With 15–20 crore devotees expected at Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027, getting there early and smart is half the battle. Whether you're coming from Mumbai, Pune, Delhi or abroad — this guide covers every route, every option, and every tip you need to reach Nashik without stress.
By Train
Best option from Mumbai & Pune. Direct trains available. Book 60–90 days early.
By Bus
Frequent MSRTC & private buses from Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad. Cheap and reliable.
By Flight
Ozar Airport (ISK) connects Nashik to Mumbai, Delhi & Bengaluru. Growing connectivity.
By Road (Drive)
Mumbai–Nashik Expressway (NH-3) makes the drive smooth. 2.5–3 hrs from Mumbai.
Nashik Distance from Major Cities
Before planning your journey, here's a quick reference for distances and approximate travel times to Nashik from major cities:
| From City | Distance | Train Time | Road Time | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 167 km | 2.5–3 hrs | 2.5–3 hrs | Train or Bus |
| Pune | 210 km | 4–5 hrs | 3.5–4 hrs | Road or Train |
| Aurangabad | 185 km | 3.5 hrs | 3 hrs | Bus or Road |
| Surat | 255 km | 4 hrs | 4 hrs | Train |
| Delhi | 1,400 km | 16–20 hrs | — | Flight via Mumbai |
| Ahmedabad | 520 km | 7–8 hrs | 7 hrs | Train |
| Hyderabad | 570 km | 10–12 hrs | — | Train or Flight |
Reaching Nashik by Train
Train is the most popular and comfortable way to reach Nashik, especially from Mumbai and Pune. The main railway station is Nashik Road Railway Station — about 8 km from the city centre and 15–20 mins from Ramkund ghat.
Key Trains from Mumbai to Nashik
- Panchavati Express (11007/11008) — Mumbai CST to Nashik Road. One of the most popular daily trains. ~3 hrs journey.
- Tapovan Express (11013/11014) — Mumbai CST to Aurangabad via Nashik. Daily service.
- Devagiri Express (11057/11058) — Mumbai CST via Nashik to Aurangabad/Hyderabad.
- Mumbai–Manmad Intercity — Stops at Nashik Road. Good daytime option.
Key Trains from Pune to Nashik
- Nashik–Pune Intercity Express — Direct daily service, ~4.5 hrs.
- Several weekly express trains connect Pune to Nashik Road station.
During Kumbh Mela Amrit Snan dates (Aug 2, Aug 31, Sep 11–12, 2027) all trains to Nashik will be completely sold out 60–90 days in advance. Indian Railways will run special Kumbh Mela trains — check IRCTC regularly from early 2027. Book the moment seats open.
From Nashik Road Station to Ramkund / Trimbakeshwar
- To Ramkund (Panchavati): Auto-rickshaw or cab — 20–25 mins, ₹80–150
- To Trimbakeshwar: Shared jeep or cab — 45–60 mins, ₹150–300 per person
- During Kumbh, MSRTC will run shuttle buses from the railway station to ghats
Reaching Nashik by Bus
Buses are the most flexible and frequent option — especially for travellers from Maharashtra, Gujarat and surrounding states.
MSRTC (State Transport) Buses
MSRTC operates frequent buses from Mumbai (Dadar, CST, Borivali), Pune, Aurangabad, Solapur, Kolhapur and most Maharashtra cities. The Mumbai–Nashik route has buses almost every 30 minutes during peak hours. Fare: ₹200–400 depending on bus type.
Private Buses
Private operators like Shivshahi, Paulo Travels, VRL and many others offer AC sleeper and semi-sleeper buses from Gujarat, Rajasthan and other states. Book on RedBus or Abhibus well in advance during Kumbh.
Main bus stand is the Nashik CBS (Central Bus Stand) in Mahamarg area. Panchavati Bus Stand is closer to Ramkund ghat — request this as your drop point if possible.
Reaching Nashik by Flight
Ozar Airport (IATA: ISK), officially Gandhinagar Airport, is located 25 km from Nashik city. Connectivity has grown significantly in recent years with flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Direct Flights to Nashik (Ozar)
- Mumbai–Nashik: ~45 min flight, multiple airlines
- Delhi–Nashik: Direct or 1-stop options available
- Bengaluru–Nashik: Direct flights on select days
- Hyderabad–Nashik: Limited direct connectivity
If flying from abroad, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is your best entry point. From Mumbai airport to Nashik is 2.5–3 hrs by road (hire a cab from the airport). Pre-book your Nashik hotel before landing.
Reaching Nashik by Road (Self Drive)
If you're driving from Mumbai, the Mumbai–Nashik Expressway (NH-3 / NH-160) is one of the better national highways in Maharashtra. The drive is around 167 km and takes 2.5–3 hours in normal traffic.
Key Road Routes
- From Mumbai: Western Express Highway → Mumbai–Nashik Expressway (NH-3) → Nashik
- From Pune: Pune–Nashik Highway via Sangamner (NH-61) → ~210 km, 3.5–4 hrs
- From Aurangabad: NH-52 via Malegaon → 185 km, 3 hrs
- From Surat/Vadodara: NH-48 via Vapi, then turn towards Nashik
On Amrit Snan dates, all roads leading to Nashik will experience extreme congestion. Arrive 1–2 days before the Snan date. The government will implement traffic diversions — follow police instructions and check local news before travelling.
Top Travel Tips for Kumbh Mela 2027
Book Everything Early
Train tickets, bus tickets and hotels all sell out months before Amrit Snan dates. Don't wait.
Arrive a Day Before
Come the evening before Amrit Snan. Roads into Nashik will be gridlocked on the day itself.
Use Off-Peak Dates
There are 45+ auspicious bathing dates. Consider visiting on a quieter Parva Snan date instead.
Download Offline Maps
Download Nashik city maps on Google Maps offline. Mobile data can be slow during peak crowd days.
Nashik vs Trimbakeshwar
Decide which ghat you want first. Nashik (Ramkund) for Vaishnava, Trimbakeshwar for Shaiva traditions.
Light Packing Only
You'll be in large crowds. Leave valuables at your hotel. Carry a small waterproof bag for the ghat.
Book Your Nashik Hotel Now
Hotels near Ramkund will fill up fast — especially for Amrit Snan dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the nearest airport to Nashik?
Ozar Airport (Gandhinagar Airport, IATA: ISK) is the nearest airport, 25 km from the city. Mumbai Airport (BOM) is 167 km away and has far better connectivity for domestic and international flights.
How far is Nashik from Mumbai by train?
Nashik Road Railway Station is approximately 2.5–3 hours from Mumbai by fast train. The Panchavati Express and Tapovan Express are the most popular trains on this route.
Will there be special trains for Kumbh Mela 2027?
Yes. Indian Railways always runs special Kumbh Mela trains for such events. Watch IRCTC announcements from late 2026 onwards and book the moment they open.
What is the best time to arrive in Nashik for Amrit Snan?
Arrive the evening before your chosen Amrit Snan date. The processions start at dawn (around 4–5 AM) and roads into Nashik are blocked or heavily congested from midnight onwards on Snan days.