By train:-
Catch Deccan queen at 5.10pm from CST, it will reach Pune in 3 hours 15 minutes i.e. at 8.25pm.
(The train stops at Dadar, Karjat and Lonavala)
Or one can also catch Indrayani Express in the morning at 5.40 from CST, it reaches Pune at around 9.
(The train stops at Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Karjat,Lonavala and Shivajinagar too.)
Pros:- If you get place to sit or have reservation nothing like it, most comfortable journey and very fast.
Cons:- Not always possible to catch, (Much before normal office closure timing) and without reservation getting a sit is very difficult.
Fare Rs.83 (For 2S)
For more info, check
http://irctc.co.in/
http://indiarailinfo.com
By BusCatch Shivnery Bus from Dadar (East) below the flyover. Will take around 3 1/2 hours (depending upon traffic).
Pros:- The most comfortable ride. Fast and Cool.
Cons:- Big line for ticket, will take about half an hour to get the ticket (On friday evening it could even take more), Traffic is big problem in Mumbai as well as on the express way. Fare Rs.225 (fixed)
Combination
This is odd route and not very comfortable but is quick for sure.If you are at CST, then catch train to Vashi from harbour line will take around 45 minutes. From Vashi station its a 10 minutes walk to highway.
From the highway (below the bride) you will get many vehicles to Pune. Private vehicles (Sumo, Scorpio etc), ST Buses, Volvos, Karnataka state transport buses.
Private vehicles will take you to Shivajinagar in about 2 hours, Karnataka buses go via Kothrud to Swarget, they are good but most of them make a stop at Wakad for food which is very irritating.
But if you are Lucky then you can reach Pune in 3-3 1/2 hours from CST and you can also get a vehicle to kothrud/Swarget/Pimpari-Chinchwad/Shivaji Nagar from Vashi.
Pros:- Fast and Cheap (but not cheaper than train)
Cons:- Uncomfortable, a little risky compared to other two.
Fare: May cost you anything between Rs.120-160. (From CST to Vashi Rs.10)
Pune to Mumbai
Train
Catch Deccan queen at 7.15 or catch Sinhagad at 605 in the morning, one can catch Pragati also at 750. Sinhagad reaches CST at 1005 and deccan queen reaches CST at 1030. Sinhagad stops at all stations (all most all) so its more of passenger train whereas Deccan queen is superfast.
Pros:- If you get place to sit or have reservation nothing like it, most comfortable journey and very fast.
Cons:- Reaches after normal office timing i.e. 930 so not preferably unless you are into government job and office timing are 1100.
Bus
Catch Shivnery volvo from Pune station at 600 there is Volvo every 15 minutes there is one bus in the morning Swarget to Mantralaya but is generally always full and difficult to get a reservation in that. There are Asiad buses also plying at the same time but the Volvo is always fast and will reach Dadar at around 9-920. Not to mention there are Private bus operators but I have a very bad experiance of them, first they dont leave the city unless full and even the earliest 530 bus leaves Pune at 645 which is ridiculous so they obviously take 4 hours to complete the journey by that time you have missed your appointment. So I dont recommend them if you are in a hurry.
Pros:- The most comfortable ride. Fast and Cool most importantly will reach in destination in time.
Cons:- Reservation is must else one has to take the ticket in queue
Combination:-
Now this is not a very comfortable route and might be a little tiring but never the less is effective and fast.
From Pune station / Wakad / Chandani Chowk you can catch a private bus (KSRTC or others) or Private taxies (Scorpio, Tavera) you might get them till Vashi / Sion / Dadar, if you get it till Sion then they drop you near Sion flyover from where Sion station is very near also you can get a bus towards CST. However if you get a Vashi taxi, then also from the flyover (i.e. the place where the taxi stops) station is on walking distance 5-7min, from where you can catch a train to CST however if you are going to Central line say Bhyculla then option1 change the train at Kurla or 2, go till sandhurst road and then come back to Bhyculla. For reference check out the map by clicking the link
http://oasisindia.org.uk/files/11/oi/Mumbai_suburban_rail_map_large.jpgIf one has to go to Andheri then on harbour line they can get a train from Wadala. Pune Vashi in private taxi is 2 hours and Vashi Kurla is 20 min and Vashi CST is 47 minutes. If you are a frequent traveller then always good to carry coupons or have Card (go mumbai) to avoid getting in queue.
Note:-
Information is based on my personal experiences, A person should use his/her own judgement to choose the preferred way of transport.
