Nainital is one of the most popular hill escapes from Delhi, and the drive is very doable in a day. At roughly 305 km it takes about 7 hours with a couple of stops — comfortable if you start early and let a driver handle the traffic out of the NCR and the final hill climb.
This guide breaks down the route, timing, the best stops, and what a private outstation taxi costs.
- Distance
- ~305 km
- Drive time
- ~7 hours
- Taxi fare from
- ₹6,500
- Best route
- Delhi → Hapur → Gajraula → Rampur → Haldwani → Nainital
The Delhi to Nainital route
The standard route runs Delhi → Hapur → Gajraula → Moradabad → Rampur → Rudrapur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Nainital. It is almost entirely highway until Haldwani, where the road begins its climb into the hills for the last 35 km.
An early start (5–6 am) is worth it: you clear Delhi traffic before it builds and reach Nainital by mid-afternoon with the day still ahead of you.
Best stops to break the journey
Good, reliable places to stretch, eat and refuel along the way:
- Gajraula — the classic midway tea-and-breakfast halt on NH-9
- Moradabad / Rampur bypass — clean highway restaurants for a proper meal
- Haldwani — last town before the climb; grab water and snacks for the hills
Delhi to Nainital taxi fare
A private one-way outstation taxi starts from about ₹6,500, with the exact fare depending on the vehicle and whether it is one-way or a round trip. Fares are fixed and all-inclusive of fuel, driver, tolls and hill charges — no per-kilometre surprises.
For families and groups, an Innova Crysta or Tempo Traveller with a driver is far more relaxing than self-driving an unfamiliar hill road for the first time.
Driving yourself vs hiring a cab
Self-driving is fine on the highway, but the winding final ascent and tight parking in Nainital catch out first-timers. A local driver knows the shortcuts, the parking, and the one-way system around the Mall Road — which is why most visitors let us drive.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nainital from Delhi by road?
About 305 km via Hapur, Rampur and Haldwani — roughly a 7-hour drive with stops.
How much does a Delhi to Nainital taxi cost?
A private outstation cab starts from around ₹6,500 one-way, fixed and all-inclusive; round trips and larger vehicles cost more.
Is one day enough to drive Delhi to Nainital?
Yes. With an early start you arrive by mid-afternoon, leaving time to settle in and see the lake the same evening.