Are you planning a journey from the bustling city of Mumbai to the peaceful hills of Almora? This guide will help you understand all the ways to travel, making your trip easy and enjoyable. Almora, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is famous for its beautiful scenery, unique culture, and calm atmosphere. Let’s find out how you can reach this lovely destination.
Mumbai to Almora Distance
The road distance between Mumbai and Almora is very long, approximately 1550 to 1852 kilometers, depending on the specific route you take. Due to this significant distance, direct travel by road is an extensive journey. The travel time typically ranges from 24 to 30 hours by road, but can be much longer depending on your mode of transport, road conditions, and any stops you make.
How to Reach Almora from Mumbai
Given the long distance, a multi-mode journey combining flights or trains with road travel is often the most practical and comfortable way to reach Almora from Mumbai.
1. By Road: Car or Taxi (Long Journey)
Driving directly from Mumbai to Almora is a very long journey, usually undertaken over multiple days.
- Mumbai to Almora by Car:
- Distance: Roughly 1550 to 1852 km.
- Travel Time: A continuous drive would take approximately 24 to 30 hours, meaning it’s generally a 2-day journey with an overnight stop.
- Route: You’ll typically head north from Mumbai, crossing Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and then entering Uttar Pradesh and finally Uttarakhand. The journey involves long stretches on national highways before you reach the winding mountain roads of Uttarakhand.
- Pros: Offers complete flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you like, allowing for sightseeing along the way.
- Cons: Extremely long and tiring for the driver(s). High fuel costs, tolls, and the need for overnight accommodation. Requires a well-maintained vehicle and experience with long-distance driving, including mountain roads.
- Tips: If driving, plan your stops carefully. Ensure your car is serviced, especially brakes and tires. Carry all necessary documents, emergency kits, and ample water and snacks.
- Mumbai to Almora by Taxi/Cab:
- Distance: Similar to driving your own car.
- Travel Time: Around 24 to 30 hours, often involving an overnight halt.
- Booking: You can book inter-state taxis through various online services. Expect this to be a premium service due to the distance and time involved.
- Pros: You don’t have to drive, allowing you to rest. A professional driver handles the long and diverse road conditions.
- Cons: Very expensive due to the distance and the need for the driver to return or be compensated for the return journey. Fares can start from ₹37,000 to ₹40,000 or more for a round trip.
- Tips: Negotiate the fare comprehensively, ensuring it includes all tolls, driver’s allowance, and any overnight charges.
2. By Train (Long Journey to Nearest Station + Road)
Taking a train covers a significant portion of the distance comfortably, and then you complete the journey by road.
- Mumbai to Kathgodam by Train:
- Nearest Railway Station to Almora: Kathgodam (KGM), located about 82-95 km from Almora. Lal Kuan (LKU) is also a nearby station.
- Travel Time (Mumbai to Kathgodam): This is a long train journey, typically taking around 26 to 30 hours. For example, the MMCT KGM SF SPL (09075) takes 27 hours 30 minutes from Mumbai Central.
- Key Trains: There are usually one or two weekly trains connecting Mumbai (like Mumbai Central or Bandra Terminus) to Kathgodam or Lal Kuan directly. For example, MMCT KGM SF SPL (09075) is a weekly train from Mumbai Central to Kathgodam.
- Train Fare: Fares vary by class: Sleeper Class (SL) around ₹850-₹860, 3rd AC (3A) around ₹1,800-₹2,155, 2nd AC (2A) around ₹2,700-₹2,975, and 1st AC (1A) can be ₹4,600-₹19,000.
- Pros: Much more comfortable than a continuous bus or car journey for this distance, allowing you to relax, sleep, and move around. Generally more economical than flying for the long distance.
- Cons: The train journey itself is very long. You still need to arrange for onward travel from Kathgodam to Almora.
- Tips: Book your train tickets well in advance, especially for popular classes, as they get filled quickly. Once you reach Kathgodam, you will easily find shared taxis, private cabs (fares from Kathgodam to Almora start from around ₹1,312 for an AC Sedan and ₹1,968 for an AC SUV), and local buses that will take you the remaining 2.5 to 3 hours to Almora.
3. By Bus (Very Long Journey with Transfers)
A direct bus journey from Mumbai to Almora is not practical or common due to the immense distance. You would likely need multiple transfers.
- Mumbai to Almora by Bus (via Delhi/major hubs):
- Travel Time: This would involve multiple bus changes (e.g., Mumbai to Delhi, then Delhi to Almora or a hub like Kathgodam/Haldwani). The total travel time could easily exceed 35-40 hours, making it a multi-day journey.
- Pros: Potentially the cheapest option for the ground journey if you are highly budget-constrained and comfortable with long, multi-leg trips.
- Cons: Extremely long, tiring, and less comfortable. Managing luggage during transfers can be difficult. Schedules can be unpredictable.
- Tips: This option is generally not recommended for this route unless absolutely necessary. If you choose this, plan each leg of the journey meticulously, considering overnight stays.
4. By Air (Flight + Road – Recommended for Speed)
This is often the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Mumbai to Almora, despite involving a road segment.
- Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport – BOM) to Pantnagar Airport (PGH) by Flight:
- Nearest Airport to Almora: Pantnagar Airport (PGH), approximately 115-127 km from Almora.
- Flight Options: There are no direct flights from Mumbai to Pantnagar. You will need to take a connecting flight, usually via Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport – DEL).
- Flight Duration: The total flight time, including layover in Delhi, can range from 5 to 9 hours or more, depending on the layover duration. The direct flight from Delhi to Pantnagar is about 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes.
- Airlines: Major airlines like IndiGo, Vistara, Air India operate flights from Mumbai to Delhi, and IndiGo often has direct flights from Delhi to Pantnagar.
- Flight Fare: One-way flight fares from Mumbai to Pantnagar (with layover) can start from around ₹4,733 to ₹13,000 or more, depending on booking time, airline, and layover duration.
- Pros: This is the fastest way to cover the significant distance between Mumbai and Uttarakhand. It minimizes travel fatigue compared to long train or road journeys.
- Cons: Generally the most expensive option. Requires transfers and managing baggage. You still have a road journey from Pantnagar to Almora.
- Tips: Book your flights well in advance for better fares. From Pantnagar Airport, you can easily hire a taxi to Almora. The taxi ride from Pantnagar to Almora takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours and will cost approximately ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 (fares vary, some sources indicate ₹1,700-₹2,100 from Pantnagar to Kathgodam, Almora would be further).
Choosing Your Best Way to Travel
Your ideal way to reach Almora from Mumbai depends on what matters most to you:
- For the fastest travel time: Flight to Pantnagar + Taxi is the most efficient, despite the transfer.
- For comfort and budget balance: A train to Kathgodam + Taxi is a good option, offering a comfortable long-distance journey before a shorter road trip.
- For extreme budget travellers (and high patience): A multi-leg bus journey is theoretically possible but highly demanding.
- For maximum flexibility and adventure (but demanding): Driving your own car over 2 days.
No matter which way you choose, the long journey from Mumbai to Almora will eventually lead you to a charming destination known for its spiritual significance and breathtaking natural beauty. Enjoy your travels to the serene hills of Almora!
