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Coimbatore to Ooty by Train: Before you get into the train options, get a quick idea of the train route between Coimbatore to Ooty. For the sake of simplicity let's divide the route into 3 stretches.

1. Coimbatore (CBE) to Mettupalayam (MTP)
2. Mettupalayam (MTP) to Coonoor (ONR)
3. Coonoor (ONR) to Ooty/Udagamandalam (UAM)

That is, Coimbatore (CBE) —(broad gauge)→ Mettupalayam (MTP) —(meter gauge)→ Coonoor (ONR) —(meter gauge)→ Ooty/Udagamandalam (UAM).

The Coimbatore (CBE) to Mettupalayam (MTP) stretch is broad gauge line , and is connected to the rest of the main routes.  There are 4 passenger trains and 1 express operate on this route, all take about an hour to cover this 36km route.

The route is like this: Coimbatore Jn(CBE) --> Coimbatore North (CBF)-->Karaimadai(KAY)--> Metupalaiyam (MTP)

Metupalaiyam (MTP) to Coonoor (ONR) is the meter gauge line. The great part of the this route is the stretch between Kallar and Coonoor, the rail is fitted with Rack Mechanism to climb the steep gradient of the track. There is only a pair of train, operate on this stretch, the Mettupalayam to Ooty bound Nilgiri Mountain Train (Train No:56136 and 56136). This 46km distance stretch takes 2 hours 20 minutes to cover. This is the most difficult and romanticised stretch of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway route.

Beyond Coonoor lies the Coonoor to Ooty (called Udagamandalam in Tamil) stretch.

The route goes like this : Coonoor (ONR) -->Wellington (WEL)-->Aravankadu(AVK)-->Ketti(KXT)-->Lovedale(LOV)-->Udagamanndalam(UAM)/OOty

Here again you'll find more passenger trains operating daily, four pairs of them between Coonoor and Ooty. This is the relatively shorter (19km) and faster route. Those of you do not have the luxury of time in hannd to enjoy the slower and full stretch of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway route, try the 1 hour 15 minutes Coonoor to Ooty route.

Alright that's about the routes. What about the trains. You best choice to travel from Coimbatore to Ooty is the pair of two trains: First the Chennai to Metupalayam bound Nilgiri Express (Train No: 12671) and then the Nilgiri Mountain Train (Train No:56136) all the way to Ooty from Metupalayam.

Well, that's ideal. Many times the second train (Nilgiri Mountain Train) gets overbooked due to its limited capacity. Only about 30 or so tickets are issued to the unreserved passengers at Metypaliyam. The Good news is you do reservation online (www.irctc.co.in) well in advance, just like any other train seat reservation. It's just Rs30 for the 2S seat and Rs205 for FC seat.

When you book for this train use the station name (Code) as METUPALAIYAM (MTP) and UDAGAMANDALAM (UAM ) - and not Ooty - as this is not listed in the railway's stations name list!

What if you could not book direct on this train. Check out one of the other 4 passenger trains from Coimbatore to Metupaliyam. No advance reservation available. Buy ticket at Coimbatore railway station (Rs15). Also these 4 passenger trains don't operate on Sundays.

Further from Mettupalayam, you can travel to Ooty/Coonoor by road also. Though there is only one train from Mettupalayam to Coonoor, there and many trains a day from Coonoor to Ooty.

See Coimbatore to Mettupalayam Train Timings for the passenger Coimbatore-Mettupaliyam passenger trains and the Nilgiri Express.

Mettupalayam - Ooty Train Timings: There is only one pair of direct train to Ooty from Mettupalayam (Train No 56136/56137). See the timetable of Train No 56136/56137

Coonoor - Ooty Train Timings: There are four pairs of passenger trains between Coonoor and Ooty (including the Mettupalayam-Ooty Passenger). See Ooty - Coonoor Train Timings here.

That's about the train options to travel from Coimbatore side to Ooty.

Coimbatore to Ooty by Bus: There are frequent bus service from Coimbatore to Ooty. Get to the 'New Bus Stand' aka the Ooty Bus Stand.

There are different types of services available. A regular service leaves at every 15 minutes or so, from early morning to mid night.

Here again, if you are not able to get a direct bus, get a bus to the Mettupalayam from Coimbatore, and then get a connection from Mettupalayam to Ooty.

From Gandhi Puram City Bus stand take a city to the New Bus Stand, to board the Ooty bound bus.

Note: The train timings could change, and are not updated regularly on the above table. Check out with the Indian Railways website up latest timetable, for any changes in the schedules.