Pune to Shirdi and back to Pune for a group of 16 members - best mode of travel?

Status
Not open for further replies.

logistopath

Molar Police
Staff member
Keymaster
My parents and some of my relatives (a group of 16 members) will be visiting Shirdi in August. They will be reaching Pune by train on 16th August at around 10 a.m.; their return train is on 17th August at around 5 p.m.
They plan to proceed directly to Shirdi on the 16th, check in to some accommodation, have darshan and stay overnight there. On 17th morning, they will check out, visit Shani Shingnapur and then proceed back to Pune in time for the return train.
What would be the best mode of travel from Pune to SHirdi and back? Is there anything like a cab service or bus service that starts around 11 a.m or 12 noon on the 16th? If so, can an advance booking be made for the same? What are the other alternatives? I enquired someone about hiring a van, and it comes to around 10k.. That is costly. My parents want a slightly cheaper, yet safer option. Please chip in with your suggestions.
 
@Logistopath

I have been to Shirdi couple of times from Pune and used non AC buses from Aundh / Shivajinagar which leave Aundh at 10 pm types and reach Shirdi at like 4.30 AM which is quite appropriate. My relatives and parents were to come from Mumbai (total 9 people) and is strongly advised (infact threatened) to use Neeta volvo or some bus only. They were initially planning to book a sumo. I know that the road to shirdi is not so good and also the night travel scares me.

Infact i travel Mumbai - Pune even fortnight (initially every week for 4 years) and i rarely take a car/cab as buses are safer.

I strongly recommend buses only.

May be try booking that Tata winger or something but still if you can manage in a volvo type it will be fine.

Not sure how comfortable your folks would be but Asiad buses would be plying in middle of day too i think.
 
@raksrules: As mentioned in the first thread, they will be reaching Pune at around 10 am only. They need a bus by noon on the same day, which seems to be very rare. A van would be very comfortable 'coz it can pick them up at the station, and drop them back there; no hassles of carrying luggage from railway station to the bus station, etc.. The problem though, is that most travel operators do not respond well over phone. Please let me know if you are aware of some travel agency who is reliable. I'll try talking to them.

@big.bad.boi: I do have a rough idea as mentioned already. I just need a reliable travel agency and an idea about expected costs from someone who has travelled similarly, or who is in Pune and can get a quote from some travel agency they know.
 
Buses do not leave acc to ur requirements and god forbid the bus gets late or the driver is very keen on makin a quick buck then then there is a possibility that ur parents might just miss their train back home... But if u have a car/mini bus than u can leave at ur preference and do not need to be at the mercy of the bus/bus driver.

Have a number of this fellow who had once rented out a Bus from him for a trip to mahableshwar we were aroung 25 perople and he charged us 6k for it... If u want can provide the number to you but have no clue how much he will charge u now... U can talk to him... pm me if u need his number
 
logistopath said:
@raksrules: As mentioned in the first thread, they will be reaching Pune at around 10 am only. They need a bus by noon on the same day, which seems to be very rare. A van would be very comfortable 'coz it can pick them up at the station, and drop them back there; no hassles of carrying luggage from railway station to the bus station, etc.. The problem though, is that most travel operators do not respond well over phone. Please let me know if you are aware of some travel agency who is reliable. I'll try talking to them.

@big.bad.boi: I do have a rough idea as mentioned already. I just need a reliable travel agency and an idea about expected costs from someone who has travelled similarly, or who is in Pune and can get a quote from some travel agency they know.
Ok tell me what your requirements are and how many people will be travelling, pickup point, when to drop back (next day or whatever it is) and which date ?

How much luggage is expected. In aundh there are many travel operators, i can ask them. But cannot guarantee +ve results. They are all full of attitude :|
 
@lida: Please let me know the number. Will try talking to the person.

@raks: Thanks for the offer. It is a group of 16 people. Mostly adults. They will reach Pune at 10 a.m on 16th August. They will need to be picked up directly at the railway station; and will proceed directly to Shirdi. The next day (17th) they will visit Shani Shingnapur, and then they will need to be dropped back at Pune railway station at about 5 p.m. Luggage should be nothing more than a bag/suitcase per individual. The only thing is none of them know Hindi/Marathi; and some of them are quite old. A 16 seater non a/c Swaraj Mazda should be ideal.

In aundh there are many travel operators, i can ask them. But cannot guarantee +ve results. They are all full of attitude

I know. I've been there and I've experienced the attitude personally. That's why I'm pretty sure a phone call from Pondicherry will amount to nothing.
 
I would suggest hire a mini bus (tempo traveler or alike),you are at your convenience and you can decide when you want to leave.and all .

it will be as per your convenience and not as per bus operator discretion.
 
Spoke to my fellow he said he will take 7.8k for a non ac bus... So if u are interested do let me know asap
 
pratikb said:
I would suggest hire a mini bus (tempo traveler or alike),you are at your convenience and you can decide when you want to leave.and all .

it will be as per your convenience and not as per bus operator discretion.
Yeah.. That is now pretty much decided. Will be opting for a hired van/minibus.

@lida: PMs replied. :)
 
So this is what the 2 travel people told me near my place.

Kilometers - 600 to and fro (one of them took it as 500 but you assume 600)
Rate / KM - 13 Rs
Cost - 13 x 600 = 7800
Other things like permit etc he told will take cost to 8500 Rupees in total

The other guy told me something below 8000 but he took Kms as 500 so whatever comes actually at the end in the odometer will be taken i guess as the actual reading (will have to talk with the travel person before hand for this)
 
@raks: Thanks a lot.. Most operators calculate the mileage as 300 kms per day.. So I believe 600 would be the correct calculation, as you have mentioned. Do you know any of these guys personally? Either way, if you can give me their contact numbers, I can proceed further.

Lida has also given me the contact details of the agent he knows, and that guy also is quoting the same rates. I guess around 8.5k should be the right amount to spend. I'll have a talk with all these guys and with my parents and then decide. Thanks again..!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.