Are you planning a journey from the vibrant city of Pune 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.
Pune to Almora Distance
The road distance between Pune and Almora is significant, approximately 1550 to 1888 kilometers, depending on the specific route you take. Due to this extensive distance, direct travel by road is a very long journey. The travel time typically ranges from 24 to 37 hours by road, which usually means it requires an overnight stop, and can be much longer depending on your mode of transport, road conditions, and any stops you make.
How to Reach Almora from Pune
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 Pune.
1. By Road: Car or Taxi (Very Long Journey)
Driving directly from Pune to Almora is an exceptionally long journey, almost always undertaken over two days.
- Pune to Almora by Car:
- Distance: Roughly 1550 to 1888 km.
- Travel Time: A continuous drive would typically take around 24 to 37 hours. This means you’ll need to plan for at least one, possibly two, overnight stops.
- Route: You’ll generally head north from Pune, traversing states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and finally ascending into Uttarakhand. The initial part of the journey is on national highways, but as you near the Kumaon region, the roads become winding, requiring careful driving.
- Pros: Offers complete flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you like, allowing for sightseeing along the way.
- Cons: Extremely long and physically demanding for the driver(s). High fuel costs, numerous tolls, and the added expense of overnight accommodation. Requires a robust, well-maintained vehicle and experience with extensive long-distance driving, including mountain terrain.
- Tips: If opting to drive, plan your itinerary and rest stops meticulously. Ensure your car is in excellent condition, paying close attention to brakes and tires. Carry all necessary documents, an emergency kit, and ample water and snacks. Consider having multiple drivers to share the load.
- Pune to Almora by Taxi/Cab:
- Distance: Similar to driving your own car.
- Travel Time: Around 24 to 37 hours, usually involving one or more overnight halts.
- Booking: You can book inter-state taxis through various online and local services. Be prepared for a premium fare due to the distance and time commitment.
- Pros: You don’t have the stress of driving, allowing you to rest. A professional driver is experienced with long-distance and varied road conditions.
- Cons: This is a very expensive option due to the distance and the need to cover the driver’s return journey. Fares can be significant, potentially starting from ₹37,000 to ₹40,000 or more for a round trip.
- Tips: When booking, confirm the fare comprehensively, ensuring it includes all tolls, driver’s daily allowance, and any charges for overnight stays.
2. By Train (Long Journey to Nearest Station + Road)
Taking a train covers a major portion of the distance comfortably, allowing you to rest before completing the journey by road.
- Pune 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 (Pune to Kathgodam): This is a long train journey, typically taking around 27 to 32 hours, and sometimes involves a transfer (e.g., at Mumbai Central or Dadar). For example, the MMCT KGM SF SPL (09075) takes 27 hours 30 minutes from Mumbai Central to Kathgodam (you would first travel from Pune to Mumbai).
- Key Trains: There are usually a few weekly trains connecting Pune or Mumbai to Kathgodam or Lal Kuan. You might need to take a local train or taxi from Pune to Mumbai to catch a direct train to Kathgodam from there.
- Train Fare: Fares vary by class: Sleeper Class (SL) around ₹828-₹860, 3rd AC (3A) around ₹1,675-₹2,155, 2nd AC (2A) around ₹2,455-₹2,975, and 1st AC (1A) can be ₹4,600 or more.
- Pros: Much more comfortable and generally more economical than a continuous long bus or car journey for this distance, allowing you to relax, sleep, and move around.
- Cons: The train journey itself is very long. You will still need to arrange for onward travel from Kathgodam to Almora.
- Tips: Book your train tickets well in advance, especially for preferred classes, as they tend to fill up 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 (Multi-Leg and Very Long)
A direct bus journey from Pune to Almora is not practical or common due to the immense distance and is not generally recommended for comfort or speed. You would typically need multiple transfers.
- Pune to Almora by Bus (via Delhi/major hubs):
- Travel Time: This would involve multiple bus changes (e.g., Pune 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 with significant discomfort.
- 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 significantly less comfortable than train or flight. Managing luggage during transfers can be difficult. Schedules can be unpredictable.
- Tips: This option is generally not recommended for this route due to the extreme duration and multiple changes required.
4. By Air (Flight + Road – Recommended for Speed)
This is often the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Pune to Almora, despite involving a road segment.
- Pune (Pune International Airport – PNQ) 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 Pune 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 hours 45 minutes to 14 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 operate flights from Pune to Delhi, and IndiGo often has direct flights from Delhi to Pantnagar.
- Flight Fare: One-way flight fares from Pune to Pantnagar (with layover) can start from around ₹4,973 to ₹8,700 or more, depending on booking time, airline, and layover duration.
- Pros: This is by far the fastest way to cover the significant distance between Pune 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.
Choosing Your Best Way to Travel
Your ideal way to reach Almora from Pune 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 a balanced journey (less expensive than flight): A train to Kathgodam + Taxi is a good option, offering a comfortable long-distance journey before a shorter road trip into the hills.
- For budget travellers (with high patience): A multi-leg bus journey is theoretically possible but extremely demanding.
- For maximum flexibility and an adventurous road trip (over multiple days): Driving your own car.
No matter which way you choose, the long journey from Pune 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!
