Situated at the Western Ghats, Coimbatore, stores in many sightseeing spots and is well connected with air, rail and road. Ooty is a fabulous hill station located in the vicinity of this second largest city of Tamil Nadu.
There is no direct train between Coimbatore to Ooty, as such you can catch the Nilgiri Blue Mountain Express (train number 12671) from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam and then on board the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (train number 06136) for the onward journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty as the arrival time of the 12671 Nilgiri Express connects with the departure time of the 06136 Mettupalayam to Udagamandalam train.
The distance between Coimbatore and Ooty by road is 87 km and can be covered in 6 hours 25 minutes however the major preference of tourists is to travel by the toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty in their quest to experience the wonderful mountain railway journey.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The lazy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty meanders through lush tea estates, mist- clad mountains and astounding flora and fauna. As you gaze at the thick clouds and admire the beautiful scenic views from the windows, you would be enjoying the breeze hitting your face and the relaxing ambience the short route is going to offer. Recognized as the World Heritage Site, the marvellous train is worth a ride.
Train Schedule
There are no direct trains from Coimbatore to Ooty. One needs to travel from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam and then take the toy train to Ooty from there. People prefer travelling through 12671 Nilgiri Express as it connects with the Mettupalayam to Udagamandalam train making your onward railway journey to Ooty a lot more comfortable and alluring. Check for the train timings in the timetable below:
Time Table for Coimbatore to Ooty Toy Trains
| Train Number | Train Name | From Station | Departure time | To Station | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12671 | Nilgiri Express (NMR) | Coimbatore (CBE) | 5:20 am | Mettupalayam (MTP) | 6:15 am |
Ticket Booking
Reservations for the toy train should be made 2-3 months in advance as people prefer boarding the toy train rather than the road transport to make the most of their trip to Ooty. Online reservations can be done through Indian Railways website www.irctc.co.in. The train has first class, second sitting and the general coaches to be chosen according to your comfort level. The reservations for the Nilgiri Express can also be done online.
Railway Station Codes
- Coimbatore (CBE)
- Mettupalayam (MTP)
- Udagamandalam (UAM)
Train Class & Seats
12671 Nilgiri Blue Mountain Express
- First Class AC: 18 Seats
- Second Class AC: 9 Seats
- Third Class AC: 122 Seats
- Sleeper: 66 Seats
06136 Mettupalayam to Udagamandalam
- First Class: 16 Seats
- Second Sitting: 214 Seats
- Unreserved/General
Things to note
- No restrooms in toy train, use them at the Railway Station before boarding.
- Not more than 4 tickets per person at the booking window.
- Huge Crowd on holidays/weekends and during the peak season.
- Book at least two to three months in advance.
- There is no catering service in the toy train hence do pack your Tiffin boxes.
The journey aboard the toy train that is full of twists and turns is worth a ride as it offers an extraordinary train travel experience.
