How to Reach Pachmarhi: By Train, Air and Road

Pachmarhi is tucked away high in the Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh, and that's a big part of its charm. It doesn't have an airport or a railway station of its own, so reaching it takes a little planning. The good news is that it's well connected by road from a nearby railway station, and once you know the route, the journey is simple.

This guide explains how to reach Pachmarhi by train, air and road, with distances and practical tips most first-time visitors wish they had known.

Quick Overview

How to Reach Pachmarhi by Train

For most travellers, the train is the easiest and cheapest way to reach Pachmarhi.

Pipariya: The Nearest Railway Station

Pipariya (station code PPI) is the closest railway station to Pachmarhi, about 50 km away. It sits on the busy Itarsi–Jabalpur line, part of the main Mumbai–Howrah route via Prayagraj. Many long-distance trains stop here, so you can reach it directly from cities like Mumbai, Jabalpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kolkata, Bhopal and Raipur.

One of the most useful trains is the daily 12853 Amarkantak Express, which runs between Durg and Bhopal via Raipur, Bilaspur and Jabalpur. It stops at Pipariya and is a favourite with travellers from Chhattisgarh.

From Pipariya, the drive up to Pachmarhi takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The road climbs gently through forest and then winds up a ghat section. It's a beautiful drive, especially in the early morning.

Itarsi: The Big Junction Option

If there's no direct train to Pipariya from your city, book a ticket to Itarsi Junction (ET) instead. Itarsi is one of the biggest railway junctions in central India, with trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur and more.

From Itarsi, you have two choices:

• Take a short train to Pipariya (about 1 to 1.5 hours), then drive up to Pachmarhi.
• Hire a taxi straight from Itarsi to Pachmarhi, about 3 to 3.5 hours by road.

Tip: If you're changing trains at Itarsi, keep at least one to two hours between trains. Long-distance trains are often late.

How to Reach Pachmarhi by Air

Pachmarhi has no airport. The two nearest airports are:

Bhopal Raja Bhoj Airport (about 200 km)

Bhopal is the best option if you're flying in. It has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other major cities. From Bhopal you can hire a taxi straight to Pachmarhi (about 4.5 to 5 hours), or take a train to Pipariya and drive up. See our Pachmarhi package from Bhopal.

Jabalpur Dumna Airport (about 250 km)

Jabalpur also has flights from a few major cities. From there, the drive to Pachmarhi takes about 5 to 6 hours. You can also take a train from Jabalpur to Pipariya, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Tip: If you're flying, plan to reach Pachmarhi the same evening only if your flight lands before noon. Otherwise, stay overnight in Bhopal or Jabalpur and drive up in the morning.

How to Reach Pachmarhi by Road

Pachmarhi has good road connections with the rest of Madhya Pradesh and nearby states. The last stretch is a hill road with curves, but it's well maintained.

By Bus

State and private buses run to Pachmarhi from Pipariya, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Indore and Chhindwara. Buses from Pipariya are the most frequent and leave throughout the day. Buses are cheap, but they can be crowded on weekends and holidays, and they take longer than a taxi.

By Car or Taxi

Driving your own car is a great way to enjoy the scenery, especially from Bhopal or Nagpur. Keep in mind:

• The last 20 to 25 km is a ghat road with sharp bends. Drive slowly, especially after dark.
• Many sightseeing spots are inside forest areas where private cars are not allowed. You'll need a registered Gypsy for those, so your car will mostly stay parked at the hotel.
• Fill up fuel before you start the climb, as options in Pachmarhi are limited.

Getting Around Once You Reach Pachmarhi

Pachmarhi town is small. You can walk to the market, the lake and Christ Church. For sightseeing, you'll need a forest-registered Gypsy. These open jeeps have fixed routes and rates, and the drivers know the area well. Most visitors book one Gypsy for a full day and cover several waterfalls, caves and viewpoints in one go.

Practical Tips for the Journey

• Book early in peak season. Train seats to Pipariya fill up fast around summer holidays, Diwali, Christmas and New Year.
• Share your arrival time. If someone is picking you up at Pipariya, send your train number and coach details so they can track delays.
• Avoid driving the ghat at night if you're not used to hill roads.
• Keep cash handy. Card payments and mobile network can be unreliable on the way up.
• Check train timings on IRCTC or NTES before booking, as running days and timings change.

Frequently Asked Questions