Getting around Nandurbar
Nandurbar is a small district headquarters town in the northwest corner of Maharashtra's Khandesh region, and getting around it is refreshingly simple. There is no metro, no tram and no commuter rail network within the town itself. Instead, visitors rely on a compact, walkable town centre, state-run and private buses for anything further afield, and the railway station for arriving from or leaving for other parts of India. The practical advice below explains how these pieces fit together.
On foot in town
Because Nandurbar is a municipal council town rather than a large metropolis, the most practical way to cover the central area is on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, especially in the hotter months, and treat walking as your default for anything within the town core.
Railways
Nandurbar is served by a station on the Indian Railways network, and the district falls under the Western Railway zone. The station is the natural arrival point if you are coming by train, and it is also the link to neighbouring towns and to the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh borders.
- Nandurbar (NDB) is the town's own station and your most likely point of arrival or departure.
- Navapur (NWU) lies on the Maharashtra–Gujarat border, where a yellow line across the platform marks the state boundary — a curiosity worth knowing if your journey takes you toward Gujarat.
- Chinchpada (CPD) is another station in the district, useful if your destination is elsewhere in Nandurbar district rather than the town itself.
There is no metro or tram system to worry about — the railway is the only rail option.
Buses and public transport
Buses are the workhorse of local and regional travel. Public bus transport in the district is primarily operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), whose distinctive red buses are known locally as "Laal Pari" (Red Fairy). These services connect the town with surrounding villages and with other towns, and they are the main link for residents travelling for markets, schools, health services and work.
- MSRTC ("Laal Pari") buses are the main public option for short and long-distance journeys within and beyond the district.
- Private bus operators also run local and inter-district routes alongside the state fleet, giving you a second option on some routes.
- Terrain matters: the district mixes plains with hilly Sahyadri terrain, which shapes which routes are served and how long journeys take.
- Expect gaps: locals report that remote parts of the district still lack adequate and reliable bus connections, so check schedules in advance if you are heading well off the main routes.
If you are travelling toward the Gujarat border — a route many residents take daily for work — buses are the practical choice, and it is worth confirming the last return service before you set out.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Visitors should therefore not assume that Uber, Ola or similar apps will work here. The realistic approach is to arrange transport through your hotel, hire a local vehicle for day trips, or rely on buses and walking. For excursions to nearby attractions such as the Toranmal hill station or the Unapdev picnic spot, arranging a vehicle in advance is the sensible plan.
Getting in from the airport
In practice, visitors arrive by rail or road: the railway station is the main long-distance gateway, and state highways connect the town to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as well as to the rest of Maharashtra.
Practical tips
- Plan around the railway station and the bus stand — these are your two transport anchors.
- Walk within the town centre; save buses for villages, neighbouring towns and border crossings.
- Ask locally for current MSRTC and private bus timings, as published schedules are not detailed in the available sources.
- Do not count on ride-hailing apps; arrange vehicles through your accommodation instead.
- If you plan to visit Toranmal or Unapdev, sort out your transport before the day of travel.