The picturesque tourist destination and hill town Nainital in the folds of the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand is a favorite vacation spot of nature freaks, adventure buffs, and lovers of peace. And being a great tourist attraction, it is renowned all over the world, with its beautiful lake, green outlook, and a pleasant weather. However, a question that always confuses travelers is: Which is the closest railway station to Nainital?
This blog will not only answer this but also much more such as tips to travel, places to visit around Nainital and how one can easily order food at railway station or even in trains using such trending apps like Traveler Food, Swiggy and Zomato.
Closest Railway Station to Nainital
Nainital lacks the railway station as it is a hill station at an altitude of approximately 2,084 meters. The nearest train station to Nainital is in the plains around and road connectivity is excellent to the hill town of Nainital.
Kathgodam Railway Station – The Closest Train Station to Nainital
Kathgodam Railway Station is the closest railway station to Nainital. It is located around 34 kilometers. Kathgodam is the entry point to Kumaon and is the principal railhead of visitors visiting Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet and other adjoining hills.
Kathgodam also has good connectivity. A large number of express and passenger trains pass through here and thus it is the most convenient railway station to passengers travelling to Nainital.
What is so special about Kathgodam Railway Station?
- Superb connectivity: Kathgodam is connected to major cities by trains.
- Availability of road transport: Taxi, buses and shared jeeps are available between Kathgodam and Nainital.
Also Read: What is the Nearest Railway Station to Auli?
Other Nearby Railway Tracks to Nainital
Although Kathgodam is the nearest and most common, here are a couple more railway stations you may have heard of:
Haldwani Railway Station
One of the main railheads in the vicinity of Nainital is the Haldwani Railway Station which is about 28 km away. It has a good train connectivity with the other major cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, and Dehradun. But the majority of the travellers like Kathgodam because it is nearer and has better connection with the hill roads. Nevertheless, Haldwani is an easy substitute to those who cannot access direct trains to Kathgodam.
Lalkuan Junction
Lalkuan Junction is a functional railway station situated approximately 72 km away in Nainital, which also connects the station to other cities such as Lucknow, Delhi, and Kanpur. But it is not the most preferred destination by tourists as it is farther than Nainital. It helps those travellers who fail to get trains to Kathgodam or Haldwani but have to travel more by road to get to the hill station via this point.
Bareilly Railway Station
Bareilly Railway Station is approximately 100 km away, and it is one of the bigger stations in the area. It provides frequent trains to most of the regions in India, and hence it is appropriate to long-distance travellers. It is however, selected most of the time when the other railheads in the area such as Kathgodam, Haldwani or Lalkuan are not available or accessible.
To conclude, the closest train station near Nainital is the Kathgodam Railway Station and hence most people choose to travel by this train.
The Way to Nainital via Kathgodam Railway Station
After arriving at Kathgodam, you can take any of the following ways to reach Nainital:
- Taxi: Private taxis can be found at the station. The trip lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours subject to traffic and weather conditions.
- Bus: State run and private buses available that ply between Kathgodam and Nainital but may be less frequent.
The motor trip to Nainital presents a beautiful scenery of the mountains and valleys hence a majority of the travelers like the scenic drive.
Also Read: Nearest Railway Stations to Darjeeling and the Best Time to Visit
Places to visit near Nainital
Nainital itself is so full of attractions, but in case you want to see more around Nainital, here are some of the must visit places to visit near Nainital about 1-2 hours to reach by road:
- Bhimtal
Bhimtal is located only about 22 km away of Nainital and is known to have a peaceful lake that is bigger and not cluttered as compared to the lake in Nainital. It is an excellent family destination, with the peaceful atmosphere, boating and the aquarium.
- Sattal
Sattal which is 23 km away form Nainital. This is a great place to go to especially to nature lovers and those interested in bird watching as there is an option of trekking and camping.
- Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a small and peaceful hill station located approximately 60 km away to Nainital, and it has green meadows and ancient temples. It is a paradise with a serene atmosphere and beautiful scenic views of the Himalayas that make it an ideal getaway to tourist hubs.
- Naukuchiatal
Naukuchiatal, 25 km south of Nainital, is known after its nine-cornered lake and adventure sports such as paragliding, kayaking, rowing. It is also referred to as the Lake of Nine Corners.
- Mukteshwar
Mukteshwar is a small town located about 51 km away from Nainital and is known for the Mukteshwar Shiva Temple and the spectacular view of snow-capped mountains. It is a wonderful place to hike and have a quiet nature.
Railway Stations in and Around Nainital
When you get a train to Nainital or to the Kathgodam station you might require some easy food items to keep yourself busy till your train arrives or when you are on the way. Luckily, order Food at Railway Station nowadays has become a whole lot more convenient, particularly over the last few years.
Swiggy Food Delivery in Train and Railway Stations
Swiggy has increased its coverage to reach out to most of the railway stations in India including Kathgodam Railway Station. The Swiggy app allows travelers to order food in the vicinity of the restaurant and have it delivered to the platform itself or even to the train at specific stations.
Zomato Food Delivery in Train and Railway Stations
Zomato too provides the same services in the railway stations in food ordering and delivery to trains. The easy-to-use app of Zomato allows you to see the status of your order and select one of the several cuisines available in the area of a specific station.
Also Read: What is the Nearest Railway Station to Manali?
Reasons to Use Food Delivery Services at Railway Stations
- Convenience: No hurry and no long queues in busy foodstalls.
- Diversity: There is a variety of cuisines to select, such as regional and international.
- Quality: Hygiene rated food in rated restaurants.
- Convenient: Food is brought to your precise location, which saves your time and makes you less stressed when commuting.
- Safety: Try not to eat stale or unhygienic food that is usually available in certain stations.
When you are going to Nainital and your arrival point is the Kathgodam Railway Station, your meal might be more pleasant, as you plan your food with Swiggy or Zomato.
Nainital Traveling by Train Tips
Make bookings in advance: Train tickets to Kathgodam run full, particularly during tourist seasons.
- Enquire about train schedules: Arrive at Kathgodam when the train is not running late as in the mountains.
- Travel light: You will have to get a taxi or jeep to Nainital and this makes light luggage easier to handle.
- Order your food on delivery apps: If you are feeling hungry, you can always pre-order your food in Swiggy or Zomato while at the station or on your train ride.
- Weather: Take warm clothes in case you are traveling during winter seasons.
Conclusion
Nainital is a beautiful hill station that is worth all the travel effort. The fact that the nearest railway station to Nainital is Kathgodam Railway Station assists you to plan your journey. The beautiful Nainital hills can simply be accessed through efficient road links and transport systems to Kathgodam. Don’t forget to order your food through Traveler Food, and do call us at 7835992200 or 7827998877. However, you can also use Swiggy food delivery in train and Zomato food delivery in train services when you are waiting at Kathgodam or even when you are using the train.
The next time you decide on your trip to Nainital, remember these tips and pieces of information to have a carefree and delightful journey!
