Most travellers heading to Khajuraho and Panna Tiger Reserve default to flying via Delhi or into Khajuraho's own small airport, but Nagpur is a genuinely useful third option, especially if you're coming from South or West India or want to combine your temple-and-tiger trip with a wildlife-heavy central Indian circuit. As a major airport with strong domestic connectivity, Nagpur puts you within a comfortable day's drive of both Khajuraho and, more importantly, Panna itself. This guide walks through why Nagpur works as a gateway, what the route actually looks like, and how to plan the transfer sensibly.
Why Consider Nagpur Instead of Delhi or Khajuraho Airport
Nagpur's Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is one of central India's busiest, with well-established flight links to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and other major cities, often at better fares and frequencies than the limited seasonal flights into Khajuraho. For travellers based in South or West India, routing through Delhi first can add an unnecessary detour; Nagpur sits far closer to the geographic centre of the country and cuts that extra leg out. It's also a natural fit if your itinerary already includes central Indian wildlife parks like Pench or Kanha, since Nagpur is the standard air gateway for that entire belt, letting you fold a Panna-Khajuraho leg into a wider wildlife trip rather than treating it as an isolated trip from Delhi.
The Road Route from Nagpur to Khajuraho
The drive from Nagpur to Khajuraho runs broadly north through Chhindwara, Jabalpur and Katni before curving east towards Panna district and on to Khajuraho, following state and national highways for most of the stretch. It's a long single-day drive if done straight through, which is why most travellers break the journey, either overnighting in Jabalpur (itself worth a stop for Bhedaghat's marble rocks) or splitting the route another way that suits their itinerary. . Hiring a car with driver for the full run, or combining a shorter drive with a rail leg for part of the journey, are both common approaches depending on how much driving you want to do in one stretch.
Distance and Drive Time
| Leg | Approx. Distance | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nagpur to Jabalpur (common overnight break) | ~250 km (approx.) | ~5 hours (approx.) |
| Jabalpur to Khajuraho | ~230 km (approx.) | ~5 hours (approx.) |
| Nagpur to Khajuraho (direct, non-stop) | ~490 km (approx.) | ~9-10 hours (approx.), typically a long single-day drive |
| Khajuraho to Panna / Madla gate area | ~25 km (approx.) | ~40-45 minutes (approx.) |
Should You Fly Into Nagpur or Straight to Khajuraho
If your only goal is Khajuraho and Panna, and a direct flight to Khajuraho fits your schedule and dates, that's usually the shorter, simpler option, since Khajuraho airport sits close to both the temples and the reserve. Nagpur earns its place when a direct Khajuraho flight isn't available for your dates or origin city, when fares are meaningfully cheaper via Nagpur, or when you'd like to build in a wildlife-and-heritage loop through central Madhya Pradesh rather than flying in and out of one small airport. For a full comparison of every airport option into this region, see our nearest airport to Khajuraho and Panna guide.
Combining the Journey with Pench or Kanha
Because Nagpur is also the gateway airport for Pench National Park (roughly on the way north) and reasonably positioned for Kanha, travellers with more time often turn this transfer into a proper wildlife circuit: fly into Nagpur, safari at Pench for a day or two, continue north through Jabalpur towards Khajuraho and Panna, and fly back out via Khajuraho or Delhi at the end. This kind of loop lets you see two very different tiger reserves and Khajuraho's temple architecture in a single trip without doubling back on yourself. If a multi-park trip appeals, it's worth planning the sequence and overnight stops well in advance, since safari permits at each park need to be booked ahead of arrival.
Alternative: Rail for Part of the Journey
If a full-day road transfer from Nagpur doesn't appeal, some travellers fly Nagpur to Jabalpur (where flight connectivity allows) or take an overnight train partway, then complete the final stretch to Khajuraho or Panna by road, which is considerably shorter. This hybrid approach reduces total drive time at the cost of an extra connection, so weigh it against your tolerance for a long single drive versus juggling flight or train timings. Our how to reach page covers the full set of road, rail and air combinations into Panna in more detail.
Planning Your Arrival at Nature’s Lap Resort
Whichever route you take, the last leg into Panna matters most for your comfort after a long transfer day. Nature's Lap Resort sits right beside Panna Tiger Reserve on the Madla side, making it one of the closest and most convenient properties to reach once you're off the highway, so you're not adding an extra hour of driving after an already long journey from Nagpur. Do let our team know your arrival route and rough timing when you book, whether via our stay packages or directly through our contact page, so we can advise on the smoothest final stretch and have your room ready when you land.
- Book Panna safari permits in advance if your itinerary includes a Pench or Kanha stop en route, since dates fill up.
- Break a straight Nagpur-Khajuraho drive with an overnight in Jabalpur if you'd rather not do it in one day.
- Confirm current flight schedules to Nagpur from your origin city before committing to this route over a direct Khajuraho or Delhi flight.
- Carry snacks and water for the highway stretches between towns, as amenities can be sparser on the longer rural sections.
Is Nagpur a good airport option for reaching Panna and Khajuraho?
Yes, particularly if you're travelling from South or West India or want to combine the trip with Pench or Kanha. It won't always be shorter than flying direct to Khajuraho, but it often has better flight frequency and fares.
How long does the drive from Nagpur to Khajuraho take?
It's a long single-day drive if done non-stop, which is why most travellers break the journey overnight in Jabalpur. The direct route is roughly 490 km (approx.), about 9-10 hours.
Can I combine a Nagpur arrival with a Pench safari before continuing to Panna?
Yes, this is a popular route since Nagpur is the main gateway airport for Pench National Park. Just make sure to book Pench safari permits ahead of time, as they can sell out in peak season.
Is it better to fly into Khajuraho instead of Nagpur?
If a direct flight to Khajuraho fits your travel dates and budget, it's usually the more convenient single option since it sits close to both the temples and Panna. Nagpur is the better choice when direct Khajuraho flights aren't available or you want to build in a wider wildlife circuit.