How to reach Pench · from Chennai
Chennai to Pench: How to Get There
The short answer
Pench is about 1,150–1,200 km from Chennai by road (20+ hours). The best way: Fly to Nagpur, then drive. The nearest airport is Nagpur, about 85–95 km from Turia gate. Best gate to aim for: Turia (MP).
- Road distance
- 1,150–1,200 km
- Drive time
- 20+ hours
- Best way
- Fly to Nagpur, then drive
- Nearest airport
- Nagpur (NAG)
- Main gate
- Turia (MP)
Chennai to Pench at a glance
From Chennai, Pench is a flight-and-transfer trip.
| Option | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Nagpur + drive | Flight + about 2 hrs by road | Short trips, families |
| Train + drive | To Nagpur or Jabalpur, then 2–5 hrs | Budget and slow travel |
| Drive all the way | 20+ hours (1,150–1,200 km) | Road-trippers |
By air
Direct Chennai–Nagpur flights take about 1 hour 50 minutes. From Nagpur airport it is about 85–95 km (1.5–2 hours) up NH44 to Turia gate, and roughly 65–80 km to Sillari on the Maharashtra side.
By train
Trains on the Chennai–Delhi trunk line stop at Nagpur (roughly 18–22 hours). Continue by road.
By road
Driving is a two-day trip of over 1,100 km. We don't recommend it for a short safari holiday.
Which Pench gate to aim for from Chennai
Our suggestion: Turia (MP).
| Gate | From Nagpur | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Sillari, Chorbahuli, Khubala (Maharashtra) | ~50–80 km | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Turia (MP) | ~85–95 km | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Karmajhiri (MP) | ~135 km | ~3 hrs |
| Jamtara (MP) | via Chhindwara | 3–3.5 hrs |
A simple plan from Chennai
Flight Chennai → Nagpur
Transfer to Turia
Two or three nights of safaris
Consider adding Tadoba
Local tip: Land before noon and you can be on an afternoon drive the same day.
Travelling from somewhere else?
Frequently asked questions
How do I travel from Chennai to Pench?
Fly from Chennai to Nagpur (about 1 hour 50 minutes), then drive about 2 hours to Turia gate.
How far is Pench from Chennai?
Roughly 1,150–1,200 km by road, so nearly everyone flies to Nagpur.
Which is the nearest airport to Pench?
Nagpur, about 85–95 km from Turia gate (1.5–2 hours). Jabalpur is the alternative from the north, about 195–215 km away.
Which is the nearest railway station to Pench?
Nagpur Junction is the most practical. Jabalpur and Chhindwara also serve the MP side.
Keep planning your Pench trip
Talk to a Pench naturalist
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