Goa to Diu Distance: Flight, Train and Road Guide

Two of India's most charming former Portuguese coastal getaways lie far apart on the west coast: Goa, the famous beach state and Diu, the little island near the Somnath coast of Gujarat. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Goa to Diu distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to make the journey, by flight, train and road.

Goa to Diu distance and travel time

The Goa to Diu distance is about 1,377 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 25 hours by road via NH 66 or NH 48, up the length of the western coast through Maharashtra and Gujarat to the Diu coast. This is a long, cross-country journey of over 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 multi-day journey into a matter of hours, which is why most travellers from Goa choose to fly rather than drive the length of the coast.

Goa to Diu route options

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

The NH 48 and NH 66 routes are the fastest at around 25 hours, running north up the coast and into Gujarat. Note that the route via NH 66 and NH 51 is much shorter in distance, at about 1,216 km, but considerably slower at around 30 hours, as it uses the winding coastal road for longer, so the shorter route does not save time. For a road journey the NH 48 or NH 66 route is the standard choice, though flying or the train is easier for most over such a distance.

Diu to Goa distance

The return journey, the Diu to Goa distance, is much the same, about 1,357 km in around 25 hours via NH 66. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the NH 66 and NH 48 routes are the fastest at around 25 hours, while the shorter route via NH 51 and the coast, though only about 1,195 km, is much slower at around 29 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 between the two islands of the coast.

How to travel from Goa to Diu

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

Goa to Diu by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Diu from Goa. Diu has its own airport, so it may be possible to fly to Diu, usually with a connection via Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Otherwise, Goa has 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 Goa.

Goa to Diu by train

The train is a good way to travel from Goa 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 connecting train services from Goa towards Veraval and Ahmedabad. Given the distance up the coast, the rail journey is long, often around 30 to 36 hours or more with connections, 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.

Goa 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 multi-day journey with overnight halts rather than a single stretch of over 25 hours. The NH 48 route via Maharashtra 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 very 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 Pune, Ahmedabad or Rajkot makes it far more pleasant and Experience My India can help arrange the local legs and the onward Diu sightseeing.

Goa to Diu by bus

Long-distance buses connect Goa towards Gujarat, though usually with a change, often at Mumbai or Ahmedabad, from where you continue towards Diu by another bus or a car. The total journey by bus takes around 26 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 Goa.

Goa and Diu: two Portuguese coasts

There is a nice thread linking Goa and Diu: both were Portuguese colonies for centuries, liberated by India in 1961, so both carry a distinctive Portuguese heritage of old forts, Baroque churches and a relaxed coastal air and both, unusually for India, legally sell alcohol. Travellers who love Goa's beaches and colonial charm often find a kindred spirit in Diu, which is quieter, smaller and less crowded, a hidden gem by comparison. Diu offers the mighty Diu Fort, the crescent Nagoa Beach, the Naida Caves and the Gangeshwar temple and it sits beside the great Somnath temple and a Gir lion safari, so a trip from Goa to Diu can open up a whole new coast of beaches, heritage and pilgrimage.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Goa to Diu is the cooler season, October to March, when the weather is pleasant on both coasts, ideal 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 and the monsoon, July to September, brings heavy rain along the west coast and rough seas that pause Diu's water sports, so winter is ideal. 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 Goa 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 multi-day journey with overnight halts at Pune, Ahmedabad or Rajkot.

• Use the NH 48 or NH 66 route rather than the shorter but slower NH 51 coastal option.

• 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.

Goa to Diu at a glance

Plan your Diu trip from Goa

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