred to as the ‘City of Palaces’, Mysore houses seven other places, but none come close to the awe-inspiring grandeur of this palace.
- St. Philomena’s Church, Mysore – Recognized as the second tallest church of Asia, St. Philomena’s Church is beautiful and one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city. Neo-Gothic style of architecture makes it all the more famous amongst the masses.
- Nanjundeshwara Temple, Nanjagud – The architecture of the temple is worth a visit. The temple town is known as ‘Dakshina Kashi’ or ‘Varanasi of the South’.
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Gundlupete – Only half and a hour from Gundlupete, the jungle safari at Bandipur Tiger Reserve is the star attraction here. Conducted from 6.30 am to 4.30 pm daily, the tiger safari is an experience unlike any other.
Places to eat along the way:
- Rasta Cafe, Mysore Road – Rasta Cafe is open 24*7. You can stop here for tea, coffee or their very famous English Breakfast.
- Gayatri Tiffin Room, Mysore – Stop here for a quick meal of South Indian delights and wash it down with filter coffee.
- Sampurna Complex, Nanjagud – A decent restaurant to stop for a wholesome meal. Their vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian options are good for every type of traveler.
- New Malabar Restaurant, Kurahatti – Their Keralan delicacies are worth trying. A great alternative, in case the first restaurant is full.
- Cafe Coffee Day, Gundlupete – Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee here before continuing the road trip.
Bangalore to Ooty Road Condition via Route 1:
This is the fastest route to travel from Bangalore to Ooty and is used by most travelers. This route has standard highway tolls, and the road conditions are better since there are no road closures.
Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Bangalore to Ooty via Mysuru – Ooty Road
Bangalore to Ooty distance via Krishnagiri is 281 km, and it takes about 6.5 hours to reach the destination.
| Bengaluru — Shoolagiri — Krishnagiri — Dharmapuri — Mettur — Poonachi — Mettupalayam — Coonoor — Ooty |
|---|
Popular places along the way:
- Shoolagiri – When you arrive at the foothills of Shoolagiri, you will observe that the hills look like the shoola or trident of Lord Shiva. You can also visit the Varadaraja Perumal temple built during the Vijayanagara period.
- Krishnagiri Dam, Krishnagiri – One of the major places to visit in Krishnagiri happens to be the Krishnagiri Reservoir Dam, also known as the KRP Dam. While it meets the irrigation purpose of all the nearby villages, over time it has turned out to be one of the major tourist attractions of Krishnagiri and is a major picnic spot.
- Hogenakkal Falls, Dharmapuri – You will have to take a slight detour, but it is worth all the traveling. The Hogenakkal Fall is often referred to as the Niagara of India. Surrounded by lush greenery and continuous streams, the route stretching up to the falls offers stunning scenery. Indulge in medicinal baths or go for a boat ride.
- Kottai Kovil, Dharmapuri – Also referred to as Mallikarjuneswara Temple, the Kottai Kovil is a prominent place of worship and sightseeing in Dharmapuri. The temple is located on the northern part of Dharmapuri. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the shrine is popular for its unique architecture, rare sculpture and beautiful paintings that adorn its walls. A major highlight of the temple happens to be a unique piece architecture known as the ‘hanging pillar’.
- Mettur Dam, Mettur – Mettur Dam is one of the largest dams in India. The dam is surrounded by verdant hills and picturesque natural beauty and is quite popular among tourists. One of the most extraordinary features of the dam is its design, which is a testament to the country’s engineering genius.
- Dolphin’s Nose, Coonoor – Situated about 10 km from Coonoor, Dolphin’s Nose is regarded as a must-visit place if you happen to be in Coonoor. It is known to provide the most amazing panoramic view of the Nilgiri Hills.
Places to eat along the way:
- Adyar Ananda Bhavan Sweets and A2B Veg Restaurant, Dharmapuri – A clean and hygienic option for a wholesome vegetarian meal. They offer South Indian, North Indian as well and Chinese cuisines. You can also pick up some sweets and savories for the road trip.
- Coffee Stop Degree Filter Coffee, Kerakodhihalli – A small highway-side coffee shop that serves amazing filter coffee. If you are passing by, stop here for a quick cup of freshly brewed coffee. Please note – they only accept cash payments.
- Naveen Hotel, Mettur – An excellent place to devour nicely cooked fish and crabs.
Bangalore to Ooty Road Condition via Route 2:
This is a slightly longer and slower Bangalore to Ooty route to traverse. It also has standard highway tolls, and the road conditions are better since there are no road closures. Booking a cab with Savaari is a hassle-free way to travel on the Bangalore to Ooty route for a comfortable journey.
Other means of traveling from Bangalore to Ooty
How to reach by Train?
There are no direct trains from Bangalore to Ooty. Coimbatore and Tiruppur are the two nearest stations, which have connectivity to Mettupalayam, from where you can get the Ooty Toy Train, which is an exclusive train service from Mettupalayam to Ooty and a few other small stations. Therefore, for more details, visit the IRCTC website.
How to reach by Flight?
You can also cover the Bangalore to Ooty distance by flight. The nearest airport to Ooty happens to be Coimbatore, located at a distance of 88 kilometres. Once you reach the airport, you can book an airport taxi in Coimbatore with Savaari and travel to Ooty, avoiding the hassle of relying on buses and private cars.
Explore Ooty Like a Local – A Handy Guide
The summer capital of the Madras Presidency during the Raj, Ooty is a nature lover’s paradise. Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Ooty (also known as Udhagamandalam) is a perfect destination for those looking for a break from the one-dimensional city life. Therefore, from picturesque valleys to mystic waterfalls and from fascinating grasslands to lush green tea estates, the place has it all. If you want to explore these wonders of the city, book a reliable Ooty cab with Savaari for a comfortable journey through the diverse landscapes.
The green cover is not just a treat for the eyes but also for the soul. The hill station beckons tourists in large numbers every year to soak in its charm. While its hugely popular botanical gardens attract those looking for serenity, it has plenty of options for adventure enthusiasts too.
Be it a road trip, a trekking holiday or a relaxing retreat that you’re looking for, ‘The Queen of Hills’, as it is rightly called, has something for everyone. Not just Ooty, but its sister town, Coonoor, also has lots to see.
Popular sightseeing destinations in Ooty
Discover Ooty’s charm with our guide to the best things to do in Ooty! From the scenic splendor of Nilgiri Hills to the enchanting Ooty Lake, embark on a journey through lush tea gardens, explore the vibrant Botanical Gardens, and indulge in heritage train rides.
Among the most popular and serene places to visit in Ooty is the Ooty Lake. Surrounded by lush mountains, the landscape is magical, especially with the mist lingering around the green cover. A boat ride in this scenic setting is an absolute must. There are also other recreational activities around the lake, like an amusement park, toy trains for children and horse riders. There is also a flea market to engage the shopaholics, in addition to a food court serving various cuisines.
To enjoy panoramic views of the Nilgiris hills, take a trip to Doddabetta Peak. Located just 10 km from Ooty, Doddabetta is the highest peak of the Nilgiris. Enjoy the view and then a meal at the al fresco cafeteria. There’s also a small market, selling spices, tea, fresh carrots, corn and roasted peanuts. And if you are a trekker, you are going to love this place.
Located just about 20 km from Ooty, Pykara Falls makes for an ideal picnic spot. The best thing about this tourist place in Ooty is that it is still unspoiled by commercialization.
St Stephen’s Church is one of the most popular places to visit in Ooty and displays amazing architectural charm. This is one of the oldest churches in the region that features painted window glasses, wooden elephants procured from the palace of Tipu Sultan, and plaques from the colonial era. Those who have a thing for history should definitely come to this church to satiate their curiosity.
And finally, your trip to Ooty will be incomplete without taking a jeep safari in Mudumalai National Park. It lies on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. Also, it comes on the way between Ooty and Mysore. It has recently been declared as a tiger reserve owing to the presence of around 50 tigers. The best time to come here is during the beginning of summer or towards the end of the monsoon.
Places to eat in Ooty
As George Bernard Shaw said, “there is no sincere love than the love of food,” these Ooty restaurants prove it just right.
Some places serve awesome homemade chocolates, strawberry chocolates, cakes and buns, and white chocolates that you might just not be able to stop at round 1.
Tea plantations are also quite popular, and you can try the renowned Nilgiri tea here. Therefore, a hot cup of tea with the flavors of your choice will rejuvenate your tired bones without any second thought. Here is our compilation of some of the best restaurants. Check them out!
- Sidewalk Cafe – Vegetarian Italian
- Garden Restaurant – South Indian, Chinese and North Indian
- Ooty Coffee House – Filter Coffee, Ghee roast dosa
- Kingstar Confectionery – Cookies and Ooty chocolates
- Shinkows – Chinese
- Hyderabad Biryani House – Andhra
- Kabab Corner – Mughlai, Continental, Italian and Chinese
- Earl’s Secret – Continental, Italian, Oriental and Mughlai
Hotels and Resorts – Accommodation in Ooty
| Hotel Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Sterling Ooty Fern Hill | 73, Kundah House Road, Fern Hill, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004 PH: 084899 33770 |
| Hotel Lakeview | West Lake Road, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004 PH: 0423 244 3580 |
| Fortune Retreats | Belmont Terrace, Elk Hill, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 PH: 0423 244 4615 |
| Sanctuary Boutique Hotel Ooty | Opp to Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Havelock Rd, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 PH: 094420 69255 |
Nearby road trips from Ooty
| Destinations | Distance from Ooty | Approximate Time Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Ooty to Coimbatore | 84.8 km | 2 hr 36 min |
| Ooty to Mysore | 124.6 km | 3 hr 10 min |
| Ooty to Bangalore | 272.6 km | 5 hr 31 min |
| Ooty to Kochi | 274.0 k | 6 hr 22 min |
Download the Savaari Car rental app today and book cabs to reach your destination hassle-free from the major transportation points. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, this road trip will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Bangalore to Ooty highway news:
- Officials remove 15 trees on Ooty-Gudalur NH road to ensure safety of motorists
- Minister EV Velu inspect road works between Katteri & Lovedale
