About Nainital Lake
A mile-long emerald lake cupped by seven forested peaks in the Kumaon Himalayas. Victorian boathouses line the Mall Road. Yachts drift past the Naina Devi temple. The town still carries a postcard-from-1880 air — Boat Club, stained-glass churches and all.
History
Nainital was 'discovered' in 1841 by British sugar merchant P. Barron, who built the first European house on its shores and called it the finest lake view in Asia. By 1862 it was the summer capital of the United Provinces — generations of ICS officers spent April-to-October here, riding around the lake and attending dances at the Boat Club (still standing, still members-only). A 1880 landslide buried 151 people at the north end where the flats now stand — Naina Devi Temple was rebuilt atop the debris, giving the lake its modern name from Goddess Sati's eye (naina). St John's in the Wilderness Church, 1846, still uses its original stained-glass windows from London.
Best Time to Visit
March to June, September to November
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Plan your visit
Stay, fly, or ride to Nainital Lake, Uttarakhand
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Travel Tips
- Avoid May 15–June 15 weekends — bumper-to-bumper traffic from Delhi
- Stay in Mallital (north end) for the market, Tallital for the lake views
- Take the ropeway to Snow View Point (₹150) — avoid the pony route for ethics
- Carry woollens after dusk even in summer — nights drop below 15°C
Famous Food in Nainital Lake
Trekking Routes
- Naina Peak trail — 3 hrs one way via Mallital
- China Peak trek — alternate name for Naina Peak
- Kilbury Bird Sanctuary trail — 11 km, 20 species
How to Reach Nainital Lake
Nainital Lake is located in Uttarakhand, India at coordinates 29.3919°N, 79.4542°E. You can reach Nainital Lake by air (nearest airport in Uttarakhand), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
How to reach Nainital Lake from major cities
Nainital Lake from Delhi
~294 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹205 · 5h 52m
- State Bus (Deluxe) ₹545 · 6h 16m
- Train (3AC) ₹560 · 5h 27m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹4,115 · 5h 35m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹205) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (5h 27m).
Nainital Lake from Lucknow
~398 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹260 · 7h 42m
- Train (3AC) ₹695 · 7h 7m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,115 · 7h 38m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹5,475 · 7h 29m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹260) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (7h 7m).
Nainital Lake from Jaipur
~566 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹350 · 10h 38m
- Train (3AC) ₹915 · 9h 49m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,550 · 10h 42m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹7,660 · 10h 33m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹350) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (9h 49m).
Nainital Lake from Ahmedabad
~1232 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,775 · 20h 28m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,575 · 20h 28m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,285 · 22h 49m
- Flight (Economy) ₹6,635 · 4h 18m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,775) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 18m).
Nainital Lake from Kolkata
~1461 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,075 · 24h 8m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,005 · 24h 8m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,880 · 26h 58m
- Flight (Economy) ₹7,460 · 4h 38m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,075) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 38m).
Nainital Lake from Mumbai
~1658 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,330 · 27h 16m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,375 · 27h 16m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹4,390 · 30h 32m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,165 · 4h 55m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,330) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 55m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Nainital Lake
Nainital Lake lies in Uttarakhand, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited hill station destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Dehradun, roughly 171 km away — most travellers route through Dehradun by air or rail before continuing on to Nainital Lake. Time your trip for March to June, September to November for the most comfortable weather.
Travelling from within India, Dehradun connects to every metro by daily domestic flights and the railway network, so Nainital Lake slots easily into a wider Uttarakhand itinerary.
Attractions closest to Nainital Lake
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Nainital Lake?
- The best time to visit Nainital Lake is March to June, September to November.
- What are the top travel tips for Nainital Lake?
- Avoid May 15–June 15 weekends — bumper-to-bumper traffic from Delhi. Stay in Mallital (north end) for the market, Tallital for the lake views. Take the ropeway to Snow View Point (₹150) — avoid the pony route for ethics. Carry woollens after dusk even in summer — nights drop below 15°C.
- What food is famous in Nainital Lake?
- Famous dishes in Nainital Lake include: Bhatt ki Churkani — Kumaoni black soybean curry at Machan, Aloo ke Gutke — spiced potatoes at Sakley's, Bal Mithai — Kumaon sweet at Sri Ram Sweets.
- Where is Nainital Lake located?
- Nainital Lake is in Uttarakhand, India, at 29.3919° N, 79.4542° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Dehradun, about 171 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Nainital Lake?
- Top attractions near Nainital Lake include Jim Corbett National Park (about 68 km away), Auli (about 127 km away), Rishikesh (about 138 km away) — all easy to combine on a Uttarakhand trip.
- How to reach Nainital Lake from Delhi?
- Nainital Lake is about 294 km from Delhi. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹205, 5h 52m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹545, 6h 16m), Train (3AC) (~₹560, 5h 27m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹205) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (5h 27m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Nainital Lake from Lucknow?
- Nainital Lake is about 398 km from Lucknow. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹260, 7h 42m), Train (3AC) (~₹695, 7h 7m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,115, 7h 38m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹260) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (7h 7m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Nainital Lake from Jaipur?
- Nainital Lake is about 566 km from Jaipur. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹350, 10h 38m), Train (3AC) (~₹915, 9h 49m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,550, 10h 42m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹350) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (9h 49m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
