Mumbai to Lonavala Weekend Trip: Complete Guide + Best Villas to Book (2026)

If you live in Mumbai and haven’t done the Lonavala weekend trip yet, you’re missing out on one of the best 90-minute escapes in India. If you have done it — you already know why people keep going back.

This is the complete guide for Mumbaikars: how to drive, when to leave, what to do, where to eat, and — most importantly — how to find a villa that turns a weekend trip into a proper reset.

Mumbai to Lonavala: The Drive

Distance & Time

• Via Mumbai–Pune Expressway (NH48): ~95 km | 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs (off-peak)
• Via Old Mumbai–Pune Highway: ~110 km | 2 hrs to 2 hrs 30 min — scenic but slower

Best Time to Leave Mumbai

• Friday night: Leave after 9 PM — traffic clears, you’ll reach by 11 PM and wake up at the villa
• Saturday morning: Leave before 7 AM — beat the expressway rush that builds from 8 AM onwards
• Worst time: Saturday 9 AM–12 PM — this is peak weekend traffic, adding 45–90 minutes to your drive

Which Exit to Take

Most GPS apps will route you to the Lonavala market exit — which drops you into traffic and a narrow road. Instead, use the Khandala Exit (Exit 13) if your villa is on the Khandala or Della side, or the Lonavala Exit (Exit 14) for villas near the main town. Ask us when you book and we’ll send you the exact Google Maps pin for your villa.

What to Do in Lonavala: The Honest List

Day 1 — Arrive, Settle, Pool

Resist the urge to immediately head to Bhushi Dam. The best first evening in Lonavala is the simplest: check into your villa, change into your swimwear, and spend three hours doing absolutely nothing by the pool. Let the city decompress out of you first. Save the sightseeing for Day 2.

Day 2 Morning — Tiger’s Leap & Bhushi Dam

Tiger’s Leap (Tiger Point) is best visited between 7–9 AM before the tourist buses arrive. The valley view on a clear morning is genuinely one of the best viewpoints in Maharashtra. From there, Bhushi Dam is 15 minutes away — arrive before 11 AM before the crowd turns it into a scene. If it’s monsoon season, the dam overflow is spectacular.

Day 2 Afternoon — Della Adventure Park

Della Adventure Park is worth half a day if you have kids or an adventure-hungry group. Book tickets online in advance to skip the 45-minute entry queue. The zipline and ATV tracks are the crowd favourites. Budget ₹2,000–₹3,500 per person for the full experience.

Day 2 Evening — Old Highway Dinner

Skip the Lonavala market restaurants (overpriced, tourist-facing) and drive 10 minutes to Kinara Dhaba on the old Mumbai–Pune Highway. It’s a 50-year-old institution — clay pot cooking, butter chicken that justifies the drive alone, and they’re open until 11 PM. Cash only.

Top Villas to Book for a Mumbai Weekend Getaway

Wilson Villa — Best for Large Mumbai Friend Groups

The classic Lonavala group villa for Mumbaikars. Large pool, multiple bedrooms, space to spread out — it handles the “15 people who all said yes on the group chat” energy perfectly. Book 3–4 weeks in advance for weekends.

Shelter Villa — Best Value for a Weekend Reset

If the goal is genuinely switching off — no agenda, just pool days and good food — Shelter Villa delivers that at one of the best price-to-quality ratios in our portfolio. Four bedrooms, a solid private pool, and a caretaker who’ll sort out anything you need.

Villa Away — Best for the “Off the Grid” Weekend

Located away from the main road noise, Villa Away is for the group that wants to genuinely feel like they’ve left the city. The outdoor space is the main event here — mornings with valley views, evenings with a bonfire setup, zero city sounds.

Mumbai to Lonavala: The Budget Breakdown

Expense	Hotel Option	Villa Option
Accommodation (10 people, 2 nights)	₹1,20,000+	₹50,000–₹70,000
Pool access	Shared / paid extra	Private, included
Meals	₹800–1,200/person/meal	Cook in villa or cater
Privacy	Shared with strangers	Completely private

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lonavala worth visiting outside monsoon season?

Absolutely. Monsoon (July–August) has the waterfalls and lush green views. But October–February is arguably better for villa stays — cooler temperatures, clear skies, and no waterlogged roads. March–May is pool season: sunny, warm, and 20–30% cheaper than peak weekends.

Can we do a day trip from Mumbai instead of staying overnight?

You can, but you’re missing the point. Lonavala in a day means 3 hours of driving for maybe 4 hours at the destination. Two nights at a villa costs less than a day trip for a group when you factor in fuel, food, and the fact that you actually get to enjoy the place.

How do we book a villa without an OTA markup?

Book directly via VillaStayLonavala.in or WhatsApp us at +91 85 00 00 22 53. No service fee, no platform markup — and you get a direct line to our team for any requests before and during your stay.

What’s the check-in time at your villas?

Standard check-in is 1 PM and check-out is 11 AM. For Friday night arrivals, most villas allow a late check-in up to midnight — just let us know your ETA when you book.