Mumbai to Hyderabad

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Mumbai to Hyderabad crosses the Deccan Plateau, and while it is well within flying range for most travellers, the overnight train remains a popular and comfortable way to cover the distance without losing a day to travel. Here is how the train, plane and drive stack up.

The classic way: the overnight train

Several trains link Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus or Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) and Hyderabad (Secunderabad), covering the roughly 710 km in around 14 hours on most services. The majority run overnight, departing Mumbai in the evening and arriving in Hyderabad the following morning — a comfortable way to cross the Deccan Plateau while you sleep, with sleeper classes ranging from budget non-AC Sleeper Class up to 2AC and 3AC, plus 1AC on some services. See the India by train guide for a full explanation of Indian Railways' class system and how to book through IRCTC.

Reservations open 60 days ahead and popular trains, especially on weekends and around festivals, fill up — book as early as you can, and check the tourist quota through the International Tourist Bureau if your preferred train shows as waitlisted. For most foreign visitors, 2AC strikes the best balance of comfort, security and cost on a route this length: air-conditioned, bedding included, and private enough for a good night's sleep across the Deccan.

The route runs through Maharashtra and into Telangana, crossing some of the Deccan Plateau's characteristic dry, rocky landscape — not the most scenic Indian rail journey, but a genuinely comfortable way to cover a long distance without losing a day of sightseeing at either end.

The fastest way: flying

Flights between Mumbai and Hyderabad take about 1 hour 15 minutes and run frequently throughout the day on multiple domestic carriers, making this one of India's busier short-haul air corridors. For time-pressed travellers, flying is the clear winner: even with airport transfers and check-in factored in, it comfortably beats a 14-hour train in total door-to-door time. Fares are often competitive with premium train classes if booked a little ahead. If you are arriving in Mumbai from abroad first, see the Mumbai airport to the city guide for the transfer into the city before your onward journey.

The budget alternative: long-distance buses

Overnight sleeper and semi-sleeper coaches also run this corridor, taking somewhat longer than the train — often 15 to 17 hours depending on traffic on National Highway 65 — but at a lower fare than even Sleeper Class on the train in some cases. This is a fallback rather than a first choice for most travellers: on a route this long, the train's more comfortable berths and more predictable timing generally make it the better overnight option, but buses are worth knowing about if train tickets are sold out on your dates.

Driving from Mumbai to Hyderabad

The drive covers around 710 km, mostly via NH65, and takes roughly 12 to 13 hours without significant stops — a long day's drive, or more comfortably split over two days. Self-driving this distance is uncommon among foreign visitors; hiring a car with a driver is the more usual approach for those who want the flexibility of stopping en route, for instance around Solapur. For most travellers, this is a route better covered by train or plane than by road.

Which should you choose?

Choose the overnight train if you want to save a hotel night and travel in the more relaxed Indian Railways style — 2AC or 3AC is a comfortable, sociable way to cross the Deccan. Choose flying if time matters more than the experience; the short hop makes it an easy add to a wider India itinerary. Driving only makes sense with a hired driver and a reason to stop along the way, and the bus is worth keeping in mind as a backup if the train is fully booked.

Mumbai to Hyderabad is often one leg of a wider South Indian loop; travellers frequently pair it with routes further south such as Bangalore to Hampi, continue west along the Konkan coast on Mumbai to Goa, or head inland to the Ajanta and Ellora caves on Mumbai to Aurangabad.

Practical tips for the journey

On the overnight train, carry a padlock and chain for your luggage in Sleeper Class, where security is more relaxed than in the AC classes — this is standard practice across the Indian Railways network rather than a specific concern for this route. Station food at the larger stops along the way ranges from decent to forgettable; carrying your own snacks and water is sensible for any overnight Indian train journey. Hyderabad's Secunderabad station is well connected to the rest of the city by taxi and app-cab services, and sits closer to many hotels than the older Hyderabad Deccan station, so check which station your specific train uses when booking.

If flying, both Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport are well outside their respective city centres, so factor in 45 minutes to an hour each way for the airport transfer alongside the flight time itself when comparing total door-to-door journey times against the train.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the train take from Mumbai to Hyderabad?

Around 14 hours on most services, typically run overnight so you sleep through the bulk of the journey.

Which class should I book for the overnight train?

2AC is the most popular choice for comfort and value; 3AC is a cheaper, still air-conditioned alternative. Both include bedding.

Is flying much faster than the train?

Yes — the flight itself takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, though door-to-door time is closer to 3–4 hours once airport transfers are included, still far quicker than the 14-hour train.

Do I need to book the train far in advance?

Booking opens 60 days before departure. For weekends and festival periods, reserve as early as possible, and consider the tourist quota if the train you want is waitlisted.