Thane to Lonavala by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

Lonavala is the most popular mountain destination in Maharashtra. It is also the most popular hilly getaway for travellers from Mumbai and Pune. Also known as the Jewel of the Sahyadri, it offers the most pleasant temperatures, scenic views of the Western Ghats, and lush greenery, making it the most refreshing break from the nearby urban jungles.

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Why travel from Thane to Lonavala?

If you are seeking a respite from your city life, then nothing can be more refreshing than a road trip during this season from the suburbs of Thane to Lonavala.

With Savaari’s customizable tour packages from Thane to Lonavala, you can personalize your travel itinerary and turn this simple drive into a memorable trip. Experience the joy of being on the road by booking Thane car rental from Savaari.

Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Thane to Lonavala by road.

Traveling from Thane to Lonavala by car

The driving route between Thane and Lonavala is the most scenic one between Mumbai and Pune and one of the most popular ones in the state. The road passes through the hills and valleys of the Western Ghats. With our cab service from Thane to Lonavala, you can enjoy the ride along the broad highways overlooking the Western Ghats.

After arriving in the city, consider booking our Lonavala car rental with a driver and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city without the hassle of navigating on your own.

On your way, you will pass through scenic locales and tourist hotspots like Panvel, Khopoli, Rajmachi, and Khandala. Make the most of your personalized cab rental from Savaari, and take a detour to Karnala Bird Sanctuary or Aamby Valley, before you reach Lonavala.

With your customized Thane to Lonavala itinerary, you can stop by any of these places for a quick tour, photo ops, picnics, or just grab a bite on your way. Book a Thane car rental for the best experience

Best Time To Visit

Lonavala sits at about 2000 feet on the hills and hence experiences cool and pleasant weather all year round. However, occasionally, the peak summer months can get very hot. But the real beauty of the place comes out during the monsoon when the rains paint the town and its surroundings in a velvety green shade.

To experience the fresh greenery, you can travel during the rainy season. Or, you can also visit in the winter, when the temperatures in Lonavala are much lower and gives a real feel of winter.

Popular Routes from Thane to Lonavala

Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Thane to Lonavala via NH48 & Bangalore- Mumbai Highway/Mumbai-Pune Expressway

This is the shortest, fastest, and most popular route to travel from Thane to Lonavala. It is also the major route, used by most interstate travelers/tourists. The traffic on this route is also minimal, and there are no road closures like other inner roads. There may be tolls on the way. Thane to Lonavala distance on this route is somewhere around 84KM and takes about two hours. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Thane to Lonavala road conditions. 

Here’s the basic route map from Thane to Lonavala-

Thane — Mumbra — Kalamboli — Kon — Kumbhivali — Khandala — Lonavala

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Khargar Lake, Khargar – A locally popular, huge waterbody, with promenade and food options, good for a food/tea break. 
• Shivganga Water Park and Resorts, Panvel – A water-themed park in a resort, good for a leisurely tour with kids and family.,
• Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Karnala – A natural enclave and the largest bird sanctuary of the state, good for birding tours in winters, or forest treks in monsoon. 
• Karnala Fort – The ruins of a historical fort on a hill, sitting in the middle of dense greenery, great for bird watching, day treks, or panoramic views.
• MIDC Hills, Rasayani – Local nature hotspot, offering great views of the surroundings, good for sunset views. 
• Duke’s Nose Peak, Khandala – The key attraction of the town, this peak is a popular haunt for locals and tourists alike, best seen during monsoon, good for day treks.

Places to eat along this route:

• Café Monza, Khargar – American, Italian, and Mexican fast-food diner served in a casual setting, good for big groups and families.
• Suruchi, Panvel – Vegetarian multi-restaurant serving meals, snacks, and beverages, good for families and kids.
• Vitthal Kamat’s, Panvel – Oldest eatery chain of the state, serving vegetarian meals, snacks, and beverages, good for quick stops and breakfast meals.
• Shree Datta Snacks Expressway, Dahivati Tarf Boreti – Highway side food court with multiple food outlets, from fast food to meals and beverages, good for quick stops and late nights. 
• Dada Kondke’s Bageshree –Garden Restaurant & Bar, Khalapur – highway side diner with outdoor seating and late-night food, popular among travelers.

Thane to Lonavala Condition via route 1:

This is the shortest and fastest route to travel from Thane to Lonavala and is used by regular travelers. This route has standard highway tolls and the road conditions are good since there are no road closures as of July 2022.

Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Thane to Lonavala via Thane-Belapur Rd & Bangalore- Mumbai Highway/Mumbai-Pune Expressway

This is the alternative route to travel from Thane to Lonavala. The traffic on this route is minimal, and there are no road closures like other inner roads. There may be tolls on the way The distance between Thane and Lonavala on this route is only a kilometer more than the previous route and takes about 20 minutes or so more. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Thane to Lonavala road conditions. 

Here’s the basic route map from Thane to Lonavala-

Thane — Ghansoli — Vashi — Padeghar — Kon — Kumbhivali — Khandala — Lonavala

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, Airoli – A large area of mangrove forests and freshwater creeks, home to various species of migratory birds, especially flamingos during the monsoon. 
• Belapur Fort, CBD Belapur – A 16th-century stone fort sitting atop a small hill, now in ruins, best for day treks, and photo ops. 
• Nerul’s Flamingo Point – A huge wetland area off the bay in Navi Mumbai, known for flamingo spotting, best seen after the rainy season.
• Wonders Park, Belapur – An amusement park with replicas of seven wonders of the world, good for a short tour.
• Karnala Fort – The ruins of a historical fort on a hill, sitting in the middle of dense greenery, great for bird watching, day treks, or panoramic views.
• Duke’s Nose Peak, Khandala – The key attraction of the town, this peak is a popular haunt for locals and tourists alike, best seen during monsoon, good for day treks.

Places to eat along this route:

• Suruchi, Panvel – Vegetarian multi-restaurant serving meals, snacks, and beverages, good for families and kids.
• Vitthal Kamat’s, Panvel – Oldest eatery chain of the state, serving vegetarian meals, snacks, and beverages, good for quick stops and breakfast meals.
• Shree Datta Snacks Expressway, Dahivati Tarf Boreti – Highway side food court with multiple food outlets, from fast food to meals and beverages, good for quick stops and late nights. 
• Dada Kondke’s Bageshree –Garden Restaurant & Bar, Khalapur – highway side diner with outdoor seating and late-night food, popular among travelers.

Thane to Lonavala Condition via route 2:

This route is also good to travel from Thane to Lonavala and is used by most travelers. This route may have standard highway tolls and the road conditions on this stretch might be variable, especially during the rains.

Thane to Lonavala Best Route:

Both the above routes are good to travel from Thane to Lonavala. But depending on your itinerary and time you want to spend on the road, you can decide on the best route. However, it’s recommended that you always use the route with the least traffic, maximum highway access, and better road quality.

Other means of traveling from Thane to Lonavala

By Train

You can also travel from Thane to Lonavala by train. The Lonavala railway station is just 1KM from the town center. There are 57 trains from Thane to Lonavala, the fastest train being, INTERCITY EXPRESS (12127), which takes about an hour and a half to reach Lonavala from Thane.

For all your Thane to Lonavala train bookings, you can visit the website of Indian Railways, and check for the most updated train timings and fares.

By Flight

Lonavala does not have any flight connectivity. The nearest commercial/passenger airports are Pune International Airport, 64KM away, and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 104 km away. A seaplane service from Juhu, Mumbai to Pawna Dam, Lonavala was made available from 2014.

Check online for the availability of the same before traveling. So, the only option to travel from Thane to Lonavala is to book an outstation cab and do a road trip. If you looking to travel from Mumbai airport, you can always book a Mumbai airport taxi to reach Thane.

Attractions in Lonavala for Sightseeing

With abundant natural beauty and historical connection, Lonavala sums up as a relaxing vacation destination. Check out these must-visit Lonavala attractions –

• Kune Falls – It is the 14th largest waterfall in India and the most famous waterfall in Lonavala. The water cascades down three levels against the thick forests and mountain bluffs of the Sahyadris and makes for the most enchanting visual experience. Visit during the monsoon for the best views.
• Lonavala Wax Museum – This Lonavala tourist spot is one of its kind in the town. The first wax museum in the country, the Lonavala Wax Museum houses figures of Indian celebrities like sportspeople, actors, and political and social personalities.
• Della Adventure Park – The locally famous amusement park, Della Adventure Park houses the best and only water park in Lonavala, along with a host of entertainment and leisure options, and an in-house resort. 
• Tiger’s Leap Point – The most-visited viewing point, this hilltop site resembles a tiger jumping off a cliff. It is famous for its sunrise and sunset views.
• Pawna Lake & Dam – The largest and the most beautiful lake in the town, this area offers outdoor adventure options like hiking, fishing, camping, and boating. Visit during winter for bird watching.
• Bushi Lake and Dam – A dam on the Indrayani River, this dam and its adjacent catchment area have become a local hotspot for many years. The frothy water gushing down the rocky terrain makes for a wonderful view, especially in the monsoon. You can also catch panoramic views from the viewing point at the top. 
• Amrutanjan Point – Although it is outside Lonavala town, this viewing point is very much a part of a Lonavala tour. It sits right at the start of the Khandala Hills. The viewing platform offers great vistas of the town and the Duke’s Nose Peak.
• Rajmachi Fort – A historical fort located a few miles from Lonavala town, this is a popular trekking destination for regular trekkers. You can also trek to the other neighboring forts at Lohagad, Visapur, Korigad, etc.

Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Lonavala

Here are some of the best restaurants in Lonavala you can try – 

• Mapro Garden, Old Mumbai – Pune Hwy, Valvan
• Mahesh Masoli, Old Mumbai – Pune Hwy, opposite Mapro Garden
• Parsi Dhaba, Kunegaon
• Café 24, Plot No. 129, Kunegaon
• Crème Della, Survey No. 130-1/2 Kunegaon
• Kinara Village Dhaba, Old Mumbai – Pune Highway, Vaksai Naka, Varsoli

Hotels and Resorts in Lonavala

Hotel Name	Address	Phone Number
The Bark – An Art Resort	Plot No. 5 & 6, Old, behind Hotel Fariyas, Tungarli, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410401	09136176204
Whispering Woods Resort	Varsoli, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410405	09768719768
Sarovar Portico, Lonavala	Frichley Hill Rd, Arsiwalla Villa, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410401	09011274567
Della Resorts	Della Enclave Rd, Kune Village, Khandala, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410401	180030007440
The Lagoona Resort	S No. 55, Gold Valley Sector D, Tungarli, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410403	09607019266

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