Mangalore to Dwarka Distance: Flight, Train and Road Guide

Mangalore, the coastal city of Karnataka, lies a long way from Dwarka, the golden city of Lord Krishna at the western tip of Gujarat, so the journey needs some planning. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Mangalore to Dwarka distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to reach the city, by flight, train and road.

Mangalore to Dwarka distance and travel time

The Mangalore to Dwarka distance is about 1,780 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 32 hours by road via NH 48, up the length of the western coast through Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat and on across Saurashtra to Dwarka. 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 Jamnagar, Rajkot or Ahmedabad, followed by a road transfer or a train direct to Dwarka's own railway station, is a far easier and more comfortable way to reach the city than the long drive. Flying, in particular, turns a multi-day journey into a matter of hours, which is why most pilgrims from Mangalore choose to fly rather than attempt the enormous drive up the coast.

Mangalore to Dwarka route options

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

The NH 48 route is the fastest and shortest at about 1,780 km, running inland and north through Maharashtra into Gujarat and across Saurashtra to Dwarka. The coastal NH 66 route is a little longer and slower and the combined coastal route is longer and much slower at around 43 hours, as the coastal road through the Konkan is winding and slow. 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.

Dwarka to Mangalore distance

The return journey, the Dwarka to Mangalore distance, is much the same, about 1,784 km in around 33 hours via NH 66 or NH 48. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the NH 48 and NH 66 routes are the fastest at around 33 hours, while the route via SH 1 is longer and much slower at around 41 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 Krishna's city.

How to travel from Mangalore to Dwarka

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

Mangalore to Dwarka by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Dwarka from Mangalore. The nearest airport to Dwarka is Jamnagar, about 130 km away, with Rajkot and Ahmedabad, the major hub, offering wider connections. Mangalore has an international airport, with connections to Ahmedabad, Rajkot and, with a connection, Jamnagar, often via Mumbai or Bengaluru. From whichever airport you land at, a road transfer or a Somnath Dwarka taxi service, completes the journey to Dwarka. Flying to Jamnagar and driving the remaining distance or flying to Ahmedabad and continuing by road or train, is the quickest way to reach the city from Mangalore.

Mangalore to Dwarka by train

The train is a good way to travel from Mangalore to Dwarka for those who prefer rail, as Dwarka has its own railway station, well connected to the rest of India. There are connecting train services from Mangalore towards Dwarka, often via Ahmedabad. Given the great distance up the coast, the rail journey is long, often around 38 to 44 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 and arriving directly at Dwarka station is convenient. For the wider access options, see our how to reach Dwarka guide.

Mangalore to Dwarka 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. 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 Dwarka sightseeing so the driving part is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Mangalore to Dwarka by bus

Long-distance buses connect Mangalore towards Gujarat, though usually with a change, often at Mumbai or Ahmedabad, from where you continue to Dwarka by another bus or a car. The total journey by bus takes around 33 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 and direct, so buses are usually a last choice for reaching Dwarka from Mangalore.

Why travel from Mangalore to Dwarka?

Despite the distance, many pilgrims from Mangalore and coastal Karnataka make the journey to Dwarka, drawn by its immense significance as one of the four sacred Char Dham of India and the golden city of Lord Krishna. The great Dwarkadhish temple, the ferry to Bet Dwarka, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and the sacred Gomti Ghat make it one of the holiest destinations in Hinduism. Dwarka also pairs beautifully with Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga down the coast and with a Gir lion safari, so a trip from Mangalore can combine the great temples with the wildlife and coast of Saurashtra.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Mangalore to Dwarka is the cooler season, October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant for the temple, the Bet Dwarka ferry and sightseeing, as covered in our best time to visit Dwarka. The summer, April to June, is hot and the monsoon, July to September, brings heavy rain along the west coast and a rough sea that can affect the ferry, so winter is ideal. If you plan to add a Gir safari, note that the safari zones close during the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October. Whenever you travel, flying is the most comfortable option for the long distance, letting you arrive fresh for the darshan and the sights of Krishna's city.

Tips for the Mangalore to Dwarka journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Fly to Jamnagar, Rajkot or Ahmedabad and drive on to Dwarka for the fastest, easiest journey.

• Consider a train direct to Dwarka's own railway station 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 longer, slower coastal NH 66 route.

• Combine Dwarka with Somnath and a Gir safari to make the long journey doubly rewarding.

• Visit in the cool season, October to March, for the most pleasant weather at the temple and coast.

Mangalore to Dwarka at a glance

Plan your Dwarka trip from Mangalore

Experience My India can plan your Dwarka trip from Mangalore, with flights, transfers and the sightseeing arranged. Read our Dwarka city guide for what to see, time your visit with the best time to visit Gujarat, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and combine the temple with Somnath and a Gir safari on a Somnath Dwarka tour package or the wider Gujarat tour packages, so your long journey from Mangalore is used to the full.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

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