Ooty vs Kodaikanal: which hill station should you choose?

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Ooty and Kodaikanal are Tamil Nadu's two most famous hill stations. Both are lovely, but they suit different travellers.

Getting there

• Ooty: via Coimbatore and Mettupalayam, with the option of the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri toy train.
• Kodaikanal: via Madurai or Kodaikanal Road station, by road through the ghats.

Scenery

• Ooty: rolling tea estates, grassy downs, eucalyptus forests and lakes in the Nilgiris.
• Kodaikanal: a star-shaped lake, pine forests, cliffs and dramatic viewpoints in the Palani Hills.

Things to do

• Ooty: the toy train, the Botanical Garden, Doddabetta Peak, Pykara, tea factories and nearby Coonoor.
• Kodaikanal: boating and cycling around the lake, Coaker's Walk, Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves and pine forests.

Atmosphere

Ooty is larger and busier, especially in summer. Kodaikanal feels more compact and romantic, though it also gets crowded in peak season.

Who suits which

• Families with children: Ooty, for the toy train and gardens.
• Honeymooners: Kodaikanal, for lake walks and views.
• Quiet seekers: Coonoor near Ooty.

Combine them

With five or six nights, you can visit both, linking them via Coimbatore and Palani or Madurai.

Best time

Both are best from about January to June. See Best time to visit Ooty and Kodaikanal from Chennai and Hill-station holidays.

Where to stay

In Ooty, stay slightly outside the busy centre or in Coonoor for quiet. In Kodaikanal, stay near the lake for easy walks or in the hills around for views.

Budget

Both have options from homestays to heritage bungalows. Weekday stays outside the summer peak are much cheaper.