Junagadh to Dwarka Distance: Car, Bus and Train Guide

The journey from Junagadh Girnar to Dwarka links the sacred mountain city of Saurashtra to the great Char Dham temple of Lord Krishna on the far western coast, a drive of a few hours across the peninsula. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, sets out the Junagadh to Dwarka 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.

Junagadh to Dwarka distance and travel time

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

Junagadh to Dwarka route options

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

The direct route via NH-51 is the shortest and usually fastest at about 209 km in roughly 3 hr 34 min and it carries tolls. A slightly longer option via NH-27 and NH-51 runs about 226 km in similar time and a longer route via the Jetpur-Junagadh highway, the Rajkot highway, NH-27 and NH-51 covers about 244 km. In practice the drive runs across the Saurashtra peninsula towards the coast, typically passing through or near Khambhalia and Porbandar or by way of Jamnagar, so there are pleasant places to break the journey along the way.

Dwarka to Junagadh distance

The journey is almost the same in reverse, from Dwarka to Junagadh. The fastest route via NH-51 is about 207 km and takes roughly 3 hr 33 min, with tolls. If there is a road closure on the GJ SH 32, an alternate via NH-51 and the GJ SH 32 runs about 224 km in around 4 hr 24 min, while a route via NH-51 and NH-27 covers about 221 km in about 3 hr 33 min and also avoids the closure. So whether you start in Junagadh or in Dwarka, you are looking at much the same distance of around 207 to 224 km and a drive of three to four hours across the peninsula, an easy and well-connected journey between two of Gujarat's major pilgrimage centres.

How to travel from Junagadh to Dwarka

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

Junagadh to Dwarka by car or taxi

Taking a private vehicle or a cab is the fastest method, reaching Dwarka in about 3 to 4 hours, whether by the route via Khambhalia and Porbandar or the one via Jamnagar. A private car is the most flexible option, letting you set your own timings, keep your luggage with you and travel directly from your Junagadh hotel or the Girnar base to the Dwarkadhish temple without changing vehicles. It also lets you break the journey, for instance at Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, which sits conveniently on one of the routes or make a wider loop that takes in the coast. For families and groups a taxi is comfortable and good value on a drive of this length. Our Somnath Dwarka taxi service runs this route and the wider Saurashtra circuit, making the transfer across the peninsula easy.

Junagadh to Dwarka by bus

The bus is a reliable and economical way to travel between Junagadh and Dwarka. Regular state transport GSRTC buses and private operators run between the cities, taking about 5 to 6 hours for the cross-peninsula journey. Buses are a practical choice for solo travellers, pilgrims on a budget and backpackers, with services running through the day and some overnight. The trade-off against a taxi is the longer travel time, as buses make stops along the way and a little less flexibility, but the fares are very reasonable and the route is well served. It is worth checking the schedule in advance and, for comfort on a journey of this length, choosing a private or air-conditioned sleeper service where available, especially in the peak pilgrimage season when demand is high.

Junagadh to Dwarka by train

There is a direct daily train between the two towns, the Somnath-Okha Express, train number 19251, which is a convenient overnight option. It leaves Junagadh Junction at 00:17 at night and reaches Dwarka by 07:01 in the morning, taking 6 hours and 44 minutes. The rail distance is longer than the road at about 327 km, because the line curves through the region rather than taking the direct cross-peninsula road, but as a night train this is not a drawback, since you travel while you sleep and arrive in Dwarka in good time for a morning darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple, saving a day and a hotel night. For those who prefer the train and like to sleep through the journey, it is an excellent and economical choice, though the midnight departure means a late night at Junagadh.

Why travel from Junagadh to Dwarka?

Junagadh and Dwarka are two of the great pillars of a Saurashtra pilgrimage and the drive across the peninsula links them neatly. Junagadh offers the sacred mountain of Girnar, with its famous stepped climb and ancient forts and temples, while Dwarka offers the Dwarkadhish temple, one of the Char Dham and a Sapta Puri, the holy kingdom of Lord Krishna by the Arabian Sea. Many travellers combine the two with the great Jyotirlinga at Somnath and the lions of Gir, since all lie within the same compact region, as covered in our Somnath to Gir distance guide. A route via Porbandar also lets you honour Gandhi's birthplace along the way. The manageable distance makes it easy to weave Junagadh and Dwarka into one rich journey through the sacred heart of Saurashtra.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel between Junagadh and Dwarka and to visit either, is the cooler season from October to March, when the weather is pleasant for the cross-peninsula drive and for temple visits and the Girnar climb alike, as covered in our best time to visit Gujarat guide. The monsoon from June to September brings rain that can slow the roads, though the countryside turns green. Whenever you travel, an early start is wise for the three to four-hour drive, so you reach Dwarka with time to spare for a relaxed darshan and if you add a Gir safari to the trip, our best time to visit Gir guide helps you time that too. Plan your Dwarka arrival around the temple's own schedule for the best experience.

Tips for the Junagadh to Dwarka journey

A few pointers make the trip smooth:

• Take the direct NH-51 for the shortest drive, about 207 to 209 km in around 3.5 hours, keeping the alternates in mind if there are closures on the GJ SH 32.

• Choose a private taxi for door-to-door flexibility, especially if combining Junagadh, Somnath, Gir and Dwarka in one trip.

• Break the journey at Porbandar, Gandhi's birthplace, if your route passes that way along the coast.

• Consider the overnight Somnath-Okha Express if you prefer to sleep through the journey and arrive for a morning darshan, allowing for the midnight departure.

• Catch a GSRTC or private bus for an economical journey, allowing 5 to 6 hours and choosing a sleeper for comfort.

• Start early for the road trip so you reach Dwarka in good time for a relaxed darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple.

• Travel between October and March for the most comfortable weather on the road and at the temples.

Junagadh to Dwarka at a glance

Plan your Junagadh and Dwarka trip

Experience My India can arrange your whole Junagadh and Dwarka journey, with a comfortable private car for the cross-peninsula drive, a Porbandar stop if you wish and your darshan and stays planned at both ends. You can see how to reach the coast in our how to reach Dwarka and how to reach Somnath guides, plan your temple time with our Somnath temple timings and Somnath itinerary guides, book your Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or the wider Gujarat tour packages bring the whole region together in one trip.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

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