Pune · How to Reach

Pune is one of the best-connected cities in western India, tied tightly to Mumbai by rail, road and air, and reachable directly from most major Indian cities. Its position on the Deccan, just over the Sahyadri escarpment from the coast, means the classic approaches all involve the dramatic climb (or descent) of the Bhor Ghat, whether you come by train or by expressway.

By train. The principal station is Pune Junction (station code PUNE), a major hub on the Central Railway roughly at the centre of the city and a short auto or cab ride from the old town and the cantonment. Pune is exceptionally well served from Mumbai — the corridor carries frequent fast services, including long-running Deccan-named expresses and Shatabdi-class trains, with the journey typically around three to three-and-a-half hours over the scenic ghat section. There are also direct long-distance trains from Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Nagpur, Goa and beyond. A second station, Shivajinagar, handles some services and is convenient for the university and west-side neighbourhoods. Because live timetables and seat availability change constantly, check current trains and fares in the search box on this page rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

By road. The Mumbai–Pune Expressway — India's first six-lane access-controlled motorway — is the defining road link, cutting the run between the two cities to about three hours over a distance of roughly 150 kilometres, through the tunnels and viaducts of the Bhor Ghat. It is one of the busiest inter-city corridors in the country, used by private taxis, self-drive cars, and a constant stream of comfortable inter-city buses (including state-run and private Volvo-style coaches). Pune is also linked by national highways toward Bengaluru, Solapur, Nashik and Ahmednagar. Note that the ghat section can be affected by heavy monsoon rain, fog and occasional landslip closures, so allow buffer time in the wet season.

By air. Pune Airport (PNQ), at Lohegaon in the northeast of the city, is a civil enclave at an Indian Air Force station handling a busy schedule of domestic flights to all the major metros and many regional cities, plus a limited roster of international services. It sits close to the city — a short drive from the cantonment and the eastern suburbs. For a wider choice of long-haul and international connections, many travellers still route via Mumbai (BOM), about 150 kilometres away, and continue by fast train or expressway coach. A large new greenfield airport for the region has been in planning; confirm current routes and terminals before you build a tight connection around PNQ.

Getting around once you arrive. Within Pune, app-based cabs and auto-rickshaws are the mainstay, alongside metered autos, a growing metro rail network on a few corridors, and city buses. The compact old city — Shaniwar Wada, Dagdusheth temple, the Kelkar Museum, Pataleshwar — is best explored on foot once you are dropped nearby, as its lanes are narrow and often congested. For the outlying forts and hill stations, hiring a car with a driver for the day (or joining a shared tour) is by far the simplest option. Traffic in the central and IT-corridor areas can be heavy at peak hours, so plan cross-city hops with a little slack.