Ooty and Kodaikanal at a glance
Ooty and Coonoor in the Nilgiris are a 5–6 hour drive from Kozhikode — ideal for a weekend. Kodaikanal is further (about 7–8 hours via Palakkad and Palani) and suits a longer trip. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train from Mettupalayam is a UNESCO World Heritage ride.
Best time to visit
- Ooty is visited all year; April–June is the peak, with the flower show in May.
- Kodaikanal is best from April to June, according to Tamil Nadu Tourism.
- June–August and October–December are the wetter months, with landslide risk on ghat roads.
E-pass and rules (2026)
- Private vehicles entering the Nilgiris or Kodaikanal need a Tamil Nadu e-pass (epass.tnega.org), under Madras High Court orders. During April–June, daily entries are capped. Bus and train travellers are exempt. We apply for it with your booking.
- Single-use plastics, including PET water bottles, are banned in the hill stations, with fines.
- The road through Bandipur and Mudumalai is closed from 9 pm to 6 am, so drives are planned in daylight.
- Toy-train seats are booked on IRCTC and sell out early.
Getting there from Kozhikode
- Ooty: about 160–180 km, typically 5–6 hours via Nilambur and Gudalur.
- Kodaikanal: about 300–330 km, typically 7–8 hours via Palakkad and Palani.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an e-pass for Ooty and Kodaikanal?
Yes, private vehicles need a Tamil Nadu e-pass. Daily entries are capped in April–June. We apply for it with your booking.
How far is Ooty from Kozhikode?
About 160–180 km, typically 5–6 hours by road via Nilambur and Gudalur.
Can we ride the Ooty toy train?
Yes. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty in about five hours; seats are booked on IRCTC and sell out early.