One of the oldest and most popular tourist locales of Uttarakhand, Nainital is a town steeped in traditions and blessed with abundant natural beauty. The uninterrupted views of the Garhwal Himalayas, ample greenery, sparkling glacial lakes, and charming retreats, this hill town is a favorite holiday destination for the Delhi urbanites.
Table of Contents:
- Why travel from Delhi to Nainital?
- Traveling from Delhi to Nainital by car
- Best time to take a road trip by car
- How to Reach Nainital By Train
- How to Reach Nainital By Flight
- Other means of traveling
- Places to eat along this route
- Attractions in Nainital for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Nainital
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Nainital
- Nearby Roadtrips
Why travel from Delhi to Nainital?
With uninterrupted views of the Garhwal Himalayas, ample greenery, and sparkling glacial lakes, the town provides the perfect recipe for an ultimate mountain vacation. When you take a road trip from Delhi to Nainital, you can enhance your experience by enjoying everything that lies on the way. With a Savaari’s Delhi taxi service, you can turn your drive into a fun-filled journey and also customize the trip to your liking, travel time, and budget.
Traveling from Delhi to Nainital by Car
The road from Delhi to Nainital prepares you for one of the most scenic and popular driving routes in the region. You can enjoy the drive through hills, pine forests, and steep ravines and witness the joy of getting deeper into nature, leaving the concrete jungle behind. With our completely customizable Delhi to Nainital trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do a quick sightseeing. Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Delhi to Nainital by car.
Quick Facts about Delhi to Nainital
| Road Distance from Delhi to Nainital | 324 kms |
| Aerial Distance from Delhi to Nainital | 231 kms |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Nainital by Road | 7 hours |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Nainital by Train | 5 hours and 35 minutes |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Nainital by Flight | 1 hours |
| Best Routes | Delhi to Nainital Via NH 9 |
| Best time to visit | March – June |
Best time to take a road trip from Delhi to Nainital by car
Like most other hill towns in Uttarakhand, Nainital also experiences classic mountain weather. The summers are cool and pleasant, making it great for all outdoor activities. The winters, on the other hand, are cold and chilly with temperatures dropping to zero. Depending on your trip agenda, choose the perfect time to visit Nainital. Hire a car in Delhi & experience the relaxing and trouble free journey
Route: Distance and Time taken from Delhi to Nainital via NH9
Delhi to Nainital Road Condition Via NH9
This is the shortest and fastest route to reach Nainital from Delhi. It is also the only recommended route by Google maps and is used by regular travelers. The distance between Delhi and Nainital via this road is 306 KM and takes about seven hours. This route has tolls but sees very light traffic, which makes it easier to drive through. But before you start, always check for live traffic updates and use real-time maps for a better understanding of Delhi to Nainital distance and road conditions. You can also book a tempo traveller from Delhi for a spacious and comfortable ride, offering the flexibility to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Delhi to Nainital route.
Delhi to Nainital Road Condition Via NH9
Here’s a basic Delhi to Nainital expressway road map for this route:
| Delhi -> Ghaziabad -> Pikhuwa -> Hapur -> Moradabad -> Bazpur -> Nainital |
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Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Ambedkar Park, Didauli, Amroha – A public park and garden, makes for a great pit stop to enjoy the clear environment.
- Didauli Jheel – Stop by this local waterbody for a refreshing break on your drive or have a quick picnic by the lake.
- Prem Wonderland and Water Kingdom*, Moradabad – Locally popular themed adventure park, great for travelers with kids to spend a few hours, especially in the summer months.
- Corbett Falls, Nayagaon Julfikar – A natural waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and wooded areas, with options for hikes or photo ops.
Places to eat along this route
- Taj Hotel, Pikhuwa – One of the best dhaba on the Delhi to Nainital highway side eatery specializing in chicken dishes, good for quick stops.
- Udupiwala Restaurant, Rajabpur – Local eatery serving South Indian meals and snacks, safe and hygienic, good for families.
- Apni Haveli Restaurant, near Prem Wonderland exit – Locally popular vegetarian restaurant serving Punjabi delicacies, good for families and big groups.
Delhi to Nainital Road Condition via Route 1:
This is the fastest route to travel from Delhi to Nainital and is used by most travelers. This route has standard highway tolls and the road conditions are better since there are no road closures.
Other means of traveling from Delhi to Nainital
How to Reach Nainital by Train
You can also travel the Delhi to Nainital distance by train. The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, about 34 Km away. There are 3 weekly trains that ply between Delhi and Kathgodam but no direct trains that run from Delhi to Nainital. The railroad distance from New Delhi to Kathgodam is approximately 300 kms. The fastest train is KATHGODAM SHATABDI EXPRESS (12040) which takes about five and half hours. For train ticket prices and booking, you can visit the Indian Railways website or check with any online travel portal to get the best deals. You can book a convenient Kathgodam to Nainital cab and reach your destination in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How to Reach Nainital by Flight
You can also reach Nainital from Delhi by flight. The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi. The nearest airport to Nainital is Pantnagar Airport which is 65 km from the main town. The average flight duration can range from two and half to five hours, depending on the airline or the flight route you take. For your Delhi to Nainital flight booking, visit any online travel portal for the best deal or check with the airline’s official website. The flight cost can range from Rs. 5500 to 7000, depending on the travel season, booking window, and available deals. You can book a convenient Pantnagar to Nainital airport taxi and reach your destination in 2 hours.
Explore Nainital Like a Local: A Handy Guide
A pristine land of lakes and forests, Nainital is a mountain lover’s favorite. With its rich Himalayan flora and fauna and snowy peaks, coupled with the warmth of the old-world charm, the hill town of Nainital is a package full of small wonders. Explore its nature, culture, and communities. From a relaxing weekend to an adventure-packed holiday, this town offers everything for every visitor. With our tips and suggestions, you can make your Nainital trip exciting and amazing.
Attractions in Nainital for Sightseeing
Nainital can be easily called one of the oldest tourist hotspots of Uttarakhand. Start with local sightseeing of the old temples, monuments of colonial heritage, like the 16th-century Governor’s House. Enjoy a boat ride on the famous Nainital lake or head to Snow View Point for breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset. If you are in the right season and weather permitting, go for a day hike to the Tiffin Top and enjoy the mountain views from a height, or even to the Land’s End, where you can walk along the mountain ridge, dotted with tiny villages. If you are in for serious adventures, plan a trek to the Khurpa Tal glacial lake atop 5500 feet, the best trekking destination nearby.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Nainital
Nainital’s food scene as we see today is a mix of local North Indian communities, hill tribes, but of course, with a touch of international flair, owing to its colonial heritage and heavy influx of tourists. When in Nainital, here are a few must-visit places* to sample the local flavours.
- Machaan Restaurant, Mall Road
- Sakley’s Restaurant & Pastry Shop, Poplar Estate Alps Hotel
- Zooby’s Kitchen, Mall Road
- Simz Café, Thandi Road
- Boat House Club, Nainital Lake promenade
Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Nainital
| Place Name | Address | Phone Number |
| Season’s Hotel by Xperience | The Mall CRST Inter College Road, Mall Rd, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002 | 099905 24883 |
| Hotel Chevron Fairhavens | Adjacent to Head Post Office, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001 | 098100 06395 |
| The Naini Retreat | Opp. Balika Vidhya Mandir, near High Court, Sherwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002 | 05942 236 381 |
| The Earl’s Court | Ayarpatta Slopes, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001 | 05942 235 105 |
| Alka The Lake Side Hotel | The Mall, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002 | 05942 235 220 |
Nearby Road Trips From Nainital
| Destinations | Distance | Time Taken |
| Nainital to Jageshwar | 97 km | 4 hours |
| Nainital to Lansdowne | 252 km | 6 hours |
| Nainital to Mussoorie | 318 km | 7 hours |
| Nainital to Almora | 64 km | 2 hours |
| Nainital to Rishikesh | 258 km | 6 hours |
| Nainital to Haridwar | 236 km | 5 hours |
| Nainital to Auli | 285 km | 9 hours |
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