How to Reach Bandhavgarh

Reaching Bandhavgarh National Park by Air

If time is an important factor for tourists, then flying is the fastest means of getting as near the park as possible. Following are the closest airports you can fly into:

1. Jabalpur Airport (Dumna Airport)

• Distance from Bandhavgarh: 200 km
• Travel Time: 4-5 hours by road
• Details: It is considered to be one of the nearest airports. The airport is also very well-connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Therefore, it is more frequently travelled by most tourists since frequent flights are available.

2. Khajuraho Airport

• Distance: 261 km from Bandhavgarh
• Travel Time: 5-6 hours by road
• Details: Although a bit further, Khajuraho Airport presents an added cultural bonus - one can visit the famous temples of Khajuraho before setting on their voyage to Bandhavgarh. Regular flights from cities like Delhi and Varanasi cater to this airport.

3. Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal

• Distance: 509.6 km from Bandhavgarh
• Time duration: 8-9 hours by road
• Details: Although further away, Bhopal Airport is a good option if you want to travel internationally or if the frequency of flights is more desirable.

How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park by Rail

The journey to Bandhavgarh is one of the most beautiful and economical ways to travel by train. Following are the railway stations near the park:

1. Umaria Railway Station

• Distance: 35 km from Bandhavgarh
• Travel Time: 1 hour by road
• Details: The nearest railway station is Umaria from the park. It is well connected by trains from cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jabalpur with good frequency. Cabs and buses are easily available from the station to the park.

2. Katni Railway Station

• Distance: 100 km from Bandhavgarh
• Travel Time: 2-3 hours by road
• Details: Katni Junction is a major station with good connectivity to major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi. Taxis and buses are easily available from here to reach Bandhavgarh.

3. Jabalpur Railway Station

• Distance: 200 km from Bandhavgarh
• Travel Time: 4-5 hours by road
• Details: Being one of the major railway centres within the region, Jabalpur has most of the train services originating from any part of the country. The scenic road journey from Jabalpur to Bandhavgarh is an added bonus.

How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park by Road

In fact, the drive to Bandhavgarh is a feast of beautiful landscapes for road trip aficionados. The park is well connected with inter-city highways. The best routes are described below:

1. From Jabalpur:

• Route: Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 200 km
• Travel Time: 4-5 hours
• Details: This route is one of the most sought-after due to smooth roads and beautiful landscapes along the way.

2. From Khajuraho:

• Route: Khajuraho – Panna – Satna – Maihar – Barhi – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 250 km
• Travel Time: 5-6 hours
• Details: The pictorial route enables you to pass through the Panna National Park and Satna, housing various sights to see.

3. From Bhopal:

• Route: Bhopal – Sagar – Damoh – Katni – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 450 km
• Travel Time: 8-9 hours
• Details: This route is longer and gives more opportunities to explore Madhya Pradesh's landscape and towns on the way to Bandhavgarh.

4. From Delhi:

• Route: Delhi – Agra – Gwalior – Jhansi – Sagar – Damoh – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 950 km
• Travel Time: 16-18 hours
• Details: Long, yet satisfying, this route covers quite a number of major highways and has lots of options for breaks and stopovers.

5. From Mumbai:

• Route: Mumbai – Nashik – Dhule – Indore – Bhopal – Sagar – Damoh – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 1,200 km
• Travel Time: 20-22 hours
• Details: As the route will cover major highways, this route is for those who love long drives. The journey will be comfortable and scenic, providing stops along the route.

6. From Kolkata:

• Route: Kolkata – Durgapur – Asansol – Dhanbad – Varanasi – Rewa – Shahdol – Umaria – Bandhavgarh.
• Distance: 1,100 km
• Travel Time: 18-20 hours
• Details: Combining urban and rural roads, the journey presents a lifetime of experience with the varied landscapes of India while driving.

7. From Bangalore:

• Route: Bangalore – Anantapur – Hyderabad – Nagpur – Seoni – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 1,500 km
• Travel Time: 24-26 hours
• Details: Quite a long drive, it encompasses a wide array of terrains-from the bustling cityscapes of Bangalore and Hyderabad to the serene forests near Bandhavgarh.

8. From Indore:

• Route: Indore – Bhopal – Sagar – Damoh – Katni – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 700 km
• Travel Time: 12-13 hours
• Details: This direct route will take one via major highways, and hence the drive is pretty smooth and comfortable.

9. From Ahmedabad:

• Route: Ahmedabad – Udaipur – Kota – Shivpuri – Gwalior – Jhansi – Sagar – Damoh – Jabalpur – Shahpura – Umaria – Bandhavgarh
• Distance: 1,100 km
• Travel Time: 18-20 hours
• Details: The national and state highway mixture offers an exciting drive with plenty of options to stop along the way.

Summary

No matter how you travel, Bandhavgarh National Park is accessible by air, road, and rail. One can fly in, arrive by train, or drive in-whichever your means of travelling, it will be part of the adventure. Plan the route according to your preference and get ready to explore the untamed beauty and wildlife that Bandhavgarh has in store.