Maharashtra is India's second-most populous state and a powerhouse of culture, history, and natural beauty. Home to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, ancient UNESCO World Heritage cave complexes at Ajanta and Ellora, majestic Sahyadri mountain forts, and pristine Konkan coastline beaches, Maharashtra offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences for every type of traveler.
- Public
- Mumbai's suburban rail network is the lifeblood of the city. Pune's metro, Nagpur's metro, and city buses provide good coverage.
- Taxi
- Ola and Uber are reliable, metered, and safe across all major Maharashtra cities. Always preferred over street-hailed autos for tourists.
- Rental
- Self-drive cars from Zoomcar and Revv are useful for Tadoba safari access and Konkan coast road trips.
- Walking
- South Mumbai (Colaba to Fort), Pune's FC Road and Koregaon Park, and Aurangabad old city are very walkable.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $5-12 (Ola/Uber from Mumbai airport to city)
- Taxi Info
- App-based taxis are the most recommended. Pre-paid taxis available at the airport are fixed-rate.
- Shuttle
- $3-5 (shared van service from Pune airport)
- Shuttle Info
- Available for Pune airport; book through hotel or at the arrivals hall
- Bus
- $0.60 (BEST bus from Mumbai airport area)
- Bus Info
- BEST buses connect from Andheri/Kurla area to various city destinations
- Private
- $15-30 (pre-booked private car from Mumbai T2 to South Mumbai)
- Private Info
- Book through hotel concierge or travel apps like MakeMyTrip
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
BEST buses in Mumbai cover all areas; city buses in Pune and Nagpur are extensive. Fares from ₹5-15 ($0.06-0.18).
Alternatives
Mumbai Metro (Lines 1, 2A, 7), Pune Metro (Line 1), auto-rickshaws, and Ola/Uber supplement bus networks.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- ₹25 ($0.30) base fare + ₹14/km for Ola Mini
- Apps
- Ola, Uber, Rapido (two-wheeler taxi)
- App Names
- Ola, Uber, Rapido
- Typical Fare
- $2-5 for an average city ride in Mumbai or Pune
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
MSRTC Shivneri (AC sleeper): Mumbai to Pune ₹500-700 ($6-8), journey 3-4h
Shared
Shared taxis available for Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Nashik, and Nashik-Aurangabad corridors
Flights
Mumbai to Nagpur from ₹2,000 ($24); Mumbai to Aurangabad from ₹1,500 ($18)
Private
Self-drive car rental from ₹1,500/day ($18) from Zoomcar or Revv
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Maharashtra has one of India's most comprehensive transport networks. Mumbai and Pune are connected to the world by major international and domestic airports, while an extensive rail network including suburban trains, intercity expresses, and Vande Bharat trains links all major cities. State buses (MSRTC) run 19,000+ routes across the entire state.
Airports
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Pune International Airport
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur
Aurangabad Airport (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
IRCTC Rail Connect
Official Indian Railways app for booking intercity train tickets
Ola
India's most popular ride-hailing app, available across all Maharashtra cities
Uber
International ride-hailing app operating in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik
MSRTC app
Official Maharashtra state bus booking app for intercity MSRTC routes
Rapido
Two-wheeler taxi app for short distances and beating traffic in Pune and Mumbai
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Mumbai local train day pass for ₹100 ($1.20) for unlimited suburban travel
Download Ola and Uber before arrival — both work without a local SIM using international cards
Mumbai local trains separate into first class and second class carriages; tourists often buy first class for more space
Auto-rickshaws in Mumbai operate only north of Bandra; use taxis in South Mumbai
Book Shatabdi and Vande Bharat train tickets on IRCTC app at least 30 days in advance
MSRTC's Shivneri buses from Mumbai CST to Pune are air-conditioned and reliable — book online
For Tadoba safari, hire a local jeep operator from Chandrapur; don't bring a rental car inside the park
The Trans Harbour Link bridge (inaugurated 2024) significantly cuts Mumbai-Navi Mumbai travel time