Ooty, officially known as Udhagamandalam, is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. Often referred to as the “Queen of Hill Stations,” Ooty is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, lush greenery, rolling hills, and colonial-era architecture. When you’re in Ooty, exploring these wonders is made convenient with Savaari’s Ooty cab service, ensuring you can appreciate the beauty of this charming destination at your own pace. Established as a summer retreat by the British during the 19th century, the town is dotted with heritage bungalows, botanical gardens, and beautiful lakes.
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Why travel from Mysore to Ooty?
The most classic mountain destination of South India, Ooty has undoubtedly been an all-time favourite for all kinds of travellers. With its lush tea estates, hilly landscape, perfect weather around the year, and all this wrapped in old-world charm, Ooty is certainly the star of the Nilgiris. As perfect as the destination is for a memorable vacation, you can make it even more exciting by taking a road trip from its nearest city Mysore. When you book a cab with Savaari, you can start your vacation experience, the moment you leave Mysore. Therefore, with interesting places to stopover on your way, and great on-road service to make your ride comfortable, you can turn your Mysore to Ooty trip into an adventure.
Travelling from Mysore to Ooty by Car
An Ooty trip from Mysore by car is certainly the best way to experience the roads that connect the historic city to the sleepy hills of Nilgiris and experience the transition of skyline, landscape, and culture. Therefore, with our Mysore to Ooty trip packages, you can explore the route that passes through the verdant mountains, dense forests of the Mudumalai and the Nilgiris Hills, making it nothing short of a scenic drive. Let us help you discover the best routes so you can have an interesting Mysore to Ooty trip by road. Thus, experience the joy of being on the road by booking a cab from Savaari.
Important Highway Information from Mysore to Ooty
| Highway Name | Mysore-Ooty Road |
| Alternate Name | National Highway 181 |
| Highway Number | NH – 181 |
| Distance | 125 Km |
| Starting Point | Mysore |
| End Point | Ooty |
| Highway Quality | Good |
Best time to Take a Road trip by Car
As a result of being at 2240 m above the sea, Ooty enjoys tropical mountainous weather with cool breeze and low humidity all year round. And this surely makes Ooty perfect to explore at any time of the year. However, for the best experience, travel between October and June, when it is peak winter and you can enjoy the crisp weather.
If you want to see the effects of spring, then March to June is also a good period. But do avoid the monsoon season, i.e. between July and October. Although it will be misty and cool, you might not be able to explore the outdoors as much as you would in other seasons.
When you visit Ooty, make sure to book a Ooty car rental with a local driver who knows all the best places in the city.
Quick Facts about Mysore to Ooty
| Road Distance from Mysore to Ooty | 125 kms |
| Aerial Distance from Mysore to Ooty | 99 kms |
| Travel Time for Mysore to Ooty by Road | 3 hours |
| Travel Time for Mysore to Ooty by Train | 2 hours |
| Travel Time for Mysore to Ooty by Flight | 4 hours (only connecting flights present) |
| Best Route | Mysore to Ooty via Mysore-Ooty Road |
| Best time to visit | October to June |
Popular routes from Mysore to Ooty
Route 1: Mysore to Ooty via NH 766 & Mysuru-Ooty Road.
This is the fastest and the only designated route to cover the Mysore to Ooty distance. Almost all travelers as well as regular visitors use this route to travel to Ooty.
Mysore to Ooty Distance
Via this route, the distance between Mysore and Ooty is only 125 KM. You will also not find much Mysore to Ooty traffic on this route. However, there might be some road work or blockades during rain, so always check for live traffic updates and use real-time maps to get a better idea of the road conditions.
| Mysore — Kadakola — Nanjangud — Begur — Koothanuru — Bandipur — Masinagudi — Ooty |
|---|
Popular places along the route:
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Bandipur – One of the most famous and prominent tiger reserves in India, Bandipur is home to the endangered Royal Bengal tiger and other rare species. You can either stay over at the forest department lodge or camp overnight for detailed experience. Do not miss the day safari in the jungle.
- Mudumalai National Park, Bandipur – Typically it is considered a part of Ooty tour but you can always stop here before you reach your destination. The UNESCO World Heritage Site spreads across five mountains in the Nilgiris and makes for one of the best wildlife tours in India.
Places to eat on this route:
- Green’s Restaurant, Nanjangud – Locally popular mid-scale restaurant serving flavorful, vegetarian specialties.
- Café Nature’s Bowl, Begur – Pet and kid-friendly eatery serving fresh, a café-style menu, with natural ambiance.
- Taj Restaurant, Siddaianapura – Restaurant of a highway-side hotel, open for visitors, good for a late-night food stop.
- India Tourist Paradise “Sara’s Kitchen Restaurant”, Gudalur – Open-air, cozy café/diner serving homestyle food.
Other means of traveling from Mysore to Ooty
By Train
There is no option to directly cover Mysore to Ooty distance by train. However, you can travel to Coimbatore by train and from there take a bus or a car. There is only 1 train from Mysore to Ooty, which also happens to be a fast train – MYSURU EXPRESS (16316).
Therefore, for your Mysore to Ooty train booking, you can visit the website of Indian Railways or any online travel portal for the best deals. The time taken via Coimbatore is almost 15 hours, including train and car/bus ride. For updated train timings, check the IRCTC website for their latest timetables. Hence, the best and most cost-effective way to travel from Mysore to Ooty is by booking a Savaari.
By Flight
Unfortunately, there are no flight options to cover the distance between Mysore and Ooty.
Explore Ooty Like a Local: A Handy Guide
From the colonial era to the present day, the quaint town of Ooty has remained the perfect summer retreat for travelers. Within its abundant natural beauty, you will still find the warmth of the good old days trying to balance itself with modern travel culture. There’s a lot more to Ooty tour besides the beautiful gardens and tea estates. Check out this comprehensive guide for the best things to do in Ooty.
From hills and valleys to lakes, waterfalls, and forests, the town will offer you the perfect premise for a delightful holiday for every kind of traveler. Therefore, with our tips and suggestions, you can surely make your Ooty trip exciting and memorable.
Attractions in Ooty for Sightseeing
Ooty tourism offers some significant sites and places of interest such as the Ketty Valley & Waterfalls, St Stephen’s Church, Kamaraj Sagar Dam, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, and Pykara Lake & Dam. Another interesting Ooty tourist place is the rolling grasslands of Wenlock Downs, which is a perfect spot for picnicking. Also, visit the Ooty Boathouse for a boat ride at sunset.
You can also explore the nearby Avalanche and Emerald Lakes, for day picnics, treks, and walkthroughs of the surrounding villages. If you want to add more locales to your itinerary, then the quieter and quainter sibling – Coonoor is a great option for a day’s trip or even stay overnight. Whatever you do, don’t leave Ooty without taking a tour of the tea estates.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Ooty
Although a part of Tamil Nadu, Ooty has a very distinctive culture of its own. Being a colonial town and a popular tourist destination at the same time, Ooty’s food culture can be defined as classic and cosmopolitan. While you will definitely find different South Indian delicacies and traditional Chettinad cuisine everywhere, you will also see the old-school bakeries and diners still serving old-school recipes, while also managing to cook up trendy fares. However, in simpler words, Ooty’s food culture is the best of all worlds.
On your Ooty tour, explore these popular eateries to sample the town’s best flavours-
- Earl’s Secret, Havlock Road.
- Cliff Top International Cuisine, Wellbeck Circle, Club Road.
- Toda Café, Sheddon Rd, Gempark.
- Place to Bee, Club Road, Near Hill Bunk.
- Fat Duck’s, Bygada Road, Yellakhandi Village.
- Willy’s Coffee Pub, KCR Arcade, Walsham Road
Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Ooty
| Hotel Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Hotel Lakeview | West Lake Road, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 64300 PH: 0423 244 3580 |
| Hotel Mayura Sudarshan | Lake Road, Opp. Good Shepherd International School Campus, Fern Hill, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004 PH: 0423 244 3828 |
| Sabol Holiday Resorts | 164, Connemara Road, Pudumund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643007 PH: 095785 88000 |
| Oxygen Resorts | Coonoor Rd, Thalayathimund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 PH: 0423 244 0333 |
| Deccan Park Resorts | Theetukal, Fernhill Post, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004 PH: 099429 86315 |
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