How to reach Nainital

Fly into Pantnagar Airport (70 km), served by daily IndiGo flights from Delhi and Dehradun. Taxis (?1500-?2000 prepaid) take 2 hours through forest roads. In monsoon or winter, Delhi is safer if flights get cancelled.

The drive from Delhi via Moradabad-Rampur-Kaladhungi is smooth and scenic (7-8 hrs). Luxury Volvo buses from Anand Vihar ISBT run overnight (?800-?1500). Self-drive is beautiful after Haldwani; the last 35 km climb through pine forests feels like entering another world.

Kathgodam, 35 km away, is the last broad-gauge station. Three excellent trains from Delhi: Ranikhet Express (overnight), Sampark Kranti (evening departure), and the new Vande Bharat (6 hrs). Shared cabs and taxis (?400-?800) wait outside the station.