Tips for reaching Ganpatipule from Ratnagiri Railway Station as of April 2024:

1. Auto: The fair price for reaching Ganpatipule via an Auto that can take 3 passengers is 700 as of April 2024. The auto would take you through the Aare Ware route which is very scenic. I've observed recently that they don't quote higher fare but if they do, bargain and do not pay more than 700 as of April 2024.
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2. MSRTC Buses: MSRTC Buses are available for Ganpatipule from main bus stand which is about 8 kms away from the railway station. There are about 3 main bus stands at Ratnagiri and construction activities are going on and hence check the appropriate bus stand for Ganpatipule buses during your visit. As of April 2024, all the intercity as well as the buses to Ganpatipule depart from Rahatghar Bus Stand. Share autos from railway station to Ratnagiri Bus Stand charge 50 rs per seat (Rs. 150 for a complete auto). MSRTC Bus from Rantagiri Railway Station to Ratnagiri Main Bus Stand are available during the arrival of some trains but aren't reliable and hence best way to reach bus stand is by share autos.
The bus timings for Ganpatipule from Ratnagiri Bus Stand is attached below. Source: click here The fare from Ratnagiri to Ganpatipule is Rs 45.

If you want to go to Ganpatipule from Ratnagiri in a hassle free manner, take the auto rickshaw. The autorickshaws in Konkan region are bigger than the ones in Mumbai and hence can carry two medium sized suitcases in the luggage section.

Pro Tip: While returning to Ratnagiri Railway Station from Ganpatipule, you may try out ziplining on the way at Aare Beach which is operated by Ocean Fly Ziplining. Leave about an hour early from your planned schedule. You may pay the auto driver about Rs. 200 more to wait for you while you enjoy this activity. This would save you commute money as well as time for ziplining if you want to come for it separately from Ganpatipule. The ziplining experience is great and the activity is conducted by thorough professionals. The Ziplining charges as of April 2024 are 500 per person (in off season and 600 Rs in season) for single ziplining. Location: click here

Send me a PM if you need contacts of auto drivers at Ratngiri/Ganpatipule who are kind and helpful.

Have a safe trip.

Vivek

The scenic Diwan Khawati Railway station snapped from 22229 Mumbai CSMT - Madgaon Vande Bharat Express.

The windows of Vande Bharat were crystal clear and hence I was able to enjoy the beautiful experience. I feel it is the responsibility of Railways to clean the windows before each run and if not, we should raise a railmadad complaint. Most of the times, I used clean them myself using a tissue.
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Vivek

The exciting sequence of events that happens daily at Thane!

12051/Mumbai CSMT - Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express arrives on Platform no 7 with a Kalyan WAP-7 30265. This is the favourite train for most Konkanis along with the Goan Tourists and runs Jampacked on most days. A little bit of load has been reduced in the past year with the introduction of Vande Bharat Express.
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The Exciting event:
Announcements are made daily at Thane that 20103 Mumbai LTT - Gorakhpur SF Express (Via Kanpur) would arrive first on PF 7 and after it departs, Janshatabdi would arrive. An interesting point to note is that 20103 doesn't have an official halt at Thane.

Just minutes after 12051 arrives on PF 7, 22229 CSMT - Madgaon Vande Bharat Express arrives on PF 5 and 12051 departs before VB from Thane. 12051 Madgaon Janshatabdi eventually gets overtaken by Vande Bharat before Diva Jn on most instances.

Vivek