Route to Nainital at a glance
Kathgodam, at the foot of the hills next to Haldwani, is the railhead and the gateway for most travellers. From there, a winding hill road climbs to Nainital.
Nainital by train
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station, with daily trains from Delhi including the day-time Shatabdi and the overnight Ranikhet Express. Taxis and buses outside the station go up to Nainital.
- An overnight train gets you to Nainital by breakfast time.
- Shared and private taxis wait outside the station; agree the fare first.
Nainital by bus
Uttarakhand Roadways, UP Roadways and private operators run buses from Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT to Nainital, both direct and via Haldwani. Overnight buses reach Nainital early in the morning.
From Haldwani and Kathgodam, frequent buses and shared taxis go up to Nainital.
- Overnight buses are the cheapest way up but book a seat ahead on weekends.
- The hill road has many bends; take motion-sickness tablets if you need them.
Nainital by air
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport, about 70 km away, with a limited number of daily flights, mainly from Delhi. Taxis from the airport take about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Many travellers fly into Delhi instead and continue by train to Kathgodam.
- Check the schedule early; flights are few and fill up.
- Book your airport taxi in advance.
Nainital by car
From Delhi, the usual route runs via Hapur, Moradabad and Rampur to Haldwani, then up the hill road past Jeolikot. The drive is about 300 to 320 km and takes 7 to 8 hours, longer on weekends.
On busy days police control entry into Nainital. Tourist vehicles without a hotel booking may be stopped at Rusi Bypass or Narayan Nagar parking and visitors sent in by shuttle, and coaches and tempo travellers are not allowed into town.
- Leave Delhi before 5 am to reach before the afternoon queues.
- Carry your hotel booking and confirm parking with the hotel.
- Avoid driving the hill road after dark if you are new to mountain roads.
Distance to Nainital from major places
| From | Distance | Approx. time by road |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ≈ 300-320 km | 7-8 hrs |
| Kathgodam | ≈ 35 km | 1-1.5 hrs |
| Haldwani | ≈ 40 km | 1.5 hrs |
| Pantnagar Airport | ≈ 70 km | 2-2.5 hrs |
| Bareilly | ≈ 140 km | 3.5-4 hrs |
| Almora | ≈ 62 km | 2-2.5 hrs |
Distances and times are approximate and depend heavily on traffic, especially on weekends and holidays.
How to Reach Nainital: FAQs
How do I reach Nainital from Delhi?
Take a train to Kathgodam (the overnight Ranikhet Express or the day-time Shatabdi), then a taxi or bus for the last 35 km. You can also take an overnight bus from Anand Vihar ISBT or drive about 300 km via Moradabad and Haldwani.
Which is the nearest railway station to Nainital?
Kathgodam, about 35 km away, or 1 to 1.5 hours by road.
Which is the nearest airport to Nainital?
Pantnagar, about 70 km away. Flights are limited, so many people fly to Delhi and take a train to Kathgodam.
