Every weekend, an army of travelers frustrated with corporate slavery flock from Bangalore to Ooty to leave behind the hassle of city life and enjoy Ooty holidays for a few days! The scenic drive to Ooty from Bangalore is one of the most enjoyable road trips in India offering beautiful sights and experiences of the places along the way.
Riding off into the tea-carpeted hills of Ooty past charming villages and over winding mountain roads is the best kind of detox one can give to one’s mind, body, and soul!
Not Interested in Ooty ? Check out the 🌴 Best Time to Visit Kerala
Hoe to get from Bangalore to Ooty?
But how do I get from Bangalore to Ooty?
What are the modes of transport available?
Which are the best routes for a road trip?
How do I make the trip economical and comfortable?
Scroll down to find an answer to all the major questions travelers ask about this trip along with other essential details.
Distance from Bangalore to Ooty: 270 km
Travel time (by road): 6 hours
Nearest airport to Bangalore: Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore
Nearest railway station to Bangalore: Bangalore City Junction
Nearest airport to Ooty: Coimbatore International Airport (88 km)
Nearest railway station to Ooty: Mettupalayam Railway Station (47 km)
Also SEE- Customized Ooty Tour Packages
Why should one travel from Bangalore to Ooty?
Tucked high up in the Nilgiris, or the ‘Blue Mountains’, of the Western Ghats, Ooty is a scenic package of undulating hills, aromatic tea plantations, resplendent valleys, beautiful lakes, and the delightful Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
Also known as Udagamandalam, this hill station in Tamil Nadu once served as the summer capital of the East India Company. It’s a popular tourist destination for relaxing amid cool mountain weather and untouched nature.
Getting to this hill town is just as exciting! Whatever means you pick to travel from Bangalore to Ooty, you’re bound to have a fun-filled experience!
ALSO SEE – 10 Best Things To Do In Ooty
Best way to get to Ooty from Bangalore
The 270-km long distance from Bangalore to Ooty is best covered by road.
A road journey is the most convenient, comfortable, and cost-effective way of traveling between Bangalore and Ooty and Mysore is the major city you have to cross when you go from Bangalore to Ooty.
ALSO SEE – Top 14 Best Things to do in Mysore
It is also the most enjoyable means of getting around these two cities. From Mysore Palace, Bandipur National Park, to Hogenakkal Waterfall, you can witness it all en route! Driving over Nilgiri’s winding roads past lush tea gardens, rolling pastures, tall pine trees, and serene waterfalls will be an experience you’ll never forget!
Now there are different means of traveling from Bangalore to Ooty via road.
Self-driven cars
Driving your own car to Ooty is the best way to travel from Bangalore as you can travel any time you want and stop at any place in between based on your convenience. You can opt to drive from Bangalore to Ooty yourself, making a stopover at Mysore along the way if it gets too tiring.
Rented vehicle or Taxis
You can rent a car or tempo according to the number of passengers from taxi rental services in Bangalore or the Kempegowda International Airport itself. You can also book a cab or rented vehicle online in rental platforms like ZoomCar and ZipCar.
It can cost you anywhere between INR 2,500/- to INR 7,000/- one way (depending on factors like the number of passengers, stops, and vehicle model).
Bus from Bangalore to Ooty
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates public buses to and from Bangalore and Ooty on a daily basis. It’s a fast, easy, safe, and economical way to travel to Ooty from Bangalore since you can get KSRTC bus tickets at nominal rates.
There are usually 1-2 buses leaving for Ooty from Bangalore daily at a specified time and the journey takes 7 hours. See the KSRTC website for timings and ticket prices. Many private bus services too run regular A/C tempos and Volvos between these two cities.
ALSO SEE – Ooty or Munnar- Which One To Choose?
Best routes to travel from Bangalore to Ooty
There are two major routes you can take to travel to Ooty from Bangalore by road. We have mentioned the pros and cons of both so that you can pick the one that suits you most.
Route 1: Via Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway
Bangalore – Ramanagara – Channapatna – Mandya – Mysore – Nanjangud – Begur – Gundlupet – Ooty
Total distance: 270 km
Travel time: 6 hours
The Bangalore to Ooty route via the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway is the fastest and most preferred route for travelers frequenting Bangalore and Ooty by road.
The excellent road condition of this route too makes it a favourite of backpackers, bikers, and lovers of road trips. Also, you’ll find a standard number of highway tolls on this route and no road closures.
You can visit places like Mysore Palace, Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, Nanjundeshwara Temple, Thonnur Lake, St. Philomena’s Church, and the enchanting Bandipur Tiger Reserveon this route. You can dine at restaurants like Gayatri Tiffin Room in Mysore and New Malabar Restaurant in Kurahatti.
ALSO SEE – Bangalore to Coorg- Best Way to Travel
Route 2: Via Mysuru – Ooty Road
Bengaluru – Shoolagiri – Krishnagiri – Dharmapuri – Mettur – Poonachi – Mettupalayam – Coonoor – Ooty
Total distance: 270 km
Travel time: 6 hours
While this route also has a standard number of highway tolls and no road closures, it’s a much longer and slower route from Bangalore to Ooty compared to the previous one.
You can explore places like Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri Dam, Hogenakkal Falls, Mettur Dam, and Dolphin’s Nose on this route. You can eat at restaurants like Kaapi Stop in Dharmapuri and Naveen Hotel in Mettur.
ALSO SEE – Top 15 Places to Visit in South India with Family
Other ways to travel from Bangalore to Ooty
Road travel is the best way of getting to and from Bangalore and Ooty. But if you do not wish to drive all the way, you can choose to travel by other means.
We have listed convenient travel options by air and rail for you to consider.
By Air:
You can take a flight to Coimbatore Airport from Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore and then hail a taxi for the rest of the way to Ooty. Coimbatore Airport is 88 km away from Ooty and it will take more time to travel in air than by road if you are going from Bangalore to Ooty
Very few airlines serve this route since people don’t generally like spending on air travel for such a short route.
By Rail:
You can take the train to Mettupalayam Railway Station near Ooty from Bangalore City Junction. While the distance between the two stations is 47 km, trains take about 9 to 12 hours to cover this route depending on the number of stops along the way. It will take more time to travel in train than by road if you are going from Bangalore to Ooty due to non availability of direct trains railway stations near Ooty.
It is still a more convenient and budget-friendly means of traveling from Bangalore to Ooty as compared to air travel.
ALSO SEE – Ooty Or Kodaikanal – How to Choose?
We hope we’ve made it easy for you to plan your trip from Bangalore to Ooty with this mini guide! Filled with enriching sights and experiences, your journey to Ooty from Bangalore is bound to be memorable!
