subject: Mumbai To Mahabaleshwar - From The Gateway Of India To The Hill Retreat [print this page] Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is the capital city of the state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is a natural quay situated at the mouth of River Ulhas on the western coast of India. Mumbai lies along the coast of Arabian Sea at an elevation of mere 14 meters from the sea level. Mumbai is the most densely populated city of India and the fifth most populous city of the world. Mumbai is said to be inhabited since the stone ages. Mumbai was originally built on a group of seven islands (Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Old Woman's Island (Little Colaba), and Worli), which were collectively known as Heptanesia. Mumbai was ruled by various dynasties like Satavahanas, Konkan Mauryas and Rashtrakutas among others.
Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station tucked away in the Western Ghats in the Satara District of Maharashtra. Situated at an altitude of 1353 kilometers above sea level, Mahabaleshwar is the embodiment of natural beauty. Located at a distance of about 285 kilometers south-west of Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is surrounded by valleys at all sides. Mahabaleshwar comprises of three villages Malcolm Peth, Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar and Shindola and lies on a plateau of with an area of around 150 square kilometers.
Both Mumbai and Mahabaleshwar are located in the state of Maharashtra and the distance between both is about 221 km by road. The time taken to reach from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar by road is about 4 hours. Since it is a hill resort, Mahabaleshwar has no airport or railway station of its own. The nearest airport is at Pune, and it is well connected with Mumbai. Those who wish to travel by air can reach Pune and hire a taxi or board a bus to reach Mahabaleshwar.
The railhead nearest to Mahabaleshwar, which is directly connected to Mumbai, is Wathar (WTR). From here, one can hire taxi or hop into a bus to proceed to Mahabaleshwar. Some of the trains that run along this route are Koyna Express (11029) and the Sahyadri Express (11023) among others. Online ticket reservation is possible if one wish to travel by train.
Buses are the other alternatives to travel from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. There are numerous buses (both government operated and private operated) that ply between both the places at regular intervals. Many types of buses ranging from non A/C luxury bus to A/C Volvo operate between the two locations and one can choose the one best suited to ones budget.
Moreover, taxis can be hired from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar for a fare ranging from INR 5,000 to INR 8,000 for a round trip. Though costly, this can be the ideal mode of travel for a family consisting of elders and kids.
