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TRIP GUIDE · FROM MYSURU

Mysuru to Ooty by self-drive car

Ooty sits in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. Both usual routes leave Mysuru on the Nanjangud–Gundlupet road and cross the Bandipur and Mudumalai forests before climbing into the hills.

Distance
approx. 125–160 km
Driving time
approx. 3–5 hours
State
Tamil Nadu

Route

Mysuru – Nanjangud – Gundlupet on NH766, then NH181 through Bandipur and Mudumalai to Theppakadu. From there, either the longer road via Gudalur, Naduvattam and Pykara (about 155–160 km in all) or the shorter, steeper Masinagudi–Kalhatti ghat (about 125–136 km).

Road notes

  • Night traffic ban through Bandipur Tiger Reserve: no traffic from 9 pm to 6 am, every day (upheld by the Supreme Court in 2019; still in force in 2026). Plan to be through the forest before 9 pm.
  • The Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu) side has its own night restriction, reported as starting at 9 pm or 10 pm; from Mysuru you reach the Bandipur gate first.
  • Kalhatti ghat: 36 hairpin bends, steeper than the Gudalur road. In 2026 the Madras High Court limited tourist vehicles on it; as of 26 Sep 2026 about 200 a day are allowed, the quota is often used up by late morning, and later vehicles are turned back at the Mavanahalla checkpoint. The ghat is generally limited to short-wheelbase vehicles. If the quota is gone, or you are in a seven-seater, take the Gudalur road.
  • Two-wheelers: a 2009 forest department order, as reported, bars them from the Bandipur stretch from 6 pm; we found no recent confirmation, so on a bike plan to be through by late afternoon.

From us: Ooty and Wayanad routes through Bandipur may have forest restrictions and specific timings. Please inform us of your destination before the trip.

Crossing into Tamil Nadu

Interstate travel to Tamil Nadu and Kerala is allowed. Additional charges may apply depending on the route and destination: a permit or a border tax at the state boundary is yours to pay, not ours, and it is not included in the rental, the deposit or the daily rate. For any other state, ask us before you send your request. Tell us where you are heading and we will tell you what to expect before you set off.

  • The Nilgiris district has run an e-pass system for tourist vehicles since 2024, under a Madras High Court order, checked at entry points including Masinagudi. Its rules have changed season to season: check the official portal, epass.tnega.org, before you travel.
  • A green tax is collected from outside vehicles at Nilgiris checkposts; the amount is not published here because current official figures could not be confirmed.

Which of our vehicles suits it

  • SUVs: a hill drive with ghat sections; up to 7 seats and room for luggage.
  • MUVs: seven seats for a family or group; take the Gudalur road rather than the Kalhatti ghat.
  • Luxury: seven seats and automatic gearboxes for a long hill day.
Ask about a trip to Ooty

Sources

Figures are approximate, from the public sources below, checked on 1 Oct 2026. Road rules, forest timings and entry passes change: check them before you set off.