How to get to Sangam
The closest international airport to Sangam is in Mumbai (formally Bombay) and flights arrive their daily from cities around the world. Most flights arrive between 11pm and 3am however in the past year, many more airlines are offering services direct from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.
Although Mumbai is a fascinating city to visit, Sangam recommends that you plan to come directly to Sangam from the Mumbai Airport and then perhaps plan to see Mumbai on your return journey. This allows people to arrive and catch up on sleep before the event begins and provides first time visitors the chance to adjust to India and cultural differences in the comfort of Sangam.
There are several ways to travel from the Mumbai Airport to Sangam. Pune is approximately 180km SE of Mumbai and the journey takes four hours by private vehicle. Read further information on suggested ways to make this journey.
There are some international flights from the Middle East and Singapore arriving to Pune airport.
While there is a domestic airport in Pune, services between Mumbai and Pune are limited in connection times with international arrivals and often require a long wait at the airport. For people arriving from elsewhere in India, flights are available daily between many major cities and Pune. The flight from Delhi takes 2 ½ hours.
Once you have made your arrangements, please inform Sangam of your arrival details. Our Event Administrator can provide assistance in booking some services for travel between Mumbai and Pune.
Travel from Mumbai Airport to Pune
The following information explains transportation options available for travel from Mumbai (Bombay) to Pune and return
OPTION A: Travel directly to Sangam upon arrival in Mumbai
Once you reach Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport there are several ways to get to Pune. Taking a taxi or bus directly to Sangam will be the easiest and quickest. Normally International flights arrive very late at night or in the early morning hours.
It is possible to take a train from central Mumbai to Pune, however waiting on the platform at these late hours is not pleasant and often transfers to the station can be expensive.
It is also possible to fly from Mumbai to Pune however as flights are either early morning (around 6-9am) or evening (5pm) they do not often connect with International arrivals.
All of the following services (with the exception of flights) can be arranged via Sangam. If you prefer to plan things yourself, then upon arrival at the airport there are travel agent counters that can assist you.
TAXI:
Sangam can book a taxi for you with a cost as applicable on date. A driver will wait outside of arrivals with a sign showing your name. Taxis are for up to four people and the time for travel is approximately four hours.
Prepaid taxis and buses are also available to book at the airport to transfer you to various points in Mumbai or straight to Pune.
BUS:
Several companies operate airport shuttle bus services to Pune. A seat on one of these mini buses will cost approximately Rs 550. The journey takes longer than coming in a direct taxi as the bus will often drop other passengers off in Pune before you.
There are buses running between Mumbai and Pune with a frequency of every 15 minutes. They start from ‘Dadar’ the centre of Mumbai city. In order to get there you need to take a taxi from the airport to the railway station. The bus will drop you at the Pune railway station. After getting down at Pune station you can take a rickshaw to Sangam.
For larger groups, a bus can be hired. Prices vary depending on group size, high deck Volvo, whether you have air conditioning or not, and the time of year. Sangam can book this for you – please contact us directly for a quote. As an example an 18 Seat Non A/C coach, non volvo costs approximately Rs. 10500/-.
TRAIN:
All the trains going to Pune start from the centre of Mumbai city. In order to get there you need to take a taxi from the airport to the railway station. You may have to wait for the train to start. The tickets can be bought at the counter but may not get a reserved seat. After getting down at Pune station you can take a rickshaw to Sangam.
International Airport (Mumbai) is located 1½ hours from Chhatripatti Shivaji Terminus (also called CST), which is the station in Mumbai where you board the train to Pune. There are many direct trains from Mumbai to Pune and the cost for an A/C Chair Car seat is approximately Rs. 300/-. Express trains usually depart Mumbai for Pune between 5am and 9am and 4pm and 6pm. The journey is approximately 3 ½ hours.
Check out Indian raliways website
PLANE:
As mentioned above, flights are available from Mumbai Domestic Terminal to Pune. The flight is less than one hour. Flights should be arranged by your travel agent or by contacting a Mumbai travel agent directly. There are shuttle buses between the International and domestic terminals. If you arrive around 1 or am, expect to wait until 6 or 7am for a domestic flight. The cost varies by season, however the cost tends to be between Rs. 6000/- to Rs. 8000/-.
OPTION B: Staying in Mumbai for several days before onward travel to Pune and Sangam
For the majority of groups we recommend travelling directly to Sangam upon arrival in India and then once oriented to the culture and country, continuing on to travel in other parts of India after the event. However, if you would like to stay in Mumbai for a few days before coming to Sangam, then all of the above travel options are still available (taxi, bus, train and plane). Sangam can help to arrange a Hotel in central Mumbai and we also have a travel agent that can offer ½ and full day tours. The cost for a half-day tour is approximately $50.00US depending on how many passengers (up to four people) and what kind of vehicle you use.
A meeting service can be arranged to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel if you prefer.
Additional information
You may want to hire a porter to help carry your luggage at the airport or station. The usual charge is Rs40/- to Rs45/- per bag.
Upon arrival at the airport there are money exchange counters that offer competitive rates.
When you reach Pune
From the Pune airport or train station it will take 20 minutes to travel to Sangam by auto rickshaw. If requested, a Sangam staff member will come and meet you and escort you to Sangam.
When arriving by train get off the train at ‘Pune Junction’, which may not be the final stop for the train. If you have asked to be met at the train station, please wait on the platform where you get down so that the Staff member can find you. If you do not want to be met, then ask the rickshaw driver for Alandi Road, near the new RTO or Phulenagar (Foo-lay-nah-gar); this is the neighborhood opposite Sangam and is much better known than we are. If the rickshaw driver sees you in uniform he may recognise you as being from Sangam.
Arrivals at Sangam can be greeted by international staff between the hours of 8am– 10pm. If you arrive between 10pm and 8am your rooms will be prepared and the night watchman will assist you to your rooms.
What should I do next?
After reading this information, please contact Sangam to request any of the services. When doing so, fill in the travel information form.
If you are making your own arrangements for travel to Pune, we request that you let us know your anticipated arrival date and time.
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any further questions. We look forward to welcoming you to Sangam.