Dwarka to Somnath Distance: Road, Train and Bus Guide

The journey between Dwarka and Somnath is one of the most travelled routes in Gujarat, linking the two great Jyotirlinga and Char Dham pilgrimage towns along the Saurashtra coast. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, sets out the Dwarka to Somnath distance, the travel time and every way to make the trip, by car or taxi, by bus and by train, with routes, costs and practical tips so you can plan the journey with confidence.

Dwarka to Somnath distance and travel time

Here are the headline figures for the Dwarka to Somnath journey:

Dwarka to Somnath route options

By road there are two main routes between Dwarka and Somnath and a navigation app will usually suggest the fastest based on current traffic and any road closures:

The direct coastal route via NH-51 is the shortest and usually the fastest, carrying tolls and it passes through Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, which makes a worthwhile stop. The slightly longer route via NH-27 and NH-51 runs a little further inland and is useful when there are road closures or heavy traffic on the direct highway. Either way the drive is a scenic one along the Arabian Sea coast of Saurashtra.

Somnath to Dwarka distance

The journey is almost identical in the reverse direction, from Somnath to Dwarka, as you would expect. The fastest route via NH-51 is about 233 km and takes roughly 3 hr 57 min to 4 hr 11 min, again with tolls, while an alternate route via NH-151 and NH-51 runs about 254 km in around 4 hr 30 min and helps avoid any closures on the direct highway. So whether you start in Dwarka or in Somnath, you are looking at much the same distance of around 230 to 234 km and a drive of about four hours on the coastal highway, with Porbandar sitting conveniently near the midpoint as a natural break on the journey.

How to travel from Dwarka to Somnath

You can cover the Dwarka to Somnath distance in three main ways, each suiting a different kind of traveller:

Dwarka to Somnath by car or taxi

Taking a private vehicle or a cab via NH-51 is the fastest and most convenient option and the one most pilgrims and travellers choose. The drive typically takes 4 to 5.5 hours and lets you enjoy a pleasant coastal journey at your own pace, with the option of stopping at Porbandar along the way. One-way taxi fares generally range from about 3,500 to 7,000 rupees depending on the vehicle class, from a hatchback or sedan up to an SUV or larger vehicle for a family or group. A private car is ideal because the two towns are pilgrimage destinations usually visited together, so a cab lets you keep your luggage with you, set your own timings for darshan and break the journey where you wish. Our Somnath Dwarka taxi service runs this exact route regularly and is the simplest way to travel between the two shrines.

Dwarka to Somnath by bus

The bus is the most common and budget-friendly way to travel between Dwarka and Somnath. Direct GSRTC state buses and private operators run regularly along the route and the journey takes roughly 5.5 hours, costing between about 190 and 500 rupees depending on whether you take an ordinary, express or more comfortable air-conditioned or sleeper service. Buses are frequent and reliable, making this a practical choice for solo travellers, pilgrims on a budget and backpackers. The trade-off against a taxi is less flexibility on timing and stops and a little more time on the road, but for the price it is excellent value on a well-served route. It is worth checking the schedule in advance and booking ahead for the more comfortable private and air-conditioned services, especially in the peak pilgrimage season.

Dwarka to Somnath by train

There is a daily direct night train between the two towns, the Okha Somnath Express, train number 19252, which is a convenient overnight option for those who prefer the rail. The important thing to understand is the distance, for the railway line loops much further inland rather than hugging the coast as the road does, so the rail distance is considerably longer at about 408 km and the journey takes around 8.5 hours. As a night train this is not necessarily a drawback, since you travel while you sleep and arrive in the morning, saving a day and a hotel night, but it does mean the train is slower than the direct road for anyone travelling by day. For most travellers the road is quicker and more flexible, while the night train suits those who like to sleep through the journey and keep their days free for darshan and sightseeing.

What to see along the coastal route

One of the pleasures of the road journey is that it runs along the Saurashtra coast and passes points of interest, chief among them Porbandar, roughly midway, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, where his ancestral home of Kirti Mandir and the Sudama temple are worth a short stop. At the Somnath end, the town is rich in sacred sites beyond the great temple itself, including the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers and Bhalka Tirth, where Lord Krishna is believed to have left his mortal body, both covered in our sightseeing places in Somnath guide. Planning a stop or two along the way turns a simple transfer into a richer part of your pilgrimage, which is one more reason many travellers prefer the freedom of a private car for this route.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel between Dwarka and Somnath and to visit either town, is the cooler season from October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant for the drive and for temple visits alike, as covered in our best time to visit Gujarat guide. The monsoon months from June to September bring rain to the coast, which can make the drive slower though the landscape turns green and beautiful. Whenever you travel, an early start is wise, letting you complete the four-hour drive with time to spare for darshan at your destination and avoiding arriving tired late in the day. The two towns are usually visited together on a single pilgrimage, so this route is one you may well travel at the start or end of a wider Saurashtra trip.

Tips for the Dwarka to Somnath journey

A few pointers make the trip smoother:

• Take the direct NH-51 coastal route for the shortest drive, about 234 km and roughly four hours and keep the inland route in mind if there are closures.

• Start early in the day, so you finish the four-hour drive with time for darshan and are not arriving late and tired.

• Break the journey at Porbandar, near the midpoint, to see Gandhi's birthplace and stretch your legs.

• Choose a private taxi for flexible timings, luggage and stops or the budget bus if travelling light and cheaply.

• Consider the overnight Okha Somnath Express if you prefer to sleep through the journey, allowing for the longer rail route.

• Carry water, snacks and your temple essentials and keep some cash for tolls on the highway.

• Visit between October and March for the most comfortable coastal weather on the drive and at the temples.

Dwarka to Somnath at a glance

Plan your Dwarka and Somnath trip

Experience My India can arrange your whole Dwarka and Somnath journey, with a comfortable private car for the coastal drive, a Porbandar stop if you wish and your darshan and stays planned at both ends. You can see how to get to each town in our how to reach Dwarka and how to reach Somnath guides, add the lions of Gir and the heritage of Junagadh Girnar, book your Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or the wider Gujarat tour packages bring the two sacred towns and the whole region together in one seamless trip.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Dwarka to Somnath journey and wider Saurashtra trip. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.