Dwarka to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

From the temples of Dwarka to the roar of the Asiatic lion at Gir, a Saurashtra trip can take in both the sacred and the wild. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Dwarka to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and how to plan a Dwarka pilgrimage and a Gir lion safari in one journey.

Dwarka to Gir distance and travel time

The Dwarka to Gir distance is about 290 km by the fastest road and the drive takes around 4 hours 53 minutes by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via NH 51, the coastal highway that follows the Saurashtra shore south and east through Porbandar towards Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway to the national park. It is a scenic coastal drive of about five hours, so Dwarka and Gir sit within a comfortable half day of each other, letting travellers combine Krishna's city with a lion safari in a single, memorable journey through the region. The route hugs the Arabian Sea for much of the way before turning inland to the green, forested country around Gir, so the drive itself, with its changing scenery, is a pleasant part of the trip rather than just a transfer.

Dwarka to Gir route options

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

The NH 51 coastal route is the shortest and fastest at about 290 km, running down the shore through Porbandar. The route via the Kodinar to Dhari Highway is a little longer, while the route via NH 27 loops inland and is longer and slower. For most journeys the direct coastal NH 51 route is the best choice and it is the more scenic drive too.

Gir to Dwarka distance

The return journey, the Gir to Dwarka distance, is the same by the main road, about 290 km in around 4 hours 58 minutes via NH 51. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the coastal NH 51 route is the quickest at around 5 hours, while the inland NH 27 route is longer. For speed, comfort and scenery, the coastal highway is the best option in both directions between the temple city and the lion sanctuary.

How to travel from Dwarka to Gir

There are a few ways to cover the Dwarka to Gir route, so you can choose what suits you:

Dwarka to Gir by road

Driving is by far the best way to travel from Dwarka to Gir, as the NH 51 coastal highway is good and scenic. The road runs down the Saurashtra shore, passing Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, before turning inland towards Sasan Gir, the gateway for the safari. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable and flexible choice, letting you break the journey at Porbandar and reach Gir in good time to rest before an early safari; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. Self-drive is also fine on these well-marked coastal roads, with fuel stations, dhabas and rest stops along the way. Breaking the drive at Porbandar to see the Gandhi and Sudama birthplaces turns the transfer into a fuller day out and arriving at Sasan Gir rested means you can be up bright and early for the safari the next morning.

Dwarka to Gir by train

Gir has only a small station on a branch line, so most rail travellers take a train from Dwarka towards Junagadh or Veraval, the nearest major railheads and then a road transfer of about 1 to 2 hours to Sasan Gir. The rail journey takes several hours as the line follows a longer route than the road. For the exact railheads and connections, see our guide on the railway station near Gir National Park, which explains the rail routes to the sanctuary. For most travellers, though, a car is the simplest way to make this journey.

Dwarka to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Dwarka with Junagadh and the towns near Gir, taking around 6 hours by road via Porbandar and Junagadh, from where a local transfer reaches Sasan Gir. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though for such a journey and for getting around Gir for the safari, a car or taxi is far more convenient. A car also lets you break the drive at Porbandar and reach the sanctuary in comfort for an early morning safari.

Places to see on the way from Dwarka to Gir

The coastal drive passes several worthwhile stops if you have time:

• Porbandar: the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, with Kirti Mandir and the Sudama temple, roughly midway on the coast.

• Somnath: the first Jyotirlinga, a short detour on the coast, easily added to a Dwarka and Gir trip, as in our sightseeing places in Somnath.

• Junagadh and Girnar: the fort city and sacred mountain near Gir, worth a stop on the inland approach.

Combine Dwarka with a Gir safari

The manageable distance between Dwarka and Gir makes the temple and the safari a rewarding combination on a Saurashtra trip. A classic plan is to take darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple and see Bet Dwarka and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, then drive down the coast, perhaps stopping at Somnath, to Sasan Gir, stay overnight and rise early for a lion safari. Plan the safari with our Gir safari ticket price and places to visit in Gir National Park guides. Pairing the darshan of Krishna's city with the thrill of the Asiatic lion makes for a wonderfully varied journey.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Dwarka to Gir is the cooler season, December to March, when the coastal drive is pleasant 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 Dwarka and the coastal 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 Dwarka to Gir journey

A few pointers make the trip smoother:

• Use the coastal NH 51 route for the fastest, most scenic and most direct drive down the shore to Gir.

• Break the journey at Porbandar and consider adding Somnath, only a short detour on the coast.

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

• Reach Sasan Gir the day before and stay overnight nearby, so you are rested for the early morning safari.

• Hire a car with a driver, far more convenient than buses for the temples, the coastal drive and Gir.

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

Dwarka to Gir at a glance

Plan your Dwarka and Gir trip

Experience My India can plan a trip that combines Dwarka with a Gir lion safari and the coast. Plan your arrival with our how to reach Dwarka and how to reach Gir guides, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and Gir lodges and consider extending to Somnath on the coast. Let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the temples, the coastal drive and the safari, so you can focus on the darshan 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 Dwarka and Gir trip, temples and safari. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsAppor call +91 73006 20809.