Ooty to Mysore Road: Bandipur & Mudumalai Forest Timings, Night Travel Ban Rules (2026)

If you are driving between Ooty and Mysore (or Bangalore), your route passes through
two protected tiger reserves — Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu) and Bandipur (Karnataka).
Both forests have a strict night traffic ban, and every season we see tourists stuck at the
gates because they didn’t plan for it.
We are OotyMade, based in Ooty since 1980. Here is everything you need to know before
you drive this route — timings, routes, rules, and what to do if you can’t cross in time.
⏰ Night Traffic Ban Timings (The Most Important Part)
Cars, buses, trucks: The forest stretch is CLOSED from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM,
every day of the year.
Two-wheelers: Restricted even earlier on the Bandipur stretch — roughly 6:00 PM
to 6:00 AM.
Gates reopen at 6:00 AM sharp. In peak season (April–June, long weekends), vehicles
start queuing at the gates well before 6 AM.
Why the ban exists: The Karnataka High Court imposed the night closure in 2010 after
repeated wildlife deaths on the highway. Roadkill dropped nearly six times after the ban.
Elephants, gaur, deer, and even tigers and leopards use this road corridor at night — the
ban protects them and you.
The Two Routes Between Ooty and Mysore
Route 1 — Via Masinagudi & Kalhatti (shorter, ~124 km): Ooty → Kalhatti ghat (36
hairpin bends) → Masinagudi → Theppakadu → Bandipur → Gundlupet → Mysore. Only for
cars and small vehicles. The Kalhatti ghat is extremely steep — buses and heavy vehicles
are not permitted, and we do not recommend it for new drivers or at dusk.
Route 2 — Via Gudalur & Pykara (longer, ~158 km): Ooty → Pykara → Gudalur →
Theppakadu → Bandipur → Gundlupet → Mysore. This is the route buses and trucks take.
Gentler gradient, better for families and first-time hill drivers.
Both routes merge at Theppakadu and pass through the same forest gates — so the night
ban applies to both.
Planning Your Crossing — Local Advice
From Ooty side: Leave Ooty by 5:30–6:00 PM at the latest to comfortably clear
both forest stretches before 9 PM. In monsoon or fog, leave earlier.
From Mysore/Bangalore side: If you reach Mysore after 6:30 PM, do not attempt
the crossing. Stay overnight at Mysore or Gundlupet and enter the gate at 6 AM —
you’ll reach Ooty for breakfast, and early morning is also the best time for wildlife
sightings from your car.
Missed the gate from Ooty side? Stay at Masinagudi (plenty of jungle resorts) and
cross at 6 AM.
Important: There is NO practical night alternative between Ooty and Mysore. The
Mananthavady–Kutta–Gonikoppal–Hunsur bypass only helps Kerala (Wayanad) traffic — it
does not connect Ooty. For Ooty, the only options at night are to wait or stay over.
 Rules Inside the Forest Stretch (Strictly Enforced)
Speed limit is low (around 30–40 km/h) — cameras and forest staff monitor it
No stopping, no getting out of the vehicle, no feeding animals — heavy fines
apply
No honking in the forest stretch
Keep windows up if elephants are near the road; never flash lights at animals
 What About Night Buses from Bangalore to Ooty?
Government and private overnight buses time their journey so they reach the forest gates
just after 6 AM opening — that’s why they depart Bangalore late at night. If you’re in your
own car, you cannot copy this trick unless you also time your gate arrival for 6 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ooty–Mysore road closed at night? Yes. The forest stretch through Mudumalai
and Bandipur is closed to all vehicles from 9 PM to 6 AM daily.
Can I ride a bike through Bandipur at night? No. Two-wheelers face even longer
restrictions (from around 6 PM) on the Bandipur stretch. Plan a daytime crossing.
Which route is better from Mysore to Ooty — Masinagudi or Gudalur? Masinagudi
(Kalhatti) is shorter but has 36 steep hairpins — cars only, confident drivers only. Gudalur
is longer but easier and is the only option for buses.
What happens if I reach the gate after 9 PM? You will not be allowed through. Stay
overnight at Gundlupet/Bandipur side or Masinagudi/Ooty side and cross after 6 AM.
Is an e-pass needed for this route? If you are entering the Nilgiris district during
restricted seasons, yes — check our Ooty e-Pass guide for the latest rules.
Internal links to add in body:
Ooty e-Pass guide → /pages/how-to-apply-for-ooty-e-pass-online-latest-updates-news
Green Tax & checkpost rules → /pages/ooty-entry-guide-green-tax-checkpost-rules
Wildlife sanctuaries near Ooty → /pages/wildlife-sanctuaries-near-ooty-nilgiribiosphere-guide
Nearest airport & railway → /pages/ooty-nearest-airport-and-railway-station-traveltips-for-tamil-nadus-gem
Ooty 2-day itinerary → /pages/ooty-2-day-itinerary-places-to-visit

Note: 

“Forest timings and rules are set by the Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka Forest Departments and can change without notice,
especially during monsoon or wildlife movement. Verified as of July 2026 —
always confirm at the checkpost for same-day travel.”