The most popular and favorite hill station of South India, Ooty is a land of lush tea gardens, hilly landscape, and sparkling lakes and waterfalls. This beautiful tourist hotspot is best explored by taking a road trip from Chennai to Ooty.
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Why travel from Chennai to Ooty?
With beautiful estates, rolling hills, and pleasant weather, Ooty makes for a perfect holiday destination in the hills. Driving from Chennai to Ooty in a Savaari Chennai cab service can add an extra element of excitement to your trip, allowing you to enjoy the scenic beauty of the route in comfort and style. With our customizable trip plans and itineraries, you can do more than just a regular road trip, and enjoy a comfortable ride, while making your journey interesting at the same time.
Traveling from Chennai to Ooty by car
A road trip from Chennai to Ooty by car is one of the best ways to experience the roads that connect the city to the hills. When you book a Chennai car rental service for your trip to Ooty with us, you can enjoy a scenic ride through the smaller towns and rural areas of Tamil Nadu before entering the charming mountain getaway. With our completely customizable Chennai to Ooty trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do some quick sightseeing. For larger groups, we offer a convenient and comfortable option with a tempo traveller for rent in Chennai. This ensures everyone can travel together, enjoying the scenic journey while making memories along the way.
Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Chennai to Ooty by car.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to explore Ooty is from October to June. The temperatures are much colder than in other parts of South India and you can enjoy the cool and fresh mountain air. But if you want to visit in the warmer season, the best time is between March and June. To enhance your experience, consider booking a car for rent in Ooty for convenient travel around this picturesque hill station.
Popular Routes from Chennai to Ooty
Route 1: Chennai to Ooty via Grand Southern Trunk Rd
Chennai to Ooty Distance via Grand Southern Trunk Rd
This is the shortest and fastest route to cover the Chennai to Ooty distance which is approximately 555 KM. Please check for live traffic updates and follow real-time maps to get a better idea of road conditions.
You can most probably expect regular Chennai to Ooty traffic, but no severe congestion or road closures. Here’s a basic Chennai to Ooty road map for this route:
| Chennai – Chengalpattu – Tindivanam – Villupuram – Kallakurichi – Salem – Erode – Mettupalayam – Ooty |
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Popular places along the way:
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur: A large zoo with natural enclosures for Asian mammals.
- Palar River View Point, Chengalpattu: This quiet spot offers beautiful vistas of the Palar River.
- Veedur Dam, Vidur: A beautiful dam and tourist attraction, good for a brief stopover.
- Sri Paanduranganathar Temple, Salem: A popular Hindu temple of the region where you can take a quiet peaceful stop.
- Mettupalayam View Point, Jaganari Slopes R.F.: Stop at this viewpoint for its breathtaking sights and take pictures of the town below.
Places to eat on this route:
- Taj Restaurant, Kattankulathur: Local restaurant serving veg and non-veg Hyderabadi food.
- Oorvasi Veg Restaurant & Cafe Lounge, Tindivanam: A South Indian restaurant that’s popular with travelers.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Ulundurpet: A popular local restaurant chain serving traditional biryani with a good ambiance.
- Adyar Ananda Bhavan A2B Veg Restaurant, Salem: Affordable South Indian meals and snacks offered in a family-friendly environment.
Chennai to Ooty Road Condition via route 1:
The Chennai to Ooty road condition via Chennai – Theni Hwy/Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd/Grand Southern Trunk Rd is excellent. It is the fastest route, has tolls but no road closure.
Route 2: Chennai to Ooty via Chennai – Theni Hwy/Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd and Kumaramangalam – Panruti Rd
This is a longer route to cover the Chennai to Ooty distance and it also takes more time. The distance from Chennai to Ooty along this route is approximately 600 KM. You can expect regular Chennai to Ooty traffic on this route. Please check for live traffic updates and follow real-time maps to get a better idea of road conditions.
Here’s a basic Chennai to Ooty road map for this route:
| Chennai — Chengalpattu — Tindivanam — Viluppuram — Karur — Ooty |
|---|
Popular places along the way:
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur: A large zoo with natural enclosures for Asian mammals.
- Palar River View Point, Chengalpattu: This quiet spot offers beautiful vistas of the Palar River.
- Veedur Dam, Vidur: A beautiful dam and tourist attraction, good for a brief stopover.
- Tropical Butterfly Conservatory, Allur: An interesting place with a large collection of butterflies in their natural habitat.
Places to eat on this route:
- Taj Restaurant, Kattankulathur: Local restaurant serving veg and non-veg Hyderabadi food.
- Oorvasi Veg Restaurant & Cafe Lounge, Tindivanam: A South Indian restaurant that’s popular with travelers.
- Banana Leaf Restaurant, Perambalur: Popular spot for non-vegetarian food and biryani along the highway.
Chennai to Ooty Road Condition via route 2:
The road condition via Chennai – Theni Hwy/Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd and Kumaramangalam – Panruti Rd is good. It is a longer route and it has tolls but no road closure.
Chennai to Ooty Best Route
The above routes are both good options for traveling from Chennai to Ooty. They both offer ample food stops and interesting sights along the way. However, Route 1 is faster and more direct so if you want to save time and still enjoy a gorgeous road trip, then Route 1 is your best option.
Other means of traveling from Chennai to Ooty
How to Reach Ooty By Train
There are no direct trains that cover the Chennai to Ooty distance by train. Train travelers must stop at Mettupalayam Railway Station, about 45 KM away from Ooty, and drive the rest of the way.
So, you can visit the Indian Railways website for your Chennai to Mettupalayam, train bookings, or choose your options from the multiple online portals. The fastest train to Mettupalayam is Nilagiri Express (12671). The total time taken by train can vary from 9 to 10 hours. Therefore, for the updated Chennai to Ooty train timings, check with IRCTC for their latest timetables. After arriving in Ooty, you can book a reliable Ooty cab service for a convenient and comfortable journey to your destination.
How to Reach Ooty By Flight
Ooty does not have flight connectivity so you cannot fly directly from Chennai to Ooty. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (CJB), which is about 87 KM from the hill station.
The average Chennai to Coimbatore flight duration is 1 hour and usually costs between Rs 2000 to 9000 depending on the airline, flight route, booking window, available deals, and the travel season. For your Chennai to Coimbatore flight booking, visit any online travel portal or check with the airlines’ direct website. You can hire a reliable Savaari airport cab for a convenient ride from Coimbatore to complete the journey to Ooty.
Attractions for Sightseeing in Ooty
An Ooty trip is a great idea for romantic getaways, family holidays, and outdoor adventures. With a Chennai to Ooty taxi service, you can explore these places in Ooty:
- Botanical Garden – a 55 acre of public garden with manicured gardens, exotic flowers, and fountains.
- Rose Garden – an elevated garden with the largest collection of roses found in India.
- St. Stephen’s Church- a 19th-century church with Gothic artistry.
- Ketty Valley View Point – a vantage point for panoramic views.
- Stone House – the first stone bungalow built in the town.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Ooty
Explore these top places to sample the best flavors that Ooty has to offer:
- Ascot Multi-Cuisine Restaurant at Ooty, 29 – 49 Baikey Road Near Ooty Railway Station, Club Mahindra Derby Green, Off Etinnes Road
- Nahar Sidewalk Cafe, 52-A, Charing Cross, Commercial Rd
- Savoy – IHCL SeleQtions, 77, Sylks Rd, Monterosa Colony
- Earl’s Secret, Havelock Rd, Police Quarters, Pudumund
- Le Cafe, Littlearth Square, Oriental Buildings Commissioner’s Road
Hotels and Resorts in Ooty
| Hotel | Address | Contact Number |
| The Tamarillo | 4th Uphill Right Turn, Glen Carin, Hobart Rd, Gandhinagar, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 | 081100 33445 |
| Hotel Lakeview | West Lake Road, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004 | 0423 244 3904 |
| Willow Hill | 58/1, Havelock Road, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 | 0423 222 3123 |
| Fortune Retreats | Belmont Terrace, Belmounte Terrace, Thalayathimund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 | 0423 244 4615 |
| Aurora Light Residency | 4A, South Wick, Coonoor Road, near Eye Foundation Hospital, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001 | 094430 42553 |
Things to keep in mind while traveling to Ooty
- Try to cover the journey during the day.
- Go slow on hilly roads and be careful about changing conditions, especially during rains.
- Carry warm clothes for all seasons.
Savaari Safety Tips for Road Trips from Chennai to Ooty
- Carry all hygiene related items – sanitizer, masks, disinfectant sprays and a bed sheet to cover the seat with, while traveling.
- Use a hand sanitizer before and after your ride.
- Install the Aarogya Setu app before your trip.
- Running the AC continuously during the trip is not recommended. If you were to use the AC, please ensure that it is run in the recirculated mode and the windows are lowered at frequent intervals.
- Dispose of any tissues or pieces of cloth that you may have used outside the car.
- If you have opted for a car rental service, try to load your luggage in the boot of the car yourself to ensure a zero-contact ride.
Download our Savaari car Booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey
