Coimbatore to Ooty by Cab: Best Season, the Ghat Road and a One Day Plan

Ooty is the hill station most Coimbatore families think of first when the weather turns hot. It is close enough for a weekend, and far enough to feel like an escape. A cab is the easiest way to go, because the road is a mountain road and a driver who knows it makes the journey calmer. This guide covers when to go, what the ghat road is like, how to plan a one day trip, and the few things to check before you start.

The best time to visit

The hill station is busiest from March to June, when the plains are hot. The weather is cool and clear, but the roads and viewpoints are crowded. October and November bring a second quieter season, with fresher air. December and January can be very cold in the mornings. The monsoon months bring rain and mist, and on some days the road can be affected, so check the weather before you go.

What the ghat road is like

After you leave the plains, the road climbs through forest with many hairpin bends. It is a good, well used road, but it needs patience. Heavy vehicles, buses and tourist traffic move slowly on the bends, and the road can be foggy in the early morning and late evening. A driver who uses this road often judges the bends, the overtaking spots and the stops better than a first time driver. Avoid driving it yourself at night if you are not used to it.

Fog is the thing that most surprises first time visitors. In the cooler months, the early morning and the late evening can bring dense mist on the upper part of the road, and visibility falls to a few metres. Drivers who know the road slow down, keep the lights on and wait at a wide spot if needed. This is another reason to avoid a very late start back, and to keep your schedule flexible if the weather turns.

Rules to check before you go

The Nilgiris have had rules for tourist vehicles in recent years, such as registration for entry in some periods. Rules change, so check the current requirements before you travel, and ask the booking whether anything is needed for your vehicle. Carry a photo ID for everyone, because it is often asked at checkpoints and attractions.

A one day plan from Coimbatore

A one day trip is possible but tiring, because much of the day goes on the road. Start early in the morning, so that you are at the top before the crowd and the afternoon mist. A simple plan is the botanical garden and the lake in the morning, a lunch in town, and one or two viewpoints before an early start back.

Leave Ooty by late afternoon, so that you drive the ghat road in daylight. If you want to see more, such as the tea gardens, Coonoor or Doddabetta, stay one night and start the second day with fresh energy.

If you have not decided yet between Ooty and a nearby town like Coonoor, ask the driver. Coonoor is quieter, with tea estates and a few viewpoints, and many families split their time between the two. A good driver will suggest a plan that matches the number of days you have, the age of the people in your group and the weather on the day.

• Leave Coimbatore early, ideally before sunrise
• Botanical garden and Ooty lake in the morning
• Lunch in town, then one or two viewpoints
• Start back by late afternoon to cross the ghat road in daylight

Round trip or drop taxi

For a one day trip, a round trip is the simple choice, because the same driver waits and brings you back. If you stay several nights and plan to use local transport, a drop taxi to Ooty and another when you return can cost less. For a multi day trip with local sightseeing, a round trip with the car staying with you saves the effort of finding one on the hill.

Travelling with elders and children

The ghat road can make some people feel unwell. Tell the driver if anyone is prone to motion sickness, so that he can take the bends gently and stop for a break. Carry water, a light jacket and any medicine. For elders, plan a slower pace, and tell the booking about stairs and walking at the places you will visit.

Do not forget the little things that make a hill trip comfortable. Carry a light sweater even in summer, because the evenings are cool. Carry water and snacks, since eating places on the way can be crowded in the season. Keep your phone charged, as the network can be weak in some stretches of the forest, and tell someone at home your expected time of return.

What to check in the booking

Ask for the car type and its seats, the kilometres and charges for local sightseeing in Ooty, the parking and toll, and the waiting rules. Make sure the quote covers the full day on the hills, not just the drive. Oray shows charges and the cancellation policy before you pay.

Questions