How To Reach Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri is a coastal city in the district of Ratnagiri on the western coast of India. The district lies on the southwestern parts of Maharashtra. The Konkan region of which Ratnagiri is a part is known for its beautiful beaches and temples. The district of Ratnagiri in encircled by the Arabian Sea on its west, Raigad in the north, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur in the east and Sindudurg in the south. The Sahyadri mountain ranges run through the boundary of Ratnagiri to the east.

The Konkan Railways connects Ratnagiri to the capital city of Mumbai in the north and Goa in the south. Mumbai is about 356 km from Ratnagiri, while Goa is 240 km away. Being a tourist and port city with a good footfall in tourist seasons, Ratnagiri has a good access to cities and towns of the neighborhood. The most ideal way to reach Ratnagiri would be by train.

The Lokmanya Balagangadhar Tilak Airport at Ratnagiri has domestic direct and connecting flights to cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. The airports at Sindudurg and Ratnagiri are the latest airports on the Konkan region.

The closest international airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai. Mumbai airport has international flights to cities like Singapore, Dubai, and Bangkok, Zurich and Kuala Lampur and domestic flights to most Indian cities. You could also book a flight to Kolhapur that serves flights from Mumbai, Thirupathi, Bengaluru, Belgaum and Hyderabad. You could reach Ratnagiri from either Mumbai or Kolhapur by bus or a hired cab.

Ratnagiri Railway Station, which is one of the prime rail heads on the Konkan railways, has a good connectivity with most cities across the country like Mumbai, Goa, Coimbatore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, New Delhi and Amritsar. Trains like the Kochuveli – Amritsar Weekly SF Express, and Coimbatore – Hisar AC SF Express, NZM – Mao Premium Express (New Delhi – Goa) are just some of the trains that run via Ratnagiri on a daily, bi weekly or weekly trip.

The Ratnagiri rail station is well developed with modern amenities like escalators and elevators and a well-equipped canteen. You can board a local bus from the bus stop outside the station to reach the Ratnagiri Bus Stand or hire an auto rickshaw or taxi from outside the railway station to reach your destination.

Ratnagiri has MSRTC as well as a number of private regular, semi sleeper and air conditioned sleeper buses driving in from most cities of Goa and Maharashtra including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur and Belgaum as well as buses from Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram etc.

The roads on the Konkan region are some of the most charming locales and tourists would prefer a drive to Ratnagiri from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur or Goa. The Mumbai – Ratnagiri road that meanders along the Konkan Coast with ancient forts and temples on the way are bound to be an unforgettable experience.

There are cabs that can be booked for a day’s sightseeing. Cabs can be arranged for a pick up from the railway station, airport, bus stand or your accommodation. There are local MSRTC and private buses aplenty that can be boarded at the Ratnagiri Bus Depot and apart from getting off at local destinations, you could use these buses to reach the tourist towns in the neighborhood.

For shorter distances you would always find the auto rickshaws as well as a jeep or SUV that can be hired for a pick up or drop. Ratnagiri and Ganpatipule have two wheeler and bikes that can be used on a day rental basis for getting around town.