How to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park: Travel Guide from Delhi, Jabalpur & Major Cities
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Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most famous wildlife parks in India. It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Many wildlife lovers visit this park to see tigers, deer, leopards and a wide variety of birds.
It is particularly famous for its lush, beautiful forests and a high population of tigers. The main entrance to the park is in a nearby town, Tala, where you can find most of the safari lodges and hotels.
The park is also well connected to major cities in India, making it fairly easy to reach here. You can travel by air, rail or road from cities like Delhi, Jabalpur, Khajuraho or Varanasi.
The nearest airport to the Bandhavgarh National Park is Jabalpur Airport, which is nearly 165 km away. From there, you can hire a taxi to reach Bandhavgarh.
The nearest railway stations are Umaria Railway Station (around 35 km away) and Katni Junction (about 100 km away). These stations are well-connected with major cities in India.
So, travelling to Bandhavgarh is very convenient for anyone coming from different parts of the country.
Where Is Bandhavgarh National Park Located?
- State: The park is located in Madhya Pradesh.
- District: Most of the national park is in the Umaria district.
- Nearby towns: The main nearby towns are Tala, along with Katni and Umaria.
- Forest Region: In the central Indian forest region, this park mainly consists of Sal forests, bamboo trees and open grasslands. These habitats provide a home to many animals and different species of birds.
The park primarily lies in the Umaria district, which is known for its forests and wildlife areas. The main entry area of the park is near a village called Tala, where most safari gates, hotels and lodges are located.
The park is surrounded by small towns and cities within a driving distance like Jabalpur, Katni and Satna. These act as travel points and provide good road and train connections for travellers.
Bandhavgarh is approximately 850–900 km away from the capital Delhi and many visitors prefer to travel by train or flight before continuing by road. Because it is located between several cities, the park can be reached quite easily from different parts of the country.
How to Reach Bandhavgarh by Air
Reaching Bandhavgarh by air is the fastest way possible. While the airports are located in nearby cities, travellers can continue their journey from there to the park by road.
The total travel time from the airport to reach the Bandhavgarh park is between 4 to 6 hours, depending on which airport you land at.
Nearest Airport to Bandhavgarh National Park
There are three major airports near the Bandhavgarh national park:
- Jabalpur Airport: This airport is about 165 km and is the nearest airport to Bandhavgarh. It takes around 4 hours to reach here by road. It has many domestic flights from cities like Delhi and Mumbai, making it one of the most convenient options.
- Khajuraho Airport: It is around 250 km from the park and the drive to reach here takes 5 to 6 hours. This is a great option for people who want to visit the Khajuraho temples before heading to Bandhavgarh.
- Raipur Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport is located in Raipur at a distance of 420 km from Bandhavgarh. It takes around 8 to 9 hours by road to reach here, so it is generally best for travellers coming from the eastern or central parts of India.
Airport to Bandhavgarh Travel Options
After reaching the airport, travellers can continue their journey to the park through different mode of transport:
- Taxi: This is one of the most comfortable ways to reach the park, and it is easily available outside most airports.
- Private cab: Many travellers prefer booking a private cab in advance. They book it through the travel companies or their hotels to avoid waiting at the airport.
- Bus: Some buses that commute between cities like Jabalpur and Umaria. And from there, travellers can take a taxi to Tala.
All these travel options make it fairly easy to reach Bandhavgarh park after landing at any airport.
How to Reach Bandhavgarh by Train
Bandhavgarh Park is well connected with many cities in India through the railways. Travelling by train is an easy and affordable option for many. Travellers can easily take a taxi or any local transport after reaching the nearest railway station. This makes train travel a convenient option for tourists coming from different parts of the country.
Nearest Railway Stations to Bandhavgarh
There are a few stations located close to the park:
- Umaria Railway Station: This railway station is closest (around 35 km) to the Bandhavgarh park. And it takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour by road to reach the entrance near Tala.
- Katni Railway Station: This junction is a major railway hub located 100 km from the park. The journey from this station to the park takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Jabalpur Railway Station: Jabalpur station is around 165 km from the park, and the road journey to reach Bandhavgarh takes at least 4 hours.
Train Connectivity from Major Cities
Travelling to Bandhavgarh park is fairly easy by train from many major cities, like:
- Delhi: Trains are regular from Delhi to stations like Katni and Umaria railway station. After this, travellers can hire a taxi or get local transport to reach here.
- Mumbai: Trains from Mumbai travel to Jabalpur or Katni Junction. The journey continues by road from here.
- Bhopal: There are direct trains from Bhopal to Katni and Jabalpur station.
- Kolkata: There are also many trains available from Kolkata to reach stations like Katni and Jabalpur, and then travel by road to the park.
This easy connectivity to reach Bandhavgarh National Park by train makes it a convenient option for many travellers.
How to Reach Bandhavgarh by Road
Bandhavgarh park is also very well connected to many cities by road.
Travellers can easily reach the park by private vehicle, taxi or bus. The road journey feels pleasant as it passes through many small towns, villages and forest areas.
First, you need to reach the nearby cities like Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Umaria, and Katni. From here, the park can be reached by road.
Road Route to Bandhavgarh
There are few road routes to reach Bandhavgarh park:
- Jabalpur: The journey from here to the park usually takes around 4 hours. Travellers can easily reach by road through Sihora – Shahpura – Umaria – Tala, well-connected highways.
- Khajuraho: From Khajuraho, the drive to the starting point passes through Rajnagar – Chhatarpur – Katni – Umaria – Tala. The journey involves small towns and rural areas before entering the forest area near the park.
- Umaria: This is one of the closest towns to Bandhavgarh. The road from here directly goes towards the Tala village, which is the main tourist entrance.
- Katni: The road to Katni usually takes you through the Katni – Barhi – Umaria – Tala route. This is a commonly used route for visitors travelling by road.
Driving Distance to Bandhavgarh from Major Cities
Approximate distances from cities like :
- Delhi: The distance from Delhi to the Bandhavgarh park is around 800 to 900 km, and the total road journey can take up to 16 hours.
- Jabalpur: The distance from here to the park is about 165 km and takes around 4 hours by road.
- Khajuraho: Distance from Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh is about 250 km and usually takes 5 to 6 hours by road.
- Bhopal: Bhopal city is approximately 500 km from the park, and the total road journey can take around 9 to 10 hours.
Road connectivity is good from many cities to reach Bandhavgarh, and makes it easy to reach across central and northern India.
Delhi to Bandhavgarh National Park
There are multiple travel options available from Delhi to reach the Bandhavgarh National Park.
Reaching the park is quite convenient by train, flight or even road, depending on the traveller’s budget and time.
Many of these travellers also prefer taking the train and flight to the nearest station and airport and then completing the final journey by road.
Delhi to Bandhavgarh by Train
One of the most common ways to travel to Bandhavgarh is by taking a train from Delhi to nearby stations.
The nearest stations include the Umaria Railways station, which is the closest to the park. And it takes around 1 hour by road to reach the park entrance.
Another railway station is the Katni junction, taking around 3 hours to reach here by taxi.
Delhi to Bandhavgarh by Flight
Travelling by flight is the fastest way to reach Bandhavgarh Park.
Flying from Delhi to nearby airports is also the most convenient.
The nearest airport is the Jabalpur airport and another airport is the Khajuraho airport.
Delhi to Bandhavgarh by Road
Travelling to Bandhavgarh by road is ideal for those who love sling drives. The journey from Delhi can take about 14 to 16 hours, depending on the road conditions.
The route passes through cities like Agra, Gwalior and Jabalpur.
All this makes it easy for travellers to plan a trip to Bandhavgarh National Park.
Best Way to Reach Bandhavgarh National Park
There are multiple ways to reach Bandhavgarh, and the best option for you depends on your travel time, budget and the level of comfort you want.
Most travellers prefer taking a flight or train and then continuing by taxi, because it is usually the easiest way to reach the park.
- Fastest route: The fastest route to reach Bandhavgarh park is by taking a flight to Jabalpur airport. Then travel via taxi to the park which takes around 4 hours, making it the quickest option.
- Cheapest route: The most budget-friendly option to travel is by train to Umaria railway station, which is the nearest to the park. From there, you can take a taxi or a local transport to reach Tala.
- Most convenient route: The most convenient way or route is to take a flight or train to Jabalpur or Katni junction and then get a private taxi to the park.
This option is the most comfortable and common way to reach the Bandhavgarh National Park. It offers good speed, cost and comfort to most travellers.
Travel Tips for Reaching Bandhavgarh
While planning your trip to Bandhavgarh, these practical travel tips can make your journey smoother and more comfortable.
Best entry gates: Most travellers enter the park through Tala, which has all the main zones and many hotels and lodges as well. But there are also zones like the Magadhi zone and Khitauli zone for wildlife safari.
Taxi availability: Taxis are readily available from all the nearby towns. Also, many travellers book private cabs in advance to avoid waiting.
Travel time: Planning to start your journey early in the day is best. And if you are travelling from cities like Jabalpur or Khajuraho, this will help you reach the park on time and give you enough time to check into your hotel before the day ends.
Road conditions: Most of the roads to Bandhavgarh are in good condition, but some sections towards the last part of the journey may have rural and forest areas. So, driving carefully and slowly is recommended.
Overall, planning your trip to Bandhavgarh properly helps you reach comfortably and experience the wildlife safari without any stress.
Book Bandhavgarh Safari
Planning to visit Bandhavgarh National Park?
If yes, then it is highly recommended to make an advance booking for your safari. The park is a famous tiger reserve in India, and safari permits often get sold out quickly, especially during the peak seasons.
The best way to explore the park is through a jeep safari. An experienced guide with a trained driver takes you inside the forest for safaris, which usually operate in morning and evening slots.
Additionally, there are only limited safari permits given by the forest department. So, only a certain number of vehicles are allowed inside the park in each safari zone.
This is why travellers are advised to book their safaris days or weeks in advance. Because it helps you to choose your preferred zone, date and time, ensuring a wonderful wildlife experience in Bandhavgarh.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Bandhavgarh National Park situated?
Bandhavgarh National Park is situated in the district of Umaria of M.P. It is located in central India and its main entry point is the village Tala, where most lodges and hotels are found.
2. What is the nearest airport to Bandhavgarh?
The nearest airport to Bandhavgarh park is Jabalpur airport. It is located around 165 km from the park and travellers use taxis or private cabs to reach here.
3. Which railway station is closest to Bandhavgarh?
The closest railway station to Bandhavgarh is about 35 km, Umaria railway station. One more railway station near the park is about 100 km away.
4. How far is Bandhavgarh from Delhi?
The distance from Delhi to Bandhavgarh is around 850-900 km. Reach by train or flight to nearby cities Jabalpur or Umaria, and then continue the drive by road.