If you’re in Nashik and thinking of a Shirdi yatra, the good news is Baba’s town is close — ~90 km by road and about 2 hours away. That’s why Nashik → Shirdi is one of Maharashtra’s busiest pilgrim routes. This guide answers every question that comes up before you leave — which mode to pick, how much it costs, where the buses board, whether the train is worth it, and where to stay once you reach.
Nashik to Shirdi at a glance
Road distance — ~90 km (via NH160)
Time — cab: 1.5–2 hrs · bus: 2–3 hrs
Cheapest & easiest — bus (90+ services a day)
Most comfortable — private cab (door to door)
Train — not recommended (see below)
Best season — October to March
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Train — honest advice: skip it
FASTEST
Here’s something most guides don’t tell you. Road distance is 90 km, but the rail route detours to ~155 km. Direct trains are few (only a handful a week), travel takes 2.5–3 hours, and you still need transport at the other end. Main services: (Nashik Road ~00:50), (~08:59, fastest at ~2h31m), . Fares: sleeper ~₹175, 3A ~₹555, 2A ~₹735; VB chair car ~₹510. For 90 km, waiting for a train, spending more time and more money makes no sense. Take a bus or cab. (If you specifically want the Vande Bharat experience, that’s a different call.)
Family, elderly, small kids — private cab (door to door).
Want to be fastest — cab (~1.5–2 hrs).
Group of 8–15 — tempo traveller.
When to leave — the smart day plan
Best play: leave Nashik by 4–5 AM. You’ll be at the mandir by 6–7 AM while the crowd is still light and the weather is easy. The mandir opens at 4 AM and stays open till 10:30 PM. Thursdays and weekends are Shirdi’s busiest days — if you can be flexible, pick a Tuesday or Wednesday. To skip the darshan queue, book the ₹200 special darshan pass on online.sai.org.in ahead of time. See our VIP darshan booking guide for the full walkthrough.
Can I do it in a day?
Yes, comfortably. Leave early, darshan and lunch, back by afternoon. But an overnight stay is honestly better:
You can attend the 4:30 AM Kakad Aarti — the most moving of the day.
Dwarkamai, Gurusthan, Chavdi and Lendi Baug can be seen unhurried.
No queue-time pressure; elderly relatives don’t get worn out.
Sai Teerth theme park or Shani Shingnapur (70 km) also fit in.
Once you reach Shirdi — where to stay
Always stay close to the mandir — walking distance saves you the back-and-forth for every aarti and darshan. Aim for a hotel within 500 m of the temple. On TripSaffron you get verified Shirdi hotels — real photos, real distance from the mandir, no hidden charges. Local cabs for side-trips like Shani Shingnapur can be arranged too. You can talk in Marathi or Hindi on the phone.
Thursdays, weekends and festivals fill the near-mandir hotels fast — book earlier. Groups travelling together should share one hotel; multi-hotel bookings for one group get messy on darshan day.
Nashik + Shirdi — a two-day yatra
Nashik is a sacred town in its own right — Godavari ghats, Panchavati, Kalaram Mandir, Muktidham, and Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga nearby. Many pilgrims combine these with Shirdi into a beautiful 2–3 day yatra. If time permits, this pairing is worth it. See our Nashik places to visit guide for the full list of temples + a 2-day plan, and the Shirdi ↔ Nashik & Trimbakeshwar guide for the reverse leg.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
How far is Shirdi from Nashik?
About 90 km by road (NH160); roughly 1.5–2 hours by cab.
Where do I catch a Nashik to Shirdi bus?
Thakkar Bazar (New CBS) is the main stand. Mumbai Naka, Dwarka Circle and Nashik Road also have services.
What is the bus fare from Nashik to Shirdi?
Ordinary (Lal Pari) around ₹158–185; Shivshahi AC ₹200–300; private AC sleeper up to ₹800 in peak season.
What is the Nashik to Shirdi cab fare?
Roughly ₹1,600–2,000 for a sedan one-way; ₹2,300–2,700 for an SUV. Round trip and waiting cost extra.
Should I take a train from Nashik to Shirdi?
Usually not. The rail route detours to ~155 km, direct trains are few, and travel takes 2.5–3 hours — bus or cab is faster and cheaper. The 22223 Vande Bharat (~2h31m) is the exception if you specifically want the experience.
Can I do Nashik to Shirdi in one day?
Yes, comfortably. Leave Nashik by 5 AM, be at the mandir by 7 AM, back home by afternoon. Staying overnight gives you the 4:30 AM Kakad Aarti though.
Nashik to Shirdi is one of the easiest yatras you can plan — 90 km, and Baba’s durbar right there. Bus if you’re on a budget, cab if you’re with family; skip the train. Leave early, book a hotel near the mandir, and leave the rest to Baba. Shubh yatra. 🚩