Key hubs
Araku Valley airport and railway station
- Airport
- Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (VTZ) at Bhogapuram, about 45 km from Visakhapatnam city, which has taken over scheduled flights from the old Visakhapatnam airport; Araku is several hours further by road
- Railway station
- Araku (ARK) on the Kothavalasa–Kirandul line, at about 925 m; Borra Guhalu station is a stop on the same line, near the caves
- Getting around
- Hire a cab or jeep for the day to cover the spread-out sights; the town centre (museums, bus stand) is walkable
How to reach Araku Valley by air
The nearest scheduled airport is Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (VTZ) at Bhogapuram, about 45 km from Visakhapatnam city. From there Araku is several hours further by road, so most visitors continue via Visakhapatnam by cab or train.
How to reach Araku Valley by train
Araku (ARK) lies on the Kothavalasa–Kirandul line, at about 925 m. A daily Vistadome tourist train runs from Visakhapatnam and takes roughly four hours; Borra Guhalu station, near the caves, is a stop on the same line. Book ahead.
How to reach Araku Valley by road
From Visakhapatnam, Araku is about 115–130 km by road via the Eastern Ghats, taking roughly three to four hours depending on traffic and weather. State buses and private cabs run regularly.
Getting around Araku Valley
Within the valley, hire a cab or jeep for the day to cover the spread-out sights. The town centre, including the bus stand and the Tribal and Coffee Museums, is walkable. Agree fares and stops before leaving.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Araku Valley
- Break the journey with a night in Araku; the ghat road and the long return can tire older travellers more than the sightseeing does.
- If you take the Vistadome train, book ahead; reserved seats are far more comfortable than standing in the passes.
- Carry water, snacks and any medication; there are few pharmacies between the sights, and mobile signal is patchy on the hill roads.
- Check road conditions in the monsoon; landslides and mist can make the ghat sections slow.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.