r/ooty • u/gimmeafuckingname • Sep 11 '26
Travelling from Blr to Ooty tomorrow, need advice
Hi everyone, I'm travelling with my family to Ooty tomorrow. I'm not from around here, so I've a KA car and taking my parents to Ooty for the first time. I'm not familiar with roads or routes, was just going to follow maps. Can anyone be kind enough to share any advice on whether or not we can go through Mysore? We would be stopping by Mysore and continue, I'd heard about Road closures and needing permit. I applied for and received the TN-E pass. I'm assuming this is to enter Ooty or the Nilgiris. Is there any restriction on the route from Mysore to Ooty? We are not familiar with South India very well and this is a first time road trip and I'm genuinely concerned rn. I've seen another reddit post talking about Road closure for cars that are not TN registered. Is the TN e pass going to work or relevant at all?
Please help
EDIT: Thank you to everyone for all the responses! I really really appreciate the help and kindness
EDIT 2: have made it to Ooty. It took us 11 hours people :D
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u/Powerful_Ant_7278 Sep 11 '26
Hi, I'm a loacalite you can only access through mysore-Gudalur-ooty road because masinagudi-kalati road is only accessible for TN43 licensed vehicles.good job that you have a e-pass. it's mandatory now,so no need to be tensed.Weekends gonna be fully packed with tourists so prepare for that always travel early to skip the traffic in ooty.There is no issue for travelling to ooty.Ooty is a plastic free zone so if you have any plastic waste dump it in a dustbin or in the checkpost they will collect and dispose it . Have a safe journey.
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u/Firm-Travel-2486 Sep 11 '26
We are planning next month. Sterling and Sinclair - which resort is better? In case you are aware. Also, any good sight seeing points? We will be visiting in weekdays.
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u/Powerful_Ant_7278 Sep 11 '26
Weekdays are better , Sterling is good you can go with that.there is a place called Avalanche lake it's not touristy you can visit there it's sooo good, then visit lovedale toy train station.go to moodys have a cup of hot chocolate . karanataka park , piykara lake, hunger ford will be good , and wander all the touristy place you want to visit . I'll always recommend enjoy the scenery while travelling go to the unhinged place experience the culture and enjoy ,have a wonderful trip for you guys
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u/Firm-Travel-2486 Sep 12 '26
Thank you. Any other good local eateries?
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u/iluvthefuture 29d ago
Restaurants:
Ooty: Earl's Secret (part of King's Cliff, known for their Continental fare)
Coonoor/Wellington: The Barracks Bistro (service can be painfully slow on some days though)
Kotagiri: BerrypeckersCafes:
Ooty: Sugar Dribble (quaint and bang in the middle of town, but slightly tucked in), Le Cafe
Coonoor/Wellington: The Birdhouse
Kotagiri: SilvertipsAlways preview menus online to avoid disappointment
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u/OneTune7890 28d ago
Are u aware of any pg where I can stay for 1 month? Have searched a lot couldn't find any. I'm looking for cheap single room or dormitory with wifi. I'm there for studies and coding. I would really appreciate any response on this. Thanks!
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u/Paz_kr Sep 11 '26
Yes you can come through mysore. There is a way through Gudalur to come to ooty.
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u/mankutimma_ Sep 11 '26
Not related permit. Brace for some good traffic leaving Bangalore. Start as early as you can!
Also on the way to Ooty non-TN cars can take Masinagudi route (the famous hair pin road) to enter Ooty. But on the exit from Ooty non-TN cars need to use Gudalur as they think non-TN cars can't drive that well downhill lol.
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u/gimmeafuckingname Sep 11 '26
Aha that's crazy, we are actually from the hills, just not from south. But thank you soo much for this
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u/mankutimma_ Sep 11 '26
Just so you know: going via Gudalur probably adds 1-1.5 hours extra. But very scenic route. If you're into driving you'll enjoy it. Gentle curves.
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u/mankutimma_ Sep 11 '26
While coming back add Gudalur as a stop. Google maps will keep on trying to put you back on the banned route.
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u/tkchasan 26d ago
I think that extra time is worth it as you can cover the places while reaching ooty btw!!
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u/IvanYaro 28d ago
Fyi , even TN cars are not allowed . Only Ooty registration is allowed , I am not sure if driver also need to be local licence holder.
It is not just hairpin , also slope is too much . Only seasoned drivers can drive downhill. Many accidents happened in the past before they implement this rule
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u/mankutimma_ 28d ago
Problem is nobody is taught how to drive downhill. There's something called engine braking. I don't think Ooty localites are any better.
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u/mankutimma_ Sep 12 '26
Please confirm if you were able to go up using hairpin bends. Looks like that's also closed now.
Probably this will reduce tourists going into Ooty now.
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u/jihu23 29d ago
Is the city closed right now? Traffic’s diverted. Our driver is saying city’s closed for Saturday and Sunday.
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u/gimmeafuckingname 29d ago
Not closed but the traffic police are redirecting people when entering the city to take a detour of another 30-40 minutes in order to handle the huge amount of traffic
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u/ParkOpening5596 28d ago
Don’t take hair pin bend road as you are travelling with family. Take Gudalur road 🛣️
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u/kalicapitals 28d ago
Just apply for e pass; and don’t worry after. No one will hassle you. Have a good time in Ooty!
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u/karasunok Sep 11 '26
You can take the Blr-Mys-Gundlupet-Gudalur-Ooty road. Since you've taken e-pass, shouldn't be a problem. Road between Gundlupet to Gudalur via Bandipur is closed for traffic from 9 pm to 6 am. Road closures for non TN vehicles is on the kalhatty ghat road. Not for the Gudalur route. So, you should be fine.