How to Visit Ooty by Flight? DOs & DON’Ts for a great travel experience

Ooty – Leading the famous tourist places in South India

Ootacamund / Udhagamandalam is one of the top tourist destinations in India. Popularly known as Ooty, this quaint hill station in Tamil Nadu has been blessed abundantly by Mother Nature. Rolling hills covered with dense forests as far as eyes can see, shimmering lakes hidden among the trees, and colonial-era buildings dot the entire landscape. Even a lazy stroll through the foggy slopes can become an unforgettable travel experience.

The city is blessed with a temperate climate that remains cool even during summers if the beautiful views aren’t enough. What more can one ask for when seeking a break from the blistering heat of the plains? Discovered by the British in the 19th century and developed as a hill station, this is one of the best tourist places in South India.

How to Reach Ooty

Considered the best hill station in South India by many, Ooty is within easy reach of all major cities in the country. One can travel to the hill station by their preferred means of transport – air, rail, or a good old road trip. The scenic route approaching Ooty through winding mountain roads is considered one of India’s best places for road trips. Here is a look at how to reach this Queen of the Hills via different modes of transport.

• By Road – Ooty is well-connected to nearby towns and cities by a well-developed road network. The nearby metropolitan cities like Bengaluru and Kozhikode are some prominent ones connecting to Ooty through the mesmerising hill roads. Another important city that lies less than 100 km away and acts as a gateway to Ooty for the rest of the world is Coimbatore.
• By Rail – Rail connectivity is another gift of the British Raj to this quaint hill town. The Nilgiri Mountain Railways that connects Mettupalayam to Ooty is one of the unique travel experiences one can have in the region. The narrow-gauge train (popularly known as the toy train) chugging slowly up the slopes, crossing multiple tunnels, and offering a view of dense forests and tea plantations is certainly a major tourist attraction.
• By Air – One of the most preferred modes of travel in the recent past is air travel. Saving time that allows visitors to spend more time at the destination makes this a popular choice. For travellers opting to travel by air, the Coimbatore International Airport’s nearest airport is roughly 90 km away from Ooty. As the name suggests, this is an international airport, connecting domestic and international passengers to the hill station. The scenic road journey from Coimbatore to Ooty, passing through the rolling hills, can be completed in approximately 3-4 hours.

Flight Connectivity to Ooty

There are several major domestic and international airports in cities around Ooty. Some of these include the following.

Coimbatore International Airport	90 KMs
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru	270 KMs
Kozhikode International Airport	160 KMs
Chennai International Airport	560 KMs

All these airports are busy international airports connecting to other major cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, etc. and certain international destinations. All major domestic and international airlines operate through these airports. Hence, reaching Ooty from any major Indian or international location is quite simple.

Things to Keep in Mind

The easy connectivity to Ooty may make you want to just hop on to the next flight and reach the calm environs of the hill station. However, you must keep a few things in mind when planning a trip to Ooty, especially if you are taking a flight.

General Guidelines for Flights

There are certain thumb rules to follow for a great flight travel experience, among other important things to keep in mind.

• Plan your itinerary and book your tickets in advance to save on the last-minute ticket price surge. This will help you have an amazing travel experience within a limited budget.
• When taking a flight, ensure you carry your ticket, passport, vaccination certificate, and all relevant documents so that they can easily be retrieved when asked for.
• If you are taking a flight, try to travel light. As defined by different airlines, carrying luggage within the allowable limits helps you avoid bad flight experiences.
• Keep some extra time in your schedule to avoid the last-minute rush and any delay caused at the airport due to any unforeseen circumstances.

Apart from following general guidelines for air travel, there are a few things that help you have a great travel experience in general.

• Research about the destination to ensure that you have sufficient time to visit all the landmarks that suit your interest. This also helps to leave out destinations that may not match your interest.
• Having a plan also helps define and stick to a budget.
• When travelling, the last thing anyone would want is to be bothered about some essentials they forget at home! A little planning can help you find out about the facilities and the weather at your destination. You can pack the essentials, like warm clothes for a cold place.

Tips for Planning a Visit to Ooty

Having a general plan for any trip is a great idea. Here are some things to keep in mind if you travel to Ooty. These are important as the weather and places here may differ from other travel destinations you may have visited.

• The temperature in Ooty is generally on the lower side and can also dip to 2^oC – 3^oC if you are visiting in the winters. So, irrespective of the time of the year you are visiting, it is advisable to carry some warm clothes.
• Ooty is also known for its sudden showers. Carry an umbrella or rainwear to keep yourself dry in an unexpected downpour.
• If you take a flight, the nearest airport is nearly 90 km away at Coimbatore. The remaining way needs to be covered by a road that passes through winding hill roads. As scenic as they may be, it can trigger motion sickness if you suffer from the same. So, do carry some medicine for motion sickness when visiting Ooty. Also, make a note of the fact that journeys on hill roads can take longer than on plains. Hence, be prepared for a longer travel time from Coimbatore to Ooty than the kilometres may predict.
• If you visit Ooty in the rainy season, the slopes may become slippery due to the water. Be especially careful if you plan to go for a trek in this weather. Try to accompany a local guide for a better travel experience.

Summing Up

Ooty is undoubtedly one of the most famous hill stations in South India, and thus there are thousands of people visiting the town every year. Its popularity has also led to it being well-connected to other cities. One can take a flight to any nearby airport – Coimbatore International Airport being the nearest one – and then travel to Ooty by road. Finding the best flights from anywhere to Coimbatore is made simple with Cleartrip. One can check and compare different flight options before making the booking.

Enjoying the pleasant weather and the mesmerising views of the foggy jungles during the rainy season may have their charm. But there are also risks associated with the same. These can easily be managed by keeping a few essential points in mind and being cautious. So, what are you waiting for? Book your flight tickets on Cleartrip now to visit the Queen of the Nilgiris.

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