Nilgiri Mountain Railway
India's only rack railway, climbing from the plains to Ooty through tunnels and tea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Open
- A daily morning train leaves Mettupalayam at about 7:10 am, reaching Ooty around noon; extra specials run in summer
- Price
- Book through IRCTC; fares go up from time to time
- Time Needed
- About 5 hours up
- Address
- Mettupalayam Railway Station, Tamil Nadu 641301Directions
- Getting There
- Start at Mettupalayam, about 40 km from Coimbatore. An overnight train from Chennai connects with it.
Why Go
Opened in 1908, the line climbs from Mettupalayam to Ooty through forest and tea gardens, over viaducts and through tunnels, and it's slow enough to enjoy. Below Coonoor, a toothed rack hauls it up the steepest grades.
It's part of the UNESCO listing for the Mountain Railways of India. If you only have a morning, ride the top section between Coonoor and Ooty.
Tips
- Book as early as you can: seats are few and they sell out.
- Going up is the classic trip. Coming down is faster.
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