The route begins at Mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris, and climbs 46 km to Ooty, with Coonoor roughly two-thirds of the way along. The train passes through Kallar and forest before tackling the steepest section on the rack-and-pinion track to Coonoor. From here, the gradient eases, taking you through tea estates and eucalyptus groves towards Ooty.
The full journey takes around 5 hours uphill and about 3.5 hours downhill, but you do not need to commit to the whole route to enjoy it. With India’s famous toy train, Ooty to Coonoor takes you along the gentler half of the line, with tea gardens, wooded slopes, and mountain views unfolding outside the window. It is a shorter ride, but one that gives you plenty of time to settle in and watch the Nilgiris pass by.
Mettupalayam to Kallar: A short diesel-hauled stretch out of the plains, before the climb properly begins
Kallar to Coonoor: The steam-hauled, rack-and-pinion section and the steepest, most dramatic part of the entire journey
Coonoor to Ooty: A diesel-hauled run of around 19 km through tea estates and eucalyptus groves, gentler than the climb before it
Stations Along the Route: Mettupalayam, Kallar, Adderley, Hillgrove, Runnymede, Kateri Road, Coonoor, Wellington, Aravankadu, Ketti, Lovedale, and Ooty
Coonoor is also where most of the steam locomotives are serviced and stabled, part of why the town feels so tied to this railway's history.
Coonoor Toy Train Timings and Schedule
The Coonoor toy train is best planned around the journey itself, especially if you want to catch the steam-hauled section from Mettupalayam. The train leaves early in the morning and reaches Coonoor around mid-morning, before a diesel service continues towards Ooty roughly an hour later.
Since railway timings can change, check Southern Railway or IRCTC closer to your trip for the current schedule. That leaves you free to plan the rest of your day around the ride, rather than treating the train as just another way to get from one hill town to the next.
The Mettupalayam to Coonoor section is the heart of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the steam service on this stretch is the ticket to look out for when planning the journey.
Booking Window: Reservations typically open around 60 days before travel, so mark the date if you want the steam-hauled section.
Where to Book: Use the IRCTC website or app and search for Mettupalayam, Coonoor, or Ooty by station name or code.
Ticket Classes: First Class has fewer, wider seats, while Second Class is more affordable and often fills first.
Walk-up Tickets: A limited quota is available at station counters, although advance booking is preferable during peak periods.
How Much Does the Ooty Toy Train Cost?
For the Coonoor-to-Ooty toy train, tickets cost approximately:
First Class: INR 305 per person
Second Class: INR 160 per person
Reservation and Other Charges: Added separately at booking
Fares change periodically, so check on IRCTC for the latest fare and applicable charges.
Riding the toy train is less about getting somewhere quickly and more about giving the Nilgiris time to reveal themselves, one bend at a time. The steam-hauled stretch into Coonoor is the most atmospheric part of the journey on the toy train. Ooty-to-Coonoor route unfolds slowly through eucalyptus trees brushing the tracks, waterfalls appearing between the bends, and the faint smell of coal smoke drifting through the open windows.
For the wider valley views, sit on the left while ascending from Mettupalayam towards Ooty, and on the right on the way back down. From Coonoor, the train continues to Ooty with a diesel engine, taking about an hour through tea gardens and wooded slopes, with the landscape opening up and closing in again around the bends.
The Coonoor toy train looks its best between October and February, when the air stays cool, and the sky mostly stays out of the way of your view.
October to February: Crisp mountain air and the clearest valley views of the year
March to May: Warm, dry, and still comfortable for riding, with slightly thinner crowds than peak winter
June to September: The greenest scenery of the year, though monsoon rain can streak the windows and occasionally delay services
Book Weeks Ahead Regardless of Season: The steam-hauled Mettupalayam to Coonoor leg sells out fastest, especially around school holidays.
Booking early matters more than picking the perfect month, since a sold-out steam leg cancels out any advantage good weather might have given you.
Follow the garden paths past exotic flowers and birds, with the Pomological Garden and valley appearing between the trees. Originally built as Blair Atholl by a Scottish Major General who named it after his village, the house retains its generous proportions and old-world details, while the garden offers you plenty of space to slow down after a day aboard the toy train.
Our spacious heritage rooms give you a quieter setting, with views that open onto the garden, valley, or Pomological Garden. Some are in the main house, while others sit in the garden annexe, keeping the stay closely connected to the landscape that makes Coonoor worth the journey.
Evenings at Wallwood Garden turn towards the kitchen, where Tamil cuisine takes centre stage, joined by Anglo-Indian dishes and occasional Italian and Continental fare. Fresh local produce bring the flavours of the hills to your plate as your evening unfolds around the garden.