New Delhi to Coimbatore - Via FlightGetting from New Delhi to Coimbatore is both comfortable and affordable. Numerous flights are available from New Delhi to Coimbatore which departs at all times throughout the day and will take you to your destination in just around 3 hours. Flight services between the two places are offered by airlines such as Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, and travellers can choose a flight that suits them the best. Most travellers prefer airways when they have to travel from Delhi to Coimbatore because this is the fastest way to reach Coimbatore. Also, other means of transport can be time-consuming and exhausting and leave travellers drained for the next part of the journey to Ooty.
Available flights
Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Jet Airways offer direct flights between Delhi and Coimbatore. There are numerous other connecting flights also that are available, but they take around 9 hours or more, and travellers usually don’t opt for these connecting flights.
Approximate Time Taken
The average time taken to reach from Delhi to Coimbatore via flight is 3 hours.
Approximate Fare
Fares for flights to Coimbatore start at INR 3050 and can go up to INR 4500-INR 5000 or so during peak seasons. These prices are only tentative and can change anytime depending on the season, time of travel, airline, etc.
New Delhi to Coimbatore - Via TrainIt is also possible to travel from Delhi to Coimbatore by a train. However, this will be a very long and tiring journey, and even the fastest of trains will take around 41 hours and 30 minutes to take you to your final destination. However, this is a good alternative for budget-friendly options, as train fares are significantly lower than air tickets. IRCTC operates a total of 6 trains that connect Delhi and Coimbatore, of which 2 are Express trains, and 4 are Superfast trains. The Kerala Express is the fastest train on this route and takes only 41 hours and 35 minutes to cover a total distance of 2608 kilometres between the two places.
Coimbatore to Ooty - Via Road (Cab or Self Drive)Coimbatore and Ooty are located at a distance of just 85 kilometres from each other, and it takes around 3 hours to complete this journey via road. A road trip from Coimbatore to Ooty is worth all the efforts and expenses because the beauty that this road trip has to offer never fails to amaze travellers. Travellers are also often able to spot some wildlife on the way, so don’t forget to carry a camera along.
Cab OptionsFor those who do not want to drive, you can also hire a cab to take you from Coimbatore to Ooty. Cabs on this route are readily available and can be booked online through websites such as Savaari, Gozocabs, Ola, etc. Or you could approach a local cab service provider and negotiate for a better price than what is available online. Popular cab operators in Coimbatore include Coimbatore Taxi- Royal Travels, Kannan Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd, Tourist Taxi Operators, etc. Fares for cabs on this route start at just INR 2150 and then increase depending on the kind of cab that you choose.
Route options from Coimbatore to Ooty
Travellers have three different Ghat Roads to choose from to travel from Coimbatore to Ooty, each of which has its own complexity level, forest roads, and animal crossings.
Route 1: The Kotagiri route
Coimbatore - Mettupalayam - Aravenu - Kotagiri – Ooty
This route has roads in reasonably good conditions, and travellers encounter only four hairpin bends on the way. This route will take you through a total of 130 kilometres, which means that the travel time for this route will be more as compared to other courses. You can also witness the top view on Karamadi when travelling through this route.
Route 2: The Coonoor route
Coimbatore - Mettupalayam - Burliar- Coonoor - Ooty
Covering a distance of 100 kilometres, travellers who opt for this route can reach their destination in just 3 hours, including stoppages. However, this is slightly a risky drive during the rains, due to the increased risk of landslides.
Route 3: The Manjoor route
Coimbatore - Karamadai - Athikadavu - Geddai - Manjoor - Kundha Dam - Emerald Cross Road - Muthurai Palada - Ooty
This route is the least popular of all because of several reasons. Firstly, the road conditions on this route are terrible, and travellers have to pass through as many as 48 hairpin bends on this route. Secondly, prior permission needs to be obtained from the forest department to travel on this route, and travel at night time is restricted. Thirdly, this route takes around five hours to take you to your final destination.
Approximate Time Taken
A road trip from Coimbatore to Ooty usually takes around three hours.
Approximate Fare
Fares for cabs from Coimbatore to Ooty start at INR 2100 and can go up to INR 2400 for larger cabs. For six-seater cars, you will have to pay around INR 3000.
Possible Stopovers Enroute
1. Aracode village
2. Catherine Falls
3. Dottabetta
Coimbatore to Ooty - Via BusAnother convenient option to reach Ooty from Coimbatore with ease is to travel by bus. Three direct daily buses operate on this route, and they will take you to your destination in around 3 hours. Additionally, these buses offer amenities such as the provision of reading lights, water bottles, charging points, etc.; so you can be assured of enjoying a comfortable journey.
The first bus to leave departs at 07:45 in the morning, while the last bus for the day departs at 09:45 in the morning. Thus, travellers can reach Ooty before mid-day, which would be followed by relaxation and further exploration of the destination.
Boarding Point in Coimbatore
Travellers can board the bus from any of the following pick-up points in Coimbatore:
1. Coimbatore Railway Station
2. Gandhipuram Central Bus Stand
3. OmniBus Stand
4. Thudiyalur
Dropping Points in OotyDropping points in Ooty include either the Coonoor Bus Stop or the Ooty Bus Stand.
Buses Available from Coimbatore to Ooty
Depending on their budget and preference, travellers can choose between AC Seater (2+1) and Non- AC Seater (2+1) buses.
Available Bus Options
The Preferred Mode of Transportation from the Bus StopAfter de-boarding, you can hire an auto-rickshaw to take you to your final destination. Alternatively, you can also book a cab for yourself. If your final destination is close by, hiring a cycle rickshaw is also a good option.
Coimbatore to Ooty - Via TrainAlthough there are no direct trains between Coimbatore and Ooty, travellers continue to favour this mode; due to the spectacular chance to ride the toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty. And even though the distance between Coimbatore and Ooty can be covered much faster by road, tourists continue to prefer this option to experience an incredible mountain railway journey. After all, this is indeed an unparalleled and fantastic experience that no traveller should miss if given a chance.
Best Option
The most feasible way to travel from Coimbatore to Ooty by road is first to catch a train to Mettupalayam, and then board the 56136 Nilgiri Mountain Railway train for the onward journey to Ooty. There are five trains from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam, but the best option is to take the 12671 Nilgiri Blue Mountain Express.
Tourists would not have to wait long during their trip on the Nilgiri Blue Mountain Express as the train arrives at the departure of the second train to Ooty.
Railway stations in Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, and OotyThe railway stations that serve the three places are Coimbatore (CBE), Mettupalayam (MTP) and Udagamandalam (UAM) respectively.
The Toy Train from Mettupalayam to Ooty
The toy train ride from Mettupalayam to Ooty will no doubt be the highlight of your trip from Delhi to Ooty. The railway track is a total of 46 kilometres and passes entirely through the Nilgiri Mountains as travellers enjoy the mountains and the sceneries. The train runs daily, and frequency is increased in the peak summers to accommodate the increasing number of tourists. Travellers have the option to choose from both first and second class tickets, and those who want to spend the journey in solitude should opt for the former.
56136 Nilgiri Mountain Railway PassengerTrain Timings: Departure: 07:10
Arrival: 12:00
Duration: 4 hours and 50 minutes
Fare: (per person)
First Class - INR 205
Second Class - INR 30
Unreserved Category - INR 15
Travel Tips
- It is highly recommended to reserve toy train tickets 2-3 months in advance as tickets sell out significantly quick.
- Online reservations for the same can be made through the official website of the Indian Railways.
- Also, there are no catering services on the toy train, so remember to carry some light snacks along.