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As a Mumbai resident who loves to travel, one of my favorite weekend getaways is to the scenic hill city of Lavasa. Nestled in the Sahyadri Mountains with breathtaking views, Lavasa makes for a rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai.
Over the years, I’ve made the trip numerous times and wanted to share my experiences on the best ways to travel from Mumbai to Lavasa.
Evaluating Transportation Options to Lavasa
There are a few options when looking at how to reach Lavasa from Mumbai:
Private car - Hiring a private car for the day is often the most convenient option. However it can also be quite expensive, with rental fees plus fuel charges. Pros: flexible timing, comfortable Cons: costly, stressful driving
Bus - Buses like Neeta run daily multi-stop services from Mumbai to Lavasa for budget travelers. Pros: affordable, no driving required Cons: fixed schedule, longer transit time
Train - Taking a train to Pune or another nearby station and then driving works well too. Pros: scenic rail journey, cheaper than car Cons: indirect route, first/last mile transportation
Overall I find renting a car best fits my needs for flexibility, safety, and making the most of my time during the hill town visit. But buses or trains combined with local taxis can also be good options depending on your budget and preferences.
Driving from Mumbai to Lavasa - My Preferred Route
As Lavasa is approximately a 186 km drive from Mumbai, road tripping allows me to take in beautiful views of the Western Ghats along the way.
I begin my journey from Mumbai early morning to avoid heavy traffic. My preferred route is to take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and exit at Dasve for Lavasa. This route offers a high-quality expressway that cuts down travel time substantially compared to state highways.
Key highlights along the Mumbai-Pune-Lavasa route:
Lonavala & Khandala - Iconic hill stations with caves and fortress ruins
Tamhini Ghat - Stunning rainforest scenery and waterfalls
Mulshi Lake - Sparking reservoir offering boating and village views
Panshet Dam - Impressive earthen dam great for picnics and water sports
The total drive takes around 3.5-4 hours each way depending on traffic. I like to make 1-2 quick stops along the way to take in the sights and grab a local snack!
Some safety tips I follow: sticking to speed limits, having an emergency kit and spare tires in the car, and avoiding driving at night. I also make sure to get sufficient rest before the return drive to Mumbai.
Also read - How to Reach Lavasa from Pune
Exploring the Lavasa Destination
The city of Lavasa provides a relaxing getaway in nature with activities ranging from boating on the lake, hiking scenic trails, enjoying local cuisine, touring the colorful houses modeled after Italian hillside towns, and more.
Some of my favorite things to do in Lavasa include:
Boat ride on the serene Warasgaon Lake
Hilltop views from Lakeshore Waters and Dasve Viewpoint
Shopping and dining at the Luna Promenade
Rides at Xthrill Adventure Academy theme park
Relaxing at wellness centers like Le Waterina Spa
Accommodation options cater from budget hotels to luxury resorts. I often stay at moderately priced hotels like Fortune Select Dasve to maximize my experience.
Lavasa Offers Accessible Hill Town Charm from Mumbai
Overall, Lavasa provides a convenient way to enjoy charming hill town vibes and beautiful nature without venturing too far from Mumbai. The private car route via the expressway makes it very accessible, albeit with some road safety precautions needed.
With scenic pitstops enroute and a variety of restaurants/activities in Lavasa, it serves as an attractive weekend trip or even vacation getaway for many Mumbai residents and visitors. I continue to visit multiple times a year for a peaceful reset from my hectic city life.
Also read - How to Reach Pandharpur from Mumbai
Conclusion
The future looks bright for Lavasa’s development, as more hotels and facilities continue to open. Better public transportation options would also make the hill city more accessible to travelers. For now, the reliable Mumbai-Pune highway and multitude of private taxis/buses make getting to Lavasa relatively smooth.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about making the trip from Mumbai to the scenic Lavasa lakeside town! I'm happy to provide tips from my experiences visiting many times over the past few years.
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