305 km · 6.5 – 7.5 hours
Delhi to Nainital Cab
305 km · ~7 hours via NH34 through Rudrapur
Delhi to Nainital distance and drive time
Delhi to Nainital is approximately 305 km by road, one way, and takes about 6.5 – 7.5 hours to drive via NH9 / NH34 via Hapur, Moradabad and Rudrapur; then Kaladhungi ghat.
- Distance (one way)
- 305 km
- Round trip
- ~610 km
- Drive time
- 6.5 – 7.5 hours
- Tolls (approx.)
- ₹450–600 one way
Planning the trip rather than just checking the distance? We run this route with chauffeur-driven cars, tempo travellers and coaches — get a quote for your dates.
Delhi to Nainital at 305 km is the Kumaon lake-district transfer. Six hours of flat-country driving to Rudrapur, then a 60 km ghat climb via Kaladhungi into the Nainital hills at 2,080 metres. The town wraps around a glacial lake — the iconic image of Kumaon tourism.
Route description
NH9 out of Delhi via Hapur and Moradabad — four-lane divided highway all the way to Rudrapur (240 km, 4.5 hours). Rudrapur is the natural lunch halt. The ghat climb starts at Haldwani-Kathgodam and winds up through Kaladhungi (Jim Corbett's house is here) to Nainital. Mall Road is the town centre; hotels spread around the lake's perimeter.
Stops and attractions en route
- Moradabad(160 km from Delhi)
Mid-route tea halt; brass-ware hub.
- Rudrapur(240 km from Delhi)
Lunch halt; last major plains town.
- Kaladhungi(280 km from Delhi)
Jim Corbett's house museum — 30-minute detour.
- Nainital (Mall Road)(305 km from Delhi)
Hotel drop on Mall Road / Tallital / Sukhatal.
How Outstation Pricing Works
- •Per-KM rate — varies by vehicle type and city of pickup
- •Minimum 300 KMs per calendar day
- •Driver allowance charged per day
- •Night halt allowance — if vehicle retained overnight
- •Toll, parking, and interstate taxes — at actuals
- •GST at 5% on invoice
All outstation trips are round-trip by default — billed garage to garage. Even if you drop one side only, return kilometers are included in the calculation. One-way drop service is available from select cities at different rates.
Worked example: A 2-day trip covering 305 km one side (610 km round trip) is billed as the higher of actual kilometers or 600 KMs (2 days × 300 KM minimum), plus 2 days of driver allowance, plus tolls/parking at actuals, plus 5% GST. Contact us for a specific quote.
Trip Summary
- Distance (one side): 305 km
- Round trip distance: ~610 km
- Estimated driving time: 6.5 – 7.5 hours
- Highway: NH9 / NH34 via Hapur, Moradabad and Rudrapur; then Kaladhungi ghat
- Stops en route: Moradabad, Rudrapur, Kaladhungi, Nainital (Mall Road)
Vehicle Options for This Route
- Sedan (Dzire / Etios)4 passengers + 2 bagsEconomical choice for 2-3 travellers
- Premium Sedan (Honda City / Ciaz)4 passengers + 2 bagsFor executives preferring a quieter cabin
- SUV (Innova Crysta / Ertiga)6 passengers + 3 bagsFamily and small groups; preferred for long highway drives
- Tempo Traveller12 passengers + luggageGroup travel — recommend for 7+ passengers
Final vehicle assignment and rate is confirmed once you share travel dates and pickup city.
Get Your Exact Quote
Share your dates and vehicle preference — we respond within an hour with a written, itemised quote for Delhi to Nainital.
One-Way Drop Also Available
Need a Delhi to Nainital drop only? We offer one-way drop service from Delhi — pay only for one side, no return charges.
- •Point-to-point drop — no return kilometers charged
- •Available in Dzire (sedan) and Ertiga (SUV) only
- •24–48 hour advance notice recommended
- •Different rates to round-trip outstation — ask for a quote
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nainital from Delhi?
Delhi to Nainital is approximately 305 km by road, one way — about 610 km for the round trip. The usual route is NH9 / NH34 via Hapur, Moradabad and Rudrapur; then Kaladhungi ghat.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Nainital?
Roughly 6.5 – 7.5 hours of driving for the 305 km, excluding meal and tea halts. Allow extra during weekend peaks, festival traffic and monsoon ghat sections.
Which route connects Delhi and Nainital?
NH9 / NH34 via Hapur, Moradabad and Rudrapur; then Kaladhungi ghat.
What are the toll charges from Delhi to Nainital?
Tolls are approximately ₹450–600 one way. Tolls, parking and any interstate permit charges are billed at actuals on your invoice rather than estimated in advance.
What is the best time to leave Delhi for Nainital?
Early morning (5:30 AM) to reach Nainital by early afternoon
Is a one-way drop available from Delhi to Nainital?
Yes. One-way drop is available from Delhi, charged at one-way rates rather than as a round trip. Share your date and vehicle preference for a quote.
What does a Delhi to Nainital cab cost?
Pricing depends on vehicle class, trip duration and pickup city, so we quote per enquiry rather than publishing a rate card. Billing is per kilometre with a 300 km minimum per calendar day, plus driver allowance, plus tolls and parking at actuals, plus 5% GST. Send your dates and passenger count for a firm quote.
Can we combine Nainital with Jim Corbett?
Yes — Corbett's Bijrani and Dhikala zones are 60-90 km south of Nainital (2 hours) on the way back to Delhi. A 3-night Delhi-Corbett-Nainital-Delhi loop is a popular wildlife-plus-hill-station combination.
Which lake hotels are worth staying at?
Mall Road cluster is central but busy. The quieter alternative is the Sukhatal side or the hills above Tallital. For luxury, The Naini Retreat on the ridge has the best lake views; for heritage, The Pavilion near Mall Road.
Is Nainital crowded?
Yes in peak summer (May-June) and Christmas-New Year. The Mall Road-to-Tallital lake circuit can take 2 hours in peak traffic. Off-season (September-October, March-April) is far quieter and the weather is still pleasant.
How is the outstation fare calculated?
Outstation trips are billed per kilometer with a minimum of 300 KMs per calendar day. The per-km rate depends on your vehicle type and city of pickup. Driver allowance is charged per day. Toll, parking, interstate taxes, and GST at 5% are added at actuals. Contact us for an exact quote for your dates.
Is this a one-way or round-trip rate?
All outstation bookings are round-trip — billed garage to garage. Even for a one-side drop, return kilometers are included. We do offer one-way drop service from select cities at different rates — ask us for availability.
What is included in the fare?
The base fare covers vehicle hire (per-km rate × total kilometers) and driver allowance. Toll charges, parking fees, interstate permit taxes, and GST at 5% are charged at actuals and itemized on your invoice.
How are days counted?
Calendar days — Day 1 starts when the vehicle departs from our garage. Each calendar day carries a minimum of 300 KMs. For example, a 3-day trip has a minimum billing of 900 KMs regardless of actual distance covered.
What is driver allowance and night halt?
Driver allowance is a daily charge covering the driver's meals and incidentals during outstation duty. Night halt is an additional charge when the vehicle is retained overnight. Both vary by city — contact us for specifics.
What vehicles are available for outstation?
We offer sedans (Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios), SUVs (Innova, Ertiga), premium sedans (Honda City, Ciaz), tempo travellers, and buses. Availability varies by city.