Akkalkot is a small but spiritually significant pilgrimage town in Solapur district, Maharashtra. Home to the revered Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple, it draws lakhs of devotees every year. The good news for pilgrims is that Akkalkot is well-connected by rail and road. Akkalkot has its own railway station -- Akalkot Road (station code AKOR) -- and many long-distance trains stop there directly. This guide covers all the practical options for reaching Akkalkot from major Indian cities.
Quick Distance Reference
- Akalkot Road railway station to Swami Samarth Temple: ~12 km (10-15 min by taxi)
- Solapur to Akkalkot: ~39 km (about 1 hour by road via NH150E)
- Pune to Akkalkot: ~289 km (about 5-6 hours by road; 4h 26m by direct train)
- Mumbai to Akkalkot: ~440 km (8-9 hours by road; ~8.5 hours by overnight train)
- Hyderabad to Akkalkot: ~310 km (about 6 hours by road)
- Bangalore to Akkalkot: ~530 km (about 10 hours by road)
By Train -- Akalkot Road Railway Station (AKOR)
Many pilgrims don't realize that Akkalkot has a dedicated railway station 12 km from the temple. The station, officially named "Akalkot Road" (code AKOR), falls under the Solapur railway division of Central Railway and has 95 trains passing through. Several long-distance and overnight trains stop here, making it the most convenient option for many pilgrims.
From Mumbai to Akalkot Road
- 22157 CSMT-MS SF Mail (Hyderabad Express) - leaves Mumbai CSTM at 22:52, arrives Akalkot Road at 07:26 (~8h 34m). Operates daily. Best overnight option.
- UDYAN EXPRESS - leaves Mumbai CSTM at 08:10, arrives Akalkot Road at 16:11 (daytime journey). Convenient if you prefer not to travel overnight.
From Pune to Akalkot Road
Indian Railways operates direct trains from Pune Junction to Akalkot Road twice daily. The journey takes approximately 4h 26m by train, which is significantly faster than the 6-7 hour bus journey. Train fares range from ₹150 (sleeper class) to ₹600 (AC chair car).
From Other Cities
Akalkot Road is on a major rail corridor and is served by trains from Hyderabad, Bangalore (Yesvantpur), Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata at various frequencies. Check IRCTC or apps like RailYatri for current schedules.
From Akalkot Road to the Temple (12 km)
Once you arrive at Akalkot Road railway station, you have several options to reach Swami Samarth Maharaj Temple:
- Taxi/Cab: 10-15 minutes, ₹400-₹700 for a sedan. Most convenient.
- Auto-rickshaw: 15-20 minutes, ₹250-₹400. Cheaper but less comfortable for groups.
- Local bus: ₹20-₹40, runs every 20-30 minutes during the day.
- Pre-booked Swamikshetr cab: Locked-in pricing, driver waits at the platform exit with your name.
Reaching Akkalkot via Solapur Junction
Solapur Junction (SUR) is the larger railway hub in the region and is the alternative entry point if you can't get a direct train to Akalkot Road. From Solapur, you'll continue ~39 km to Akkalkot by road.
By Cab / Taxi from Solapur
The most comfortable option from Solapur. A one-way cab from Solapur railway station to Akkalkot takes about 1 hour via NH150E and costs ₹1,300-₹2,058 for a sedan (Dzire, Etios) or ₹2,200-₹3,000 for an SUV(Innova, Ertiga). Uber Intercity offers shared rides starting from ~₹785 per seat.
On festival days the rates can double, so we strongly recommend pre-booking through Swamikshetr's cab service to lock in regular pricing.
By Bus from Solapur
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) runs frequent buses between Solapur and Akkalkot from early morning to late evening. Fare is approximately ₹70-₹100. Buses depart every 15-30 minutes.
By Auto-Rickshaw from Solapur
Shared auto-rickshaws and tempo travelers also ply the Solapur-Akkalkot route, particularly in early morning. These are the cheapest option (₹50-₹80) but less comfortable for elderly pilgrims or families with luggage.
Reaching Akkalkot from Pune
By Direct Train (Recommended)
The fastest and most economical option. Take a direct train from Pune Junction to Akalkot Road station. Travel time is approximately 4 hours 26 minutesand trains run twice daily. From Akalkot Road, continue 12 km to the temple by taxi.
By Bus
Direct buses run from Pune (Swargate, Shivajinagar) to Akkalkot. Travel time is about 7 hours 35 minutes. Ticket prices range from ₹400 (non-AC) to ₹1,500 (Volvo AC sleeper). RedBus, AbhiBus, and MakeMyTrip list 30+ daily buses; the first bus departs at 00:14 and the last at 23:59.
By Cab
A direct cab from Pune to Akkalkot covers ~289 km in 5-6 hours and costs ₹4,500-₹6,500 one-way. Best for groups of 4+ people or families with elderly members who prefer not to change vehicles.
Reaching Akkalkot from Mumbai
By Direct Overnight Train (Recommended)
The 22157 CSMT-MS SF Mail is the perfect overnight option. Board at Mumbai CSTM at 22:52, sleep through the journey, and arrive at Akalkot Road at 07:26 the next morning -- in time for the 5 AM kakad aarti's later darshan slots. From Akalkot Road, take a 15-minute taxi to the temple.
By Day Train
The UDYAN EXPRESS departs Mumbai CSTM at 08:10 and arrives at Akalkot Road at 16:11. Comfortable daytime journey if you prefer not to travel overnight.
By Bus
Overnight Volvo buses from Mumbai to Solapur take 10-12 hours, fare ₹800-₹1,500. From Solapur, continue to Akkalkot by local cab or bus.
By Flight + Train
For pilgrims who want to save time, fly Mumbai to Pune (45 minutes) and then take a direct train from Pune Jn to Akalkot Road. There is no commercial flight to Solapur or Akkalkot.
Reaching Akkalkot from Hyderabad and Bangalore
From Hyderabad
The Hyderabad-Solapur-Mumbai route is well-served by trains, many of which stop at Akalkot Road. The Hussain Sagar Express, Hyderabad-Mumbai SF Express, and others stop at AKOR. Train travel time is 6-7 hours. By road via NH65, the distance is 310 km (~6 hours by car).
From Bangalore
Direct trains include the Yesvantpur-Solapur Express and other long-distance services that stop at Akalkot Road. Travel time is 10-12 hours. Buses from Bangalore to Solapur take 12-15 hours. Many devotees from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh visit Akkalkot regularly, so direct buses are also available during festival seasons.
Travel Tips for First-Time Pilgrims
- Book in advance during festivals. Gurupurnima (July 29, 2026), Ram Navami (March 26, 2026), and Datta Jayanti (December 23, 2026) are peak seasons. Train tickets, rooms, and cabs can sell out 4-6 weeks in advance.
- Prefer Akalkot Road over Solapur Junction if your train stops there. You'll save 1+ hour and ₹1,000+ in cab fare.
- Carry cash. Most local shops, auto-rickshaws, and small eateries in Akkalkot prefer cash. UPI is accepted at larger places but ATMs can be crowded on festival days.
- Dress modestly. Light cotton clothing is comfortable in most months. Avoid revealing clothes when visiting the temple.
- Carry medication. Akkalkot has small pharmacies but specialty medicines may not be available. Bring everything you need.
- Plan check-in time. If you arrive at Akalkot Road at 7 AM, your room will be ready by 8 AM with Swamikshetr's 24/7 check-in facility.
Best Time of Day to Travel
For Akalkot Road or Solapur to Akkalkot transfer, early morning (4 AM - 7 AM) and late afternoon (4 PM - 6 PM) are the best times to avoid traffic and arrive in time for darshan. Mid-day travel can be hot in summer months (April-June).
Need Help Planning Your Trip?
Swamikshetr provides a complete pilgrimage planning service for Akkalkot visitors. From cab pickup at Akalkot Road or Solapur railway station, to room booking near the temple, to pure vegetarian food delivery -- we handle the logistics so you can focus on darshan. Browse accommodation options or call us at +91-9657741525 for assistance.