Junagadh to Somnath Distance: Car, Bus and Train Guide

The journey from Junagadh Girnar to Somnath is a short and easy one, linking the sacred mountain city to the great Jyotirlinga temple on the coast in under two hours. The two are almost always visited together on a Saurashtra pilgrimage. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, sets out the Junagadh 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 easily.

Junagadh to Somnath distance and travel time

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

Junagadh to Somnath route options

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

The direct route via NH151, the Junagadh-Somnath Highway, is the shortest and usually fastest at about 93.9 km in roughly 1 hour 38 minutes and it carries tolls. A near-identical option via NH151 and NH 51 runs about 96.1 km in similar time and helps avoid any road closures, while a slightly shorter but slower route via the Amargadh, Mendarda and Maliya road covers about 92.7 km in around 1 hour 56 minutes and is another alternative when there are closures. For such a short trip the differences are small and the direct NH151 is the natural choice for most travellers.

Somnath to Junagadh distance

The journey is almost identical in reverse, from Somnath to Junagadh. The fastest route via NH151 is about 94.1 km and takes roughly 1 hour 43 minutes, with tolls, avoiding closures on the GJ SH 230, while an alternate via the Amargadh, Mendarda and Maliya road and the Junagadh-Mendarda highway runs about 92 km in around 1 hour 58 minutes. So whether you start in Junagadh or in Somnath, you are looking at much the same distance of around 90 to 95 km and a drive of well under two hours, making this one of the easier legs of a Saurashtra pilgrimage, often done as a simple half-day transfer between the two holy places.

How to travel from Junagadh to Somnath

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

Junagadh to Somnath by car or taxi

Driving or taking a cab is the most flexible way to cover the Junagadh to Somnath distance, following the direct Junagadh-Somnath Highway, NH151, in about 1.5 to 2 hours. A private car lets you set your own timings, keep your luggage with you and travel directly from your Junagadh hotel or the Girnar base to the Somnath temple without changing vehicles, which is a real advantage when the two are being visited together on a pilgrimage. It also lets you leave early for a morning darshan at Somnath or depart after one, at your own pace. Because the drive is short and straightforward on a good highway, a taxi is comfortable and good value for families and groups. Our Somnath Dwarka taxi service runs this route and the wider Saurashtra circuit, making the transfer between the two holy towns effortless.

Junagadh to Somnath by bus

The bus is a frequent and very affordable way to travel between Junagadh and Somnath. Daily state transport GSRTC buses and private operators run regularly between the two cities and the journey takes roughly 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes, with ticket prices starting as low as about 90 rupees for the basic services. This makes the bus an excellent choice for solo travellers, pilgrims on a budget and backpackers, with services frequent enough that you rarely wait long. The trade-off against a taxi is a little less flexibility on timing and the fixed stops, but for such a short and cheap journey on a well-served route it is hard to beat for value. It is worth confirming the schedule locally and considering a more comfortable private or air-conditioned coach if you prefer, especially in the peak pilgrimage season.

Junagadh to Somnath by train

The train is a comfortable option on this route, with the rail distance a little shorter than the road at about 87 km. Several daily trains run from Junagadh Junction, station code JND, to Somnath, station code SMNH, including modern options such as the Vande Bharat and local Intercity Express services, taking anywhere from about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the train. The train is a pleasant, inexpensive and scenic way to make the trip, avoiding road traffic and the faster services are very convenient. The main consideration is matching a train time to your plans and booking ahead for the reserved and premium services, which can fill up in the pilgrimage season. For those who prefer not to drive, the rail link between the two towns is an excellent and relaxing choice.

Why travel from Junagadh to Somnath?

Junagadh and Somnath are two of the great anchors of a Saurashtra pilgrimage and the short hop between them is one most travellers make. Junagadh offers the sacred mountain of Girnar, climbed by its famous steps or reached by ropeway, along with ancient forts and temples, while Somnath offers the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the great seaside temple of Shiva, with its sacred sites such as the Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth, covered in our sightseeing places in Somnath guide. Many pilgrims add the lions of Gir in between, since Sasan Gir lies close to this route. The short distance makes it easy to combine all three into a single, rich Saurashtra journey.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel between Junagadh and Somnath and to visit either, is the cooler season from October to March, when the weather is pleasant for the 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 and beautiful. Because the journey is so short, under two hours, it is easy to fit around your darshan timings at either end and an early start lets you reach Somnath in good time for a morning visit to the temple. Plan your Somnath temple timing with our Somnath temple timings guide so you arrive in time for the darshan or aarti you wish to attend.

Tips for the Junagadh to Somnath journey

A few pointers make the short trip smooth:

• Take the direct NH151, the Junagadh-Somnath Highway, for the shortest drive of about 94 km in well under two hours, keeping the alternates in mind if there are closures.

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

• Take a fast train such as the Vande Bharat from Junagadh Junction if you prefer not to drive, booking a reserved service ahead.

• Catch a frequent GSRTC or private bus from as little as 90 rupees for a cheap and easy journey.

• Start early to reach Somnath in time for a morning darshan and check the temple timings before you set out.

• Consider adding a Gir safari in between, as Sasan Gir lies close to the Junagadh-Somnath route.

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

Junagadh to Somnath at a glance

Plan your Junagadh and Somnath trip

Experience My India can arrange your whole Junagadh and Somnath journey, with a comfortable private car for the short drive, a Gir safari added in between if you wish and your darshan and stays planned at both ends. You can see how to get to the coast in our how to reach Somnath guide, plan your days with our Somnath itinerary guide, add Dwarka with our how to reach Dwarka guide, 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 Somnath journey and wider Saurashtra trip. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.