Ahmedabad to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Gir National Park, the only home of the Asiatic lion, is one of the great draws of Gujarat and most safari trips begin from Ahmedabad. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Ahmedabad to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to reach the lion sanctuary, by car, train and air.

Ahmedabad to Gir distance and travel time

The Ahmedabad to Gir distance is about 330 to 388 km depending on the route and the drive takes around 6 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours by car under normal conditions. The routes head south and west from Ahmedabad, using the newer Ahmedabad to Dholera Expressway and then NH 51 or other roads to reach Sasan Gir, the main gateway to the national park. Actual times vary with traffic, road works and the number of breaks you take, so allow a comfortable day for the journey, ideally arriving in time to rest before an early morning safari.

Ahmedabad to Gir route options

There are three main ways to drive from Ahmedabad to Gir, differing in the roads and distance:

The routes are close in time, at around 6 hours 45 minutes, but differ in distance. The Dholera Expressway with NH 51 is a little longer at about 388 km but a touch quicker, while the shorter routes via the expressway alone or with NH 351F are about 330 to 336 km. Any of them works well and a driver will pick the clearest road on the day.

Gir to Ahmedabad distance

The return journey, the Gir to Ahmedabad distance, is similar, about 388 km in around 6 hours 30 minutes via NH 51 and the Dholera Expressway. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the routes take a similar time of around 6 hours 45 minutes. The longer route via NH 51 is a little quicker, while the shorter expressway routes are marginally slower. For a comfortable drive, the Dholera Expressway corridor is the smoothest option in both directions.

How to travel from Ahmedabad to Gir

There are several ways to reach Gir from Ahmedabad, so you can choose what suits your budget and comfort:

Ahmedabad to Gir by road

Driving is the most popular and convenient way to reach Gir from Ahmedabad, thanks to the newer Ahmedabad to Dholera Expressway, which has cut travel times. The road heads south and west across Gujarat and Saurashtra to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway for the safari. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable choice, letting you set your own pace and arrive rested for an early safari; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. Self-drive is also fine on these well-marked roads, with plentiful fuel stations, dhabas and rest stops along the way.

Ahmedabad to Gir by train

Gir does not have a large station of its own, though the small Sasan Gir station is on a branch line. Most rail travellers take a train from Ahmedabad to Junagadh or Veraval, the nearest major railheads and then a road transfer of about 1 to 2 hours to Sasan Gir. The rail journey to Junagadh or Veraval takes several hours, with overnight options. For the exact railheads and connections, see our guide on the railway station near Gir National Park, which explains the best rail routes to the sanctuary.

Ahmedabad to Gir by air

The nearest airports to Gir are Rajkot, about 160 km away, Keshod, about 90 km away and Diu, about 110 km away, with Ahmedabad itself the major hub. Travellers flying in usually reach one of these and then continue to Sasan Gir by road. If you are already in Ahmedabad, a connecting flight rarely saves time over the drive for a trip within Gujarat, so the road or a train to Junagadh is often simplest. Plan your visit around the how to reach Gir guide for all the options.

Ahmedabad to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Ahmedabad with Junagadh and the towns near Gir, taking around 8 to 9 hours by road, from where a local transfer reaches Sasan Gir. Options range from ordinary and express buses to more comfortable air-conditioned and sleeper services on the private side. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though a car is faster and far more convenient for reaching the sanctuary and getting around for the safari.

Places to see on the way from Ahmedabad to Gir

The drive passes some worthwhile stops if you have time:

• Rajkot: the largest city in Saurashtra, on some routes, a good place for a meal or a break.

• Junagadh: the fort city at the foot of Girnar, with the Uparkot fort and the Junagadh Girnar temples, close to Gir.

• Somnath: the first Jyotirlinga, only about 45 km from Sasan Gir, easily paired with a Gir safari.

Combine Gir with Somnath and Dwarka

Gir sits at the heart of Saurashtra, so it pairs beautifully with the region's great temples. Somnath is only about 45 km away, making a lion safari and the first Jyotirlinga an easy combination, while Dwarka up the coast completes a classic Gujarat pilgrimage and wildlife tour. Many travellers build Gir into a Somnath and Dwarka tripor the reverse, turning the Ahmedabad to Gir drive into the first leg of a wider Saurashtra journey. A planned tour makes linking the temples and the safari seamless, so you can move from a dawn lion safari to an evening temple aarti in a single, well-organised day.

Best time to visit Gir

Gir National Park is open for safaris from around mid-October to mid-June and remains closed during the monsoon, roughly from June to October, for the breeding season. The best time to visit is the cooler months, December to March, when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are good, while the hotter months of April to June offer the best chances of seeing lions near water, as covered in our best time to visit Gir. Plan the Ahmedabad to Gir journey to arrive the day before, so you can rest for an early morning safari and check the Gir safari ticket price and booking details in advance.

Tips for the Ahmedabad to Gir journey

A few pointers make the trip smoother:

• Arrive at Sasan Gir the day before your safari, so you are rested for an early morning start.

• Book your safari permit well in advance, as slots are limited and sell out in the peak season.

• Use the Dholera Expressway route for the fastest, smoothest drive from Ahmedabad.

• Combine Gir with Somnath, only about 45 km away, for a temple and wildlife trip.

• Carry water and snacks for the drive, though fuel stops and dhabas are plentiful.

• Hire a car with a driver, which is far more convenient than buses for reaching the sanctuary.

Ahmedabad to Gir at a glance

Plan your Gir trip from Ahmedabad

Gir is best enjoyed as part of a wider Saurashtra trip taking in the temples of Somnath and Dwarka. Explore the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages, which can add a Gir safari, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and Gir lodges and let a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the Ahmedabad pickup, the drive and the whole itinerary, so you can focus on the lions and the darshan. Experience My India specialises in exactly this kind of combined temple and wildlife tour of Saurashtra.

Related guides

To plan the rest of your Gir and Saurashtra trip, these related guides help:

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Ahmedabad to Gir transfer, the safari and a wider Saurashtra trip. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsAppor call +91 73006 20809.