Key hubs
Kolad airport and railway station
- Airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM), about 129 km by road; Pune (PNQ) is the other option, roughly 80 km from the station as the crow flies, longer by road
- Railway station
- Kolad (KOL) on the Konkan Railway, with few halting trains daily; Roha (about 13 km north) has more services
- Getting around
- Private car or hired driver is easiest; MSRTC buses and autos link Kolad with Roha and Mangaon
How to reach Kolad by air
The nearest major airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM), about 129 km by road. Pune (PNQ) is another option; Wikipedia puts the Kolad station about 80 km from Pune's airport in a straight line, so allow longer by road.
How to reach Kolad by train
Kolad (KOL) is the first station on the Konkan Railway, but only a few trains halt there daily. Roha, about 13 km up the line, has more services, and Mangaon is the railhead for the Bhira side.
How to reach Kolad by road
Kolad is on the old Mumbai-Goa highway (NH 66, formerly NH 17), about 117 km from Mumbai. From Pune you can use the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to the Khopoli exit and a state highway, or the Tamhini Ghat road.
Getting around Kolad
A private car or hired driver is easiest for forts and trailheads. MSRTC buses and autos link Kolad with Roha and Mangaon, but are less practical for sightseeing.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Kolad
- Plan one main activity a day and rest in the afternoon; the climate is humid and the drives are winding.
- Carry water and snacks; sights have few facilities.
- Check road conditions on ghat roads after heavy rain.
- 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.