How to travel within Ooty! Ooty is a hill station in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century when Europeans first arrived there to escape from the heat and disease of India’s plains.
Today it is known for its tea plantations, rose gardens, natural beauty, and cool climate. Ooty offers an excellent view of sunrise and sunset.
In short, Ooty has much to offer all kinds of travelers – from those who enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking or cycling to those who want to explore history or take in some art events.
are also plenty of opportunities for shopping with local craftsmen selling their wares at markets throughout town.
But regardless of what you’re looking for when visiting this picturesque hill town, you’ll want to travel around it.
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How To Travel Within Ooty
Although you can drive up to your destination, the most popular mode of transport in Ooty is the local bus. The best way for visitors to take them is by getting a ticket at one of the stands around town such as the one next to the CTO Office.
The buses run every 5 minutes or so, and a ticket costs Rs.5. You can also buy tickets from the conductor on board for Rs 10 each.
Bus services to all parts of Ooty start at 7:00 am and continue until 9:30 pm. Many of them will stop if they get even one passenger, which means that there are always buses less crowded – perfect if you’re in a hurry.
The roads around Ooty can get quite steep, which means that it’s recommended to hire a taxi or rickshaw. The drivers will likely be waiting at bus stands and locations frequented by tourists.
You can also ask your guesthouse owner for names of reliable taxi/rickshaw drivers who will offer a fair price. If you have a smartphone, Uber is available in Ooty as well.
Ooty also offers organized tours of the town on first-class coaches with Indian guides and a lunch stop at a local restaurant.
These tours cost from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 per person depending on Ooty also offers organized tours of the town on first-class coaches with Indian guides.
A lunch stop at a local restaurant. These tours cost from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 per person depending on the trip, and you can check which ones are available by stopping by the bus stand.
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If you’re feeling up to it, there is no shortage of travel agents around town that offer everything from train and air tickets to local tours and hotel reservations.
You can find them at colleges or look for signs advertising these services around town.
Bring a power adapter if you plan to use any appliances that require powering up
Ooty has a wide range of electrical outlets so it’s impossible for there not to be a special one for your particular electronic device. However, you will not always find a power adapter in the room so it’s best to bring one with you.
Be aware of the fact that English is only somewhat widely spoken
The people here are friendly and helpful but do not expect them to understand or speak fluent English all the time.
Consider the following tips for traveling to Ooty:
1. Collect A Map First To Travel To Ooty
While you can find places in Ooty by asking or checking a map, it’s much easier to locate yourself on a map before you go. The town is quite crowded and traffic makes it difficult for vehicles trying to get from Point A to Point B.
If you have a smartphone, download Google Maps in advance so that you can access their walking directions. Make sure the walking directions are set to “avoid highways.”
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If you want to travel by bus, make sure you know which stops are for your destination and how long it will take from each stop.
The Ooty bus system is a bit complicated – even locals get lost sometimes.
2. Stay At A Hotel In The City
There are many hotels here that offer a range of facilities and prices. Some of them also have restaurants serving local cuisines as well as international fare.
Hotels outside the city limits are good but can be expensive because they tend to cater more to those coming from overseas so they offer free transportation from the train station, etc.
Find a good quality hotel to spend the night from where transportation is convenient.
If you are looking for a hotel with English-speaking staff, internet access, and good restaurant facilities for breakfast, there are many options to choose from.
Remember to book your hotels well in advance.
The main season is during the summer months of March-June and September-November. If you plan to come here during these times, it is best to book your hotel room well in advance.
Pack warm clothes for winter
Even during the summer months, the temperature can drop unexpectedly so some warm clothes are good to have on hand.
You will need these if you plan to go on cool walks around Ooty town or even for a trip up the mountain behind the town. Don’t forget a supply of local currency.
Ooty is a popular tourist destination so it’s a good idea to have some Indian rupees on hand.
Many hotels and shops here will only accept Indian currency so you may not even be able to withdraw from ATMs if you don’t have enough rupees available.
3. Visit The Famous Tea Plantations
Ooty was founded by a British businessman who fell in love with the beautiful scenery of the mountains and streams. He saw great potential for starting a tea plantation here so he built himself a home and started planting tea for commercial production.
He soon built a factory to process the tea leaves and Ooty became famous for its high-quality “Indian Tea.”
Today there are more than 21 working plantations in this area, but not all of them offer tours.
Some do offer limited tours that feature the entire production process of tea – from picking fresh leaves to processing into fine powder form on the spot.
4. Enjoy Some Delicious Food While You’re There
Ooty is famous for its “haut-couture” cuisine.
It is said that this town has more restaurants per capita than any other city in India. If you’re looking to try Indian food, there are many different options here. There are also various types of international fare available at the hotels and cafes around town.
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5. Take Pictures Of All The Different Flowers That Grow Here
Ooty is a sight to behold thanks to the different types of flowers that grow here – especially during the summer months.
You will find roses, daisies, poppies, lilies, and many more in various parts of the town as well as a few tea plantations. There’s a reason Ooty is sometimes called the “Flower City” of India.
6. Drive Slow On Ooty Roads
The roads in Ooty tend to be windy and narrow. It’s best to drive slowly because many drivers tend not to look for other vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
Do not take your eyes off the road to gawk at the sites around you because it is dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
7. Use Public Transport For An Easy-Peasy Commute!
Public transport is the best way to get around Ooty. You can take the state-run bus service operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation to your desired stop.
There are also cabs and autos available as public transport options as well as car rental services.
Be sure to plan out exactly where you will be going beforehand since Ooty has a wide network of roads, some of which can be confusing.
In addition, you should have the phone numbers of the local cab services to call for a ride in case you do not see any cabs around or to your desired location.
If you are planning on being in Ooty for some time, then it is recommended that you purchase an unlimited travel pass to have access to all modes of public transport.
There are buses every 15 minutes during the daytime but this service is not as frequent at night so plan accordingly.
Beware Of Auto Rickshaw Drivers That Want To Get You There Quickly!
These drivers have been known to charge exorbitant prices.
However, if you do decide to take an autorickshaw then find someone who speaks the local language and negotiate a price before getting in the vehicle.
8. Rent A Bike To Explore The City
At your own pace. There are plenty of bike rental shops all over Ooty, but it is recommended to rent from one located near the Central Bus stand if possible.
Do not forget to take a picture of the bike’s license plate before entering into any contracts with bike renters as they generally ask for this information if you seem suspicious.
It could be said that it’s safer to ride in an auto-rickshaw than on a bike in some cases because if something goes wrong, the bike rider has no protection against oncoming traffic.
9. You Can Explore The City Of Ooty By Bicycle
If you rent a bicycle, then beware that the roads can be dangerous in many areas of Ooty.
The roads are narrow, steep and the traffic from other vehicles is dangerous.
In some areas, you will have to share your bicycle with a local shopkeeper.
At most places, you can find someone who has a bicycle for rent and they mostly charge per hour.
It is better to walk in some areas instead of riding a bike.
However, if you wish to rent a bicycle then the best place is near Sim’s Park.
It will cost you around 50 per hour, but it is relatively safe there because the roads are narrow and not too crowded. You can even find some rental shops outside Sim’s Park.
10. Check Out The Street Art In Town
While travelling to Ooty, you will notice that there are many works of art in different places. The colours of the paintings are vibrant and beautiful. If you want to see something different while travelling then it is a nice idea to stop by these art spots on your way.
Art in Ooty! It will take around 2 hours to reach Ooty from Coimbatore, but do not forget to make stops for sightseeing. There are many places to visit in Ooty, the most popular being the Coaker’s Walk.
The Best Places To Visit In Ooty
There are many places to visit in Ooty. Given below some list:
Sim’s Park
This is the first place that you should visit when you first come to Ooty. It is the best place for cycling because the roads are safe and not too crowded.
Municipal Garden
This is a very good park located near Hotel Blue Star. Many people visit this garden in the evenings to relax and enjoy.
Botanical Garden
This is also one of the best places in Ooty. You can spend lots of time with your family here. There are various types of flowers, plants, and trees in this garden that you will like for sure.
Gundha Park
This is the oldest park in Ooty. It is located near Gandhi Park. You can find lots of peacocks and other birds here.
Crystal Lake
This is also a very popular tourist destination in Ooty. There are many things to see here, like boating, toy train, fishing, etc. This place has a lovely ambiance.
Pine Forests
These are also popular tourist destinations in Ooty. You will find many varieties of pine trees here. It is one of the most beautiful places in Ooty.
Rose Garden
Roses are one of the best flowers available anywhere. This place has more than 100 types of roses. There are some specialties too. This place is situated near to Rose Garden Hotel in Ooty.
Municipal Park
This park is one of the oldest in Ooty, built-in in 1821. The garden also has a lake, which adds beauty to this place.
Gandhi Park
Gandhi Park was established in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. It is situated near to the Botanical Garden.
Government Botanical Gardens
Ooty is well known for its collection of flowers and plants. This garden houses more than 100 varieties of orchids.
Doddabetta Peak
It is located at a height of 2695 meters above sea level and is rightly called the Queen of Nilgiris. The panoramic view of sunrise and sunset can be seen from this peak.
Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint Situated at the top of Dolphin’s Nose hill, it is a popular viewpoint in Ooty. You can see views of Ooty from here.
Ooty is not a place for shopping.
However, if you wish to buy some souvenirs then I would recommend Government Art Emporium instead of private shops.
Where Is Ooty Located?
Ooty is a hill station in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. It was originally called Udagamandalam and has been renamed as Ooty since the British colonial rule. Also known by its former name Udhagai, Ooty is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters.
Ooty is the summer headquarters of The Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu, which is one of the most popular hill stations in South India.
Ooty is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Ooty has its own post office and town code – 643001.
Distance from Coimbatore: 135 km. Distance from Madurai: 220 km. Distance from Bangalore: 300 km. Distance from Kochi: 170 km.
Distance from Mysore: 50 km. Distance from Kodaikanal: 65 km. Distance from Munnar: 45 km. Distance from Kumily (Periyar): 70km.
When Is The Best Time To Travel To Ooty?
October to February is the best time to visit Ooty. The monsoon months of June and August can be avoided as it gets extremely wet, muddy, and foggy.
The climate of Ooty is a pleasant surprise, with its moderate temperatures throughout the year, except during the monsoons. During the peak summer months of March, April, and May it is very hot at 34° Celsius to 39° Celsius.
It receives a good amount of rainfall from the southwest monsoon, with June being the wettest month.
Ooty has a pleasant climate throughout the year, but summers can be very hot with temperatures rising to about 39 °C.
Winter months are from November to February, when the temperature may drop to about 5 °C.
Ooty gets very heavy rainfall of more than 1710 millimeters during the months from June to August.
Ooty is situated in the Nilgiri hills and gets very heavy rainfall during summer. The average minimum temperature is 10° Celsius and the maximum is 35° Celsius.
What Is The Best And Cheapest Local Transport In Ooty, Tamilnadu?
If you want to explore the city of Ooty you can get buses, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and taxis.
There are plenty of buses, taxis, and autos around Ooty. Auto fares start from Rs.10 for 2km.
However, it is better to talk about the fare before moving the vehicle.
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Conclusion
Ooty is a fantastic getaway for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of nature. The city has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions that are worth checking out while you’re here.
You can reach Ooty by bus, train or taxi. If you are traveling with your family and luggage, it is best to use a private vehicle like an autorickshaw (three-wheeled covered carriage) for faster travel.
Don’t forget to let us know what the Ooty travel experience was like. Please leave a comment.
Have a nice trip!
