Chennai to Shirdi — Flights, Trains & Fares Compared (2026)

Chennai to Shirdi has three realistic ways in: a nonstop IndiGo flight of under two hours that flies only a few days a week, a single weekly direct train that takes about 25 hours, or a fast flight-plus-road combo through Pune or Aurangabad.

Most Yatris end up mixing modes rather than relying on one option alone. Here is exactly what each route costs, how long it takes, and who should pick it.

✈️ Direct Flight: 1h 55m Nonstop, When It's Running

IndiGo operates a nonstop Chennai (MAA) to Shirdi (SAG) flight covering 966 km in about 1 hour 55 minutes. Fares typically start around ₹5,700–6,400 one-way and climb toward ₹9,000+ closer to the travel date.

The catch is frequency — this is not a daily flight, and schedules have shifted between a handful of weekly departures in recent months. Always verify the exact days before booking.

Shirdi airport itself sits barely 10–15 minutes from the temple by taxi, which is what makes this route so appealing when it operates. If your dates don't line up, connecting itineraries via Hyderabad or Bengaluru exist but stretch total travel time to 5 hours or more with layovers.

For most Chennai Yatris, the direct flight is worth checking first simply because nothing else gets you there faster.

🚆 The Only Direct Train: One Weekly, 25-Hour Ride

The MGR Chennai Central–Sainagar Shirdi SF Express (22601) is the sole direct train on this route. It departs Chennai Central around 10:10–10:25 AM and reaches Sainagar Shirdi the next morning near 10:50–11:30 AM — a journey of roughly 25 hours over 1,391 km, running only once a week (currently Wednesdays).

Fares range from about ₹670 in Sleeper Class to ₹2,400 in 3AC, with coaches including 3AC, Sleeper, and unreserved General. Sainagar Shirdi station is just about 3 km from the Sai Baba temple, so the onward leg is short.

Travelers connecting through Manmad or Kopargaon junctions instead have more weekly frequency. Our Nagarsol to Shirdi guide covers those junction-and-road options in detail.

🛫 Via Pune: The Fastest Realistic Combo

Because Shirdi's own flight is limited, many Chennai travelers fly into Pune instead — over 7 daily nonstop flights, about 1 hour 35 minutes each way. From Pune airport, it's roughly 185–189 km to Shirdi via Ahmednagar on NH-60, a road journey of 3.5 to 4.5 hours by taxi.

Door to door, that's around 5.5–6 hours total, often faster and far more reliable than waiting for a direct Shirdi flight slot. Taxi fares for the Pune–Shirdi leg run roughly ₹2,100–3,000 for a one-way sedan.

This combo also gives you flexibility. Multiple flight timings a day mean you're not locked to one departure, unlike the weekly train or limited direct flight.

🤔 Which Should You Choose?

• Family with elders: the Pune flight-plus-taxi combo minimizes total travel hours while avoiding an overnight train berth.

• Budget travelers: the weekly train's Sleeper Class at roughly ₹670 is the cheapest way to cover 1,391 km, if the Wednesday schedule fits.

• Tight schedule: the direct Chennai–Shirdi flight (when running) at under 2 hours is unbeatable — just confirm the day first.

• Groups: a shared taxi from Pune or Aurangabad airport often works out cheaper per head than multiple flight tickets on the connecting routes.

🚗 Via Aurangabad: A Solid Backup Route

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) airport has no direct Chennai flight, but connecting itineraries via Hyderabad, Mumbai, or Pune typically take around 4.5 hours total. From there, Shirdi is about 110–125 km away, a 2.5 to 3.5-hour taxi ride on NH160, with one-way fares generally ₹2,000–4,500 depending on the vehicle.

This route works well if Pune connections are sold out or priced high on your travel dates. It also doubles as a gateway if you're combining Shirdi with Ellora or Ajanta.

Our Sambhajinagar Airport to Shirdi guide breaks down pickup points and taxi options at that airport specifically.

📊 Flight vs Train vs Road: Quick Comparison

🛏️ Where to Stay Near the Temple

Once you've reached Shirdi, staying within walking distance of the Samadhi Mandir saves you from arranging local transport for darshan and aarti timings. Rooms near the temple book up fast around weekly Thursday crowds and festival dates.

It helps to lock a stay before you finalize your travel mode above. If darshan queue timing matters for your plan, our guide to Sai Prasadalaya coupons and timings is worth reading alongside your stay booking.

Whichever route you choose — the quick flight, the overnight train, or the Pune combo — reaching Sai Baba's temple from Chennai is well within a day or two of planning. Om Sai Ram.