Mumbai to Nashik: The Fastest and Cheapest Ways to Go

Mumbai particularly has a number of nearby getaways such as Lonavala, Matheran, Alibaug, and Daman; and around these places, which are visited more frequently and regularly. However, there are a number of beautiful places, which are nearby, commonly known, and yet neglected. Nashik is one such destination.

Nashik, popularly known as the ‘Wine Capital of the Country’ is an anomalous destination for taking a small break to explore the wine tasting at Sula Vineyards, trekking at Brahmagiri Hill and Anjneri Hill, visit the holy sites such as Navshya Ganpati Temple, Trimbakeshwar Temple, Someshwar Temple, and Ram Kund and have a mesmerizing view of the enticing Dudhsagar falls.

Mumbai to Nashik via Roadways

The road journey from Mumbai to Nashik, is a distance of around 170-210 kilometers (105.6-130.5 miles), depending on the route chosen. As Nasik falls only within a radius of 200 kilometers (124.3 miles), one can drive through the way by NH160 for the shortest route and for a longer route one can go via the Eastern Express Highway Mumbai-Agra National Highway.

Another convenient option is to board a bus via the private tour operators and government buses. There are around 190 buses operating on a regular basis from different regions of Mumbai to Nashik.

1. Government Buses

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has 20-50 buses which include Shivshahi buses and Parivartan Night Express. Their travel time is a range of hours from 3 hours and 14 minutes to 5 hours and 10 minutes. There are various boarding points from where these buses pass in the city, which comprises of Mulund, Borivali, Mumbai Central, Dadar B.M.T.C, Kurla Nehru Nagar, Dadar East, Parel, Sion, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Panvel.

The common dropping points include Pandav Lene, Nasik Mahamarg and Nasik CBS in Nashik. The fare of the MSRTC buses ranges from ₹ 65 to ₹ 390, depending on the type of seat chosen which can be normal sitting, A/C sitting, semi-sleeper and A/C and non-A/C sleepers.

2. Private Buses

The private tour operators cater to the journey from Mumbai to Nashik by a frequency of 140 buses. The renowned operators included are Neeta tours and travels, Laxmi Narayan Travels, Dolphin travel house, Raj ratan Tours and Travels, Kanchan Travels, Syndicate Travels (India), Sairaj Travels Mumbai, Sai Travels and Orange Tours and Travels.

The fare of the private tour operator ranges from ₹ 240 to ₹ 2,000 depending on the type of seat chosen from normal sitting to A/C sleeper. The time taken by the private buses is in the range of 3 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes. It depends on the starting location, the number of halts and the route chosen for completing the journey.

Mumbai to Nashik via Railways

The railways will cover a distance of approximately 188 kilometers (116.8 miles) for reaching Nashik from Mumbai. There are more than 50 trains in frequency from 12:10 AM, from the start of the day to 11:35 PM at the end of the day. The trains travelling from different spots in Mumbai to Nashik on a weekly basis are about 27 in frequency.

The most common trains, which operate on a daily basis from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) station to Nasik Road are 11093 Mahanagari Express which completes the journey in 3 hours and 40 minutes, 12859 Gitanjali Express which travels in a span of 3 hours and 25 minutes, 12534 Pushpak Express completes the distance in 3 hours and 17 minutes, Sevagram Express in 3 hours and 30 minutes, Nandigram Express in 3 hours and 20 minutes, Panchavati Express in 3 hours and 17 minutes, Punjab Mail which utilizes 3 hours and 35 minutes and Howrah Mail in 3 hours and 32 minutes and many more.

There are some regular trains from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) to Nasik Road are 15017 Gorakhpur Express 3 hours and 25 minutes, 11061 Darbhanga Express which has the travelling time of 3 hours and 15 minutes and 11071 Kamayani Express which completes the journey in 3 hours and 5 minutes.

From Dadar, the train is 12071 Jan Shatabdi Express, which reaches Nasik Road in 3 hours and 5 minutes and from Panvel to Nasik Road, the regular train is 12617 Mangala Ldweep, which finishes in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

The price of the railway ticket ranges from ₹ 140 for sleeper coach and it may increase depending on the A/C three-tier, two-tier or single-tier to ₹ 1,000.

No flight from Mumbai to Nashik

Nashik, cannot be reached by the airways from Mumbai, as there are no direct flights. For wanting to stringently travel by Airways, one has to travel from Mumbai to Pune by bus or train. Flights for reaching Nashik are available from Pune. However, the entire process would be a tedious one, as the journey from Mumbai to Pune is, about 150 kilometers (93.2 miles). So, the convenient options for travelling from Mumbai to Nashik could be via railways and roadways.

With the number of trains and buses having a much higher frequency and at various times of the day, travelling from Mumbai to Nashik has become easier and much more convenient.

Both the train and bus, together fit into the similar budget line and the time taken for the travelling is a variant factor, which also matches. The buses can be the cheapest and have a moderately paced time frame of 3 hours - 4 hours. The trains can have a little higher fare, but the journey is at least 3 hours.

Ultimately, the choice of travel should fit into the comfort factor. When one enjoys scenic views and sluggish journey, bus is the answer and otherwise, for pace, railways is the answer.