Here Are All The Ways You Can Get To Nainital & Some Cool Hotels & Homestays To consider On The Way!

Planning out a trip is almost as tiring as the journey itself, if not more. But, since our love for travel exceeds everything else, we are here bringing you the best ways to reach one of our all-time favourite hill destinations, Nainital, set around the beautiful Naini Lake. Always eager for a quick respite from the unforgiving Delhi ki garmi, and spending a few days entwined with nature, Nainital offers the perfect getaway to us. Read on to make that planning wayyy easier!

Ways To Reach Nainital 

1. By Road - Self Drive/ Cab

Picture Credit : the.planeteer

A huge part of the charm of hill stations is the fun road trip that accompanies the vacay. And it’s pretty convenient too. Pick up your car or rent a self-drive one like Zoom, appoint a shotgun rider to pick the music (the most important job), and just enjoy the journey. A road trip with friends is a prized memory, and you can take fun dhaba breaks and get photoshoots along the way. Insta spam here we come! If you’re not a fan of driving, you can always take a direct cab & the rest remains the same. The distance between Delhi and Nainital is around 306 Km and it’s an approximately 7 hours journey, which means 7 hours of puri masti!

Duration | Approx 7 Hours Without Breaks
Distance | Approx 306 Km Via NH9

2. By Road - Bus

Picture Credit : weuttarakhand

Some of our most cherished memories from school/college time trips are the overnight bus journeys, which have some sort of magic in them. Travelling in the peace of the night, via bus, where you share horror stories, play charades, sing at the top of your voice, or even show off a dance move or two, or just talk endlessly the entire night with your favourite person, all this, and a very pocket-friendly way to your destination! (Shahid Kapoor from Jab We Met ‘Hum jo Chalne Lage feels’) With the Volvo buses having air conditioning and comfy recliner seats, there are endless options of buses available that you can book. Some of the good ones are- E Bus India, International Tourist Centre, Fasttrack Travels, Delhi Tours And Travels, and so on. 

Duration | Approx 9 Hours

3. By Train Followed By A Cab

Picture Credits: kamna.sharmaa/

If you are more of a ‘chal chhaiyan chhaiyan’ kinda person, we totally get it. Who wouldn’t want to travel for their vacay on the chhuk chhuk gaadi, while you still get to experience the scenic views and have an overall fulfilling and super fun experience? The nearest train station to Nainital is Kathgodam, which is about 34 km from Nainital, and almost an hour’s drive via cab. 
As soon as you arrive at Kathgodam, you can find many taxis just outside the railway station which will take you to Nainital, or you can pre-book too. Kathgodam Shatabdi Express is the fastest train running between Delhi & Kathgodam, followed by Uttranchal Sampark Kranti Express & Ranikhet Express. Train travel makes us ecstatic, what ‘bout you?

Duration | 5 Hours 20 Mins Approx 
Duration | 1 Hour Approx

4. By Air 

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If neither of the above options suits you and you are a die-hard fan of air travel, there are some options available for you too. The nearest airport to Nainital is the Pantnagar Airport which is around 65 km or a 1-hour+  drive away. Some direct flights are available from Delhi to Pantnagar, others have a stoppage at Dehradun. Although flights are a quick form of travel, Nainital not having direct air connectivity makes it somehow inconvenient. 

Duration | 2 Hours 25 Mins Approx

Now that the travel plans are out of the way, here are 9 gorgeous places you can book for your stay in Nainital!

1. Langdale Manor Nainital

Langdale Manor has those typical Victorian holiday home vibes. Located just 1 km from Nainital Lake, this charming retreat serves up those classic holiday vibes with breathtaking views and an in-house restaurant dishing out mouth-watering meals and exotic drinks. Langdale Manor is your one-stop destination for relaxation and indulgence. With its perfect blend of style and comfort, it’s like having your very own slice of paradise! perfect right? 

Where | Langdale Manor Nainital - Hill, Langdale Estate, Ayarpatta, Mallital, Nainital
Call Them | +91 9971 670 796
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | http://langdalemanornainital.com/

2. The Fern Villas

Escape to The Fern Villas, where nature meets luxury just outside the city. Surrounded with lush greenery, this retreat offers spacious, elegantly designed villas that promise both comfort and style. Enjoy the peace and calm of your private oasis, complete with modern amenities and stunning views. The in-house restaurant serves up delectable dishes that’ll make your taste buds dance. The Fern Villas provide a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. 

Where | The Fern Villas - NCC Office (Ayarpata), Hills, Mallital, Nainital, Naina Range 
Call Them | +91 7055 660 804
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://www.thefernvillas.com/

3. Orchid Nainital

Welcome to Orchids Nainital, where chill vibes and rustic vibes go hand in hand! Escape the hustle bustle of the mall road at this quaint stay. Imagine cosying up in stylish rooms that scream comfort while you sip on your latte. The views are to die for! Pro tip: wake up super early to catch that beautiful sunrise. The In-house restaurant is a total foodie heaven. You can vibe solo or with your squad, Orchids Nainital is all about blending relaxation with a splash of glam. 

Where | Orchid Nainital - 10, Mankapur Compound, High Ct Rd, Sherwani, Nainital, 
Call Them | +91 9410 717 121
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://orchidnainital.com/

4. Lakeside Inn 

Lakeside Inn is a boutique hotel situated on the mall road, with a prime location offering the best picturesque views of the scenic Naini Lake from its rooms. The prime location on the mall road makes it very convenient for tourists to travel to nearby attractions and even offers ease in eating & shopping on the mall road. The hotel itself has a beautiful and prettily lit cafe and a multi-cuisine restaurant. So, boat in the lake or enjoy trekking and horse riding at Tiffin Top, all of which will be very conveniently close to your comfy & enchanting stay!

Where | Lakeside Inn - The Mall, Mall Road, Near Municipal Library
Call Them | +91 9456 593 788
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here. | http://nainitallakesidein.com/

5. Avocadoes B&B

Avocadoes B&B, run by a local couple, is a vacay stay just out of a fairytale. It’s a two-storeyed studio villa that stands majestically on the foothills of Bhimtal, at a stone’s throw from the Bhimtal Lake, translation: stunning views of the lake! The stay is surrounded by colourful orchards, avocado trees, and water springs that remain hidden from conventional tourists, making Avocados the ultimate place to reconnect with nature. There’s also a hammock & a cute fireplace, and the members of the family prepare delicious food. 

Where | Avocados B&B - Sanguri Gaon
Call Them | +91 9412 100 304
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/40665944?

6. The Naini Retreat 

Touted to be the historic residence of the Maharaja of Pilibhit, The Naini Retreat is a luxury heritage hotel located in Nainital near the lake. Situated on the picturesque Ayarpatta Slopes, the hotel provides a breathtaking view of Naini Lake at an altitude of 1,995 meters. The architecture is a strikingly beautiful palatial building that embodies an old-world charm along with visible impressions of contemporary luxury. The hotel also offers an exceptional dining experience in the dining rooms that overlook lush green landscapes and winding valleys

Where | The Naini Retreat - Ayarpatta Slopes, Mallital
Call Them | +91 9995 766 980
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://www.leisurehotels.co.in/the-naini-retreat-nainital/

7. Langdale Lodge 

This homestay is a cosy and old-world heritage building built by the host’s grandfather. The rooms offered have their own private entrance in the same compound in which the hosts reside. 
Its unique location makes it very near to the main town of Nainital and at the same time isolates it from the city noise. The host offers guided treks as an added experience. They also serve additional home-cooked meals from their menu but you have to order in advance, as they are prepared by his wife.

Where | Langdale Lodge, Homestay - Mallital
Call Them | +91 9456 191 794
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/31157801?

8. Ayar Jungle Resort 

Ayar Jungle Resort is a luxury jungle resort set sprawling across 5 acres of lush green lands and green trees. It’s nestled amid a private forest estate and perched at a height of 6,800 feet. The experience makes you one with nature, with classic wooden exteriors & comfy, plush & luxurious rooms. The resort offers stunning sunset/sunrise views, the chirping of birds and the raw pristineness of nature. Foodies are also in for a treat, for nothing can quite beat the experience of devouring their crowd-favourite dishes at The Garden of Eden Restaurant. 

Where | Ayar Jungle Resort - Barapathar - Sherwood College Road, Ayarpatta Hill, Mallital
Call Them | +91 9090 101 028
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://ayarjungleresort.com/

9. Hotel Shervani Hilltop

Set 2 km from Nainital Lake and Naina Devi Temple, this polished mountainside resort is also a 15-minute walk from Cave Garden. Surrounded by lush greenery and set within numerous cottages, the Shervani Hilltop is an upmarket resort that also offers a courtyard bar, where guests can enjoy live music during the evenings. The hotel has been beautifully constructed with wooden floorings and fine furnishings & even has a barbecue-style garden restaurant where Indian kebabs are the speciality!

Where | Hotel Shervani Hilltop - Mallital
Call Them | +91 9899 954 150
Book Here | Hotel Shervani Hilltop
Check Tariff & Book Your Stay Here | https://www.shervanihotels.com/shervani-hilltop-nainital

With that, you have all the deets you need to plan out that much-needed break.