Traveling from Mumbai to Bengaluru by train does not necessarily have to be about getting from one big city to another. The new Mumbai Bengaluru special train passes through several places in Maharashtra and Karnataka that can easily become part of a longer trip. Introduced for the festive-season rush, the service connects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai with Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru. For travelers with a little extra time, the Mumbai Bengaluru train route offers plenty of reasons to break up the journey.
What Should You Know About The Mumbai-Bengaluru Special Train?
The Mumbai Bengaluru special train 2026, operating as trains 01013 and 01014, will make seven trips in each direction. The Mumbai service runs every Saturday from October 10 to November 21, departing CSMT at 12:35 AM and reaching SMVT Bengaluru at 11:55 PM. The return service operates every Sunday from October 11 to November 22. It leaves Bengaluru at 4:30 AM and reaches Mumbai at 4:05 AM the following day. The journey takes approximately 23 hours and 30 minutes and includes 24 intermediate stops.
Which Places Can You Explore Along The Mumbai-Bengaluru Train Route?
1. Lonavala, Maharashtra
Surrounded by the Sahyadris and located close enough to Mumbai for a short getaway, Lonavala is one of the easiest places along the route to turn into a proper stop. Travelers can spend their time around Lohagad Fort, Tiger’s Leap, Bhushi Dam, and the Karla and Bhaja Caves, depending on how long they plan to stay. The landscape is especially green around and immediately after the monsoon, while the town itself has plenty of small shops selling its famous chikki. For someone who wants to add hills and a little outdoor time to the journey, Lonavala makes a natural first break.
2. Pune, Maharashtra
With enough history, food, and neighborhoods to explore over a full day or even a weekend, Pune is probably one of the easiest stops to build into the Mumbai to Bengaluru train journey. Travelers interested in the city’s past can focus on its Maratha-era heritage and older parts of Pune, while those who would rather take things slowly can spend their time moving between cafés and trying Maharashtrian food. Unlike a quick sightseeing stop, Pune gives you enough to do that staying overnight can make more sense than trying to squeeze everything into a few hours.
3. Satara, Maharashtra
For travelers who would prefer to leave the busy city experience behind for a while, Satara brings the journey closer to the landscapes of the Western Ghats. The district is home to Kaas Plateau, Thoseghar Waterfalls, Ajinkyatara Fort, and Sajjangad, giving visitors a mix of nature and historical places to explore. Kaas Plateau is particularly associated with its seasonal wildflowers, so what you see will depend heavily on when you visit. Satara also has a more relaxed feel than Mumbai or Pune, making it an interesting place to slow the journey down before continuing south.
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4. Sangli, Maharashtra
Sitting directly on the Mumbai Bengaluru railway route, Sangli offers a different kind of stop from the better-known hill stations and large cities elsewhere on the journey. The city and surrounding region are closely associated with agriculture, particularly grapes, while Sangli itself gives travelers an opportunity to experience a part of western Maharashtra that is often passed through rather than planned as a destination. It works best for someone who is deliberately trying to make the train journey less predictable and explore smaller cities along the way.
5. Belagavi, Karnataka
As the journey moves into Karnataka, Belagavi makes for an interesting stop because its location near Maharashtra and Goa has given the city a noticeable mix of regional influences. Travelers interested in history can begin with Belagavi Fort, while simply spending some time around the city offers a change in language, food, and atmosphere from the Maharashtra portion of the journey. Since the Mumbai Bengaluru special train stops directly at Belagavi, it is also one of the more straightforward Karnataka destinations to consider before continuing toward Bengaluru.
6. Davangere, Karnataka
Anyone who enjoys planning a trip around local food has a particularly good reason to consider Davangere, a Karnataka city strongly associated with its famous benne dosa. The dosa is known for its generous use of butter and crisp texture, and it remains one of the foods most closely connected with the city. Davangere is not a stop that needs to be packed with conventional sightseeing to make it worthwhile. Spending some time eating locally and exploring the city before getting back on the train can be enough. From here, the route continues through Tumakuru before eventually reaching SMVT Bengaluru.
Is It Practical To Break Your Train Journey At These Stops?
Turning the journey into a multi-stop trip requires some planning. Travelers who want to stay overnight or spend longer at one of these destinations should make separate onward bookings rather than assume the same reservation can be used after leaving the train. Since this is a limited-period special service, checking current train schedules and seat availability before building the trip is also important.
Planning a quick escape from Mumbai or Pune? Here’s how to explore Lonavala in one day, including what to see, where to eat and how to plan your trip.
Summing Up
The new Mumbai Bengaluru special train gives travelers another rail option during the festive season, and the route itself can be part of the experience. Lonavala, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Belagavi, and Davangere each offer a distinct reason to stop, whether that means hills, history, regional food, or a short break before continuing to Bengaluru.
