Delhi to Nainital Road Distance: 300 km · 6-7 hours · Cab from ₹3,300
Delhi → Ghaziabad → Moradabad → Rampur → Haldwani → Nainital
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
300km
Drive time
6hrs
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Driving Delhi to Nainital: what this corridor is like
Hill-trained drivers
Every driver on this corridor has logged the climb in all four seasons and carries chains from December to February.
Start before sunrise
Leaving by 5 AM clears the plains before traffic and puts you on the ghat section in daylight, which is the whole point of a road trip here.
Permits and stops handled
Rohtang, Atal Tunnel timings, Kufri parking, Kempty falls — the driver knows which need a permit and which are worth the detour.
What the Delhi to Nainital road is actually like
The Nainital run is really two different drives. The first is NH-9 across the plains: Ghaziabad, Hapur, the Ganga crossing at Garhmukteshwar, then Moradabad and Rampur, with truck traffic that thickens through the middle of the day, so we like to be out of Delhi before six. Haldwani is the place to stop, and not only for lunch; it is the last flat town, so we fill the tank and buy water there because choices thin out once the climb starts. From Kathgodam the road tips upward and the second drive begins: thirty-odd kilometres of hairpins through Ranibagh and Jeolikote, the engine working in low gear and the lake appearing suddenly at the top. In the monsoon, July through September, this hill section is where the slips happen and the road can close without notice, so we check before setting out. From December to February there can be snow above the town and the driver carries chains if it is forecast. If Nainital is heaving, Bhimtal is a short turn off the same climb and far quieter.
How far is Nainital from Delhi?
The distance from Delhi to Nainital is 300 km by road via NH-9 via Moradabad, and the drive takes about 6-7 hours. A one-way AC cab starts from ₹3,300 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
300 km
Drive Time
6-7 hours
Cab From
₹3,300
Fuel (self-drive)
₹2,143
Delhi to Nainital distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 300 km (186 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 6-7 hours
- Best route / highway
- NH-9 via Moradabad
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹3,300 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹4,500 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹5,400 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹6,900 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹2,143 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Delhi to Nainital: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 300 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 6-7 hours
- Cost
- From ₹3,300
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- Nearest railhead + timetable
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 7-9 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- Nearest airport + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest leg, transfers both ends
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Delhi to Nainital, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Toll plazas on this route
Total toll
₹270
01Ghaziabad Toll Plaza
- At km
- 30 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹85
02Moradabad Toll Plaza
- At km
- 170 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹120
03Rampur Toll Plaza
- At km
- 220 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹65
Total one-way toll
₹270
* FASTag accepted at all plazas. Rates approximate, may vary. Tolls are billed at actual on your trip.
Delhi to Nainital cab fare
Fuel and driver included · Tolls and taxes extra
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Ertiga SUV
Maruti Ertiga · 6 Seater
Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
* Toll & state tax extra at actual. Fares based on 300 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
March to June and September to November. Winter is cold but beautiful for snow views.
Local insider tip
The last 30 km from Haldwani to Nainital is very scenic. Naini Lake boating is a must-do.
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Delhi to Nainital FAQs
What is the distance from Delhi to Nainital by road?
The road distance from Delhi to Nainital is 300 km via NH-9 via Moradabad, running through Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Rampur. That is the driving distance a car actually covers, not the straight-line distance.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Nainital?
About 6-7 hours via NH-9 via Moradabad in normal traffic. Starting at 5-6 AM clears the city before it fills and usually saves most of an hour against a 9 AM departure.
How much does a cab from Delhi to Nainital cost?
A cab from Delhi to Nainital starts at ₹3,300 for an AC sedan, ₹4,500 for an Ertiga, ₹5,400 for an Innova Crysta and ₹6,900 for a 12-seater Tempo Traveller. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
How is the Delhi to Nainital drive broken up?
The route passes Ghaziabad then Moradabad then Rampur then Haldwani. On a 6-7 hours journey that is a natural set of stages: take the first break around Ghaziabad before the traffic thins, and plan the longer halt near Rampur.
Which vehicle is best for the Delhi to Nainital road?
This route includes hill sections, so the vehicle matters more than on a plains run. An Ertiga or Innova Crysta from ₹4,500 handles gradients and hairpins with a full load better than a sedan, and a Tempo Traveller from ₹6,900 is the usual choice for a group. The road-condition notes on this page describe the stretch in detail.
When should you avoid travelling from Delhi to Nainital?
March to June and September to November. Winter is cold but beautiful for snow views. Those windows are about the road rather than the forecast - a closed or damaged stretch changes the journey time, not just the comfort. Confirm conditions before booking in the months named above.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Delhi to Nainital?
A one-way cab is cheaper when you only need the drop - you do not pay for the empty return. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver waiting, which is normally better value for a same-day return on a 6-7 hours route.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Delhi to Nainital?
Self-driving Delhi to Nainital costs roughly ₹2,143 in fuel one way at about 14 km/l. A Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so toll and state tax are the only extras.
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