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Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station situated in the Western Ghats range of Maharashtra. Known for its captivating natural beauty, lush greenery, evergreen forests, strawberry farms, awe-inspiring viewpoints, and salubrious weather, Mahabaleshwar attracts hordes of tourists from Pune and other cities in Maharashtra.
Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, boasts great connectivity with Mahabaleshwar. If you are planning a trip to Mahabaleshwar from Pune, you have ample choices of transport to pick from depending on your budget and convenience. In this blog, we have covered various options to reach Mahabaleshwar from Pune.
Pune to Mahabaleshwar Distance
The aerial distance between Pune and Mahabaleshwar is approximately 70 kilometers. However, the road distance varies depending on the route you take.
The distance via NH 48 is about 117 km which can be covered in 2.5 - 3 hours. The route via Bhor Ghat in Khandala is 145 kilometers which takes around 4 hours to cover, thanks to its narrow and winding road.
Reaching Mahabaleshwar By Road from Pune
By Car/Taxi
The quickest, most comfortable, and most convenient way to reach Mahabaleshwar from Pune is by driving your car or hiring a taxi. You can reach it in just 3 hours if you take the NH 48 route. Even the Bhor Ghat route which offers breathtaking views amid lush hills will take only around 3.5 - 4 hours to cover.
There are many car rental services available in Pune that provide well-maintained cabs with drivers on an hourly or daily basis.
By Bus
There are many state transport and private buses that ply between Pune and Mahabaleshwar frequently. Buses run throughout the day, starting as early as 6 AM till midnight.
You can choose from non-AC, AC, sleeper, Volvo, and luxury buses based on your budget and level of comfort. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours depending on the route and traffic conditions. Bus tickets can cost between ₹300 to ₹1,000 per person.
Also read - How to Reach Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai
Reaching Mahabaleshwar from Pune by Train
Unfortunately, there is no direct train from Pune to Mahabaleshwar. The nearest railway station is Wathar, which is 60 km away. However, here are the train options from Pune to Wathar station:
Koyna Express - Leaves Pune around 7 AM. Takes 4 hours to reach Wathar
Mahalaxmi Express - Departs at 9:10 AM from Pune and reaches Wathar by 1 PM
Sahyadri Express - Leaves at 6:15 AM and reaches by 10 AM
From Wathar, you can take a taxi which takes about 1.5 hours to reach Mahabaleshwar, depending upon the traffic. Or you can also take a bus which takes 2 hours.
Reaching By Flight
If you want to save time, you can take a flight to Pune from your city and then proceed to Mahabaleshwar by road.
Pune airport is well connected to all major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad Chennai, etc. Once you land at Pune airport, Mahabaleshwar is just 3 hours away by car/taxi.
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights available to Mahabaleshwar. You will have to reach Pune airport first. The nearest airport to Mahabaleshwar is in Pune.
Tips for Visiting Mahabaleshwar from Pune
Avoid going via the Bhor Ghat route during monsoon due to the risk of landslides
Carry motion sickness medicines if taking the Bhor Ghat route
Start early to avoid traffic congestion route
Carry enough warm clothes as it can be quite cold there
Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel since petrol pumps are scarce
Book your bus/train tickets well in advance to get confirmed seats
So what are you waiting for? Follow these guidelines and have a safe and comfortable journey from Pune to the magnificent hill station of Mahabaleshwar!
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