Nainital has one big advantage over most hill stations near Delhi: a train that gets you there overnight on any day of the week. The catch is the hour it arrives. Here's how to make that work for you.
The train: Ranikhet Express
The Ranikhet Express (15013) leaves Old Delhi at 10:05 pm and reaches Kathgodam at 5:05 am, every day. Seven hours on a berth, then about 15 km up the hill by road.
A 5 am arrival sounds harsh. In practice it gives you the best morning of the trip: the drive up at first light and Naini Lake almost to yourself before 8.
Prefer a bus? A typical Delhi–Nainital service takes about 8 hours, the fastest about 5 h 30 min, with fares from ₹500 at our last check. Flying is possible too: Pantnagar airport is about 39 km away.
When to go
Our climate data for Nainital, month by month, makes the choice easy:
- October–November: 10–18°C in October with 4 rainy days, then about 1 rainy day in November. The clearest Himalayan views of the year.
- December–February: nights at 1–3°C, dry, very occasional snow.
- March–June: 11–23°C. Pleasant, but this is when Nainital is busiest.
- July–August: 27–28 rainy days a month. Skip.
Saturday: lake, temple and the Mall
- Naina Devi temple at Mallital, mid-morning.
- A rowboat or yacht on Naini Lake.
- Lunch at Sakley's on the Mall.
- The Snow View ropeway in the afternoon. On a clear day you see the high Himalaya.
Sunday: Tiffin Top and Eco Cave
Start at 7:30 with the hike from Ayarpatta to Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat). You can also ride a horse up. Come down to Eco Cave Gardens mid-morning, have lunch, pick up candles and pahadi jams, and leave for Kathgodam by mid-afternoon.
Going home
Plan the way back around Monday morning, not Sunday sightseeing: the train or bus that gets you home in time for work decides when you leave Nainital. If you'd rather not rush, Bhimtal (about 10 km) is a quieter base for a second night on a long weekend.
Every option for your dates is on the Nainital weekend guide.
Questions people ask
Which station is nearest to Nainital?
Kathgodam, about 15 km from Nainital as the crow flies. The Ranikhet Express (15013) runs there daily from Old Delhi.
What do I do if I arrive in Kathgodam at 5 am?
Take a taxi up and use the early start: the lake is calm and empty at 7 am. Ask your hotel if they'll hold your bags or allow an early check-in, and expect to pay for it on busy weekends.
Is November a good time for Nainital?
One of the best. Our climate data has about 1 rainy day in November, with days around 15°C and nights around 6°C.
Plan Nainital for your dates
Your weekend and your group: the train or bus, where you'd stay, every day planned and one all-in price per person. We book all of it and confirm it before you pay.
Written by
Dhruv Shah
Founder, Tavora and RailRoute
I build Tavora and RailRoute. RailRoute started with Indian Railways data: which trains run on time, which routes actually work. Tavora uses it to plan weekends out of Delhi end to end. Here I write about leaving on a Friday night and being back for Monday.
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