Mangalore to Somnath Distance: Flight, Train and Road Guide

Mangalore, the coastal city of Karnataka, is a long way from the great temple of Somnath, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, 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 Somnath distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to reach the temple, by flight, train and road.

Mangalore to Somnath distance and travel time

The Mangalore to Somnath distance is about 1,737 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. 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 Ahmedabad, Rajkot or Diu, followed by a road transfer or a train to Veraval near Somnath, is a far easier and more comfortable way to reach the temple 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 Somnath route options

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

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 is shorter in distance, at about 1,700 km, but much slower at around 40 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.

Somnath to Mangalore distance

The return journey, the Somnath to Mangalore distance, is much the same, about 1,744 km in around 32 hours via NH 48. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the NH 48 route is the fastest at around 32 hours, while the shorter route via SH 1 and the coast, though only about 1,684 km, is much slower at around 39 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 temple.

How to travel from Mangalore to Somnath

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

Mangalore to Somnath by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Somnath from Mangalore. Mangalore has an international airport, with connections to Ahmedabad, the major hub for Gujarat, often via Mumbai or Bengaluru and onward flights to Rajkot and, with a connection, to Diu. The nearest airports to Somnath are Diu, about 90 km away, Keshod, about 55 km away and Rajkot, about 190 km away, with Ahmedabad, about 410 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 Somnath. Flying to a Gujarat airport and driving on is the quickest way to reach the temple from Mangalore.

Mangalore to Somnath by train

The train is a popular way to travel from Mangalore towards Somnath for those who prefer rail. The nearest major railhead to Somnath is Veraval, about 7 km away and there are connecting train services from Mangalore towards Veraval and Ahmedabad, from where you continue to Somnath. 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.

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

Mangalore to Somnath by bus

Long-distance buses connect Mangalore towards Gujarat, though usually with a change, often at Mumbai or Ahmedabad, from where you continue to Somnath or Veraval 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 Somnath from Mangalore.

Why travel from Mangalore to Somnath?

Despite the distance, many pilgrims from Mangalore and coastal Karnataka make the journey to Somnath, drawn by its immense spiritual significance as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The great temple, rebuilt many times over the centuries and standing majestically by the Arabian Sea, is one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism and its evening aarti and sound-and-light show are deeply moving. Somnath also pairs beautifully with Dwarka, the golden city of Krishna up the coast and with a Gir lion safari, so a trip from Mangalore can combine a pilgrimage with the wildlife and coast of Saurashtra.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Mangalore to Somnath is the cooler season, October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant for the temple and sightseeing, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The summer, April to June, is hot and the monsoon, July to September, brings heavy rain along the west coast, 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 the first Jyotirlinga.

Tips for the Mangalore to Somnath journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

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

• Consider a train to Veraval, the Somnath railhead, 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 Somnath with Dwarka 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.

Mangalore to Somnath at a glance

Plan your Somnath trip from Mangalore

Experience My India can plan your Somnath trip from Mangalore, with flights, transfers and the sightseeing arranged. Plan your darshan with our Somnath temple timings, see the sights with our sightseeing places in Somnath guide, add a Gir safari, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and combine the temple with Dwarka 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 Somnath trip, with flights, transfers and the temple. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.