Published 2026-09-22 · 7 min read · One Cab Service
Tamil Nadu may be famous for temples and beaches, but it also has some of South India's best hill stations. A taxi is the easiest way to reach them — the last stretch is always a winding ghat road, and an experienced driver makes all the difference.
1. Ooty (Nilgiris)
The Queen of Hill Stations, at around 2,200 m. Tea gardens, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak and the toy train. Reached via Mettupalayam and Coonoor. Read our Chennai to Ooty guide.
2. Kodaikanal (Dindigul)
The Princess of Hill Stations, on the Palani hills. Kodai Lake, Coaker's Walk, Pillar Rocks and pine forests. About 120 km from Madurai via Batlagundu, and roughly 530 km from Chennai.
3. Yercaud (Salem)
A gentle hill station on the Shevaroy hills, about 30 km from Salem up a ghat road with around 20 hairpin bends. Yercaud Lake, Pagoda Point and coffee estates. Perfect for a quick weekend from Chennai or Bengaluru.
4. Yelagiri (Tirupathur)
A small, quiet hill station near Jolarpettai, popular for paragliding, trekking and Punganur Lake. Good for a short break from Chennai, Vellore or Bengaluru.
5. Valparai (Coimbatore)
Tea and coffee country in the Anamalai hills, reached from Pollachi via the Aliyar ghat road with 40 hairpin bends. Wildlife sightings are common — drive slowly.
6. Kolli Hills (Namakkal)
Famous for its 70 hairpin bends, the Agaya Gangai waterfall and the Arapaleeswarar temple. Less crowded than Ooty or Kodaikanal.
7. Coonoor (Nilgiris)
Quieter than Ooty, with Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose and endless tea estates. Many travellers prefer staying here and visiting Ooty for the day.
Drop taxi fares to the hills
| Route | Distance | Sedan | Innova | Crysta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai to Ooty | ~560 km | ₹8,900 | ₹11,700 | ₹12,820 |
| Chennai to Salem (for Yercaud) | ~340 km | ₹5,600 | ₹7,300 | ₹7,980 |
| Chennai to Dindigul (for Kodaikanal) | ~420 km | ₹6,800 | ₹8,900 | ₹9,740 |
| Madurai to Ooty | ~290 km | ₹4,650 | ₹6,100 | ₹6,680 |
Approximate one way fares including driver bata. Toll, parking and hill charges extra.
A hill charge may apply for ghat sections. Fares to the hill station itself are based on actual kilometres.
Hill travel tips
- Choose an Innova or Crysta for comfort on hairpin bends.
- Avoid driving up ghat roads late at night in the monsoon.
- Ooty and Kodaikanal have required e-passes for vehicles in recent seasons — check before you go.
- Carry warm clothes; evenings get cold even in April and May.