How to Reach Jagdalpur: Travel by Air, Train, and Road

Jagdalpur is one of the most stunning offbeat travel destinations in India. It features the majestic Chitrakote waterfalls, ancient temples, dense forests, and vibrant tribal celebrations like the highlighted Bastar Dussehra. Jagdalpur is a mix of breathtaking nature, rich spirituality, and ethnocultural tourism.

Unlike the rest of India, jagdalpur is located deep in the south of Chhattisgarh bordering Odisha and Telangana. This makes the town require advanced travel planning.

Traveling by air, train, and road are all accepted ways to reach Jagdalpur as this guide shows the most effective means to reach Jagdalpur with current travel conditions.

About Jagdalpur:

• Region: Bastar (South Based)
• Distance From Raipur: 290 km
• Closest Cities: Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Raipur.

Surrounding jagdalpur are forests, rivers, and tribal settlements. The area is still remote, but all three modes of transportation, air, rail, and road, provide functional access regardless of location.

Accessing Jagdalpur by Air

1. Airport of Jagdalpur (JGB)

• Geographical Situation: Approximately 4 kilometers away from the center of Jagdalpur
• Airport Code: JGB
• Classification: Domestic (Regional) Type of Airport
• Jagdalpur Airport’s services: Operational and security checked terminal, including restrooms and parking, though basic, is currently functional.

Revival of Jagdalpur Airport was done under the scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) which aims to improve a particular region’s connectivity.

Currently Operational Flights:

• Route: Raipur – Jagdalpur
  • Airline: Alliance Air
  • Duration: 1hr
  • Frequency: 4-5 days/week
• Route: Visakhapatnam – Jagdalpur
  • Airline: Alliance Air
  • Duration: 1hr
  • Frequency: 3-4 days/week

Booking Recommendations:

• Use the Air India/Alliance Air site to purchase tickets.
• Flight routes are subject to seasonal changes; confirm with the airline.
• Due to high competition, early planning and booking is essential.
• Make sure to be printed tickets and ID, to avoid issues with staff who don’t accept screenshots.

Jagdalpur Airport Reservations:

• Taxi: Accessible directly outside the terminal, prices range from ₹150-₹300 to the city.
• Rickshaws: Cheaper alternate, though less comfortable.
• Hotel arranged pickups: Verify with your hotel regarding pre-arrangement of pickups.

Important Notes:

• Direct flights from Delhi or Mumbai do not exist, one needs to connect through either Raipur or Vizag.
• Reliability of flights is somewhat low; for urgent trips, other forms like train or road travel may be considered.

Accessing Jagdalpur via Train

PF41 of Indian Railways is connected to Jagdalpur via multiple major cities. Although the number of available trains is lower, the journey is particularly comfortable and scenic, especially for long-distance travelers.

1. Station Jadgalpur railway (JDB)

• Geographic position: Hub
• Services: Basic waiting area and food stalls
• Division: East coast railways

The major trains to jagalpur are:

• Train number 18006 jagadalpur samaleswari express
  • Departure from howrah – 20:50
  • Arrival at jagadalpur – 14:15
  • Operating days: Daily
• Visakhapatnam − jagdalpur express train
  • Departure from visakhapatnam – 6:45
  • Arrival at jagadlapur – 14:10
  • Operating days: Daily
• Durg – jagdalpur express
  • Depature from Durg – 21:05
  • Arrival at jagadalpur – 08:00
  • Operating days: Daily
• Koraput – Jagdalpur PassengerLocal
  • Odisha route odisha
  • Multiple to multiple daily schedule

By major centers

Raipur

No direct train, must take connecting trains via Durg or change at Koraput/ Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam

Best connected center. Daily trains take ~8 hours.

Bhubaneswar

Needs a connection via Koraput or Rayagada, then takes local train.

Booking Recommendations

• Use of irctc , makemytrip or confirmtkt recommended
• For comfort, book AC 2 tier or 3 tier class tickets
• Plan for 2-3 buffer hours during the rainy season
• “Where is My Train” app is helpful for live status updates.

By road to reaches jagdalpur

For a number of travelers – especially from Raipur, hyderabad, or orisha – commuting by road is the most straightforward option.

National Highways have two roads linking to Jagdalpur, and the view along the way, especially through the bastar forests, is significant.

Starting From Raipur To Jagdalpur

• Distance: 290 kilometers
• Duration: 6 – 7 hours
• Route: Raipur → Dhamtari → Kanker → Kondagaon → Jagdalpur (using highway 30)
• Road Condition: Very good condition (mostly 2-lane, well-paved roads)
• Fuel Stops: Regular petrol stations
• Restaurants and highway dhabas in Kanker and Kondagaon

Other Starting Points

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)

• Distance: 300 kilometers
• Duration: 7–8 hours
• Route: Vizag → Araku Valley → Koraput → Jagdalpur (NH43)
• Scenic Route: Araku hills and mountainous tribal regions
• Note: Travel during the day for safety purposes and better visibility

From Hyderabad (Telangana)

• Approximately 570 kilometers
• Duration: 11–12 hours
• Route: Hyderabad → Bhadrachalam → Sukma → Jagdalpur
• Road Quality: Mixed; reasonable highways until Bhadrachalam. Rural roads afterwards.
• Recommendation: If self-driving, an overnight stop is suggested.

State and Private Buses To Jagdalpur

For those not driving, there are numerous state and private buses to Jagdalpur.

From Raipur:

• Remnant Class Buses: CGSTC government buses, private Volvo, non-AC sleeper
• Bus Operating Schedule: 07:00 – 15:00
• Ticket Price: ₹400–₹1,000
• Booking Platforms: RedBus, Paytm, Abhibus

From Visakhapatnam:

• APRTC buses, private operators
• Ticket Price: ₹600–₹900
• Route: Via Araku or Koraput

From Hyderabad:

• Private semi-sleeper night buses
• 12 hour travel time with early morning arrival.
• Less frequent than other routes, confirm a day in advance

Driving Tips for Jagdalpur Road Trips

• Leave early to avoid dark forested areas
• Lookout for animals and livestock on countryside roads
• Have offline maps – mobile signal may cut out in forested areas
• Bring cash, ATMs are unreliable in rural areas

Safety and Travel Advisory

• Bastar is quiet, safe for tourists
• Unknown forest paths should be avoided without local guides
• Group travel is recommended in remote villages with a trusted local
• Jagdalpur has hospitals and police support as well as tourist helpdesks
• Best travel time: October to February (cool, dry season)
• July and August should be avoided for heavy monsoon season due to slippery roads

Where to Stay After Reaching Jagdalpur

Pro Tip: Always pre-book during Dussehra and winter months.

Places to Visit in Jagdalpur and Its Environs

Don’t miss out on:

• Chitrakote and Tirathgarh Falls
• Bastar Palace
• Anthropological Museum
• Kanger Valley National Park
• Danteshwari Temple, Dantewada
• Weekly tribal haats (markets)

Flex Your Planning Muscles

Jagdalpur might be out of reach for most familiar tourists and requires a fair amount of strategic planning to get to. Be traveling through Raipur by air, scenic Vizag trains, or driving through the astonishing Bastar region, the journey certainly promises some breathtaking vistas. Be mindful of the travel duration while planning and remain open to embrace the pristine landscapes of tribal Chhattisgarh. Anyone who visits Jagdalpur is sure to bring back cherished memories to last a lifetime.