Mysore to Otty DIstance, Routes, Transport Options, Nearby Attractions

We all know that the city of Mysore is filled with rich history. Ooty, on the other hand, is a beautiful hill station in the Nilgiri Hills. If you’re wondering whether you can travel from Mysore to Ooty, you most definitely can!

If you travel by road, in the bus or a car, you will pass forests, tea estates, and gaze on wildlife, beautiful scenes from mountain roads. There are many ways to reach Ooty.

If you’re looking for a shorter route, one of them is 124 km via Masinagudi and Kallatti.  If you are planning to take the bus, buses follow a longer route of 158 km via Gudalur and Pykara.

So today, we will break down the various ways you can reach Ooty from Mysore, the routes, options, and various activities you can do!

Mysore to Ooty Distance – Route Options

There are two main routes that you can take.

The first option is from Mysore to Theppakkadu to Masinagudi to Kallati, and finally, you will reach Ooty. This is probably the quickest route you can take. The distance is approximately 124km. The locals there call it the Kallati route. It can be a bit risky if it’s raining, or your breaks fail. So, we would advise against travelling in heavy vehicles if you choose this route.

Here is a break down of how you can travel using the first route option,

• Start from Mysore city centre (e.g. Mysore Palace area). Then, head south on NH 766 / NH 181 via Nanjangud toward Gundlupet.
• At Theppakkadu, you need to turn toward Masinagudi. After Masinagudi, you should continue to Kallatti via 36 hairpin bends. You need to be very careful and stay on lower gears, use engine braking.
• After the steep climb, you join the main highway, which is 8 kilometre before Ooty. You can continue to Ooty on this highway.

Small Tip – You should travel in the morning, and aim to reach before it gets dark. Avoid night travel in forest zones!

The second route option is from Mysore to Gundlupet to Bandipur to Mudumalai to Gudalur and finally, Ooty. This route takes NH 212/67 and you can travel via bus or car. The distance is approximately 157-158 kilometers. You pass through forests, tea estates, dams, small lakes, eucalyptus groves.

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The second route option will be considerably safer for you. You can also travel via taxi or other shared vehicles on this route. It will take about 3.5 to 4 hours for you to reach.

Here is a break down of how you can travel using the second route option,

• You can start from Mysore and take NH 766 toward Gundlupet. Then, Continue into Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
• The next road will be the Drive through Bandipur to Mudumalai. At Theppakkadu junction, you need to go straight toward Gudalur. Then, pass Pykara Dam and lake area.
• Here, you will drive past rolling tea gardens and eucalyptus forests. Now you have arrived at Gudalur. This is a small town with eateries. Continue up the hill road toward Ooty. Near Frog Hill viewpoint, you may face traffic blocks due to congestion. And finally, you have reached your destination.

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Best Time to Travel to Ooty

Ooty is beautiful all year, but some months you will enjoy it more, obviously depending on your preferences.

If you want to spend your time sightseeing, summer would be the best for you. You can visit any time between March and June. It is also a popular season and a lot of people visit Ooty during this time. If you don’t like chilly weather, you will love the pleasant weather during this time. It stays between 15°C to 25°C.

You can go boating, trekking, and visit tea gardens. But one thing, even if you go during summer, carry light sweaters for the evening.

Small tip: Book accommodations early. Summer is the peak tourist season.

Next, if you love the monsoon and the rains, a good time to visit would be between July to September. You will come across heavy rainfall, hills covered in mist, amazing waterfalls and more. But the roads can get slippery, so be careful. Even though its rare, landslides can happen so again, be cautious. Another advantage is there are fewer tourists during this time, so you won’t face any crowds. And get discounts!

Small tip: Avoid the short Masinagudi route during rain because it becomes risky.

The weather between October to February is quite chilly and romantic, perfect for all the couples out there. You need to opt between October to February to enjoy this weather. You should not, temperatures may drop as low as 5°C at night. If you love clear skies, dewy mornings, festivals, this is a good time. If you love a peaceful environment, you will love it.

Small tip: Bring warm jackets, gloves, and socks. Try a stay at a cozy hill cottage.

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Transport Options from Mysore to Ooty

The first option is to either take your own car or drive in a taxi. Taxi fares can cost you around ₹3,200 for an Indica car or ₹3,900‑₹4,700 for a larger vehicle. If you take your personal car, it will give you flexibility to stop wherever you want.

You can also take buses between Mysore and Gundalur, then change to another bus from Gundalur to Ooty. This bus journey will cost you around ₹500 to 700 for Mysore to Gundalur, plus ₹55‑260 to Ooty. There are also air conditioned Volvo buses available, if you can increase your budget a bit.

If you’re looking to travel by train, you’re out of luck. There is no direct train route from Mysore to Ooty. But you do have the option to take a train from Mysore to Coimbatore. Then you can take a cab or a bus to Ooty via Mettupalayam and Coonoor.

Just a small tip, the train journey will be very draining for you. It takes hours and is a very long route. If you wish to make this route a little less draining, ride the toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty. You can also check out a few combined packages that include the toy train. This may make your journey easier and affordable.

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Nearby Attractions and Sights

You can make your road trip interesting by checking out the nearby attractions. You will find a few stops on your way that we’re sure you will enjoy.

• The first spot that comes to mind is Bandipur Tiger Reserve. You will find it in the second route option we talked about initially in this blog. It lies on the route via Gudalur. If you travel early in the morning, you might spot wildlife beside the road! If you’re taking a personal vehicle, you can stop on the way and book safaris near Gundlupet or Theppakkadu. But one suggestion is, do not stop randomly on the forest roads.
• Then comes the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. If you enjoy nature and wildlife, this is another pitstop for you. This sanctuary is home to elephants, leopards, and birds. You can also do some bird watching here.
• Another attraction is the Pykara Dam and Lake. Again, it will come across the Gudalur route. It is a small lake where you can stop for tea, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place.
• As you move forward towards Ooty, there are many more spots that you can stop at. The hills are covered in tea plantations, many eucalyptus trees and pine plantations, mist may cling to hills in the early morning or post‑rain.
• Finally, the Frog Hills, which is a roadside viewpoint near Ooty. Once you reach here, the traffic will slow down. It is a great view to enjoy over Nilgiri Hills.

Here is a sample journey itinerary for your reference,

You can wake up in Mysore around 6am. You look out and see the yellow front of Mysore Palace. Try to pack light. You hop into your car, or book a cab. You can choose the Gudalur route for a calm drive. If you leave early, you will be able to avoid city traffic quickly.

The road opens into green open fields. And soon you will enter Bandipur jungle. You can roll down your window, feel the cool air. You will probably spot a herd of deer at a safe distance. You need to slow down here.

Remain alert. Next, you will reach Theppakkadu. By now, you know you are in Mudumalai sanctuary. Birds call overhead, monkeys hop near road. You stop for fresh coconut water at a small roadside stall.

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Next you drive onward to Gudalur town. You will see small shops, with homemade dosa and chai. You can stop here for breakfast.
Then, you pass Pykara dam and lake. The water looks really beautiful in sunlight. You can take a few photos, and climb further into tea estates.

The road now has views down the valley. You will pass the Kalhatti Falls sign.

Soon you will reach the Frog Hill viewpoint. You can see peaks in the distance. The road bends again upward.Make sure you use low gear. Here, you will climb out of the forest into wooded hill roads.

Then, a final turn and you enter Ooty town, by evening.

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Ooty Attractions You Need to Explore

Now that you know how to reach Ooty, let us tell you some of the places you can’t miss to explore!

The first spot is Ooty Lake and Boating, which is a pleasant artificial lake. You can rent a paddle boat or rowboat, if you enjoy boat rides. You can also visit the Ketti Valley View, which is called “Switzerland of southern India.” It is Just 4 km from Ooty bus stand and Offers views over vast green valley.

If you are spiritual, or enjoy visiting churches, your next stop is St. Stephen’s Church. It was Built in 1830, one of the oldest in Nilgiris.

Our next suggestion would definitely be the tea Museums and Plantations. You can tour tea factories and learn how tea is processed. You can also buy fresh Nilgiri tea as gifts for your family.

The next stop for sightseeing is Doddabetta Peak. It is the Highest point in Nilgiris. You can hike or drive up. It has rich views over mountains, which we’re sure you will enjoy!

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Other sight seeing spots we suggest are Catherine Falls, Wenlock Downs, which are Famous waterfalls and grasslands. It is great if you enjoy walking and picnics.

Ooty also has a small market which you must visit. You can buy homemade chocolates, local cheese, essential oils and handicrafts, perfect for souvenirs for your family and closed ones.

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Some Tips to Make Your Trip Easy

Now that we have talked about all the steps of your trip, here is the final breakdown,

• Start early morning, between 6 am and 7 am. This will help you avoid night ban in forests.
• Don’t forget to carry water and snacks, especially on forest routes.
• Be careful, and drive in lower gear on steep bends. Use engine braking and avoid riding brakes.
• Make sure to Check traffic updates or ask locals about blockages near Frog Hill.
• Forest section closes after about 6 pm, so Do not enter after dusk.
• Just a reminder, Carry a copy of vehicle papers, in case of forest check posts.
• Mobile signals get patchy inside forests, so be aware of that.
• You may come across wildlife on the road. Do not honk excessively and respect nature.
• If you’re taking buses or a cab/taxi, make your bookings in advance.
• Don’t forget to carry a light jacket or sweater. The weather will get chilly once you reach near Ooty.

Note – The best time to Visit Ooty is between October and June for best weather. Monsoon months (July to September) can be misty and roads slippery, which is quite risky.

Key Points To Remember

Now that you know the nitty gritties of your trip, here are some points to keep in mind,

• So, The distance from Mysore to Ooty is approximately 125 km via short route or up to 158 km via if you take the longer route. If you travel by car or taxi, the time is roughly 2 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min.
• If you take the bus, it will take 3 h to 4 h 30 min. Don’t forget, you have to change buses at Gundalur.
• There are two main road options you have are Masinagudi / Kallatti, which is shorter, steep, hairpins, and needs skilled driving. The other one is Gudalur / Pykara, which is longer, smoother, scenic, and is used by buses.
• Along the way you will see Bandipur forest, Mudumalai, tea gardens, Pykara Dam, Kalhatti Falls.
• In Ooty you can visit Botanical Garden, Lake, St. Stephen’s Church, Ketti Valley, Doddabetta Peak and more.
• Also, Travel only during the day through forests. Don’t forget your essentials. Start your journey early and nature.
• You need to download offline maps. This is a must because you might lose network on your way up.

Conclusion

The distance from Mysore to Ooty is approximately 125 km via short route or up to 158 km via longer route. Travel time by car or taxi is roughly 2 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min whereas Bus travel takes 3 h to 4 h 30 min, with a transfer at Gudalur.

Both the routes offer different pros and cons. We hope we were able to cover all the doubts. Do keep in mind all our tips, travel safely, and most importantly, enjoy to your fullest!

This trip will be an  experience for you in itself. Whether you take the shorter, adventurous Masinagudi route or the longer, scenic Gudalur route, the roads will be filled with natural beauty, forest trails, winding hills, and refreshing mountain air.

It’s a rare kind of trip where you go from the regal plains of Mysore to the misty charm of the Nilgiris in just a few hours. Along the way, you will come across spot elephants, breathe in the scent of eucalyptus, or pause to sip chai beside a valley view.

You can go with your family, partner, friends, or even solo. Just remember to respect nature, drive safely, and plan your journey during the daytime hours. Pack light, carry layers, and keep a camera handy. You never know when the perfect memory shows up in your window.

Ooty welcomes you with cooler temperatures, colonial charm, and peaceful mountain rhythms. After the road trip, unwind by the lake, explore the gardens, sip fresh tea, or simply take in the silence.

So go ahead and plan that trip. The mountains are calling you!