Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar -> Distance, Car, Road, Train, Flight, Bus (2023)

Two routes lead to Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai. One goes via NH 66, and the other goes via Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway. The latter is the longest route between the two and requires travelling about 275 kilometres from Mumbai. It will take approximately eight hours to reach Mahabaleshwar if one decides to drive without making a pit stop. There are tolls, hotels, food courts etc. which might add approximately an hour more to the journey time. Each route has an interesting aspect and can be chosen on the level of comfort one wants.

Mumbai has many travel/ tourism/ transport companies where one can rent a vehicle depending on the number of people going on the trip. There are options to choose between a hatchback, an SUV, a Sedan or a 15/ 17/ 18/ 27 seater bus. Travel and Tourism Companies have sightseeing packages also. Online cab operators allow instant booking and can be a hassle-free option for those on a time crunch. Some local companies that one can go for are Clear Car Rental, OLA Outstation Cabs, Savaari Car Rentals and Rent A Car Mumbai. One can choose to drive the rented vehicles or hire an experienced driver depending on their preference.

The Routes That Can Be Taken

1. The NH 66 Route

234 kilometres, 7 hours 30 minutes
Sion Panvel Highway – NH 48/ AH 47/ Mumbai Pune Highway – NH 66 – SH 72/ SH 139 – SH 73/ SH 140. Mahabaleshwar is around 500 metres from SH 140/ SH 73.

2. The Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway Route

275 Kilometres, 8 hours
Sion Panvel Highway – Taloja Flyover – Yashwantrao Chavan Marg – Kamothe Flyover/ Sion Panvel Highway – Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway – NH 48/ Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway – Katraj Dehu Road Bypass/ AH 47/ NH 48/ Westerly Bypass/ Pune Bangalore Bypass – SH 119 – Wai Surur Pune Road – SH 139/ SH 72. Mahabaleshwar is approximately 33 kilometres from SH 72/ SH 139.

Eating Options on the Way

Both the routes from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar have an ample number of hotels, food courts, eateries etc. that serve snacks and meals. The Food Court on the Mumbai Pune Expressway is a popular point to stop for a quick bite. They offer a variety of breakfast and meals items like Sandwiches, Idlis, Wada Pav etc. One can also find international food outlets like CCD, McDonalds, Dominos and KFC at the food court.

Mahabaleshwar does not have its own Railway Station. However, the nearest one is the Satara Railway Station which is located about 70 kilometres from the Hill Station. The trains available can be boarded from Mumbai CSM Terminus/ Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai Central or Dadar Central.

Transportation From Satara to Mahabaleshwar

From the drop station, one can head to closest bus stand or one of the private travel companies in Satara. There are several Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, Volvo, A/C and luxury buses that ply to Mahabaleshwar from these cities. Cab services are available in plenty.

Mahabaleshwar does not have an airstrip, but the closest one is the Lohegaon Airport in Pune. One can easily find a domestic flight connecting the two cities from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. This mode of transport may be convenient when it comes to direct flights but can be heavy on the pocket.

Flight Options

There are several direct and indirect flights available from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to reach Pune. The frequency of direct flights, however, is less than that of the indirect flights. One can choose between Jet Airways, IndiGo, Air Asia, GoAir, Spicejet and Air India. A direct flight to Pune barely lasts for about an hour while an indirect one would take anything between 4 to 11 hours. The direct ones can, actually, be an option for those on a time crunch but are not so much worried about the costs.

Transportation from Pune to Mahabaleshwar

Once in Pune, travellers can book a cab or take a direct bus ride to reach Mahabaleshwar by road.

A bus ride is one of the most affordable ways to travel from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. Usually, all the buses start in the night, so travellers reach the Hill Station early in the morning and have the entire day to go sightseeing. The buses that depart from Mumbai have several pre-decided boarding points located all over Mumbai City. Tourists can choose to head to their closest one. Most travel companies also offer online booking of tickets through websites like redbus, but if one wishes to, they can head to the nearest ticket counter and purchase their tickets.

Available Bus Options

Road Condition

Most of the buses are driven via the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway, which is a well-maintained expressway. The route is a 6-lane, high-speed road which is access controlled with several toll nakas at specific points. The expressway basically makes up about 95 kilometres of the entire stretch between Mumbai and Mahabaleshwar and is one of the routes via which a smooth ride can be expected.