Delhi to Diu Distance: Flight, Train and Road Guide

Delhi, the national capital, lies a long way from Diu, the little former Portuguese island near the Somnath coast of Gujarat, so the journey needs some planning. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Delhi to Diu distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to make the journey, by flight, train and road.

Delhi to Diu distance and travel time

The Delhi to Diu distance is about 1,361 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 22 hours by road via the Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway, down through Rajasthan and Gujarat to the Diu coast. This is a long journey of about a day of continuous driving, so very few people drive it in one go. For most travellers, a flight to Diu, Rajkot or Ahmedabad, followed by a road transfer or a train to Veraval near Diu, is a far easier and more comfortable way to make the journey than the long drive. Flying, in particular, turns a day-long journey into a matter of hours, which is why most travellers from Delhi choose to fly rather than drive all the way to the coast.

Delhi to Diu route options

There are three main ways to drive from Delhi to Diu:

The Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway route is the fastest and shortest at about 1,361 km in around 22 hours, running down through Rajasthan via Udaipur and into Gujarat via Ahmedabad. The route via NE 4, the expressway, is similar in time, while the route via NH 754A is slower at around 28 hours. For a road journey the Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway is the standard choice, though flying or the train is easier for most over such a distance.

Diu to Delhi distance

The return journey, the Diu to Delhi distance, is much the same, about 1,354 km in around 21 hours via NE 4 or the Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the NE 4 and Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway routes are the fastest at around 21 hours, while the route via NH 754A is slower at around 26 hours. This is a long drive in either direction, so the flight and train options are well worth considering over the road for most travellers heading to or from the island.

How to travel from Delhi to Diu

Given the long distance, it is worth weighing all the options:

Delhi to Diu by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Diu from Delhi. Diu has its own airport, so it may be possible to fly from Delhi to Diu, sometimes direct or with a connection via Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Otherwise, Delhi has frequent flights to Ahmedabad, the major hub for Gujarat, in about an hour and a half and flights to Rajkot, from where a road transfer reaches Diu. The nearest airports to Diu are Diu itself, Keshod, about 55 km away and Rajkot, about 190 km away, with Ahmedabad, about 370 km away, offering the widest connections. From whichever airport you land at, a road transfer or a Somnath Dwarka taxi service, completes the journey to Diu. Flying is the quickest way to reach the island from Delhi.

Delhi to Diu by train

The train is a popular way to travel from Delhi towards Diu for those who prefer rail. Diu has no railway station of its own, so the nearest major railhead is Veraval, about 90 km away near Somnath, with the smaller Delwada station closer, from where a road transfer reaches Diu. There are train services from Delhi towards Veraval and Ahmedabad. The rail journey is long, often around 24 to 30 hours or more, so it is best suited to those who enjoy train travel and have the time. Comfortable overnight and long-distance services make it manageable. For the wider access options, see our how to reach Somnath guide, as Diu is reached via the Somnath coast.

Delhi to Diu by road

If you wish to drive, a private car with a driver is the most comfortable way to cover the long distance, though it is best planned as a journey of a day or two with an overnight halt rather than a single stretch of over 20 hours. The Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway route via Rajasthan and Gujarat is the fastest and smoothest, with plentiful fuel stations, dhabas and rest stops along the way and Diu is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Self-drive is possible but demanding over such a distance, so most prefer a driver or better still a flight or train. If you do drive, breaking the journey at cities like Udaipur or Ahmedabad makes it far more pleasant and Experience My India can help arrange the local legs and the onward Diu sightseeing.

Delhi to Diu by bus

Long-distance buses connect Delhi towards Gujarat, though usually with a change, often at Ahmedabad, from where you continue towards Diu by another bus or a car. The total journey by bus takes around 24 hours or more, so it is a long haul, best on comfortable air-conditioned sleeper services. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, but for such a long journey a flight is far quicker and a train more comfortable, so buses are usually a last choice for reaching Diu from Delhi.

Why travel from Delhi to Diu?

Diu is a delightful getaway to make the journey for, a little former Portuguese island of beaches, forts and relaxed coastal charm, a world away from the bustle of Delhi. Diu offers the mighty Diu Fort, the crescent Nagoa Beach with its water sports, the maze-like Naida Caves and the sea-washed Gangeshwar temple, and, being a former Portuguese territory, it is one of the few places in the region where alcohol is legally sold. Best of all, Diu sits beside the great Somnath temple, the first Jyotirlinga and a Gir lion safari, so a trip from Delhi can combine the island's beaches with pilgrimage and wildlife, a wonderful break by the sea.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Delhi to Diu is the cooler season, October to March, when the weather is pleasant for Diu's beaches, forts and water sports, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The summer, April to June, is hot and humid on the coast and the monsoon, July to September, brings rain and rough seas that pause Diu's water sports, so winter is ideal and a welcome escape from the Delhi winter chill. If you plan to add a Gir safari, note that the safari zones close during the monsoon. Whenever you travel, flying is the most comfortable option for the long distance, letting you arrive fresh to enjoy the island.

Tips for the Delhi to Diu journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Fly to Diu, Rajkot or Ahmedabad and continue by road for the fastest, easiest journey.

• Consider a train to Veraval, near Diu, then a road transfer, if you prefer rail and have the time.

• If driving, plan it as a journey of a day or two with an overnight halt at Udaipur or Ahmedabad.

• Use the Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway or NE 4 route rather than the slower NH 754A.

• Combine Diu with the Somnath temple and a Gir safari, both close by, for a full Saurashtra trip.

• Visit in the cool season, October to March, for the best weather for the beaches and sightseeing.

Delhi to Diu at a glance

Plan your Diu trip from Delhi

Experience My India can plan your Diu trip from Delhi, with flights, transfers and the sightseeing arranged. Explore the island with our places to visit near Somnath and Diu guide, combine Diu with the Somnath temple and a Gir safari, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Somnath Dwarka tour packages or the wider Gujarat tour packages include Diu and the region in your itinerary, so your long journey from Delhi is used to the full. You can also extend the trip up the coast to Dwarka.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Delhi to Diu trip, with flights, transfers and the island. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.