Tirunelveli to Ooty by cab
Ooty, in the Nilgiri hills, is about 480 km from Tirunelveli, one of the longer hill trips we run. The drive takes nine to ten hours with a break, through Madurai, Dindigul and Coimbatore, then up the ghat road from Mettupalayam. Most families break the journey with a night in Coimbatore or start very early.
Because the distance is long, this is a trip for three or four days, and it works best when the driver is well rested. We plan the halts with you and make sure the car and driver are ready for the mountain roads.
Route and travel time
The usual route is Madurai, Dindigul and Coimbatore, then Mettupalayam and the Coonoor ghat road. The distance is about 480 km, and the drive takes 9 to 10 hours with a break. A round trip is about 960 km.The best time to go is october to March; April to June for the summer season; the monsoon is wet.
What to see in Ooty
Government Botanical Garden
The big terraced garden above the town, at its best in the spring flower season.
Ooty Lake and Doddabetta
The boating lake and the highest peak in the Nilgiris, with a viewpoint reached by a short road.
Coonoor
A quieter hill town nearby, with Sim’s Park and tea-estate views.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The toy train from Mettupalayam is a UNESCO-listed heritage line. It needs advance booking.
Suggested plan
- Day 1: Drive to Coimbatore and rest overnight, or start before dawn and reach Ooty by evening.
- Day 2: Ooty’s garden, lake and Doddabetta, with the toy train if you have booked it.
- Day 3: Coonoor and the tea estates, then start back or stay another night.
Good to know before you go
- Tamil Nadu has used an e-pass system for tourist vehicles going to Ooty and Kodaikanal, with daily vehicle limits set by court orders. The requirement has changed, so check the current position at epass.tnega.org before you go.
- The Nilgiris are cold at night even in summer. Carry warm clothes.
- The ghat road has many bends and slow traffic at weekends.
- Toll and parking are paid by the customer, and night halts for the driver are arranged with you.
Which car to book
An SUV such as an Innova Crysta is the most comfortable choice for a family over this distance. Groups can take a Tempo Traveller, and a sedan suits a couple travelling light.
Fare guide
Taxi fare for Tirunelveli to Ooty
Outstation trips of 300 km and more are charged per kilometre by vehicle, plus driver bata of ₹400 to ₹700. A round trip to Ooty is about 960 km. Prices are as of 19 September 2026.
| Vehicle | Suits | Per km | Driver bata | Distance charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire / Etios | Up to 4 guests | ₹13 A/C | ₹400 | ₹12,480 |
| Toyota Innova | Family of 6 to 7 | ₹18 A/C | ₹500 | ₹17,280 |
| Toyota Crysta | Family of 6 to 7, extra comfort | ₹21 A/C | ₹500 | ₹20,160 |
| Tempo Traveller | Groups of 12 and more | ₹24 A/C | ₹600 | ₹23,040 |
The distance charge is the per-km rate multiplied by about 960 km. It leaves out driver bata, toll, parking, permits and night charges, and trips of more than one day add local sightseeing kilometres. We confirm the exact fare before you travel.
See the full cab price list for every vehicle and package.