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The closest airport to Nainital is the Pantnagar Airport in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is situated approximately two hours away from the city centre. Located at a distance of 70 kilometres, direct flights to Pantnagar are available only from New Delhi. However, you can drive down to Nainital or book a cab/taxi or get on to a bus from the Indira Gandhi International Airport which is 300 kilometres away. Hence, tourists must plan their schedule accordingly since Delhi to Nainital is a seven-hour-drive. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is well connected with all the major cities in the country such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Kolkata. The Pantnagar Airport also offers flights to Dehradun and Pithoragarh.
Being the only commercial airport in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Pantnagar Airport is well equipped with various amenities and services. It comprises luggage facilities such as baggage services that can be availed by the passengers at the Pantnagar terminal. Snacks and refreshments are also available to make sure you don’t remain hungry as you wait for your flight to arrive.
Once you reach the airport, you could hire a taxi or cab to your desired destination. You can also avail state and private buses to Nainital and other frequented tourist destinations such as Almora, Ranikhet and Jim Corbett.
A few places to visit near the Pantnagar Airport are the Corbett Falls, Mukteshwar, Kainchi Dham, Garjiya Temple, Naukuchiatal, Naini Lake and Nainital Zoo.
It would be advisable to book your tickets well in advance, especially if you are travelling in the peak season.
The nearest railhead to Nainital is the Kathgodam Railway station, situated 34 kilometres from the main city centre. It is located in Haldwani in the Nainital district of the Uttarakhand State of India. This railway station also enjoys good connectivity with cities such as New Delhi, Lucknow and prominent places such as Howrah.
Ranikhet Express, Uttar Sampark, Kranti Express, Bag Express, Dehradun Kathgodam Express and Anvt Kgm Shatabdi Express are some of the trains that run to and from Nainital.
Reach Nainital and you will find a number of options to travel to Nainital from plied outside the station. Some of them are shared cabs, taxis, buses that will take you to the city.
If you are looking for a road trip and wish to enjoy the journey as much as the destination; Nainital is the perfect travel destination for you. It is well linked to all the major cities and towns around it, especially with National Highway 87 that connects it to Rampur and Rudrapur. You are in for a treat if you are travelling from Delhi, with Nainital being only a six to seven-hour drive from the capital along with a few halts en route. You could also hire a private taxi or cab with a local driver who would be able to get you through the uphill climb and narrow roads as you make your way to Nainital. You can also avail multiple bus services to and from important destinations in North India. Daily state and private buses are available from New Delhi to Nainital. This also gives you a list of options to choose from such as air-conditioned, non-air-conditioned, Volvo and sleeper buses. Keeping your budget, comfort and safety mind, weigh your options carefully before you choose your mode of transport. The most preferred and convenient way to reach Nainital is to board an overnight bus, however you could also hop on to buses that operate during the daytime as well.
On feet
One can easily wander around Nainital by foot, you could traverse around the mall with a plethora of restaurants, shops and hotels dotted together that overlook the beautiful lake. The head of the lake is home to the older, colonial area known as Mallital while the foot of the lake is home to Tallital.
By Rickshaws
Travel around the town the old fashioned with cycle auto rickshaws that will take you from one end to the other. Available at every nook and corner of the town of Nainital, these services are available from eight in the morning to six in the evening.
By taxis
If you wish to sit back and relax as you make your way around town, do note that taxis are available for sightseeing tours. However, also bear in mind that you will not find any taxis on the Mall Road from 6pm to 9pm. Hence, plan your schedule accordingly.
By buses
A plethora of state and private buses are available especially from the Tallital bus stand. Even though there is a bus station in Nainital, it is important to know that quite a number of buses ply at the transport hubs of Haldwani and Bhowali. If you are travelling from Haldwani, you must know that regular buses run to Ramnagar, Delhi, Haridwar and the Nepal border at Banbassa. Note that Haldwani also counts as a major train terminus. If you are headed to the north, you could share a jeep or take a bus from Nainital to Bhowali located just twenty minutes away. After which you could catch one of the state or regular buses to Almora, Kausani and Ranikhet. If comfort is priority, note that seven private buses to Ramnagar, leave from the Sukhatal bus stand located northwest of Mallital between the fixed timings of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Tickets for private overnight deluxe buses to Delhi cost around INR 600 and take approximately nine hours from Tallital, leaving around 11 am and 10 pm.
By Cab
Even though no Ola and Uber services are available in and around Nainital, it is also not preferred by the locals. You are better off taking one of the taxi rides within town that will cost you approximately INR 50 for short and INR 250 for longer distances. Make sure you book the car a day prior to when you wish to travel.
When you’re contemplating how to travel in Nainital, all the above options should be considered before you take your pick!
So, if you’re planning your engaging adventure, check out our amazing Nainital Tour Packages. You can arrange for your flights and tickets to visit the City of Lakes at Thomas Cook!
