By Air: Pant Nagar Airport is situated in Uttarakhand state and is one of the two airports of Uttarakhand. Pant Nagar is the nearest airport to Kathgodam and Nainital as well. It is situated 72kms from Nainital and is well connected by motorable roads. Taxis to Nainital and Kathgodam are easily available from Pant Nagar Airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi is 300 Km.

By Rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Nainital, situated at a distance of 41kms. Kathgodam is well connected by Railway networks with major destinations of India like Lucknow, Delhi and Kolkata. Trains are frequent to Kathgodam as it is the gateway of Kumaon region. There are two trains that run daily between Delhi to Kathgodam and vice-versa. Kathgodam is the nearest railhead to Nainital. Nainital is only one hour drive 41kms from Kathgodam Railway Station. Buses and Taxis are easily available to Nainital from Kathgodam

By Road: Nainital is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of northern India. Nainital is only one hour drive from Kathgodam which is spread on the hills of the lower Himalayan range. You can take taxi or bus from Kathgodam to reach Nainital. Most number of tourists who visit Nainital commences their journey from New Delhi. The distance between Delhi to Nainital is 320kms which can be covered by 9hour drive, Nainital is connected with NH87. Buses to Nainital are available from ISBT Anand Vihar. Buses and Taxis are available from all major destination of Garhwal and Kumaon region as Nainital is one of the frequently visited hill station of India.

Places to See in Nainital
Nainital SightseeingFollowing is the list tourist places in Nainital. These are some of the popular tourist spots in Nainital.

Naina Devi Temple: The deity of the temple is Maa Naina Devi represented by two eyes. The temple was destroyed by the drastic landslide of 1880, and was later rebuilt because the temple was of great importance amongst locals. Naina Devi Temple is located on the northern shore of Naini Lake.

Naini Lake (Nainital): Amidst seven mountains touching the sky, the heart of the place is a ravishing lake showering its beauty with pristine and stagnant water. Naini Lake has earned respect since beginning and even the district is named after this enchanting lake. The lake offers ample opportunities for adventure lovers as well with yachting, boating and paddling facilities. One can explore the lake from one end to another watching the dynamic sun setting for the dusk providing peace and tranquility. Naini Lake is divided into two parts Mallital and Tallital. The north end of the Lake is called Mallital and the southern end of the Lake is known as Tallital. Both ends of the Naini Lake have shopping centres with luxury and varied shops.

The Mall Road: Mall road nexuses Mallital with Tallital and thus is busiest road of the town. During peak season (May and June) vehicles are not allowed to enter mall road so that the trade keeps on strolling as this point is famous amongst tourists. Mall road is now named as Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. The road is filled with hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, banks, travel agencies and street shops as well.

The Flats: The Flats is situated on the northern side of the lake where the statue of Govind Ballabh Pant is erected. The Flatts covers a large area touching the lake. The Flatts has a cemented playing ground which is generally used for cultural activities during festivals but you can see kids playing there most of the time. The Flats get crowded in the evening because of the chat bazaar and famous Bhotia Market selling their varied and unique products. The divine Naina Devi Temple is situated on the Flatts alongwith a mosque and gurudwara.

Zoo: Govind Ballabh Pant high altitude zoo is situated around 2km from the bus station. The zoo is set at an elevation of 2100mts above sea level providing high altitude animals a sufficient and habitat like environment. The Zoo consists of animals like Leopard , Hill Fox, Siberian Tiger (snow tiger), Palm civet cat, Wolf, Silver Pheasants, Barking Deer, Sambhar, Monkeys, Rose ringed Prakeet, Himalayan black bear, Ghoral, White Peacock. The zoo is closed on Mondays and the entry ticket is of Rs. 10. Feeding animals is strictly prohibited in the zoo and eatables are also not allowed (you can take liquid diets).

Aerial Ropeway: The Aerial Ropeway commences at Mallital and is connected with Snow view point situated at a breathtaking elevation of 2275mts above sea level. Snow view point offers the majestic views of puissant Himalayan range. Two trolleys carries passenger from the flatts to snow view point in approximately two and a half minutes of time. The capacity of the trolley cabin is 11 persons or 800kgs of weight. The trolley is opened for seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. The ticket for adult is Rs. 100 and Rs. 60 for child.

Governor’s House (Raj Bhawan): Governor’s House was built in 1899 and designed in the Victorian Gothic domestic style by the architect F.W. Stevens as the summer residence of the governor of North West Province. Presently, Raj Bhawan is the official guest house for the governor of Uttarakhand and for state guests stay. It consists of a two-storied mansion with 113 rooms, a large garden, a swimming pool, and golf court as well. Previously obtaining prior permission was must for visiting. But now by purchasing Entry Ticket of Rs. 30 you can go to explore Raj Bhawan.

Snow View Point: Snow view point offers the invigorating view of snow clad peaks of the majestic Himalayan range like Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot. Snow view is the most easily accessible cliff amongst other nearby mountains surrounding Nainital. The peak is connected by motorable roads and aerial ropeway or cable car. The ropeway is opened for seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. The point has some restaurants, tea shops and even photographers to click your pictures. Charges for cable car is Rs.100 for adult and Rs. 60 for child.

Eco Cave Garden: Eco Cave Garden is located one kilometer above Mallital near Kumaon University Campus. This spot is a latest tourism spot of Nainital. Cave Garden offers caves of different kinds of animals which you can explore by going in it. There are no real animals there for sure. Entry Ticket: Rs.10.

Naina Peak/ China Peak: Naina peak is situated at a breathtaking altitude of 2615mts above sea level. Naina Peak is the highest point of the town and is located 6km north to Mallital. Naina peak is also known as China peak and Cheena peak. Naina peak offers invigorating views of the enchanting snow clad peaks of the mighty Himalayan range, the bird’s eye view of the pristine Naini Lake and the Nainital town itself. In order to enjoy the celestial beauteousness of this point one must trek 6km by foot or can hire a pony from Mallital or Snow view. But remember the trek of 6km is worth the view from the summit of the Naina peak.

The best time to visit Nainital are from March till June and again in September-October. In May and June the town usually gets very crowded due to the rush of tourists escaping the hot summer of the plains, but the temperatures are cool and in the range of 30 degrees C during the day time. If you plan on visiting Nainital at this time be aware that hotels get sold out soon so it would be advisable to make your hotel bookings well in advance. 

In July and August the rains come down heavy and is somewhat of a dampner, so it may be best to avoid Nainital at this time. 

In September again the climate is good for a visit. The tourist crowd will have thinned down so if you plan your visit in September and October it will be a good time to visit Nainital. An Autumn Festival is organised at Nainital in October.

November sees winter slowly creeping up. It is still pleasant but night temperatures start dropping. At the height of winter December - January it can get freezing. The upside though is that hotels offer very good rates so if you do plan on a winter trip to Nainital you will get a good hotel price!

• Shervani Hilltop

                           Ranked #1 of 47 hotels in Nainital

• Sonapani Himalayan Village Accommodation

                          Ranked #2 of 47 hotels in Nainital

• The Naini Retreat 

                         Ranked #3 of 47 hotels in Nainital

• Aranya Safari Resort 

                          Ranked #4 of 65 Nainital B&B and Inns

• Regency Shyam Sunder

                            Ranked #5  of 65 Nainital B&B and Inns

Day 01: Nainital 
On arrival, check-in to the hotel. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 02: Nainital 
After breakfast, go on a local sight seeing tour of the Mall, boating club, cable car ride and Thandi Sadak. Spend the evening at leisure to enjoy a boat ride. Overnight stay at hotel. 

Day 03: Nainital to Delhi 
After breakfast, day free, check out of hotel. Back to Delhi.