Key hubs
Matheran airport and railway station
- Airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM) and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI, commercial flights since December 2025) are the nearest; both are roughly 2 to 3 hours by road to Neral and Dasturi, traffic dependent
- Railway station
- Neral Junction (NRL) on the Central Railway Mumbai-Karjat line is the railhead; the Matheran Hill Railway (narrow gauge) runs from Neral to Matheran town
- Getting around
- No private motor vehicles in town. Park at Dasturi Naka, then walk, take a horse, hand-pulled rickshaw or e-rickshaw. The Aman Lodge shuttle train runs to Matheran station even in the monsoon.
How to reach Matheran by air
The nearest major airports are Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai (BOM) and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), which began commercial operations in December 2025. Allow about two to three hours by road to Neral or Dasturi Naka, depending on traffic. Pune (PNQ) is also an option.
How to reach Matheran by train
Neral Junction (NRL) on the Central Railway Mumbai-Karjat line is the railhead. Suburban and mainline trains stop there. From Neral the narrow-gauge Matheran Hill Railway climbs about 21 km to Matheran, with stops at Jumapatti, Water Pipe and Aman Lodge, usually taking more than two hours.
How to reach Matheran by road
Matheran is about 90 km from Mumbai and about 120 km from Pune. Cars and taxis go via Neral to Dasturi Naka, the parking area outside the car-free zone. Check road and landslide conditions in the monsoon.
Getting around Matheran
Beyond Dasturi Naka there are no private motor vehicles. Use the Aman Lodge shuttle train to Matheran station, e-rickshaws, hand-pulled rickshaws, horses or your own feet. Hotels can arrange porters for luggage.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Matheran
- Arrive early in the day and take the Aman Lodge shuttle or an e-rickshaw rather than walking from Dasturi Naka with luggage; confirm the shuttle timings on the day.
- Horses are the traditional mobility aid, but a rickshaw pulled by hand is gentler on the back. Agree the price before you set off, and ask for a quiet horse.
- Ask your hotel about steps, porterage and hot water before booking, since many buildings are old and have no lifts.
- 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.