Situated in the heart of the country is one of its most developed, culturally rich, business-centric, well-connected cities which is a gateway to vast jungles and not very far from the serenity of Kanha and the sophisticated city of Bastar; it is none other than Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. Be it for education, tourism, business, or a mere stopover, I can assure you reaching Raipur won’t be a challenge at all. This article will serve as a one-stop guide for everything from travelling by air, train, or road and will include airport information, comprehensive train routes, national highways, interstate buses, and offer some travel pointers. If this is your first time travelling or you want to optimize your experience, you will surely make the best of it.
What is the exact location of Raipur?
- State: Chhattisgarh
- Geographical Location: Central India
- Altitude: 298 metres above sea level
- Coordinates: 21.25° N, 81.63° E
- Nearby Cities: Bhilai (30 km) Durg (40 km) Bilaspur (115 km) Jagdalpur (290 km)
Raipur is situated in the center of India and bordered by the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh which makes it a great hub in terms of logistics, mobility, and trade not only for people but for freight too.
Reaching Raipur by Air
Swami Vivekananda Airport (RPR)
- IATA Code: RPR
- Location: Mana, roughly 15 kilometers from Raipur city center.
- Type: Domestically based with limited international cargo and charter flights.
- Facilities: Modern terminal with 24/7 operations, ATMs, cab services, lounges, food courts.
This airport is the only major one in Chhattisgarh having domestic flights and winning multiple awards in cleanliness and efficiency along with having the capacity to serve almost two million passengers each year.
Direct Flight Connectivity
| City | Airlines | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | IndiGo, Vistara, Air India | Multiple daily |
| Mumbai | IndiGo, Vistara, Air India | Multiple daily |
| Bangalore | IndiGo, Akasa | Daily |
| Hyderabad | IndiGo, Akasa | Daily |
| Kolkata | IndoGo, Air India | Daily |
| Ahmedabad | IndoGo | 3–4 times/week |
| Chennai | IndoGo (via BLR or HYD) | 3–5 times/week |
| Pune | IndoGo | 3–4 times/week |
| Bhubaneswar | IndoGo | 3–4 times/week |
Booking Tips
- Look for deals on MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and Skyscanner.
- Best deals can be found if booked 2-3 weeks in advance.
- Morning flights tend to leave on time more frequently.
Airport Transfers
- Taxi: Prepaid taxis, Ola, and Uber are offered at arrivals (₹300-500 to city).
- Airport Bus: Raipur smart city bus service connects to the city and railway station.
- Car Rental: Zoomcar, MyChoize rentals located outside the airport.
Reaching Raipur by Train
The city is a key railway junction along with being one of the busiest stations in central India with connections in the SECR zone and all four directions.
Raipur Junction (R)
- Station Code: R
- Located: Close to the city center
- Offers: Waiting and retiring rooms, lifts, ATMs, food courts, auto stands
Major Trains to Raipur
| Route | Train Name | Type | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi – Raipur | Samta Express, Chattisgarh Exp | Superfast/Exp | Daily |
| Mumbai – Raipur | Gitanjali Express, Howrah Mail | Superfast | Daily |
| Kolkata – Raipur | Geetanjali Express | Superfast | Daily |
| Bangalore – Raipur | Sanghamitra Exp, Korba Exp | Superfast | Daily |
| Hyderabad – Raipur | Hyderabad – Raipur SFS | Superfast | Daily |
| Bhubaneshwar – Raipur | Samaleshwari Express | Express | Daily |
| Ahmedabad – Raipur | Navjeevan Express | Superfast | 4-5 times/wk |
Classes Available
- AC First Class (1A) – Luxurious and Private
- AC 2/3 Tier – Comfortable for families and long travels
- Sleeper Class – Budget-friendly
- General – Short distance locals
Booking Recommendations
- Book through IRCTC official website/mobile app or use Paytm/ConfirmTkt
- Best to book 7-10 days prior, more during peak seasons
- For last minute changes, tatkal quota is available
Getting to Raipur by Road
Multiple National and State Highways also make Raipur well connected for road travel. The approach roads from different regions to Raipur by bus, train, or even personal cabs are smooth and well constructed.
Highways Passing Through Raipur
| Highway | Route | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| NH30 | Allahabad – Raipur – Jagdalpur | Major North-South access |
| NH53 | Maharashtra – Raipur – Odisha | East-West connectivity |
| NH130 | Raipur – Bilaspur – Ambikapur | Northern Chhattisgarh route |
Driving to Raipur: Distance & Time
| From City | Distance | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nagpur | 290 km | 5.5 – 6 hrs |
| Bilaspur | 115 km | 2 – 2.5 hrs |
| Jagdalpur | 290 km | 6 – 7 hrs |
| Bhubaneswar | 530 km | 10 – 11 hrs |
| Hyderabad | 580 km | 11 – 12 hrs |
| Jabalpur | 400 km | 7 hrs |
Export to Sheets
Road Quality
Very good on national highways. The forest stretches on the way to Bastar may require caution during monsoons.
Bus Connectivity to Raipur
Raipur boasts of very good inter-state and intra-state bus services with ISBT Bhatagaon and Pandri Bus Stand serving as the two main terminals.
Well-Known Bus Routes
| Route | Type | Operators | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagdalpur – Raipur | Sleeper/AC | Manish Travels, CGSTC | 6–7 hrs |
| Nagpur – Raipur | Volvo/Non-AC | Saini Travels, Mahendra Travels | 6 hrs |
| Hyderabad – Raipur | AC Sleeper | Sharma Travels, Gupta Travels | 12 hrs |
| Vizag – Raipur | Sleeper/Volvo | APSRTC, CGSTC | 10 hrs |
| Bilaspur – Raipur | Express | CGSTC, Rajdhani | 2 hrs |
Booking Bus Tickets
- Redbus.in
- Abhibus.com
- Make My Trip Bus
- Paytm Travel
Raipur And Its Surroundings
The city is integrated well and has a range of transport options, including:
- Ola and Uber serve the entire area
- Widely available auto rickshaws
- City buses by Raipur Smart City Ltd. serve all important stops
- Self-drive rentals (Zoomcar, Revv) located at airport and railway station
Tips for Travellers
- Best Time to Visit Raipur: October through February (chilly and dry)
- Avoid the peak summer months (March to June) because of heat
- Monsoon season can make access to Bastar and forested regions hazardous due to slick conditions.
- Navratri and Bastar Dussehra are celebrated on such a huge scale in Raipur that booking hotels and tickets well in advance is mandatory.
Getaway to Chhattisgarh And Further
Fly in, train in, or enjoy a long drive, getting in and out of Raipur is smooth sailing from every direction. The gateway makes it easy to use as a staging post for the scenic central India and its natural gifts, rich tribal heritage, culture, and historical sites.
Getting here puts you a couple hours away from Bastar’s gorgeous waterfalls, Sirpur’s ancient ruins, Achanakmar’s jungles, and Kanha’s famous tiger trails. Mark your routes and pack your bags for an unforgettable voyage that begins at Raipur, the heart of india’s deepest soulful core.
