'''Thane''' (also called '''Thana''') is a city in Konkan, Maharashtra. It is the headquarters of Thane district. Its biggest claim to fame is that the first railway line laid in India was from Bombay VT to Thane station.
Thane city, for all practical purposes is a suburb of Mumbai. But it is worth mentioning for the 30 lakes located within and around the city, earning it the sobriquet of '''Lake City'''. Apart from being a source of water for Thane and its larger neighbour, the lakes are also tourist attractions. The areas surrounding the city are beautiful. The scenic locales, old forts, boat rides and resorts make Thane a great getaway from Mumbai.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport [http://www.airportsindia.org.in/aai/mumbai/index.htm], Mumbai. Once you get off, you will need to take a taxi or hire a car. The distance to Thane is about 36 kilometers (22 miles), the drive can take between 45 to 75 minutes depending on the traffic.
By taxi
Mumbai's taxis are allowed into Thane. The prepaid taxi service available at the airport is the recommended hassle-free way of getting to Thane. The fare you pay at the counter includes the toll you need to pay when you leave Mumbai.
By train
The best way to get to Thane from Mumbai using public transport is to take the local train service. If you are coming from the airport, take an auto-rickshaw to Andheri station which is served by the Western Railway and buy a ticket to Thane. You need to take a southbound train towards Churchgate, get off at Dadar (which is the interchange point), get on the Central Railway Line and then take a northbound train to Thane. This method is recommended only if you are adventurous at heart and are not carrying any luggage.
Thane is also well served by long distance trains, many of which stop at Thane station ''en route'' Mumbai.
By car
Two main roads enter the city from Mumbai. The older one is the '''Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg''' (commonly abbreviated as LBS Marg) and '''Eastern Express highway'''. Both of them are toll roads - the toll gate (called ''naaka'') for the former is called '''Teen Hath Naka''' while that for the latter is called '''Check Naka'''. The toll at both the ''naakas'' is 25 rupees one way which is somewhat unfair because there is a huge difference in the condition of the two roads.
LBS marg is invariably congested, encroached upon and potholed. It goes through the heart of Mumbai's Mumbai/Central Suburbs. The Eastern Express highway is wide, well-maintained and smooth. It goes through an uninhabited area where development is prohibited. Use this road to get in, even though the distance will be slightly more. The roads intersect at '''Marathon chowk''' ("Marathon square", because that's where the Thane Mayor's Marathon starts from.). LBS marg then goes right through the city, while the Eastern Express highway skirts it and turns into NH - 3 highway to Nashik and Agra.
By bus
There are very few BEST buses that go right up to Marathon Chowk (It is known as "Teen Haath naka")- 30 Ltd. 399 and 496 Ltd. Check the BEST site [http://www.bestundertaking.com/transport/index.htm] for more. Once you get off, catch a TMT bus or auto-rickshaw.From this spot Thane railway station is hardly 10-12 min walk if you go by following Gokhale Road , & auto should not cost more than 10-15 Rupees.
BRTS Buses originate from Cadbury Junction for Backbay and Nehru Planetarium
Most private buses from various parts of the country will stop in Thane. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses will ply from various parts of Maharashtra to Thane.
By auto-rickshaw
Note that auto-rickshaws from Mumbai cannot enter Thane city limits. You will have to change over to another one at the toll-gate.
Get around
The area around '''Masunda Lake''', called '''Talao pali''' ("talao" meaning lake) is the heart of the city. Most of the important landmarks are located here.
By car
'''Ram Maruti Road''', '''Gokhale Road''' and '''LBS Marg''' are the important roads to criss-cross this area. The other important road is '''Ghodbunder Road''' which connects the eastern and western halves of the city and joins the Eastern Express Highway.
By bus
Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) runs a '''bus service''' through the city.
By auto-rickshaw
The most common way to get around in Thane is to hire an '''auto rickshaw'''.
Payment is by meter. The amount to pay, however, is not the amount shown by the meter, but scaled up by a factor which changes whenever there is a rate adjustment. Check the tariff card for the right fare. Ensure Tariff card is stamped & signed by RTO.
By taxi
If you are on a day trip from Mumbai, one of the options is to catch a taxi in Mumbai and use it to go around Thane city. You cannot flag down taxis in the city as you won't find any, but you can certainly hire one.
See
'''Masunda lake''' at the heart of the city
'''St. John the Baptist Church''' - over a hundred years old, right next to Masunda Lake.
'''Upvan lake''', near Yeoor hills.
'''Thane creek''', along Ghodbunder road.
'''Gadkari Rangayatan''', along talao pali.
'''Kopineshwar Mandir''', along talao pali - one of the oldest temple in Thane. Was reconstructed by Chimajji Appa around 1750 A.D.
Do
'''Tikuji ni wadi''', Tikuji-ni-wadi Road, near Hill garden complex, Manpada, Chitalsar, Thane. (''Get to Ghodbunder Road towards Ghodbunder, turn left at Manpada village''), ''+91 22'' 2494 1100 / ''+91 22'' 2494 1101 / ''+91 22'' 2494 1102, ('''fax''': ''+91 22'' 2495 0544) [http://www.tikuji-ni-wadi.com/profile.htm]. A popular destination for picnicking families, known for its watersports, go-karting and other rides you'd find at amusement parks. The go-karting track isn't very good though. The lunch is fabulous, though fully vegetarian. Open 7 days a week, 11 am-7pm. (Water park open 10 am-6 pm Rs. 250 for entry and most rides, including in the water park (''Rs. 275 on weekends. ''). You will also need to buy lunch for Rs. 180 as you can't carry any edible stuff in from outside.
'''Suraj water park''', on Ghodbunder Road, further down towards Ghodbunder. As the name suggests, this is another place for watersports.
'''Trek''' at Yeoor hills, surrounding the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
'''Boating''' at Masunda lake. Paddle boats are available.
'''Hakone''', Hiranandani Estate, Off Ghodbunder road. [http://www.hakonefun.com/] Entertainment and game park for kids. Has a video games arcade and a bumper car pavilion. 3 pm-10pm. Rs. 10-20 (''per ride, most rides'')
Buy
The old shopping areas are the ever busy '''Ram Maruti Road''' and the '''Naupada road''' towards Thane Station. There you will find shops on the roadside.
New malls are coming up on Ghodbunder Road and the Eastern Express highway. Prominent among them are:
'''Eternity mall''' - Teen Hath Naka, Eastern Express highway
'''Lake city mall''' - Kapurbawadi, Ghodbunder Road
'''Wonder mall''' - Manpada, Ghodbunder Road.
'''Megapolis mall'''- Cadbury junction, Eastern Express highway
Eat
'''Tip top''', fast food joint - near the railway station. A great place to try ''chaats'' and stuff. Rs. 15-50.
'''Kunjvihar:''', Near Thane railway station, Thane(W). A famous place for Jumbo (i.e. oversized) '''Vada-Paav''', a typical Mumbaiya delicacy. You can have it either spicy or very spicy. Rs. 7.
'''Woodland''' restaurant, L.B.S. Marg, Near Teen Hath Naka, Thane (W) Best South Indian food at very reasonable price. Very good service and simple and nice ambience.
'''Tip top''' restaurant, L.B.S. Marg, Near Teen Hath Naka, Thane (W) (''attached to Hotel Tip top'') Great Gujarati/Rajasthani ''thali'' for Rs. 160. (''Buffet for Rs. 110'')
'''Royal Challenge''', Eastern Express highway service road, Near Nitin company, Thane (W). Vegetarian restaurant and bar.
'''Sheetal Grille''', Royal Inn, Old Agra road, Thane(W) ''+91 22'' 2538 4422. Indian restaurant and bar.
'''Oriental Spice''', Shreeji Arcade, Almeda road, Panchpakhadi, Thane-400602 ''+91 22'' 2539 4917 ''+91 22'' 2542 1111. Chinese restaurant.
'''Vardhana''', Eastern Express highway service road, Near new RTO, Opp. Ramkrishna Nagar, Thane(W)- 400 601 (''attached to Hotel Sharanam'') ''+91 22'' 2582 5225 [http://www.hotelsharanam.com/vardhana.htm] Indian cuisine, has a lunch buffet. 12 noon-3.00 pm, 7 pm-11.30 pm
'''Raj Mata''', Ram Maruti road, Thane. Famous for scrumptious vada pav, samosa pav. Be a sport and try this one out, and for a moment forget the calorie counting.
'''Gokhale Upahar Gruh''' and '''Goras Gruha''', Gokhale Road for authentic Marathi snacks
'''Mamledar Misal''', Opposite Zilla Parishad Office
'''Prashant corner''' Panchpakhadi thane (west) A great place to try ''chaats'' and stuff.
In addition, there is a '''McDonalds''' close to the railway station, another '''McDonalds''' at the Lake City Mall, a '''Pizza hut''' at Wonder mall (see '''Buy''') and a '''Dominos''' near Hiranandani Estate.
''''Indian Swad'''' at LBS marg. Good food and serves liquour till 2 am. Serves Indian and Oriental cuisine.
''''Gopalashram'''' at LBS marg. Serves liquour till 6 AM...the food isn't that great but if you are hungry at 3 am...check the place out.
'''Hotel Vijaydurg:'''Famous for Malvani food with delicious & spicy prawns, crabs, shell masala, malvani thali with fried pamplet, bombil, halva etc. Solkadi to drink after food for digestion. Located at Majiwada before Flyover from station end.
'''Moni's''' Near Malhar Talkies while entering Naupada market. It is a wonderful restaurant with a play area for children and fish tanks everywhere. The sizzlers are good if not the best and you could try the Royal Chicken sizzler if you ever do go there. The door man is rather peppy and the parking is always available on the adjacent road.
'''PANCHALI'''. Is a Bar and a Restaurant. Is open till wee hours and is a better option than Gopal Ashram
Amruta Restaurant. aupada, Near Railway Station. Amazing Paav Bhaji. Will surely make you lick your fingers
Drink
Some of the restaurants listed under '''Eat''' have bars where you can have a drink, but Thane is not a place known for its nightlife. The lower end bars tend to be sleazy, so you need to be careful.
'''Cafe Coffee Day''' [http://www.cafecoffeeday.com/] has two outlets here.
Desi Garbar, Shop No. 6 & 7, Akanksha Society, Panchpakadi, Thane(W)
Shop no 14,15, Ground Floor, Siddhachal Phase 4, Near Vasant Vihar, Pokhran Rd no 2, Thane(W).
hotel sindhudurga kinara. surekh aminity Complex,savarkar Nagar,thane west. ear wagle. 2225806417. alvani Food.
Amruta Restaurant. aupada. Amazing Vegetarian food. Especially the awesome Pav bhaaji is sure to make to lick ur fingers
Amruta Restaurant. aupada, Near Railway Station.. Amazing Paav Bhaji. Will surely make you lick your fingers
Sleep
There are many lodges near the railway station, but there is a lack of decent hotels.
Hotel Sharanam. EH Service Road. pposite Ramkrishna Nagar. 91 22 2582-5225. nfo@hotelsharanam.com. 91 22 2581-0305. s 1400-2250 + taxes. ttp://www.hotelsharanam.com. Includes three restaurants '''Madhuban''', '''Prakriti''' and '''Vardhana'''. Also has a banquet hall.
Hotel Royal Inn. ld Agra Road. km from Thane station. 91 22 2538-5050. oyalinn2@hotmail.com. 91 22 2538-4411. s 2350-5000 + 10% luxury tax. The attached restaurant and bar '''Sheetal Grille''' serves Indian and Chinese. Has a couple of banquet halls.
Hotel Tip top plaza. BS Marg. 91 22 5593-5593. nfo@hoteltiptopplaza.com. 91 22 5593-5524. s 1700-3200 + taxes. ttp://www.hoteltiptopplaza.com. Has one decent restaurant and many banquet halls with adequate conference facilities.
Satkar Residency. okhran Road No1, Opp Sighania School, Next to Cadbury, Thane(w) 400606, Thane, Maharashtra 400606 . ts at a stone's throw from the famous Cadbury Junction. 22 25985858. ww.satkarresidency.in. It is one of the best hotels to dine with family. It serves drinks too. The food is wonderful although the price is on little higher side. But the cool and peaceful atmosphere along with prompt service compensates for it.
Vihang's Inn. hobunder Road. 91 22 25842031 - 38. ihangsales@gmail.com / vihangkuberhospitality@yahoo.com. 5 months old hotel with 32 rooms
Get out
Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
Explore Thane district. Vasai has some nice beaches, an old fort built by the Portuguese. The surrounding district is an area of great natural beauty.
Ganeshpuri, near Bhivandi (Kalyan) has hot springs, a temple and an ''ashram'' of Swami Nityanand.