If you are looking to go to Chhattisgarh for its landscapes, temples, tribal culture, or waterfalls, then taking a bus is one of the easiest and most affordable options. Buses cover most of the major towns and even the remote districts. This includes neighboring states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and even Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.
In this travel guide, we will go through all the interstate and intrastate routes to Chhattisgarh and the different types of buses, platforms for booking, station information, safety tips, travel time, and practical tips that can help ease your travel.
Why Travel to Chhattisgarh by Bus?
- Because of a Better Rate: Compared to train or air travel, bus tickets are much cheaper.
- Because It’s More Convenient: There are many pick-up and drop off points with a range of bording hour.
- Because It Can Bring You Exclusive Access: Buses are able to reach remote tribal areas where trains or flights can’t access.
- Because It Takes You on the Scenic Route: It is great for nature lovers as buses travel through towering hills, rivers, and forests.
Outline of the Bus Network in Chhattisgarh
Is a blend of the following for the state of Chhattisgarh:
- Buses operated by CGSTC (Chhattisgarh State Transport Corporation) for the government.
- Private operators offering luxury, semi-sleeper and sleeper buses.
- Minibuses, shared jeeps for short rural routes.
Raipur serves as the primary bus transit center, with otherimportant bus stops being Bilaspur, Durg, Jagdalpur, Korba, Ambikapur, and Raigarh.
Chhattisgarh Major Bus Terminals
| City | Main Bus | Connectivity |
| Raipur | Pandri Bus Stand | Inter & intra state |
| Bilaspur | Tarbahar Bus Stand | East Central Region |
| Durg/Bhilai | Durg ISBT | West Chhattisgarh |
| Jagdalpur | New Bus Stand | Tribal Areas of Bastar |
| Ambikapur | Gandhi Chowk | North Forest Region |
| Korba | Transport Nagar | Industrial Region |
| Raigarh | Kotra Road | Integration with Odissa |
Inter-State Bus Connectivity to Chhattisgarh
1. Maharashtra to Chhattisgarh
Nagpur to Raipur/Durg/Bilaspur
Numerous AC and Non AC buses available
Duration: 5 -7 hours
Popular Operators: Royal Travels, Saini Travels, CGSTC
Fare: ₹350 – ₹800 based on class
Chandrapur/Gondia to Rajnandgaon or Durg
Small private operator and CGSTC buses
Ideal for weekend trips
Noteworthy:
Road NH53 is well maintained and scenic, especially the wooded areas near Bhandara
2. From Madhya Pradesh to Chhattisgarh
Jabalpur to Bilaspur/Raipur
Semi sleeper and express buses operated.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Offered morning and night
Bhopal to Raipur
Long haul express (overnight preferable)
Duration: 12-14 hours
Routes heavily traveled book well in advance due to high demand
Noteworthy:
Seoni, Mandla and Kawardha tribal are beautiful
3. From Orissa to Chhattisgarh
Sambalpur to Raigarh
Non-AC express buses regularly run this route.
Maintains seamless connectivity for business or industrial travelers.
Bhubaneswar to Raipur
Reserved an overnight ride? busca a Volvo or semi sleeper for travel
Duration: 13–15 hours
Routes via Angul, Balangir. Reactivate your Yelp Card
Koraput to Jagdalpur
Small buses operated by Orissa/CG transits too local and rural roads.
Ideal for local travel.Running more frequently makes this route busy
Route Highlight:
Hilly Terrain Near Bastar, Best Done During Daytime
4. From Jharkhand to Chhattisgarh
Ranchi to Raipur
Daily sleeper buses and non-AC express services available.
Duration: 12–14 hours.
Important trade route.
Jamshedpur to Bilaspur
Long distance buses, bookable online.
Tip:
Prefer evening buses and check route weather during monsoon.
5. From Andhra Pradesh & Telangana to Chhattisgarh
Hyderabad to Raipur/Durg.
Visakhapatnam to Jagdalpur.
Key route for accessing Bastar region.
Duration: 7–9 hours.
Scenic and forested highway.
Recommended Operator:
APSRTC and private sleeper buses with safety features.
Popular Intra-State Bus Routes in Chhattisgarh
| Route | Distance | Duration | Type of Bus |
| Raipur – Bilaspur | 120 km | 3–4 hrs | Volvo, Ordinary |
| Raipur – Jagdalpur | 300 km | 7–8 hrs | Sleeper, Deluxe |
| Bilaspur – Ambikapur | 230 km | 6–7 hrs | CGSTC Express |
| Raipur – Korba | 200 km | 5 hrs | Semi-sleeper, CG Govt. |
| Raigarh – Bilaspur | 180 km | 4–5 hrs | Ordinary bus |
| Durg – Rajnandgaon – Kanker | 190 km | 5 hrs | Private Operators |
Types of Buses Available
| Type | Best For |
| Ordinary Buses | Daily commuters, budget travellers |
| Semi-Sleeper AC | Mid range comfort |
| Sleeper Buses | Overnight long trips |
| Luxury Volvo/Mercedes | Business class, elderly travellers |
| Mini Buses/Shared Jeeps | Last mile tribal areas |
Online Bus Booking Platforms
- RedBus – Most used in India, supports private & state buses.
- AbhiBus – Good for Andhra/Telangana routes.
- Paytm/MakeMyTrip – Intuitive Design, Frequent Discounts
- Chhattisgarh State Bus Website (CGSTC.in) – Only for government transport booking services
How to Book Bus Tickets
Steps:
- Select departure and arrival cities within a route, select travel date, and bus type (AC/Sleeper)
- View pricing and seat map to select best available.
- Verify identity through mobile/email.
- Payment using UPI, Netbanking, or Card.
- Keep a softcopy or printout.
Important:
Travel with your ID that was used for booking the ticket.
Safety and Comfort Tips for Bus Travelers
- Select AC Sleeper Class for overnight journeys.
- Bring a light blanket and a water bottle.
- Do not eat heavy meals before traveling.
- Have your power bank, earphones, and phone charger within reach.
- If seat belts are provided, make sure to buckle up.
- Do not go to remote bus stands after 9 PM.
- Rest stop stretches can be trusted based on guidance from the conductor or co-passengers.
Seasonal Travel Tips
| Season | Tip |
| Winter (Oct–Feb) | Morning and evening buses are best |
| Summer (Mar–Jun) | Prefer AC or Volvo buses |
| Monsoon (Jul–Sep) | Be careful of tribal routes that might have landslides or flooding. |
Baggage and Luggage Tips
- Use small or medium trolley bags.
- Avoid keeping valuables underneath in storage.
- Cash and ID should be stored in a cross-body bag.
- For rural buses, bring a rain cover or backpack.
Commonly Used Timetabled Bus Lines and Their Travel Times
| Route | Operator | Time | Fare (Approx) |
| Nagpur – Raipur | Saini Travels | 10 AM – 4 PM | ₹500–₹800 |
| Jabalpur – Bilaspur | CGSTC | 9 PM – 5 AM | ₹450 |
| Bhopal – Raipur | Mahendra Travels | 7 PM – 8 AM | ₹800 |
| Hyderabad – Durg | Orange Travels | 6 PM – 9 AM | ₹1,000 |
| Visakhapatnam – Jagdalpur | APSRTC | 8 AM – 5 PM | ₹600 |
Traversing into Tribal Areas by Bus
- Kondagaon, Dantewada, Narayanpur – Accessible from Jagdalpur via CGSTC and mini-buses.
- Kanker & Keshkal – Buses depart from Raipur ISBT.
- Sukma & Bijapur – Long distance, infrequent travel (don’t travel at night).
Tip:
In remote areas, always confirm the return timetable before boarding.
Family & Women Travellers: Tips for Bus Safety
- Reserve Seats Adjacent to the Bus Driver or in the Ladies Area
- Avoid Pickup Points That Are Secluded
- Select Known Private Bus Operators
- Provide Your Family Members With Live Tracking
- Utilize Waiting Areas Reserved For Females At Major Bus Terminals
Travelling By Bus Is The People’s Choice
If you want to travel around Chhattisgarh on a budget, then buses are a convenient option. For spiritually minded travelers, eco-tourists, or those wanting to visit a tribal market, there is an extensive network of luxury Volvos and mini rural buses available.
Be smart, pack right, book early, and set out for an adventure.
Chhattisgarh has so much to offer.
