Weekend Getaways from Mumbai: Where to Go, by Distance
Mumbai's weekends split between the ghats and the coast. The ghats are an hour or two away and spectacular in the monsoon; the Konkan coast takes longer but gives you beaches that aren't Goa.
Distances are approximate road distances from south Mumbai. Leaving on Friday evening, assume the expressway adds an hour.
Under 100 km: leave Saturday morning
- Karjat, about 65 km. Riverside villas and weekend homes.
- Khandala, about 80 km. The first of the ghat towns.
- Lonavala, about 85 km. The default, and the busiest.
- Matheran, about 85 km. No vehicles allowed; you walk or take the toy train.
- Alibaug, about 95 km by road, or an hour by ferry. Beaches and beach houses.
100 to 200 km: a two-night weekend
- Igatpuri, about 120 km. Green in the monsoon, good for a quiet stay.
- Kashid, about 130 km. The cleanest beach within easy reach.
- Malshej Ghat, about 130 km. Waterfalls and flamingos in season.
- Pune, about 150 km. A city break rather than a nature trip.
- Murud, about 160 km. Beach plus the sea fort at Janjira.
- Nashik, about 165 km. Vineyards and tastings.
- Bhandardara, about 165 km. Lakeside camping under clear skies.
- Daman and Silvassa, about 170 km. Beaches and a change of pace.
200 km and beyond: a long weekend
- Panchgani, about 245 km. Table land and strawberry farms.
- Mahabaleshwar, about 260 km. The best-known hill station in Maharashtra.
- Ganpatipule, about 350 km. Konkan beaches and temple town.
When to go
| Season | What works |
|---|---|
| November to February | The best months for everything, especially the coast. |
| March to May | Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani and Matheran stay cooler. Beaches get hot by midday. |
| June to September | The ghats are at their most dramatic: Lonavala, Malshej and Igatpuri. Beaches and ferries are best avoided; sea travel to Alibaug pauses in rough weather. |
| Long weekends | Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar fill up completely. Karjat, Igatpuri and Murud are easier. |
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Planning notes
- The Mumbai to Pune Expressway is the fastest route to the ghats, and the most congested on Sunday evenings.
- Alibaug by ferry from the Gateway or Bhaucha Dhakka saves hours over driving, but ferries pause in rough monsoon seas.
- Matheran allows no cars: park at Dasturi and walk, take a horse or use the toy train.
- Monsoon weekends in the ghats sell out early, since that's the peak season rather than the off season.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best weekend getaways from Mumbai?
Lonavala, Karjat and Alibaug for a short trip, Kashid or Bhandardara for two nights, and Mahabaleshwar for a long weekend.
Where can I go from Mumbai within 100 km?
Karjat, Khandala, Lonavala, Matheran and Alibaug.
Is the monsoon a good time to travel from Mumbai?
For the ghats, yes: it's the best season. For beaches and ferries, no.