Chhattisgarh, known for its stunning dense forests, waterfalls, temples and tribal culture, is one of India’s concealed travel treasures. Be it for exploring the tribal heartland of Bastar, the serene town of Sirpur, the Chitrakote waterfalls, or the urban buzz of Raipur – reaching Chhattisgarh is handy if you plan well.
In this travel guide, we’ll discuss all travel options – air, train and road – to make your visit more comfortable. This article is tailored specifically for first-time visitors, family travelers, solo explorers, and anyone looking to visit this underrated state.
Where is Chhattisgarh Located?
Chhattisgarh is located in the center of India. It is bordered by Madhya Pradesh, Maharshtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. This central position renders it reachable from several states through all major transportation routes.
Raipur is the capital city and serves as the main hub for most travel connections. For those coming from metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Bangalore – your entry point is most likely going to be Raipur.
Reaching Chhattisgarh by Air
The main airport serving this region is Swarm Vivekanand Airport (Raipur)
- Located at Mana, 15 km away from Raipur City
- IATA Code: RPR
- Domestic Type (limited access cargo and charter international flights)
As the most advanced and busiest airport in Chhattisgarh, Raipur that has air travel connections with most cities in India is equally praised for cleanliness,maintenance and efficiency.
Direct Flights to Major Cities:
- Delhi – Non-stop flights on a daily basis from IndiGo, Vistara and Air India.
- Mumbai – Multiple direct flights daily.
- Bangalore – Morning and evening flights available.
- Hyderabad – Connected via numerous short duration flights.
- Kolkata – Daily connections available and convenient for approaches from the east.
- Chennai – One or two flights available, but fewer than others.
- Ahmedabad & Pune – Indirect flights available but can be one-stop.
Some Air Travel Tips:
- Book in advance for trips that coincide with festivals. During Dussehra, the Bastar celebration is popular.
- For Bastar travels, it is best to fly into Raipur and then take a taxi or bus (approximately a 6 to 7 hour ride).
- Taxi booths at the airport means that travelers do not need to wait long for their luggage to arrive, as the collection is expedited.
- Travelers who need to head into the city should use buses or taxi services like Ola and Uber.
By Train To And From Chhattisgarh
Approximately every corner of the country is connected by Indian Railways to the Chhattisgarh region. The state has an excenllent network of trains passing through its important junctions.
Important Railway Stations In Chhattisgarh:
- Central point for all rail traffic: Raipur Junction (R)
- Zonal HQ of Southeast Central Railway: Bilaspur Junction (BSP)
- Serves the twin cities of Durg and Bhilai: Durg (DURG)
- Main station in Bastar region: Jagdalpur (JDB)
- Business and industrial travelers are popular travelers to this station: Korba (KRBA)
- Connects Eastern cities to the state: Raigarh (RIG)
Best Trains For Traveling To Chattishgarh:
| Train Name | Route | Best For |
| Gitanjali Express | Mumbai – Raipur | Fast & frequent |
| Humsafar Express | Delhi – Raipur | AC & comfortable |
| Samta Express | Visakhapatnam – Raipur | East India connections |
| Korba Express | Howrah – Korba | East to North Chhattisgarh |
| Bilaspur Rajdhani | New Delhi – Bilaspur | Superfast luxury |
Other tips
- Make sure to book tickets through the IRCTC app or through MakeMyTrip and Paytm.
- Sleeper class is decent for shorter trips.
- Always remember to check the train timings especially for the smaller stations.
Station Facilities:
- Food courts, retiring rooms as well as clean platforms are available in Raipur and Bilaspur.
- Taxi or auto bookings can be done from Jagdalpur’s smaller station.
- Pre-paid auto/taxi booths can be found in larger stations.
Traveling to Chhattisgarh by Road
If you love scenic drives or wish to visit off-the-beaten-track places such as tribal villages, road travel offers the flexibility and ease of visiting such places. Chhattisgarh is accessible via National highways and well-paved State Highways.
The following are the major road routes to Chhattisgarh:
- NH30 – Nagpur to Raipur – ~290 km
- NH53 – Raipur to Bilaspur – ~120 km
- NH43 –Raipur to Jagdalpur – ~290 km
- NH130 –Bhilai to Ambikapur – ~350km
- NH49 – Bilaspur to Raigarh – ~200 km
Inter-State Buses:
- Volvo and Private AC buses are available from Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jabalpur, and Hyderabad to Raipur and Bilaspur.
- Focus on the Chhattisgarh State Road Transport Corporation (CGSTC), which operates regular buses to townships and tribal areas.
- Booking can be done online through RedBus, Abhibus, or CGSTC’s official webpage.
Self-Drive Tips:
- Roads are in a better state in the central areas (Raipur, Durg, Bilaspir).
- Tribal belts (like Dantewada, Kondagaon) are less equipped with road infrastructure, thus, should be driven slowly and carefully.
- Every major highway offers petrol stations and dhaba along the roadside.
- GPS tends to function well, but it helps to have offline maps for deep forest regions.
Local Travel Inside Chhattisgarh
Upon reaching Raipur or Bilaspir, you will require local transport for commuting.
Cabs & Autos:
- Cabs: Uber and Ola operate efficiently in Raipur, Durg, and Bhilai.
- Autos and shared Tempos are readily available in small towns at cheap prices.
- Airport and train stations provide prepaid taxi services.
Rental Cars & Bikes:
- Available in Bilaspur, Jagdalpur, and Raipur.
- Local travel agencies and platforms like Royal Brothers and Zoomcar offer services.
- SUVs are preferred for touring tribal regions and waterfalls.
Special Note: Travel to Remote & Tribal Areas
The Chhattisgarh districts of Dantewada, Kondagaon and Bastar are famous for their pristine tribal regions. They’re gorgeous but poorly connected. Here’s how you can reach them:
Bastar (Base town: Jagadalpur)
- Air: No direct flights. Fly to Raipur then take a taxi or bus (~6-7 hours).
- Train: Visakhapatnam and Raipur have limited trains to Jagdalpur.
- Road: Scenic drive through forests. Well connected via NH30 and NH43.
Dantewada:
- Access via a local cab from Jagdalpur (90 mins).
- Safe roads but do not travel late at night.
Travel Seasonally: Suggestions
- Summer (March to June) A/C flights or train
- Winter (October to February) Any mode of transport preferred
- Monsoon (July to September) Preferably train
Notes: Roads around tribal areas can be less reliable during rainfall, while pleasant weather during winter is ideal for sightseeing.
Plan Smart, Travel Smooth
While Chhattisgarh might not be on everyone’s travel checklist, once you arrive, the ancient temples, dense jungles, stunning waterfalls, and tribal festivals are bound to leave you in awe.
Regardless of where you come from – be it Delhi, Nagpur, Hyderabad or Kolkata – you can reach Chhattisgarh conveniently by air, train, or road. The most important thing is selecting the correct access point, purchasing tickets ahead of time, and keeping track of travel or traffic updates if planning to go into less populated regions.
In the case of most tourists, the preferred starting point is Raipur. From that point, one can organize day trips or longer accommodations to places like Sirpur, Bhilai, Bhoramdeo, Chitrakote, and Bastar.
