Ooty

History

Ooty or Udagamandalam (the Tamil version of the original name) rightly described as “Queen of Hill Stations” by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, now sprawls over an area of 36 sq km with a number of tall buildings cluttering its hill slopes. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Ooty still woos people from all over India as well as foreign countries right through summer, and sometimes in the winter months too. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.

The scenery, as it unfolds during the trip, is breathtaking, awe-inspiring and fantastic. One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. At Kallar it is tropical and at Burliar-the next bus-stop as one proceeds from Mettupalayam-it is sub-tropical. Near Coonoor, it is humid with pines, blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and cypress trees. As we go from Ooty to Gudalur, the change in vegetation is striking. What a splendid interaction between climate and vegetation ! It is therefore very appropriate that Mount Stuart called the whole road leading to Ooty from Mettupalayam, “One long botanical debauch.”

Location info

• **Address:**From Bangalore, 281 km

• **District:**Nilgiris district

• **Nearest City:**Nilgiris , Coimbatore

• Best time to visit: April to June and September to November

Climate & weather

Summer : Max. 25°C, Min. 10°C, Winter : Max. 21°C, Min. 5°C

Things to do at Ooty

You would need light woolens in the summers but if you are visiting in the winters, heavy woolens are a must. Ooty is also a trekker’s delight, with several grades of trekking routes. So carry your trekking shoes.

Things to visit & highlights

A ride in the meter gauge Blue Train is a must. It is an engineering marvel and the train is still powered by a vintage steam engine. There are a number of trekking routes, some of which leads through the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and it would appeal to the adventurous souls. The adventure seekers can also jump off the cliff in a hang glider, the courses for which is conducted by the Tourism Department. If you like something more sedate, go angling.

How to reach Ooty

**Nearest Railway Station:**Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). Major broadgauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities.

**Nearest Airport:**The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and Coimbatore.

Road Transport: Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535 km from Chennai (via Salem), 89 km from Coimbatore, 18 km from Coonoor (via Gudalur), 155 km from Mysore, 187 km from Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281 km from Kochi (via Coimbatore and Palakkad), 236 km from Kodaikanal (via Coimbatore and Palani)
There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur, Tirupathi and Cochin. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

1.Hotel Taj Savoy,
77, Sylkes Road, Ooty
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone : 0423-2445712 - 16

2.Hotel Holiday Inn Gem Park,
Sheddon Rd, Ooty
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone : 0423- 2442955

3.Hotel Dasaprakash,
Ettines Rd.,
Ooty
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone : 0423-2442434,2442435

4.Hotel Howard Johnson The Monarch,
Off Havelock Rd, Church Hill
Ooty
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone : 0423-2444408

5.Hotel Nahar,
Charing Cross
Ooty
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone : 0423-2445173

Nearest visiting places

• Ooty

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots

Helpline & emergency contacts

**Police Station:**Police Control Room Town East, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 244220
1.Police Out Post Pudumund, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2444065
2.Police Station Kandal, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2443941
3.Police Station (Rural ) Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2443973
4.Police Station LoveDale, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2443942
5.Police Wireless Station Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2443972

**Nearest Hospital:**1.Govt. Hospitals Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2442212
2.H.F.M. Sait Memorial Hospital Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2442240
3.Vijaya Nursing Home Ettins Road, Hope Villa, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2442500
4.S.M. Nursing Home Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2442258
5.Parvathi Nursing Home Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2442168
6.Nirmala Nursing Home Finger Post, Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 2442215
7.Sanhita Nursing Home Ooty, Tamilnadu, India 244376

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Ooty

October to March is peak season with pleasant temperatures (15-28°C). April-June is warm but still pleasant compared to plains. July-September brings monsoon with misty landscapes and occasional rain.

Timings & opening hours

Open throughout the day. Government tourist spots have timings 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Hill station areas are accessible 24/7, but activities are best during daylight.

Entry fee & tickets

No entry fee for the hill station area. Specific viewpoints, parks, and gardens may charge INR 10-50 per person. Vehicle parking fees apply at popular spots.

Duration needed

Half a day to explore the hill station. Weekends are popular for a relaxing getaway. 2-3 days recommended for fully experiencing the area and nearby attractions.

Safety tips

Hill roads can be narrow with sharp curves — drive carefully. Watch for wildlife crossing roads, especially in forest areas. Carry warm clothing as temperatures drop in evenings. Stay on marked trails during treks.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry warm clothing/jacket (temperatures drop significantly in evenings). Trekking shoes if planning walks. Rain gear during monsoon. Binoculars for birdwatching.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station is at the base of the hills. Nearest airport: typically Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore or Mangalore International Airport. Taxis and buses are available from the base town.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the temperature at Ooty? A: Typically 15-28°C during season, dropping to 10-15°C in winter nights. Q: Are there accommodation options? A: Yes, from budget homestays to luxury resorts. Q: What is the best time for trekking? A: October to February for pleasant weather and clear trails.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Hill Stations

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Ooty

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Ooty on popular travel photography sites and social media.