Akkalkot to Panaji by Bus – An Amazing 450 km Night Journey to the Coastal Capital

By Nomad Patel | nomadpatel.in | Travelled: 14 March 2026

Why I Started This Journey on 14 March 2026?

This Akkalkot to Panaji journey was started on 14 March 2026, Saturday at 4:00 PM.

There is a simple travel reason.

My last journey Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Kalaburagi ended on 12 March 2026 evening in Kalaburagi. After 14 hours in bus, I needed one full day rest.

Many people don’t know, Kalaburagi is very near to Akkalkot. Only 110 KM distance. [Gulbarga / Kalburgi]

So after my Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Kalaburagi journey, I stayed one day in Kalaburagi.

Next day morning I took a Kalaburagi to Akkalkot bus at 10:00 AM. I reached Akkalkot at 1:00 PM.

I chose 14th March Saturday for three practical reasons.

First, Saturday night journey means I reached Panaji on Sunday morning 15th March at 6:00 AM. Sunday morning is best to enter Panaji. Traffic is less, roads are empty, and you get good morning light for photos of Mandovi River bridge. Weekday morning is full of office traffic.

Second, 14th March was middle of March. Weather in mid-March is best for this route. After 20th March, Solapur, Pandharpur and Fonda Ghat become very hot in day. Night journey on 14th March was cool. Temperature in Kankavli was 20 degree at night. Perfect for overnight travel.

Third, I wanted to complete my full MSRTC circuit in same week – Sambhajinagar -> Kalaburagi [400 KM] -> Akkalkot [110 KM] -> Panaji [450 KM] = 960 KM. My diary, photos, and tickets were all in same sequence of 12th, 13th, 14th March. If I delayed more, the continuity of photos and bus tickets would break. Also MSRTC runs extra Sindhudurg division bus to Panaji on Saturday, so I got window seat easily.

That is why I started Akkalkot to Panaji bus journey on 14 March 2026, Saturday at 4:00 PM from Akkalkot Bus Stand, Bus No MH 13 CU 8455, ticket 720 Rs.

I still remember that night. My legs were paining from last 400 KM ride, but I still took this 450 KM night bus. Mad thing to do. It was a night journey from the dry plains of Maharashtra to the coastal capital of Goa.

I checked Google before. Only Redbus and MSRTC timetable. No one wrote how is night journey, where is dhaba stop, how is Fonda Ghat at 2 AM. So I thought let me write full story with photos.

You must be thinking why Akkalkot to Panaji now?

Because my last journey was Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Kalaburagi Bus – My 14 Hours Amazing Journey – 400 KM for 700 Rs.

So this is Part 2 of my Maharashtra-Karnataka-Goa MSRTC series. Part 1 was Sambhajinagar to Kalaburagi. Part 2 is Akkalkot to Panaji.

If you want to do the same circuit, you can do Sambhajinagar -> Kalaburagi [400 KM] -> Akkalkot [110 KM] -> Panaji [450 KM as per my diary, Total 960 KM by MSRTC only.

This circuit is best if you want to cover Marathwada, North Karnataka, and Goa in one go. All by ST bus.

My Bus Details – What I Experienced

Board said 4:00 PM departure. But I reached at 3:15 PM. Old habit. I don’t like running for bus. I always arrive early for long journeys.

Akkalkot comes under Solapur division. Stand is small. Same chai smell, same announcement sound cracking, same crowd pushing for window seat. Nothing changed from last year. Loud announcements, tea vendors shouting “Chai Chai”.

The bus I was traveling on was a Superfast Night Express. A long-distance bus designed for overnight travel.

The bus number was MH 13 CU 8455. Solapur RTO passing. MH 13 is Solapur.

Route board was handwritten in Marathi: Akkalkot – Solapur – Pandharpur – Sangola – Miraj – Kolhapur – Radhanagari – Sawantwadi – Panaji.

This bus was Sindhudurg depot. MH 13 CU 8455. It was a non-AC seater Lalpari. 2×3 seating. No pushback. Seat cover torn from one side. But engine was powerful. Overtaking everyone on highway. So this bus goes to Goa daily and returns.

I paid 720 Rs in the bus. Conductor gave me small printed ticket, ink was light. I kept it in diary. Still have it.

14 hours. I knew it. My back already started paining just thinking. I took window side, kept water and one Parle-G packet in pocket.Left side is best for ghat views later.

Stop 1: Akkalkot Bus Stand – 0 KM – 4:00 PM Departure

I reached Akkalkot Bus Stand in the afternoon. The stand was crowded.

Passengers were arriving, vendors were shouting, buses were getting ready for long journeys.

Akkalkot Bus Stand is small but always busy because of Swami Samarth Temple. Many pilgrims come from Solapur, Latur, Kalaburagi.

I found my bus on Platform 1. The bus was already half-full with passengers heading to Solapur, Pandharpur, Kolhapur, and Goa.

I asked the conductor, “Brother, does this bus go to Panaji?”

He replied, “Yes. Via Solapur, Pandharpur, Miraj, Kolhapur, Sawantwadi, then Panaji.”

I asked, “How long does it take?”

He said, “14 hours. We will reach tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM.”

I asked, “Is it Superfast?”

He said, “Yes. It is a Night Express. It goes fast on the highway. No village stops after Sangola.”

At exactly 4:00 PM, the bus started moving. The engine hummed. We rolled past the streets of Akkalkot.

Afternoon sun was still strong. But the bus felt comfortable. I opened my diary.

Stop 2: Solapur Bus Stand – 5:30 PM – 60 KM

From Akkalkot, the bus traveled on the Solapur-Akkalkot Road Highway. The road is single but good.After leaving Akkalkot Bus Stand at 4:00 PM, bus did not stop for next 30 KM.

Passing Through – Kondi Village – 35 KM – 4:40 PM

At 4:40 PM, we passed Kondi village. Kondi is a small village in Solapur North taluka, on Akkalkot-Solapur road.

The bus picked up speed and started overtaking other vehicles.

We reached Solapur Bus Stand at 5:30 PM. Solapur is a major bus stand in South Maharashtra.

Many long-distance buses depart from here – to Pune, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Hyderabad, Goa.

The bus stand was crowded with passengers coming and going. I got down to stretch my legs.

I remembered Solapur from my Chiplun to Akkalkot night journey. Same tea stall.

I asked a vendor, “How far is Pandharpur from Solapur?”

He said, “70 kilometers. 1.5 hours by ST.”

I bought one water bottle for 20 Rs. Water is costly in bus stands.

Solapur is known for Solapuri chadar and beedis. You can see many textile shops outside the bus stand.

Bus halted here for 10 minutes. Many passengers got in for Pandharpur and Kolhapur.I forgot to charge my phone at Akkalkot.Only 34% battery left. so I swtiched off data after Solapur.

Stop 3: Mohol Bus Stand – 6:20 PM – 80 KM

From Solapur, the bus traveled on the Pune-Solapur Highway. This is a 4-lane highway. Bus was very fast here.

We passed Savaleshwar Toll Plaza at 5:50 PM. Toll is big. Many trucks.

We reached Mohol Bus Stand at 6:20 PM.

Mohol is a small taluka in Solapur district. Bus stand is on highway itself.

I remembered Mohol from my Akkalkot to Pandharpur journey. Same small shed, same tea stall.

Bus stopped only for 2 minutes. Two passengers got down.

Passing Through – Penur Toll, Chandrabhaga River – 95-100 KM

From Mohol, the bus continued on the Solapur-Pandharpur Highway. We crossed Penur Toll Plaza at 6:40 PM.

After toll, we crossed the beautiful Chandrabhaga River bridge at 6:50 PM.

The river was wide and flowing. Even in evening light, it looked peaceful. Many pilgrims take bath here before going to Pandharpur.

I clicked one photo from window. The sun was setting behind the river.

Stop 4: Pandharpur Bus Stand – 7:10 PM – 110 KM

We reached Pandharpur Bus Stand at 7:10 PM.

Pandharpur Bus Stand is one of the longest bus stands in Maharashtra. Even at this hour, it was busy with pilgrims and warkaris.

Loudspeaker was playing abhanga. Many people with tulsi mala were walking.

I had been here before. During my Akkalkot to Pandharpur journey and Chiplun to Akkalkot night journey. It felt familiar.

I got down and bought another water bottle. 20 Rs again.

From Pandharpur, next stops were Sangola, Miraj, Sangli, and Kolhapur. Board was changed to Kolhapur-Panaji.

Bus halted for 10 minutes. Many pilgrims got down. Many new passengers got in for Sangola and Miraj.

Stop 5: Sangola Bus Stand – 8:12 PM – 160 KM

From Pandharpur, the bus passed through Khardi village and reached Sangola Bus Stand at 8:12 PM.

Sangola is in Solapur district. Famous for pomegranate market. You can see many pomegranate trucks at night.

I had traveled 160 KM from Akkalkot to Sangola. From here, distance to Kolhapur was still 150 KM.

I got down to stretch my legs. Night was setting in. Air was getting cooler.

A lady was selling peanuts and chikki at the bus stand. I bought one chikki for 10 Rs.

Stop 6: Dhaba Stop – 9:30 PM – Dinner Break – 200 KM

From Sangola, the bus traveled on the Pandharpur-Kolhapur Highway. We passed Ankadal Toll Plaza and Junoni village.

At 9:30 PM, the bus stopped at a dhaba for dinner break. This is a fixed dhaba for all long-distance buses.

Many long-distance buses were parked here – Solapur to Kolhapur, Pandharpur to Goa, Tuljapur to Kolhapur.

I was hungry and tired. The dhaba was simple but busy with passengers.

I asked, “What is there to eat?”

Owner said, “Puri Bhaji, Bhakri, Thali, Anda Bhurji.”

I ordered a simple veg thali. It had rice, dal, two vegetables, bhakri, and pickle. Hot and satisfying. I paid 80 Rs. At dhaba,one dog was sitting near my leg. I gave him one piece of Bhakri. He followed me till bus door.

I wrote in my diary: “Dhaba stop – dinner break. Many long-distance buses parked. Time: 9:30 PM. Thali 80 Rs.”

The washroom at dhaba was not clean. But food was okay.

We started again at 9:50 PM. Many passengers were sleepy now.

Stop 7: Miraj Bus Stand – 10:30 PM – 250 KM

From the dhaba, the bus passed through Narsingh village and crossed Borgaon Toll Plaza.

We reached Miraj Bus Stand at 10:30 PM.

Miraj is a major junction in Sangli district. Famous for musical instruments, especially sitar.

From Miraj, distance to Kolhapur was only 50 KM.

I remembered Miraj from my Aurangabad to Ichalkaranji journey and Ratnagiri to Ambejogai journey. Same clean bus stand with good lights.

Bus stopped for 5 minutes. Many passengers for Kolhapur got in.

Stop 8: Jaysingpur and Sangli – 11:00 PM – 260-280 KM

From Miraj, the bus passed through Sangli Bus Stand at 10:50 PM. Sangli is a major bus stand in the region. Known for turmeric market.

Then we crossed Ankali Bridge over the Krishna River at 11:00 PM. Krishna River was huge and dark in night. Bridge lights were reflecting.

We reached Jaysingpur Bus Stand at 11:15 PM. Bus stopped briefly for 2 minutes.

I remembered Jaysingpur from my Aurangabad to Ichalkaranji journey. Same town with textile factories and sugar factories.

After Jaysingpur, many passengers started sleeping. Bus lights were switched off.

Stop 9: Kolhapur and Radhanagari – 12:00 AM to 1:27 AM – 300-340 KM

From Jaysingpur, the bus entered Kolhapur region. We reached Kolhapur Bus Stand around 12:00 midnight.

Kolhapur Bus Stand was almost empty at midnight. Only few buses to Goa and Konkan.Panaji was 215 km from Kolhapur Bus Stand.

We halted for 10 minutes. I got down and bought one chai for 15 Rs. Night was cold.

From Kolhapur, bus headed towards Radhanagari. This is a ghat road.

Radhanagari is a town in Kolhapur district. Known for its wildlife sanctuary and dam. Road is narrow and full of turns.We left Kolhapur Bus Stand at 12:10 AM midnight. City was empty.

Passing Through – Kandgaon, Devale, Haldi and Ghodavate villages

At 12:20 AM we passed Kandgaon village. Kandgaon is after Kolhapur, on Kolhapur-Radhanagari road. Around 10 KM from Kolhapur. Further passing through Devale, Haldi and Ghodavate villages

These were small villages, very dark at night. One passenger got down there. He had one big bag on head.

Bus did not stop and kept moving towards Radhanagari.

My bus reached Radhanagari at 1:27 AM. I was half asleep. I noted time in my diary.

From Radhanagari, next was Fonda Ghat. The most beautiful and dangerous ghat on this route.

Ghat Section – Fonda Ghat – 340-370 KM – 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM

Fonda Ghat started after Radhanagari. The ghat is 30 KM long. Road is narrow, no lights, only bus headlight.

The bus driver was expert. He was taking turns very carefully. In Fonda Ghat, driver stopped bus for 2 minutes. No reason. He just came out and checked tyre with torch. then started again.I could hear waterfalls in the ghat.

In monsoon, this ghat is full of waterfalls. Even in March, it was green.I could not sleep in ghat. I was watching outside. Dense forest on both sides.

At 4:40 AM we passed Devale village – 372 KM. Devale is just 8 KM before Kankavli. One lady got down at Devale Phata.

At 4:55 AM we passed Kankavli town – 380 KM. Bus did NOT enter Kankavli Bus Stand. This bus is Akkalkot to Panaji direct Superfast, so it takes Kankavli bypass. I saw Kankavli board from window. No halt. No one got in or down.

Stop 10: Kudal Bus Stand – 5:00 AM – 385 KM

We passed Phejivade and reached at very small Kudal Bus Stand around 5 a.m. Bus stopped for 5 minutes. I washed my face here. Kudal is small stand after Kankavli bypass.

Stop 11: Sawantwadi Bus Stand – 5:30 AM – 410 KM

From Kudal Bus Stand, the bus continued on Mumbai-Goa Highway and reached Sawantwadi Bus Stand at 5:30 AM.

Sawantwadi is famous for wooden toys and art. Also famous for mangoes – Alphonso.

From here, Goa was only 30 KM. Bus was entering Goa state. Language on boards changed to English and Konkani.

I got down for tea. Tea was 20 Rs. Biscuits 10 Rs.

Many passengers were excited now. Goa was near.

Stop 12: Panaji Bus Stand – 6:00 AM – Final Destination – 450 KM

From Sawantwadi, the bus passed through Dargalim, Kolwale, and Karsawada villages. These are Goan villages.

We crossed Mandovi River bridge at 5:55 AM. The bridge is very long and beautiful in morning light.

Mandovi River was wide and blue. Many boats were floating. Sunrise was happening.

We reached Panaji Bus Stand at 6:00 AM sharp.

Panaji Bus Stand is also called Kadamba Bus Stand. It is big and clean.

I stepped off the bus, tired but happy. I had traveled 450 KM as per my diary, passed 12 stops, crossed two states, spent 14 hours on road, crossed three rivers.

I had made it. From Akkalkot to Panaji, the capital of Goa. My MSRTC circuit Sambhajinagar -> Kalaburagi -> Akkalkot -> Panaji was complete.

My Expense Sheet – What I Paid

• Ticket Akkalkot to Panaji: 720 Rs
  Dinner at Dhaba – Veg Thali: 80 Rs
  Water Bottle at Solapur: 20 Rs
  Water Bottle at Pandharpur: 20 Rs
  Chikki at Sangola: 10 Rs
  Chai at Kolhapur Midnight: 15 Rs
  Tea at Sawantwadi: 20 Rs
• Total: 885 Rs

Note: I am showing total 885 Rs in main calculation with chikki and extra chai. Carry 1000 Rs for safe side.

What I Learned From This Journey

• Night bus is different feeling. No one talks loudly. Only engine sound, dark outside, and sometimes driver shouting for tea break. I like it. Empty roads, cool breeze, stars, and sleeping passengers make it special.
• Panaji is far from Akkalkot. 450 KM as per my diary and 14 hours is long. Google shows 540 KM via this route. So always check both.
• Route passes through familiar places. Pandharpur, Sangola, Miraj, Jaysingpur, Kolhapur – all places I visited before in my Akkalkot to Pandharpur and Aurangabad to Ichalkaranji journeys.
• Kalaburagi is near Akkalkot. This is the most important learning. My Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Kalaburagi trip ended in Kalaburagi, which is only 110 KM from Akkalkot. Both towns are near Maharashtra-Karnataka border. So you can easily do circuit Sambhajinagar -> Kalaburagi [400 KM] -> Akkalkot [110 KM] -> Panaji [450 KM]. Total 960 KM by MSRTC.
• Dhaba stop is essential. After 5 hours of travel, hot meal is exactly what you need. Don’t skip dinner.
• Fonda Ghat is beautiful but dangerous. Driver drove very carefully. In monsoon, avoid night travel in this ghat if you are scared.
• Crossing into Goa feels different. Landscape changes. Greenery increases. Air becomes humid. Konkan starts after Radhanagari.
• Mandovi bridge at 5:55 AM. Sun was just coming up. River was blue, boats were sleeping on side. I took photo but it was blurry. My hands were shaking from cold. Crossing river into Panaji was the best moment I will remember.
• 14 hours is too much. After 10 hours I was counting every kilometer board. 410, 420, 430… When will Panaji come?
• MSRTC Night Express buses are reliable. This Sindhudurg division bus was on time. It left Akkalkot at 4:00 PM sharp and reached Panaji at 6:00 AM sharp.

Final Tips from Nomad Patel

• Book a reservation if possible. This is a long 14-hour journey. Window seat is best.
• Take a window seat on left side. You will get better ghat views and river views.
• Carry snacks and water. 14 hours is long. Bus stops only 2-3 times after Sangola.
• Eat at the dhaba. Veg thali is good, hot, and cheap at 80 Rs.
• Carry a jacket for ghat section. Fonda Ghat is cold at night even in March.
• Be patient after Kolhapur. Ghat is slow. Bus goes 20 KM per hour in ghat.
• Enjoy the night. Don’t just sleep. Watch outside. Night journey has its own magic.
• Carry power bank. No charging point in Lalpari.

If you liked this, read my Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Kalaburagi trip. Kalaburagi is near Akkalkot. So you can do both together. Also read my Akkalkot to Pandharpur journey and Chiplun to Akkalkot night journey.

Disclaimer: This is my personal experience on 14 March 2026, for nomadpatel.in. I am not affiliated with MSRTC or any government body. Timings, fares, and routes may change. All notes are my own handwritten diary. For confirmed inquiry, visit your nearest bus stand or msrtc official website. Written by Nomad Patel – nomadpatel.in – I travel, I write, I share real bus stories. I am from Chikodi, Karnataka.

Frequently Asked Questions – Akkalkot to Panaji Bus