Nainital is a hill station situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. The beautiful landscapes, serene lakes, and pleasant weather attract many tourists who visit Nainital all through the year. There is boating on Naini Lake to trekking and the surrounding forests that tourists like to visit and enjoy. If you are planning a trip, and wondering how to reach Nainital, this guide covers all the options available- the best modes of travel from major cities and routes and some handy travel tips.
Reaching Nainital by Air
The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, which lies about 70 km away. It is a small domestic airport, with limited flights mainly from New Delhi. If you’re coming from any other part of India, you might need to take a connecting flight from Delhi to Pantnagar.
You can hire a taxi from the airport at Pantnagar or book a cab to take you on the beautiful 2-hour journey to Nainital. You can also book outside the airport with travel agencies and even through ride-hailing apps.
Other airports:
One who is not able to reserve an air ticket to Pantnagar can directly reach at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, which is approximately 300 kilometres from Nainital. They can take a train, a bus or a cab, the distance is reachable in time if one is planning his trip by train or cab, but the time duration will be a little wider. As New Delhi offers all big cities connectivity nowadays has become very good.
Train Route to Nainital
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam Railway Station, from where Nainital is almost 34 km away. Regular services are available from several major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Dehradun. Some of the most used trains on this route are:
Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam
Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express from Delhi to Kathgodam
Bagh Express from Howrah to Kathgodam
From there, you can hire cabs or shared taxis that might take you to Nainital in about an hour.
Travelling by Train to Major Cities
From New Delhi: The train goes from New Delhi to Kathgodam, which takes up to 6-7 hours. You have a choice of morning and night trains, so you may choose the most convenient one as well.
From Kolkata: The Bagh Express connects Kolkata to Kathgodam, and thus, this is one of the popular routes for all travellers coming from East India.
From Lucknow: You can take the Ranikhet Express that links Lucknow to Kathgodam in about 8-10 hours.
How To Reach Nainital by Road
The best means to reach Nainital would be by road, more preferably from Delhi or from cities nearby. This drive would take you through lovely vistas of the Kumaon hills, interspersed with lush green forests and panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Routes from Major Cities
From Delhi: Nainital is approximately 320 kilometres from Delhi. In general, it takes about nearly 7-8 hours of driving time. The best route is
Route: Delhi – Ghaziabad – Hapur – Moradabad – Rampur – Haldwani – Kathgodam – Nainital
The road on the NH 9 is well-maintained. So, there are a good number of rest stops eateries and petrol bunks along the way. Better to leave early in the morning to avoid traffic congestion.
This has a distance of approximately 280 Km and nearly 8 -9 hours by road from Dehradun: You could take the route starting from Dehradun-
Route: Dehradun – Haridwar– Kashipur–Haldwani-Kathgodam-Nainital,
Lucknow: Lucknow to Nainital roads are 400 km distances on either side you could take Bareilly on your drive to Kathgodam and then navigate your way up Nainital.
Route: Lucknow → Sitapur → Bareilly → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Nainital
Buses to Nainital
You can book buses because they are usually cheaper. Transport corporations and many other private transport companies provide bus services that one can avail to get to Nainital- from ordinary, semi-deluxe to AC buses.
Delhi: Buses take from overnight and morning at the ISBT in Delhi to Nainital, it’s 7 to 8 hours.
From Haldwani /Kathgodam: Regular Local buses and taxis go to Nainital, journey from those locations takes around an hour.
Driving to Nainital What to Expect
Winding mountain roads await you on the way to Nainital. Here are some tips for a smoother ride:
Start Early: Narrow mountain roads can get crowded. The early mornings have less traffic and offer clear visibility.
Drive Safely: Though the roads are good, mountain driving is cautious, especially on curves. Keep within speed limits, do not overtake on turns, and use the parking spaces available in Nainital.
Fuel and Resting: Ensure that your vehicle has enough fuel as fuel stations are scarce in the hills. It is prudent to fill up at Kathgodam or Haldwani.
Reaching Nainital by Private Taxi or Cab
One alternative would be booking a taxi through main cities such as Delhi, Dehradun, or Lucknow. In most of the travel agencies, taxi services to Nainital are exclusive. Also, this can be done online. It takes around Rs. 4000 to Rs. 7000 via a private taxi from Delhi. This varies with type and provider.
From Kathgodam or Haldwani: Local taxis from Kathgodam to Nainital are more economical and between INR 500 to 1500.
Taxis are flexible. It is possible to pick you up and drop you at places where you want to. You could also plan short breaks on the way to the lovely spots.
The Best Time to Visit Nainital
Knowing which time of the year will be the best to visit Nainital will ensure hassle-free travel. Here is what you can expect at different times of the year:
Summer (March to June): This is the peak time for tourists because it ranges from 10°C to 25°C. It feels quite refreshing, hence suitable for outdoors and sightseeing.
Monsoon (July to September): It mostly rains with moderate to heavy intensity sometimes causing landslides there. Still, the beautiful green cover is pretty impressive; the road conditions also become very tough, so plan.
Winter: October to February. Winter months are cold, and Nainital gets covered with snow in December and January. If you are fond of snow, this is the perfect time to visit; however, be prepared to bear the chill.
Final Tips for a Hassle-Free Journey
Road Conditions: Before commencing your journey, especially during monsoon or winter, make sure to check the latest road conditions.
Pre-book rooms, as hotels get fully packed in peak seasons, say in summer and winter, respectively. So, in that case, pre-booking will save you all last-minute hassles.
Dress appropriately: Since Nainital’s weather remains unpredictable, even in summer the evenings can be very cool, so pack warm.
Local transport: Local autos, rickshaws, and buses can easily be found in Nainital, so you needn’t take your vehicle if you want to roam the town.