subject: Different Modes Of Transportation For Visiting Shirdi [print this page] Travellers from different parts of the world can get to Shirdi easily through rail, road and air. Every year, numerous devotees and tourists flock to Shirdi for visiting several pilgrimage sites that are considered sacred by followers of Sai Baba. This small town situated in Ahmednagar District has now achieved worldwide popularity as the 'Land of Sai'. Recent developments that have taken place in this region have given greater convenience for visitors. They can now have various options in terms of transportation and places for stay during their trip to Shirdi. This region is characterized by a pleasant climate, but the period between June and March would be best time for travel. People visiting this region can choose any transportation mode to visit Shirdi and several holy sites that the place has to offer for pilgrims.
Having known enough about Sai Baba and Shirdi, the question that people ask before embarking on a journey to this holy place is how to visit Shirdi? Nearest airports are located in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmednagar, which offers great convenience for international and domestic tourists travelling by air. After their arrival in any of these cities, they can either hire private vehicles or choose public transport to reach Shirdi. The Sainagar Shirdi station, which became operational in 2009, links major cities of India to this town through many trains. Other railway stations close to Shirdi are Kopargaon, Manmad Junction, Nasik Road and Aurangabad. People can also find a small booking office within the Shirdi temple complex that offers computerized railway tickets. On certain occasions, there are some special trains which run between North and South India through Kopargaon. For those who prefer travel by road, there are numerous buses that help pilgrims reach Shirdi. Long-distance tours are available by bus from Mumbai, Pune, Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Local bus services are also available from Kopargaon and Manmad stations that are of great help for individuals visiting the region. For those who prefer private luxury buses, there are several air conditioned and non-air conditioned buses available from Mumbai, Nasik, Pune and Bangalore. There is a bus station opposite Sri Sainath Hospital which is located on the main road.
People planning a trip to Shirdi may be required to book tickets well in advance to avoid any untoward situations. This is especially true in case of peak seasons, when this region receives maximum number of visitors. As internet is making its presence felt in many homes, ticket bookings have become much easier. People who visit Shirdi by rail, road or air can now book their tickets through certain sites that offer online bookings. Those who want last-minute bookings to be made can approach travel agents who can make their travel a possibility in most of the cases. Organized trips to Shirdi are offered by many tour operators which give a chance for devotees or tourists in having a hassle-free travel. They also handle the responsibility of booking accommodations in one of the best hotels that Shirdi has to offer for its visitors.
