Matheran Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips

Matheran Transportation

Matheran is a gorgeous Indian hill station, the smallest one in the country, in fact. While it provides exemplary views and stunning scenery, cars are totally banned there, so you will have to find alternative forms of transportation when you visit.

The Best Transportation Options in Matheran

Taxi–Because of the car ban, a taxi won’t get you all the way to Matheran, but it will get you close. To get to Matheran, you first have to get to the closest city, which is Neral. If you are coming from a larger city like Mumbai, you will have an easy time getting there, as Neral is connected to Mumbai by train. Once in Neral. you can take a taxi to Dasturi Naka. Pay a travel tax there, and you can get the rest of the way to Matheran quite easily on foot.

The Heritage Train–You can also take the Heritage Train from Neral to Matheran. This is a scenic and historic train that most visitors find a pleasure to ride. Since trains are allowed in Matheran, this one will take you right there.

Cart and Horse–Once you’re in Matheran, most people just like to walk around and view the scenery and vistas. However, if you don’t like hiking, there are other options for getting from one vantage point to another here. Matheran has carts that are pulled by men that you can hire. If having a man pull you around in a cart isn’t quite your thing, you can also rent a horse to carry you around Matheran.

Narrow Gauge Railways–There are several narrow gauge railways that travel from Neral to Matheran. If you don’t mind a train through narrow and high mountainways with steep drop-offs, these are lovely, scenic rides into town.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about transportation in Matheran.