Junagadh to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Junagadh, the historic fort city at the foot of Girnar, is the closest major town to Gir, the last home of the Asiatic lion, so it is a natural base for a safari. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Junagadh to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and how to reach the lion sanctuary from Junagadh.

Junagadh to Gir distance and travel time

The Junagadh to Gir distance is about 52 to 55 km by the direct road and the drive takes only around 1 hour 30 minutes by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs south from Junagadh via Mendarda and Visavadar to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway to the national park. Longer routes, looping via Una and Talala, also connect the two but cover around 90 to 107 km and take about 2 hours 45 minutes, so it is worth taking the direct Mendarda road for the shortest, quickest journey. As the nearest big city to Gir, Junagadh is where many travellers arrive before heading to the sanctuary.

Junagadh to Gir route options

There are a few ways to drive from Junagadh to Gir, differing greatly in distance:

The direct route via Mendarda and Visavadar is by far the shortest and fastest, at about 52 to 55 km, reaching Sasan Gir in around 1 hour 30 minutes and is the one a driver will normally take. The other routes, via Una and Talala, are much longer loops, covering around 90 to 107 km and are only worth taking if you are combining the trip with other stops on the way. For a straight journey, always choose the direct Mendarda road.

Gir to Junagadh distance

The return journey, the Gir to Junagadh distance, is the same short hop, about 52 km in around 1 hour 30 minutes via Mendarda. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the direct route via Mendarda and Visavadar is the quickest, at about 52 km in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The longer routes via Una and Talala cover around 90 to 106 km. For a smooth, quick drive, the direct Mendarda road is the best option in both directions between the city and the sanctuary.

How to travel from Junagadh to Gir

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

Junagadh to Gir by road

Driving is the best way to travel from Junagadh to Gir, as the direct distance is short and the road good. The route heads south via Mendarda and Visavadar to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway for the safari, through pleasant countryside. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable and flexible choice, letting you leave Junagadh after seeing its fort and Girnar 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 this well-marked road. Be sure to take the direct Mendarda route rather than the longer loops for the quickest journey.

Junagadh to Gir by train

Junagadh Junction is a major railway station, well connected to Ahmedabad, Rajkot and other cities, making it the main railhead for reaching Gir. There is a small branch line from Junagadh towards Sasan Gir via Visavadar, though services are limited, so most rail travellers arrive at Junagadh Junction and continue to Sasan Gir by road, a short transfer of about 1 hour 30 minutes. This makes Junagadh the natural rail gateway to the lion sanctuary. For the railheads near the park, see our guide on the railway station near Gir National Park.

Junagadh to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Junagadh with Mendarda, Visavadar, Talala and Sasan Gir, taking around 2 hours by road on the direct route, from where you reach the sanctuary. 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 city and the sanctuary are easily linked, but the safari itself is best managed with your own vehicle arranged at Sasan Gir.

Junagadh as a gateway to Gir

Junagadh is far more than just a stop on the way to Gir. The historic fort city at the foot of Girnar is rich in its own right, with the ancient Uparkot fort, the Ashokan rock edicts, the Mahabat Maqbara mausoleum and the sacred mountain of Girnar with its Hindu and Jain temples, reached by a climb or ropeway as in our Junagadh to Girnar guide. Many travellers spend a day exploring Junagadh, climb or visit Girnar and then drive the short distance to Sasan Gir for a lion safari, combining the historic, the sacred and the wild in one rewarding trip.

Combine Junagadh and Gir with a safari

The short distance from Junagadh makes a Gir lion safari an easy addition to a Junagadh and Girnar visit. A classic plan is to see the fort and Girnar at Junagadh, drive the short distance to Sasan Gir, stay overnight near the park and rise early for a morning 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 Junagadh also lies within reach of Somnath, many travellers weave Junagadh, Gir and Somnath into one Saurashtra pilgrimage and wildlife tour.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Junagadh to Gir is the cooler season, December to March, when the weather 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 Junagadh 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 Junagadh to Gir journey

A few pointers make the short trip smoother:

• Take the direct Mendarda and Visavadar route, about 52 km, rather than the longer loops via Una.

• See the Uparkot fort and Girnar at Junagadh before driving on to Gir for the safari.

• 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, so you are ready for the early morning safari.

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

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

Junagadh to Gir at a glance

Plan your Junagadh and Gir trip

Experience My India can plan a trip that combines Junagadh, Girnar and a Gir lion safari with the wider Saurashtra coast. Plan your arrival with our how to reach Gir guide, 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 fort, the climb, the drive and the safari, so you can focus on the history 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 Junagadh and Gir trip, fort, Girnar and safari. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsAppor call +91 73006 20809.