Diu to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

The island of Diu, with its beaches and Portuguese heritage and Gir, the last home of the Asiatic lion, lie surprisingly close together, so many travellers combine them. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Diu to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and how to plan a beach break and a lion safari in one easy trip.

Diu to Gir distance and travel time

The Diu to Gir distance is about 63 km by the fastest road and the drive takes only around 1 hour 45 minutes by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via the Kodinar to Dhari Highway, heading inland from the coast to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway to the national park. It is a short, easy and pleasant drive through the countryside, so Diu and Gir sit within a comfortable couple of hours of each other. This closeness lets travellers pair the relaxed beaches and forts of Diu with the thrill of a Gir lion safari, one of the most enjoyable combinations in the region. Few places let you swim in the sea and track wild lions on the same short trip, which is exactly what this easy drive makes possible.

Diu to Gir route options

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

The routes via the Kodinar to Dhari Highway and via GJ SH 98 are both short and quick, at about 63 to 64 km, reaching Sasan Gir in around 1 hour 45 minutes. The route via NH 351K is longer at about 74 km and slower. For most journeys either of the two shorter routes works well and a driver will pick the clearer road on the day.

Gir to Diu distance

The return journey, the Gir to Diu distance, is much the same, about 63 km in around 1 hour 40 minutes via GJ SH 98. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the routes via GJ SH 98 and the Kodinar to Dhari Highway are the quickest, at around 1 hour 40 minutes, while the NH 351K route is longer. For a smooth, quick drive, the two shorter routes are the best options in both directions between the island and the sanctuary.

How to travel from Diu to Gir

Being close, the Diu to Gir hop is easy by a few means:

Diu to Gir by road

Driving is by far the best way to travel from Diu to Gir, as the distance is short and the roads are good. The route heads inland from the coast through the countryside to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway for the safari. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable and flexible choice, letting you leave Diu in the afternoon and reach Gir in good time to rest before an early morning safari; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. Self-drive is also fine on these well-marked roads and the short, pleasant drive from the coast into the greener Gir landscape is an easy and enjoyable part of the journey. As you leave the island and its sea breezes behind and head inland, the scenery turns to open fields and forest, a gentle build-up to the excitement of the safari ahead.

Diu to Gir by train

Diu has no railway station of its own, so rail travellers use the small stations at Delvada or Una, near Diuor the larger railheads at Veraval and Junagadh and then a road transfer to Sasan Gir. For such a short distance, however, the road is far simpler and quicker than the train. Diu does have its own airport, with flights to Mumbai and other cities, which makes it a convenient arrival point before continuing to Gir by road. For the railheads near the park, see our guide on the railway station near Gir National Park. For most travellers, flying into Diu and then driving the short leg to Gir is one of the quickest and most comfortable ways to reach the sanctuary from farther afield.

Diu to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Diu and Una with Talala and the towns near Gir, taking around 2.5 hours by road, from where a local transfer reaches Sasan Gir. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though for such a short journey and for getting around Gir for the safari, a car or taxi is far more convenient. Being close, the island and the sanctuary are easily linked, but the safari itself is best managed with your own vehicle arranged at Sasan Gir, as public transport does not run inside the park and the safari gypsies must be booked separately.

Combine Diu with a Gir safari

The short distance between Diu and Gir makes the beach and the safari a lovely combination on a Saurashtra trip. A classic plan is to relax on the beaches and see the fort and churches of Diu, then drive the short distance to Sasan Gir, stay overnight near the park and rise early for a lion safari in search of the Asiatic lion. Plan the safari with our Gir safari ticket price and places to visit in Gir National Park guides. As Diu also lies close to Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga, many travellers weave Diu, Somnath and a Gir safari into one rewarding coastal and wildlife journey. Diu itself, with its beaches, the imposing sea fort, old Portuguese churches and quiet, laid-back charm, makes a relaxing base before or after the more active adventure of the safari, giving a Saurashtra trip a wonderful balance of rest and excitement.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Diu to Gir is the cooler season, December to March, when the weather is pleasant for the beaches and wildlife sightings are good, while April to June, though hotter, offer the best chances of seeing lions near water, as covered in our best time to visit Gir. Note that Gir National Park's safari zones close during the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October, though Diu and the road remain open. Plan to reach Gir the day before, so you can rest for an early morning safari and check the Gir forest weather for the season.

Tips for the Diu to Gir journey

A few pointers make the short trip smoother:

• Use the Kodinar to Dhari Highway or GJ SH 98, the shortest and quickest routes to Sasan Gir.

• Leave Diu in the afternoon to reach Sasan Gir with time to rest and settle before an early morning safari.

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

• Stay overnight near Sasan Gir so you are ready for the early morning safari slot.

• Hire a car with a driver, far more convenient than buses for the beach, the drive and getting around Gir.

• Avoid the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October, when the Gir safari zones are closed.

Diu to Gir at a glance

Plan your Diu and Gir trip

Experience My India can plan a trip that combines Diu with a Gir lion safari and the coast. Plan your visit with our places to visit near Somnath and Diu and how to reach Gir guides, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and Gir lodges and consider extending to Somnath and Dwarka. Let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the beach, the drive and the safari, so you can focus on relaxing and the lions.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Diu and Gir trip, beach and safari. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsAppor call +91 73006 20809.