Travel to/ from Ooty

Emma21

I'd be very grateful for any advice anyone can give.

I am planning to travel from Bangalore to Ooty next March and wondered if anyone could advise where I should hire a car and driver from and how much this would cost?

I was planning to stay a couple of nights at the jungle resort (which I think is just under an hour from Ooty) and then set off early the next morning to get the toy train to Coonor and then from there to Coimbatore for the night before going on to Cochi

Could anyone tell me the best way to get from Coonor to Coimbatore? Should I get the train or a car and again can anyone advise of a good driver?

Also, do I need to stop in Coimbatore for the night, or would it be possible to do the whole journey to Cochi in one day?

Many thanks
Emma

citybell

You can take the toy train from Coonoor to Mettupalayem., then change the train at Mettupalayem that woud take you to Coimbatore provided you intend to stay in Coimbatore overnight.

To go to Cochin, you don't need to stay over night at Coimbatore.Then suggest you :

1) Go to Ooty and get a bus(at Coonoor you may not get a seat) to Cochin.

or
2) Take a bus to Coimbatore from Coonoor and from Coimbatore take bus to Cochin. or you can take a car from Coimbatore to Cochin.

or
3)Or from Coimbatore take a train to cochin.

Incase you take a car, remember that you have to pay the return fare even if you don't use it. The fare will be on per Km basis with some conditions including inter state permit charges and drivers bata(fee).

Emma21

Thanks - do you have any idea how long the journey from coonor to Cochin should take?

Also, does anyone know what the times of the toy train from Ooty to Coonor are - I would like to get an early train?

john.sw

Hi,

There is only one train from Ooty to Coonoor each day. It leaves in the morning (I think at about 9:00).

There are a few Jungle Resorts at Masinagudi, about 1hr from Ooty.

You can get a bus to Masinagudi from Bangalore (about 6 hours' drive) but you should consider stopping off in Mysore en route!

If you take a car from Bangalore to Ooty this will cost about Rs.3000/- depending on the size and type of the vehicle.

The Green Hotel (not to be confused with Green's Hotel) in Mysore is superb (stay in the main palace, NOT in the bungalows in the grounds) and costs about Rs.2400/- a night. If you're feeling romantic, they will sprinkle your bed with fresh rose petals before you arrive for an extra Rs.150/-

Once you are in Coonoor you can get the train to Mettupalyam then on to Kochi. You could also go by a/c car, which I prefer for comfort, speed and the lovely views!

Coonoor to Kochi by car takes 6 hours, so there's no need to stay in Coimbatore. If you do stay in Coimbatore, the Residency is the recommended hotel.

If you have any questions, please PM me.

Best wishes,

John

__________________
www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Emma21

Thanks John,

Do you have any idea how much a car from Coonor to Kochi should cost?

Regards,

Emma

john.sw

Maximum Rs.3000/- for an a/c Ambassador.

You should be able to negotiate Rs.2400/-

Have fun!

John

alan1111

Dear all,

I wish to travel from cochin to ooty

1. are there are luxury overnight buses available (direct to ooty)?
2. What is the fare etc and how can i book the tickets from delhi (my current location)? pls. give any phone no/details if available

Cheers!

alan1111

Further , would cochin be sufficiently covered in 1 day (will take night bus after sighseeing in the day)

Thanks

citybell

There are overnight luxury buses available from Cochin to Ooty.
You need to go over to MG Road in Cochin( near Woodlands hotel).
Not sure about the present fare since not travelled on this route.Though not sure, you may not be able to book from Delhi.

Suggest you why not take a toy train from Mettupalyem to Ooty to make your journey more lively?

Though you can see Cochin within a day, it would be too hectic.

Have a nice journey.

alan1111

Thanks a lot!

wud love to do the toy train once... i guess buese to ooty go via metupaliam..right?