Mumbai to Lonavala Distance: By Road, Train and Bus, with Thane and Navi Mumbai
Mumbai to Lonavala is about 83–100 km. Compare the Expressway, Atal Setu and old highway, trains, buses, Thane and Navi Mumbai routes and costs.
Mumbai to Lonavala is about 83–100 km by road, roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, or about 2 to 2.5 hours by express train from CSMT or Dadar. It is Mumbai's favourite weekend escape, which also means it is one of the busiest drives in the state on Saturdays in the monsoon. This guide compares the Expressway, the old highway and the Atal Setu route, the train and bus options, travel from Thane and Navi Mumbai, the cost of the trip, and the best stops on the way.
| Mode | Distance or time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Car via Mumbai–Pune Expressway | About 83–100 km, 1.5–2.5 hours | Fastest and most common |
| Car via the old Mumbai–Pune highway | About 90–100 km, 2.5–3.5 hours | Khopoli, Imagicaa and the Khandala ghat views |
| Car via Atal Setu from South Mumbai | About 95 km, 2–2.5 hours | South and central Mumbai, avoids the eastern suburbs |
| Express train | About 2–2.5 hours from CSMT | No driving; arrive in the town centre |
| Bus | 2.5–3.5 hours | Budget travel; confirm the Lonavala stop |
Mumbai to Lonavala by road: the Expressway
From most of Mumbai, head for the Sion–Panvel highway via the Eastern Express Highway or the Santacruz–Chembur link road, cross Vashi and continue to Kalamboli, where the Mumbai–Pune Expressway begins. The Expressway climbs the ghat after Khalapur; take the Lonavala exit for the town, Khandala and the villas on the Tungarli and Gold Valley side. Without traffic, Chembur to Lonavala takes about an hour and a half.
Via the Atal Setu from South Mumbai
From South and central Mumbai, the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) from Sewri crosses the harbour to Chirle near Nhava Sheva, from where you join the highway towards Palaspe and the Expressway. It avoids the eastern suburbs and can save a lot of time at peak hours; the bridge has its own toll.
Via the old Mumbai–Pune highway
The old highway (now part of NH48) runs from Panvel through Khalapur and Khopoli and climbs the Bhor Ghat to Khandala. It is slower, with towns and trucks, but passes Imagicaa and the Khandala ghat viewpoints, and it is an alternative when the Expressway ghat is jammed. Avoid the ghat bends at night in heavy rain.
Thane to Lonavala
From Thane, Lonavala is about 90 km. Take the Thane–Belapur road via Airoli to Vashi and the Sion–Panvel highway, or go via Mumbra and Shil Phata to Taloja and Kalamboli, then join the Expressway. It takes about two hours without traffic. Leave early on weekends: the Shil Phata and Kalamboli junctions jam.
Navi Mumbai and Panvel to Lonavala
From Vashi it is about 75 km, and from Panvel about 50–55 km, an hour or so by the Expressway. These are the easiest starting points for a Lonavala weekend, and many families from Navi Mumbai do it as a day trip.
Mumbai to Lonavala by train
Lonavala station is on the Central Railway main line to Pune, and many Mumbai–Pune express and intercity trains stop there. From CSMT or Dadar it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, climbing the Bhor Ghat through tunnels with views of the valley and waterfalls in the monsoon. Book reserved seats in advance for weekends. Mumbai suburban locals go only as far as Karjat and Khopoli, so they don't reach Lonavala. Check current trains and timings on the official railway apps.
Mumbai to Lonavala by bus
MSRTC buses (including the premium Shivneri services) and private buses run from Dadar, Sion, Thane and Borivali towards Pune. Many stop at Lonavala, but some Expressway buses skip it, so confirm when booking. It is the cheapest way to travel but slower in traffic.
Mumbai to Lonavala trip cost
| Item (return trip) | Rough cost | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel, hatchback or sedan | About ₹1,300 | 190 km at about 15 km per litre, petrol at about ₹100 |
| Fuel, SUV | About ₹2,000 | 190 km at about 10 km per litre |
| Tolls | Expressway tolls each way; extra if you use the Atal Setu | Depends on the route and vehicle class; keep your FASTag topped up |
| Cab with driver | Roughly ₹3,500–6,000 for a sedan, return, for a day trip | Varies by operator, vehicle and season |
These are rough planning figures. Fuel prices, toll rates and cab fares change, so check current prices before you travel.
Best stops on the way
- Food plazas on the Expressway near Khalapur, for breakfast and clean washrooms.
- Imagicaa, near Khopoli, if you take the old highway with children.
- Khandala ghat viewpoints: Amrutanjan Point and the view of Duke's Nose; see our Khandala guide.
- Karnala bird sanctuary, near Panvel, if you're coming via the old Goa road side.
Mumbai to Lonavala: day trip or weekend?
A day trip works if you leave by 6 or 7 am, see the viewpoints, Bhushi Dam (in the monsoon) and the Karla Caves, and head back after sunset. A weekend is far better: one day for the viewpoints and caves, a second for Lohagad, Bhaja and Pawna, with an evening by a private pool in between. Our Lonavala itinerary has both plans.
Best time to drive from Mumbai
- Leave: Friday after 9 pm, or Saturday before 7 am.
- Return: Sunday morning, or Monday if you can; Sunday 4–9 pm is the worst.
- Monsoon: expect slow ghat traffic and occasional closures for landslide work. Check traffic updates before leaving.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving Mumbai at 10 am on a monsoon Saturday and spending three hours at the ghat.
- Planning Bhushi Dam at midday on a weekend.
- Taking a Mumbai local train expecting it to reach Lonavala.
- Booking a villa on the far side of town from your plans; check the area first.
- Driving the old Khandala ghat after dark in heavy rain.
Other weekend getaways from Mumbai
If Lonavala is booked out, see our places to visit near Mumbai, from Karjat and Matheran to Alibaug and Igatpuri, and our Lonavala vs Karjat vs Igatpuri comparison.
Distance to Lonavala from Mumbai localities
| From | Approx. road distance | Usual route to the Expressway |
|---|---|---|
| Colaba, Nariman Point | About 100 km | Eastern Freeway or Atal Setu |
| Dadar, Worli | About 95 km | Eastern Freeway, Sion–Panvel highway |
| Bandra | About 95 km | Santacruz–Chembur link road |
| Andheri | About 100 km | JVLR, Eastern Express Highway, Vashi |
| Borivali, Kandivali | About 110–115 km | Western Express Highway, JVLR or Ghodbunder–Thane |
| Ghatkopar, Chembur | About 85 km | Sion–Panvel highway |
| Mulund | About 90–95 km | Airoli bridge, Thane–Belapur road |
| Kalyan, Dombivli | About 80–90 km | Shil Phata, Taloja, Kalamboli |
| Kharghar, Belapur | About 65 km | Sion–Panvel highway to Kalamboli |
Mumbai to Khandala
Khandala is the first of the twin towns you reach from Mumbai, at the top of the ghat. By the Expressway, take the Lonavala exit and turn back towards Khandala; by the old highway you pass straight through it after the ghat climb. It is a few kilometres shorter than Lonavala from Mumbai.
Mumbai to Lonavala in the monsoon: what changes
- Weekend traffic at the Expressway ghat, the Lonavala exit and the roads to Bhushi Dam and Tiger's Leap is far heavier from July to September.
- Fog and heavy rain reduce visibility on the ghat; drive slowly with low beams.
- Landslide repair work occasionally causes short closures; check traffic updates before you leave.
- Trains are a good alternative on wet weekends, and the ghat views from the train are spectacular.
Self-drive rental or a cab?
Self-drive cars from Mumbai rental companies give you flexibility for the viewpoints and a villa away from town. A cab with a driver suits families who don't want to drive the ghat; ask whether tolls, parking and the driver's night stay are included if you are staying over.
Frequently asked questions
What is the distance from Mumbai to Lonavala by road?+
About 83–100 km depending on where you start: around 83–90 km from Chembur or Sion and about 95–105 km from South Mumbai or the western suburbs.
How long does it take to drive from Mumbai to Lonavala?+
About 1.5 to 2.5 hours on the Expressway in normal traffic. Monsoon weekends can add an hour or more.
Which is the best route from Mumbai to Lonavala?+
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway via Vashi and Kalamboli. From South Mumbai, the Atal Setu to Chirle and on to the Expressway is often faster.
How do I go from Mumbai to Lonavala by train?+
Take an express or intercity train towards Pune from CSMT or Dadar that stops at Lonavala; it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Check timings on the railway apps.
Does the Mumbai local go to Lonavala?+
No, Mumbai locals end at Karjat and Khopoli. You need an express train, or a bus or cab from Khopoli.
What is the distance from Thane to Lonavala?+
About 90 km, roughly 2 hours via Airoli or Shil Phata to Kalamboli and then the Expressway.
How much does a cab from Mumbai to Lonavala cost?+
Roughly ₹3,500–6,000 for a sedan return day trip, depending on the operator, vehicle and season, plus tolls if not included.
Is the Mumbai to Lonavala drive safe in the monsoon?+
Yes, on the Expressway with care. Drive slowly in fog, keep to your lane and avoid the old ghat road at night.
Can I do a day trip from Mumbai to Lonavala?+
Yes. Leave by 6 or 7 am, cover the viewpoints, Bhushi Dam and Karla Caves, and return after sunset.
Are there buses from Mumbai to Lonavala?+
Yes, MSRTC and private buses towards Pune, many of which stop at Lonavala. Confirm the stop when you book.
Where should I stay in Lonavala if I'm coming from Mumbai?+
Khandala, Tungarli and Gold Valley are closest to the Lonavala exit of the Expressway, so you start the weekend faster.
Where to stay in Lonavala
Coming from Mumbai, the Khandala, Tungarli and Gold Valley side of Lonavala is the first you reach from the Expressway, so you can be at the pool within minutes of exiting.
BookMyFarm lists 31 private stays in and around Lonavala: 24 villas, 6 farmhouses and a weekend home, spread across Malavli, Tungarli, Gold Valley, Dongargaon, Khandala, Duke's Nose, Karla, Pawna and about a dozen other pockets. 28 of them have a private swimming pool. Each one is booked whole, so the house, lawn and pool are yours alone, and the stays sleep anything from 8 to 45 guests.
| Stay | Sleeps | Pool | More in this area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool villa in Khandala, Lonavala – BMF-V421 | Up to 12 guests | Private pool | villas in Khandala |
| Pool villa in Khandala, Lonavala – BMF-V398 | Up to 18 guests | Private pool | villas in Khandala |
| Pool villa near Tungarli Lake, Lonavala – BMF-V325 | Up to 8 guests | Private pool | villas near Tungarli Lake |
| Pool villa in Gold Valley, Lonavala – BMF-V309 | Up to 15 guests | Private pool | villas in Gold Valley |
| Farmhouse near Duke's Nose, Lonavala – BMF-F271 | Up to 25 guests | Private pool | stays near Duke's Nose |
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| Closest to the Expressway exit | villas in Khandala, villas near Tungarli Lake and villas in Gold Valley |
| A weekend from Mumbai | weekend villa getaways in Lonavala |
| A villa with a private pool | villas in Lonavala and the private pool villa collection |
| A big group or a party | villas for large groups and villas for birthday parties |
| A couple's trip | couple-friendly villas in Lonavala |
| A budget stay | budget villas in Lonavala and farmhouses in Lonavala |
| A family holiday | villas for family get-togethers |
At the time of writing, whole-villa prices start at around ₹4,000 a night on weekdays for a small villa without a pool, most pool villas cost roughly ₹7,000 to ₹16,000 on weekdays and ₹13,000 to ₹26,000 on Saturdays, and the largest luxury villas go above ₹30,000 on weekends. Long weekends, the monsoon weekends, Diwali, Christmas and New Year cost more and fill first. Prices change, so check the live rate on each listing. See every stay on the Lonavala stays page.
More Lonavala guides
- Places to visit in Lonavala and Khandala: 40 tourist places
- Khandala guide: places to visit, Duke's Nose and how to reach
- Places to visit near Lonavala within 50 and 100 km
- Lonavala distance chart from Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Surat and more
- Pune to Lonavala by local train and road
- Surat and Ahmedabad to Lonavala road trip
- Lonavala to Mahabaleshwar distance and road trip
- Lonavala itinerary for 1, 2 and 3 days, with trip cost
- Best time to visit Lonavala, month by month
- Lonavala in the monsoon: waterfalls, Bhushi Dam and Tiger Point
- Tiger Point (Tiger's Leap), Lonavala: how to reach and safety
- Bhushi Dam, Lonavala: monsoon overflow and safety rules
- Pawna Lake guide: camping, boating and how to reach
- Forts near Lonavala: Rajmachi trek and six forts compared
- Visapur Fort trek: routes, time and monsoon tips
- Tikona Fort trek and Pawna Lake
- Places to visit near Pune: one day picnic spots
- Places to visit near Mumbai: weekend getaways
- Villa in Lonavala with private pool: villas for families and groups