Travel from Mumbai Airport to Pune

The following information explains transportation options available for travel from Mumbai (Bombay) to Pune and return.

Once you reach Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport there are several ways to get to Pune but taking a taxi or bus directly to Sangam will be the easiest and quickest. Normally International flights arrive very late at night or in the early morning hours. 

It is possible to take a train from central Mumbai to Pune, however waiting on the platform at these late hours is not pleasant and often transfers to the station can be expensive.  

It is also possible to fly from Mumbai to Pune however as flights are either early morning (around 6-9 am) or evening (5 pm) they do not often connect with International arrivals.

All of the following services (with the exception of flights) can be arranged via Sangam. If you prefer to plan things yourself, then upon arrival at the airport there are travel agent counters that can assist you.   

TAXI : Coming direct to Sangam by taxi will cost you approximately Rs 2600/-. A driver will wait outside of arrivals with a sign showing your name. Taxis are for up to 4 people and the time for travel is approximately 4 hours. 

Prepaid taxis and buses are also available to book at the airport to transfer you to various points in Mumbai or straight to Pune. 

BUS : Several companies operate airport shuttle bus services to Pune.  A seat on one of these mini buses will cost Rs 550/-. The journey takes longer than coming in a direct taxi as the bus will often drop other passengers off in Pune before you.  

For larger groups, a bus can be hired.  Prices vary depending on group size, whether you have air conditioning or not, and the time of year. Sangam can book this for you – please contact us directly for a quote.  As an example an 18 Seat Non A/C coach costs approximately Rs. 6500/-. 

TRAIN:All train tickets must be purchased in advance.  This is arranged by a Mumbai travel agent.  Tickets will be delivered to you by a meeting service that will wait outside of the airport arrivals hall.  The cost of the tickets and related service charges is paid directly to the travel agent in Mumbai.  It is up to you whether you choose to wait then at the airport (in a hotel coffee shop etc.) or transfer directly to the station. 

International Airport (Mumbai) is located 1½ hours from Chhatripatti Shivaji Terminus (also called CST), which is the station in Mumbai where you board the train to Pune. There are many direct trains from Mumbai to Pune and the cost for an A/C Chair Car seat is approximately Rs. 300/-. Express trains usually depart Mumbai for Pune between 5 and 9 am and 4 and 6 pm.  The journey is approximately 3 ½ hours. 

PLANE:As mentioned above, flights are available from Mumbai Domestic Terminal to Pune. The flight is less than one hour.  Flights should be arranged by your travel agent or by contacting a Mumbai travel agent direct. There are shuttle buses between the International and Domestic terminals.  If you arrive around 1 or 2 am, expect to wait until 6 or 7 am for a domestic flight. The cost varies on the season, however tends to be between Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 4000/-.  

For the majority of groups we recommend travelling directly to Sangam upon arrival in India and then once oriented to the culture and country, continuing on to travel in other parts of India after the event. However, if you would like to stay in Mumbai for a few days before coming to Sangam, then all of the above travel options are still available (taxi, bus, train and plane).  Sangam can help to arrange a Hotel in central Mumbai and we also have a travel agent that can offer ½ and full day tours.  The cost for a half day tour is around $50.00US depending on how many passengers (up to 4 people) and what kind of vehicle you use.   

A meeting service can be arranged to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel if you prefer.  

Additional Information

You may want to hire a coolie (porter) to help carry your luggage at the airport or station.  The usual charge is Rs10/- to Rs15/- per bag. 

Upon arrival at the airport there are money exchange counters.  These offer competitive rates. 

When you reach Pune 

From the Pune airport or train station it will take 20 minutes to travel to Sangam by auto rickshaw.  If requested, a Sangam Staff member will come and meet you and escort you to Sangam.  The driver will charge you approximately Rs. 40/- from the train station and Rs. 80/- from the airport .

When arriving by train get off the train at “Pune Junction”, usually the final stop for the train.  If you have asked to be met at the train station, please wait on the platform where you get down so that the Staff member can find you.  If you do not want to be met, then ask the rickshaw driver for Alandi Road, near the new RTO or Phulenagar (Foo-lay-nah-gar), this is the neighborhood opposite Sangam and is much better known than we are.  If the rickshaw driver sees you in uniform he may recognise you as being from Sangam.

What should I do next?

After reading this information, please contact Sangam to request any of the services. When doing so, be sure to include the following information:

• Your name  
• Your group name (if applicable) 

Flight arrival details into Mumbai and/or Pune including:

• airline name  
• flight number
• where you are flying from  
• arrival time  
• Indicate clearly which of the services you require.  (i.e. transport only, hotel, tour, tickets etc.)

If you are making your own arrangements for travel to Pune, we request that you let us know your anticipated arrival date and time. 

Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any further questions. We look forward to welcoming you to Sangam.