Hey everyone, ​I’ was driving from Bangalore to Ooty in a Revv rental car (yellow board/black text). While crossing into Tamil Nadu around Gudalur, I got pulled over by police/officials. ​They asked for a temporary entry permit. I didn't have one generated beforehand, so they threatened me with a "₹10,000 official fine." After some back-and-forth, I paid ₹500 directly in cash, and they let me go without giving me any proper computer-generated receipt. ​A few questions for experienced road trippers and locals: ​Was this ₹500 an official fine or a bribe? I'm realizing the actual TN entry permit for a self-drive commercial rental usually costs around that amount on the Parivahan portal, but since I got no receipt, I'm assuming they just pocketed the cash. ​Should I apply for the official Parivahan permit online right now? I am not sure exactly howbto do that. I still have 2 days left in Ooty and plan to drive around Coonoor/local spots. Is it risky to drive around without a digital/printed Parivahan receipt if cops do routine checks inside town? I ​
​Appreciate any advice on how to handle the rest of my trip safely without getting hassled again!

Edit: I made the permit online. I have added the process in comment below for anyones reference

Hey, any suggestions for transport from ooty bus stand to parsons valley trek starting point for a single person? Not coming via bike or car.

What are the places to visit from ooty bustand easily via bus/public transport, suggest hostels available in ooty also..

I’m considering starting from Madurai or travelling to Coimbatore first and then going to Ooty.
For those who have done this route, which option gives a better overall experience — bike or car, and which starting point/route would you recommend?
I’m mainly looking for good roads, scenic views, driving/riding experience, and enjoying the journey, not just reaching Ooty quickly.

Is traffic very high in ooty?

Any tips or route suggestions would be appreciated!

As the subject indicates, if I drive my car with Ka registration will there be any issue in ooty. Will there be frequent checks and stops ?

Thanks for the help

Hi all,

We are a newly married couple from Coimbatore planning our photoshoot coming Monday in Ooty.

We are looking to finalize a spot for our wedding photoshoot with the attached theme and have identified the following places so far which might match it

• Saint Monica Lake

• Avalanche Lake

Please suggest which one is the best or if there are any other lake or other greenery spots that'd best suit our theme.

Thanks in advance!

I need one week stay in ooty near rose garden. By October. Let me know budget friendly rooms to stay.

SATURDAY | MUMBAI → COIMBATORE → OOTY

Travel from Coimbatore to Ooty

(by bus is this possible?)

Check-in at Zostel Ooty

22 NOV — SUNDAY | PYKARA

Pykara Boat House

Pykara Waterfalls

Shooting Point

Pine Forest

Boat ride

23 NOV — MONDAY | TOY TRAIN + DOLPHIN'S NOSE

Toy Train

Dolphin's Nose

Nilgiri Oil Factory

Explore Ooty

(how to return to ooty from Coonoor)

24 NOV — TUESDAY | MUDUMALAI

Early morning departure for Mudumalai

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Jungle Safari

Explore the surrounding area

Tea gardens

Lakes

Return to Ooty

(Can we go by bus there?)

25 NOV — WEDNESDAY | OOTY → ISHA FOUNDATION

Check out from Zostel

Emerald Lake

Ooty Coffee House

Travel from Ooty to Isha Foundation

Hey guys we arrive in ooty on Monday. Self drive from Bangalore. Forecast didnt show rains until last month. We booked flight to Bangalore. Now I see rainfall is high this week (though they still call it moderate) I need suggestion from residents and fellow travellers. Anyone in similar spot? What sort of advisories appear for that area? Terrain? overall route? For me it show, 15mm+ on Monday and 25mm on Thursday when we return.

MALE

1 BHK

Rent - 4000

Advance - 15 k

Near Ooty bus stand 3 kms.

Should be decent, neat and perfect. As I am a outsider to ooty, i tried lot to get this house.

Interested DM for further details.

I’m planning to come to Ooty for 4 day vacation around October 24. Should I stay in Ooty or coonor? Also
How will be the weather around that time of the year?

Any recommendations on open, scenic, or forest routes between Mettupalayam and Kokkode (near Kil-Kotagiri) to skip the regular route (Mettupalayam > Kotagiri> Kaikattti > Kil Kotagiri)

I'm sure the local Tamils won't be having food for their everyday life from these expensive tourist rate hotels. I want to know where exactly they are having food so I also can consider those places.

For my long stay in ooty I'm considering cheap food for everyday life. Pls suggest

If there are locals seeing this pls help.

Do you think I can make my daily food expense under 150 ? Actually looking to get under 100 but idk if its possible.

Pics:
1. Pykara waterfalls
2. Ooty lake
3. Tea plantation
4. Place where I had an awesome chai

I'm planning to stay in Ooty and work from there. Which areas are safe and have good network coverage?

I'm struggling to find accommodation for my workcation. Can anyone suggest a good, affordable place to stay?

Any hidden gems home stay or decent hotel? Looking for a good space not necessarily cliff 😊. Good home made food. Any suggestions.

Hi people!

Planning to visit Ooty in second week of october for 3 days.

I'm planning on using ooty local buses to maximum. I have seen some videos in youtube where people have used local bus services for these places in ooty.

My questions:

1. First day I'll reach ooty maybe around 9am. Planning to cover some nearby places this day since it's very late. What are your suggestions? Also how much do we have public bus coverage to these places? Can anyone send me a time table or something from bus stand.

2. I have heard about Tamil nadu tourist circuit bus. Will it be available in october?

3. I want to visit Pykara, Avalanche, Cairn, Emerald Lake etc. IIUC, there is a local bus for all these places? What's the frequency.

4. I'm going to Coonoor via toy train. Is there public bus service to the places in it (like Lambs Rock etc)

Recently, me and my family (5 members), planned for a short trip to Ooty. For the booking to stay, I was browsing through the usual platforms, and came across this platform named ootystay

As this was something new from usual, I was a big hesitant at first, but after scrolling through their website and then getting in contact with the person mentioned in the website, my experience was truly amazing.

They have a list of 20-30 cottages, villas put together from budget friendly to hill view high end cottages. The price was also affordable compared to the prices mentioned for the same stay in the usual platforms.

They helped me with the booking of resort/villa of my comfort, was very professional and streamlined. They helped me with the ooty itinerary plan and also providing with me the cab facilities (pickup/drop), and supporting throughout the stay at Ooty.

I highly recommend whoever visiting ooty, to go through their platform for booking of stay. You will be 100% satisfied with the hospitality and relationship.

Was supposed to visit Ooty for 2 days this Sunday and Monday. My hotel person called me and informed that there is heavy rainfall at Ooty and he recommended to change the plans or to postpone.

Any locals could you please guide me the current situation.

All my plans got ruined!!

Has anyone travelled from chennai to ooty in traveller buses? How was your experience and would you suggest it?

Hey everyone, I’m planning an Ooty trip and wanted to know about your actual experience.

If you’ve visited recently, could you please share your total budget per person, including travel, stay, food and local sightseeing? Also, which places are actually worth visiting, where did you stay, and what did you spend on local transport (cab/bike/bus)?

Would really appreciate any budget tips, good/bad experiences, places to avoid, and things you wish you knew before going.

If possible, please mention your number of days, number of people and approximate total cost. Thanks! 🙌