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Travel to Ooty for OOTYULTRA
👩🦰 Women Travelling Solo
If you're a registered woman runner heading to OOTYULTRA alone, our crew can connect you with other female participants who are travelling solo or are open to sharing a ride or accommodation.
Drop a note to info@ootyultra.com with your travel dates and preferences.
Ooty is simply an exciting travel destination.
This page contains everything you need to plan your trip to OOTYULTRA:
- Women solo traveller support and crew assistance
- Key race day locations and logistics
- Accommodation tips and partner hotels
- Vehicle Pass (e-pass) guidance for road entry to Ooty
- Travel routes by air, train, and road
- Shuttle info, parking, and other local advice
- Links to maps, contact details and tourism resources
Scroll down or use the menu to jump to any section.
Ooty is considered the "Queen of Hills" in the Nilgiris range. The word Nilgiri is derived from two Sanskrit words 'Nilam' means blue, and 'Giri' means hill. The literal meaning of the Nilgiris is 'The Blue Hills.' Ooty, with an altitude of 7600 feet, is also called Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam. Ooty is one of the prominent hill stations of South India, and it is popularly called the Switzerland of South India (read more).
Ooty is a beautiful mountain town that can be visited all year round. The ideal time to visit is between April to June (season) and September to November (also called the second season).
The weather during the summer period is generally pleasant as you can venture out for day sightseeing and other tourist activities. Approximately 65% of the geographical area of the Nilgiris district lies at an altitude of 1800-2500 meters above mean sea level.
OOTYULTRA Expo, Race Day Locations: How to Move Around, Where to Stay?
🎯 Key Locations to Note:
📦 #ultramalaivasi Expo
Scheduled on March 21st, 2026 (Saturday) at TTDC Unit -1 near Charing Cross.
1 pm to 6 pm
🚩 Start Point
TTDC Boat House (approximately 3 km from Charing Cross).
Flagoff timings:
90k, 75k, 60k, 50k at 6.00 am
30k @ 6.05 am
15k @ 6.30 am
🏁 Finish Point
Tea Park (approximately 6 km from Charing Cross).
Race Day Logistics:
- Early morning shuttle buses (a few of them) will depart from TTDC Unit 1 to the start point. Only on a first-come, first-serve basis, and all these buses will follow a strict schedule and will not wait.
- After the race, shuttle buses transport runners from the finish point to Charing Cross.
- Parking is available at the TTDC Boat House (start point). From Charing Cross, you can walk or hire a rickshaw. Additionally, buses to OOTY Bus Stand (1 km from the Boat House) pass through Charing Cross.
Accommodation Recommendations:
Where can you stay?
You can stay near Charing Cross or the Start Point for convenience.
Currently, we have one partner hotel and two TTDC properties. We do not make a strong recommendation for any particular hotel – availability and quality can change quickly at Ooty.
For the best fit with your budget and preferences, use online booking platforms like Google Maps, Booking.com, MakeMyTrip or similar sites. Check recent traveller reviews and ratings before you book.
Book early, as rooms in the last week of March fill up fast.
Eagles Dare Adventures | Adventure Partner Benefits
We are happy to welcome back Eagles Dare Adventures as our Adventure Partner for OOTYULTRA | 9th Edition 🦅
Eagles Dare was our first major supporter, coming on board as the Title Sponsor in 2018, and they continue to add immense value to the OOTYULTRA runner experience.
Special Added Benefit for All OOTYULTRA Runners
All runners visiting Eagles Dare Adventures will receive:
- Free Tubby Combo worth Rs. 1200
- A special gift hamper
- Complimentary tea and snacks
Runner Recommendation: We strongly encourage runners to plan a few extra days in Ooty before and after the race to enjoy the adventure rides and explore the scenic Nilgiris.
Planning to visit Eagles Dare? Please fill this quick form so their team can plan better for runner visits. This is only to help Eagles Dare and is not mandatory.
Tamil Nadu Tourism & TTDC Hotels
The Department of Tourism manages tourism in Tamil Nadu. The Commissionerate of Tourism formulates policies and implements programmes for the development of the tourism sector in the state.
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation(TTDC) is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Tourism, Tamil Nadu. TTDC operates hotels, tours, and boat houses and conducts various fairs and events. Tamil Nadu Tourism coordinates with government departments/agencies and private companies to develop tourism in the state.
General Rules concerning the partner hotels
The OOTYULTRA attracts a lot of traveling runners, their families and friends. We are constantly arranging to help you with your accommodation requirements in Ooty.
OOTY is among the most popular hill stations and tourist destinations for many travellers. Finding hotel accommodation to your choice, that suits your needs, could be harder during the last week of March onwards.
Tamil Nadu Tourism and Tamil Nadu Tourism Development (TTDC) are official Tourism Partners for OOTYULTRA. We may add a few more hotels to this list. TTDC has two properties in Ooty, exclusively made available for the OOTYULTRA runners, their families, and friends. These properties are well maintained and are situated in the prime location of Ooty town.
Important: The official booking in the TTDC hotels will start on 1 January (please contact them directly). OOTYULTRA runners can call the numbers published below the properties to make a soft reservation to block your rooms.
KaysFIT Academy & OOTYULTRA organizing team will not deal with your hotel reservation. We will not be responsible for any services TTDC provides; for concerns and disputes, you must deal directly with the TTDC hotels.
Please note: While we have presented hotel information and guidelines for your convenience, they may have changed or may change at any time. Always speak directly with TTDC before making any booking, and ensure you fully understand their latest policies, terms, and cancellation rules.
General Rules
The rules published below are only for information purposes. Talk to the Hotel staff for any updates.
- The rates are subject to change without notice.
- Call the hotel directly regarding cancellation or any changes to your reservation.
- Only one preponement/postponement is permitted before 48 hours, subject to accommodation availability. After availing of one postponement or preponement, no further preponement or postponement/cancellation is allowed.
Cancellation Rules (Season period)
- Within 24 hours from the date of reservation – no refund
- Between 24 hrs to 48 hrs – 50% refund
- Before 48 hrs. 75% refund
- No cancellation for Dormitory Booking
- Reservation charges exclude tax
Check-in and Checkout Times
- Check-in time: 11:00 am on Saturday (#ultramalaivasi Expo Day)
- Checkout time: OOTYULTRA runners are allowed to avail of a late checkout facility depending on the distance you participate:
- 15k runners – 1.00 pm
- 30k runners – 3.00 pm
- 60k & 90k runners – request you to plan for a two-day stay
- One more day rental will be charged if you check out after the time mentioned above.
TTDC Stay Options
TTDC Unit 1 (Hotel Tamil Nadu – OOTY 1)
Address: Charing Cross Road, Ooty – 643 001
View Google Location: Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC)
(ஹோட்டல் தமிழ்நாடு, TTDC)
Reception: 8148875747 (6 am to 10 pm)
Girija: 9843390969 (9 am to 6 pm)
TTDC Unit 2
Address: Botanical Garden Road, Ooty – 643 001
Unit II – View Google Location: TTDC Unit 2
(தமிழ் நாடு டூரிஸம் டெவலப்மெண்ட் கார்ப்பரேஷன் யூனிட் 2)
Reception: 9176995851 (6 am to 10 pm)
Ganesh: 9626531835 (9 am to 6 pm)
OOTY Tour Packages
TTDC regularly offers tour packages to places like Coonoor and surrounding areas, Pykara and Mudumalai. You can request more information when you are booking.
Taxi Service
Numbers will be shared. Please write to info@ootyultra.com for more information.
Travel by Train
The nearest station is Mettupalayam. You can travel to Ooty by the Government-operated bus service with a travel time of 2 hrs (approx).
Another large station is Coimbatore, which takes 3 hours to reach Ooty.
If you are not in a rush, you can enjoy the toy train ride from Mettupalayam to Ooty, which takes around 4-5 hrs travel time. The route is the most scenic and one of the oldest. Blue Mountains railways were constructed by the British in the 19th Century.
Travel by Road
Government operated buses
Look for buses in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation-operated buses TNSC.
The Karnataka Government & Kerala State Government operate many buses too.
Private buses
There are many private operators providing bus services to Ooty. Use travel websites to locate them. You may consider booking a semi-sleeper or a sleeper coach bus upon your return journey to get some rest for your tired legs/body.
Car/any other self-driven or driver-driven vehicles
- Coimbatore –> Mettupalayam –> Coonoor –> Ooty (many government operated buses are available) travel time of ~3-3.30 hrs
- Coimbatore –> Mettupalayam –> Kotagiri –> Ooty (slightly longer, unless you want to enjoy the scenic ride)
- Bangaluru –> Mysore –> Gundlupet –> Bandipur –> Masinagudi –> Ooty travel time of ~6.30-8 hrs
- Bangaluru –> Mysore –> Gundlupet –> Bandipur–> Gudalur –> Ooty (longer) (direct buses are available)
Vehicle Pass (e-Pass) to Enter Ooty
The e-pass is a vehicle pass, not an individual pass.
If you are self-driving a non-Nilgiris vehicle, you will need to apply for the e-pass.
If you are hiring a taxi from outside of Nilgiris District, the taxi operator or driver must ensure that the vehicle has the required approval. In most cases, registered taxi operators take care of this. We recommend that you check directly with your taxi driver or travel provider and confirm.
Apply here: Tamil Nadu e-Pass Portal
Please let us know if you need any further assistance at info@ootyultra.com.
WARNING: If you are driving a vehicle registered outside of the Nilgiris District, you will not be allowed to travel to Masinagudi from Ooty through the ghat section. Alternatively, go to Gudalur to get to Mysuru with an additional 1 hr 30 mins to your travel time.
WARNING: If you are new to mountain driving, exercise extreme safety precautions, wear your seat belt, and maintain traffic discipline. Always use manual lower gears and use the engine braking to drive downhills.
Travel by Air
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore (Check flights to Coimbatore)
Bangalore (Flights to Bangalore)
From these airports, choose to travel by road/train to Ooty (see other sections in this page).