Bus and Mini Bus Rental from Bangalore to Ooty
Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta and Coonoor's viewpoints on a three-day hill trip, by the ghat road that suits buses. A 3-day trip by mini bus costs from about ₹29,100.
Quick answer: Bus rental from Bangalore to Ooty costs about ₹29,100 for a 20–25 seater mini bus and ₹47,400 for a 50 seater on a 3-day round trip (750 km billed), plus tolls, parking and permits. Ooty is about 270 km away, 7 to 8 hours by road via Mysore, Gundlupet, Bandipur, Mudumalai and Gudalur.
| Trip fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 270 km one way (540 km round trip) |
| Drive time | 7 to 8 hours |
| Usual route | Mysore, Gundlupet, Bandipur, Mudumalai and Gudalur |
| Best time to go | March to June and September to November |
| Recommended trip | 3-day round trip |
| Permits | Tamil Nadu tourist permit and Nilgiris e-pass |
Bangalore to Ooty bus fare
Whole-bus prices for a round trip, worked out exactly like the estimate on our search form. Tolls, parking and permits and entry tickets are extra.
| Vehicle | Rate | 3-day trip | 4-day trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Bus 20–25 Seater | ₹36/km + ₹700 bata/day | ₹29,100 | ₹38,800 |
| Bus 32–35 Seater | ₹45/km + ₹700 bata/day | ₹35,850 | ₹47,800 |
| Bus 40 Seater | ₹48/km + ₹700 bata/day | ₹38,100 | ₹50,800 |
| Bus 50 Seater | ₹60/km + ₹800 bata/day | ₹47,400 | ₹63,200 |
How we calculate it: 270 km × 2 = 540 km for the round trip, or 250 km a day if that is higher, multiplied by the rate per km, plus the driver bata for each day. A 4-day trip covers 1000 km.
Bangalore to Ooty: stops on the way
Approximate road distance from central Bangalore at each stop. Buses take the Gudalur ghat, about 35 km longer than the Kalhatti road. Three-day fares already cover it: the 750 km minimum is more than the 610 km round trip.
- StartBangalorePickup at your door
- 145 kmMysore
- 205 kmGundlupet
- 225 kmBandipurForest, closed 9 pm to 6 am
- 245 kmTheppakaduMudumalai
- 265 kmGudalurStart of the ghat
- 290 kmNaduvattam
- 305 kmOotyLake and Botanical Garden
Planning Bangalore to Ooty by bus
On the road
After Mysore the road passes through Bandipur and Mudumalai forests, which are closed to traffic at night (roughly 9 pm to 6 am), so we leave Bangalore by 5:30 or 6 am. Buses climb to Ooty via Gudalur and Naduvattam rather than the Kalhatti ghat with its 36 hairpins, which is restricted for heavy vehicles.
Suggested plan
- Day 1: early start, Bandipur and Mudumalai in daylight, Ooty Lake boating in the evening
- Day 2: Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Doddabetta peak and a tea factory
- Day 3: Coonoor (Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose), then back via Gudalur before the forest closes
- Day 4 (optional): Pykara Lake and falls, Pine Forest and Shooting Point
Places to see in and around Ooty
- Ooty Lake and boat house
- Government Botanical Garden
- Doddabetta peak
- Pykara Lake and falls
- Coonoor: Sim's Park and Dolphin's Nose
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway (toy train)
Bus tips for Ooty
Ooty town roads are narrow and busy in season, so coaches use designated parking and the group walks or takes autos to some spots. The Nilgiris district requires an e-pass for vehicles coming in from outside; we register the bus for your dates. The Tamil Nadu tourist permit is charged at actuals.
Which bus suits your group
Ooty is a good fit for 32–35 and 40 seaters. A 50 seater can make the trip, but parking near the lake and the garden gets tight in peak season, so for 45 to 50 people we sometimes suggest two mini buses instead. We will tell you honestly which works better for your dates.
Per person, a full 50 seater to Ooty costs about ₹948 for the 3-day trip, against about ₹1,164 each in a full mini bus. For groups under 17, a tempo traveller is usually the better choice.
What the fare includes
Every fare on this page is for the whole bus, not per seat. It includes the AC bus, an experienced driver, diesel and the driver's daily allowance (bata), which also covers his food and night stay. You never pay for the driver's room separately.
| Included | Paid at actuals |
|---|---|
| Bus, diesel and driver | Toll charges |
| Driver bata for every day | Parking fees |
| Pickup and drop at your address in Bangalore | State permits outside Karnataka |
| Help on WhatsApp through the trip | Entry tickets, guides and jeeps |
Outstation fares are worked out the same way as the price on our search: kilometres × the rate per km, plus bata per day. We bill a minimum of 250 km a day, so a short trip spread over several days costs at least that much per day.
Cancellation, changes and refunds
A short version of our refund and cancellation policy. No advance is needed to get a quote.
Cancellation
- Outstation: free if cancelled at least 12 hours before pickup (any advance booking fee is not refunded).
- Outstation, within 12 hours: a 25% to 50% fee, depending on distance and vehicle.
- Local trips: free up to 6 hours before pickup; later, up to 50% may be charged.
- No-show without notice: the full fare is charged.
Changing your booking
- Reschedule at least 4 to 6 hours before pickup, subject to availability.
- Changes closer to pickup are treated as a cancellation and a new booking.
- If we have to cancel because of a breakdown, driver issue or extreme weather, you get a full refund or a new slot.
Refunds
- Eligible refunds start within 5 to 7 business days.
- Money goes back to the original payment method.
- Paid in cash? Refunds are sent by bank transfer or UPI.
Bangalore to Ooty bus FAQs
How much is bus rental from Bangalore to Ooty?
About ₹29,100 for a 20–25 seater mini bus, ₹35,850 for a 32–35 seater, ₹38,100 for a 40 seater and ₹47,400 for a 50 seater on a 3-day round trip. Tolls, parking and permits and entry fees are extra.
Which road does the bus take to Ooty?
Via Bandipur, Mudumalai, Gudalur and Naduvattam. Buses avoid the Kalhatti ghat.
Do we need an e-pass for Ooty?
Yes, vehicles entering the Nilgiris need one. We register the bus with your travel dates before the trip.
Why leave so early?
The Bandipur and Mudumalai forest roads close at night, so we plan to cross them in daylight on both days.
Can we take the toy train?
Yes. Book toy train tickets in advance; the bus can drop you at Ooty or Coonoor station and pick you up at the other end.
More bus and mini bus pages
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Bus to Ooty for your group — quote in minutes
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