Key hubs
Bandhavgarh airport and railway station
- Airport
- No airport at the park. Jabalpur (JLR) is the usual choice, about 4 hours by road; Khajuraho (HJR) is farther. Nagpur is an alternative, much farther.
- Railway station
- Umaria (UMR), about 30–35 km from Tala; Katni Junction is the bigger railhead, around 100 km away, with more trains
- Getting around
- Private car or lodge transfer to the gates; inside the park you travel only in the authorised safari jeep with a guide
How to reach Bandhavgarh by air
There is no airport at the park. Jabalpur (JLR) is the usual gateway, about 4 hours by road (roughly 190 km). Khajuraho (HJR) is another option, but much farther, around 237 km by road.
How to reach Bandhavgarh by train
Umaria (UMR) is the nearest railway station, about 30–35 km and roughly 45–60 minutes from Tala. Katni Junction, about 100 km away, has more services; lodges generally arrange station pickups.
How to reach Bandhavgarh by road
Tala is reached via Umaria from Jabalpur and Katni, on national and state highways; allow about 4 hours from Jabalpur and about 2 hours from Katni. Roads are good, but night driving near the forest is best avoided.
Getting around Bandhavgarh
Arrange a lodge transfer or hired car for the gates; Tala, Khitauli and Magdhi gates are some distance apart. Inside the park, only the authorised safari jeep with a guide is allowed.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Bandhavgarh
- Book the morning drive for the first full day; it is the coldest, so carry a warm layer, a scarf and gloves in winter, even when midday is mild.
- Keep a day of rest between double safari days. Most older travellers find two drives a day is the limit.
- Carry medication, drinking water and a hat; there are no toilets or shops inside the park.
- 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.