From Pune

Tadoba Safari from Pune

Flight time 1.5h · 720 km by road · Best trip: 4 nights / 5 days

Pune travellers have two strong options for Tadoba — fly via Mumbai or Nagpur, or drive the ~10 hour route through Aurangabad. Pune's direct flights to Nagpur are limited (most go via Mumbai), so the time advantage over driving is smaller than from other cities.

For weekend trips, we recommend the train: the overnight Garib Rath Express puts you in Nagpur by morning and back home by Sunday night. Pune's educated, wildlife-curious traveller base makes it our second-largest source after Mumbai.

How to get there

Three ways from Pune to Tadoba

Fly

1.5 hours

Direct PNQ→NAG service is sporadic. Most connect through BOM, total 3.5–4.5 hours including layover. Booking the BOM→NAG leg separately is often cheaper.

Drive

720 km · ~10h

Two routes: direct via NH160 through Aurangabad (~720 km / 11 hours surface highway), or Pune → Shirdi → Samruddhi Mahamarg → Nagpur (~700 km / 9–10 hours, faster thanks to the expressway portion). Pune exit traffic adds 60–90 minutes either way; plan to leave by 5 AM.

Train

~13h

12114 Pune–Nagpur Garib Rath Express runs overnight on alternate days. Pune Junction → Nagpur in around 13 hours.

Suggested trip length

4 nights / 5 days

A long weekend extended by 2 leave days. Pune travellers often fit Tadoba into a Friday evening to Wednesday morning slot using the overnight train both ways.

Plan this trip

Recommended for Pune

Packages we suggest for travellers from Pune

3N / 4D · 4 safaris

Tadoba Budget — 3 Nights

Complete Tadoba safari at our entry tier — mid-tier jungle resort with all meals, four jeep safaris across two gates, and AC sedan transfers from Nagpur. Best for first-time visitors who want the full experience without the premium spend. Quoted for two guests sharing.

From ₹74,000

3N / 4D · 4 safaris

Tadoba Mid — 3 Nights

Step up to a luxury jungle resort with private balconies, plus a 7-seater vehicle so families or small groups travel comfortably. Same four-safari, two-gate coverage as our Budget tier — the upgrade is in where you stay and how you travel. Quoted for two guests sharing.

From ₹94,000

Local tips

From Pune, specifically

01
The 12114 Garib Rath has AC 3-tier coaches at far lower fares than peak-season flights — book 60 days ahead.
02
If driving, the Pune-Aurangabad-Jalna stretch can be done in a day. Stage the second day from Jalna to Nagpur (5 hours) for a fresher safari start.
03
Pune's peak season for Tadoba is December–February — combine with the Pune winter calendar of festivals.

FAQ

Questions Pune travellers ask

Can I drive from Pune to Tadoba in one day?+

Yes, but it is a 10–11 hour drive on highways with sections of two-lane road past Akola. Most groups split it into two days with a night at Aurangabad. Driving straight through and starting a 6 AM safari the next morning is not realistic.

Is the Pune-Nagpur Garib Rath safe for solo women travellers?+

The 12114 service is well-rated and runs busy with families. AC 3-tier coaches have curtains and overhead luggage racks; the railway protection force patrols the train. Book a side lower berth in coach G2 or G3 for the safest, quietest sleep.

What is the cheapest way from Pune to Tadoba?+

The overnight Garib Rath (₹800–1,200 in 3AC) plus a shared cab from Nagpur (₹2,500 for a 4-seater Innova) typically runs ₹4,000 round-trip per person — half the price of flying.

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