Mangalore to Diu Distance: Flight, Train and Road Guide

Mangalore, the coastal city of Karnataka, lies a long way up the west coast from Diu, the little former Portuguese 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 Mangalore to Diu distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to make the journey, by flight, train and road.

Mangalore to Diu distance and travel time

The Mangalore to Diu distance is about 1,672 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 31 hours by road via NH 48, up the length of the western coast through Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat to the Diu coast. This is a very long, cross-country journey of well 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 Mangalore choose to fly rather than drive the length of the coast.

Mangalore to Diu route options

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

The NH 48 route is the fastest at around 31 hours, running inland and north through Maharashtra into Gujarat. Note that the coastal route via NH 66 and NH 48 is shorter in distance, at about 1,630 km, but much slower at around 39 hours, as the coastal road through the Konkan is winding and slow, so it is rarely worth taking despite the shorter distance. For a road journey the NH 48 route is the standard choice, though flying or the train is far easier for most over such a distance.

Diu to Mangalore distance

The return journey, the Diu to Mangalore distance, is much the same, about 1,676 km in around 31 hours via NH 66 or NH 48. 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 31 to 32 hours, while the shorter route via SH 1 and the coast, though only about 1,616 km, is much slower at around 38 hours. This is a very long drive in either direction, so the flight and train options are well worth considering over the road for most travellers heading to or from the island.

How to travel from Mangalore to Diu

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

Mangalore to Diu by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Diu from Mangalore. Diu has its own airport, so it may be possible to fly to Diu with a connection via Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Otherwise, Mangalore has an international airport with flights to Ahmedabad, the major hub for Gujarat, often via Mumbai or Bengaluru and onward 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 Mangalore.

Mangalore to Diu by train

The train is a good way to travel from Mangalore 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 Mangalore towards Veraval and Ahmedabad. Given the great distance up the coast, the rail journey is long, often around 36 to 42 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.

Mangalore 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 30 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.

Mangalore to Diu by bus

Long-distance buses connect Mangalore 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 32 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 Mangalore.

Why travel from Mangalore to Diu?

Diu is a delightful destination to make the journey for, a little former Portuguese island of beaches, forts and relaxed coastal charm, and, like Mangalore's own coast, one of sea and sunshine. Diu offers the mighty Diu Fort, the crescent Nagoa Beach with its water sports, the maze-like Naida Caves and the sea-washed Gangeshwar temple, and, being a former Portuguese territory, it is one of the few places in the region where alcohol is legally sold. Best of all, Diu sits beside the great Somnath temple, the first Jyotirlinga and a Gir lion safari, so a trip from Mangalore can combine the island's beaches with pilgrimage and wildlife, a whole new coast to explore.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Mangalore 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 Mangalore 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 route rather than the shorter but much slower NH 66 coastal route.

• 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.

Mangalore to Diu at a glance

Plan your Diu trip from Mangalore

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