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
Since 2015 · 4.9★
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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
- 7-8 hrs
- 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
- 1-1.5 hrs + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- 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 approximately 300 km via NH-9 via Moradabad. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 300 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Nainital?
The drive from Delhi to Nainital takes approximately 6-7 hours via NH-9 via Moradabad in normal traffic. Starting early morning (5-6 AM) helps you avoid city congestion and reduces total travel time.
How much does a cab from Delhi to Nainital cost?
A cab from Delhi to Nainital starts at ₹3,300 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹4,500, an Innova Crysta at ₹5,400, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹6,900. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
What is the cab fare for an SUV or Innova from Delhi to Nainital?
An Ertiga SUV from Delhi to Nainital starts at ₹4,500 and an Innova Crysta at ₹5,400 for the 300 km trip. The published rates are ₹15/km for Ertiga and ₹18/km for Innova, with the outstation minimum applied. Ertiga seats 6 passengers and Innova seats 7; both are options for families and hill or rough-road sections.
What is the best route from Delhi to Nainital?
The recommended and fastest route from Delhi to Nainital is via NH-9 via Moradabad. Popular stops en route include Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Rampur, Haldwani. Our drivers know all alternative routes and pick the optimal path based on live traffic, road work and weather.
How much toll do you pay from Delhi to Nainital?
Toll charges from Delhi to Nainital depend on the highway plazas on NH-9 via Moradabad and are paid at actual via FASTag. The driver handles all toll payments and they are added transparently to your final bill — there are no hidden charges.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Delhi to Nainital?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹2,143 in petrol/diesel one-way for Delhi to Nainital (based on about 14 km/l). Booking a Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so you only pay toll and state tax extra.
Can I reach Nainital from Delhi by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Delhi to Nainital is connected by road (6-7 hours by cab), and most major routes also have trains and state/private buses. A private cab is the most flexible option with door-to-door pickup, no fixed timing and freedom to stop en route.
What is the best time to travel from Delhi to Nainital?
March to June and September to November. Winter is cold but beautiful for snow views. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach Nainital with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Delhi to Nainital?
Popular stops en route include Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Rampur, Haldwani. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 300 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Delhi to Nainital?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Delhi to Nainital is cheaper because you do not pay for the return run. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver to wait and bring you back — it works out economical for same-day return.
What vehicles are available for Delhi to Nainital, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Delhi to Nainital, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the NH-9 via Moradabad safely too.
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