Once you reach Ooty, you will need a transportation solution for sightseeing.
If you don’t have your own vehicle or an acquaintance to take you around Ooty, you will need to rely on public transportation service, rickshaws, taxis, or car rentals in Ooty.
Here is a list of the transportation options available for you as a tourist. Each one has its advantage and disadvantage when you consider the budget and timing.
Public Transportation
Ooty is a small hill station town, so the public transportation facility is limited. However, there are lots of buses connecting major tourist destinations in Ooty. This is the cheapest transportation but it would cost you lots of time.
If you are in Ooty for multiple days and you have plenty of time to explore Ooty, public transportation facilities like bus would be fine. It will also help you to interact with locals and explore the local culture.
TTDC & Private Bus Sightseeing Buses
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation runs sightseeing bus services for tourists in Ooty. Apart from that, there are also private operators offering the same service.
This transportation mode will help you to explore all the important spots in Ooty along with a group of tourists. It’s also cheaper compared to hiring a cab but you will have to follow the fixe schedule offered by the operator. On the plus side, you may have a guide and fellow tourists to interact with.
Rickshaws
You can find lots of three-wheeled auto-rickshaws across Ooty. It’s a cheap transportation solution that can carry up to three travelers. Most of the auto-rickshaw drivers don’t talk English or Hindi well. So, it’s better choose rickshaws accordingly.
Taxis
You can also find call taxis across Ooty. If you want a private cab to take you around different spots in Ooty, taxis are a great option.
Apart from the call taxis, you can also find taxi or cab service providers in Ooty who would send cabs to your doorstep at the scheduled time. Taxi is the best option if you have to travel more than 10 kilometers. For example, if you want to go to Coonoor from Ooty town, you can hire a taxi. However, it’s not a viable option for short distances.
Car Rentals
If you need a cab for a whole day or multiple days to roam around Ooty and surrounding, car rental service providers in Ooty would be your best option. These kinds of operators need you to book the cab in advance so they can schedule your trip.
They will also get the tickets and passes required to enter various places in Ooty. It saves you from wasting your time standing in a long queue to get the tickets or passes.
Moreover, the cab will pick you up in the morning from your hotel and drop you back there in the evening.
The operator will schedule your trip according to the locations you would like to visit to get the best out of your time. So, you get the best value for your money.
