Mumbai to Dwarka Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Mumbai, India's financial capital, is a common starting point for pilgrims heading to Krishna's holy city, but it is a long journey across two states. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Mumbai to Dwarka distance and the reverse, the route options and travel time and every way to make the journey, by flight, train, car and bus.

Mumbai to Dwarka distance and travel time

The Mumbai to Dwarka distance is about 925 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 17 to 18 hours by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via NH 48, heading north to Gujarat and then west across Saurashtra through Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar to the coast. This is a genuinely long, cross-state journey, so very few people drive it in a single stretch. For most travellers, a flight to Jamnagar or a direct overnight train to Dwarka is a far easier and more comfortable choice than the long drive. Mumbai lies in Maharashtra and Dwarka at the far western tip of Gujarat's Saurashtra peninsula, so the two are separated by the width of two states, which is why even the fastest options take the better part of a day.

Mumbai to Dwarka route options

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

The NH 48 route is the shortest and fastest, running north to Gujarat and then across Saurashtra through Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar. The other routes, using the NE 4 expressway and NH 51, are a little longer and slower. For a road journey the NH 48 route is the standard choice, though the newer expressways are steadily improving travel times on this corridor.

Dwarka to Mumbai distance

The return journey, the Dwarka to Mumbai distance, is about 926 km in roughly 17 hours via the NE 4 expressway route. The route options for the reverse direction are:

On the return, the NE 4 expressway route is the fastest at around 17 hours, while the NH 47 route is much slower at over 21 hours. As on the outward journey, this is a very long drive, so the flight and train options are well worth considering over the road for most travellers.

How to travel from Mumbai to Dwarka

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

Mumbai to Dwarka by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to make this long journey. Dwarka has no airport, but the nearest is Jamnagar, about 130 km away, with Porbandar and Rajkot as other options. Mumbai has frequent flights to Jamnagar, Rajkot and Porbandar, taking a little over an hour, followed by a road transfer of a couple of hours to Dwarka. This turns a gruelling all-day drive into a comfortable half-day journey. From whichever airport you land at, a car completes the trip; see our guide on how to reach Dwarka for all the arrival options. For pilgrims short on time, this fly-and-drive combination is overwhelmingly the most practical way to make the trip, letting you leave Mumbai in the morning and take darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple the same afternoon or evening.

Mumbai to Dwarka by train

The train is the classic way to travel from Mumbai to Dwarka. Direct trains run from Mumbai to Dwarka, which has its own station close to the temple, via Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar. The rail journey typically takes around 15 to 17 hours, with convenient overnight services that let you sleep through much of it and arrive fresh in the morning. Comfortable, economical and scenic, the overnight train is a favourite of pilgrims; check the timetable and book well ahead in the peak season, as these Dwarka trains are very popular and fill quickly.

Mumbai 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 two-day journey with an overnight halt rather than a single stretch; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. The NH 48 route via Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar is the fastest and smoothest, with plentiful fuel stations, dhabas and rest stops along the way. Self-drive is possible but demanding over such a distance, so many prefer a driver. Experience My India can handle the whole journey and the onward sightseeing so you arrive relaxed.

Mumbai to Dwarka by bus

Private operators and some state services run long-distance buses between Mumbai and Dwarka, taking around 18 to 22 hours by road via Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar, usually as overnight or multi-day services. Air-conditioned and sleeper coaches make the journey more bearable. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though for such a long journey a flight or a comfortable train is far easier and a car with a driver gives the most flexibility for stops.

Break the journey along the way

For those driving, breaking the long journey makes it far more pleasant. The route passes through Ahmedabad, Gujarat's largest city and Rajkot and Jamnagar in Saurashtra, all natural places to rest overnight and you can add Somnath, Gir for a lion safari or Junagadh and Girnar with a detour. Turning the transfer into a multi-day trip lets you see much more of Gujarat and arrive at Dwarka refreshed, rather than exhausted by a marathon drive.

Why travel from Mumbai to Dwarka?

Dwarka is one of India's four sacred Char Dham and the legendary city of Lord Krishna, so it draws pilgrims from Mumbai and across the country. Despite the distance, the pull of the Dwarkadhish temple, Bet Dwarka and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga makes the journey well worth it. Looking ahead, the Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train will cut the first leg of the journey to under two hours, making it far quicker to reach the gateway of Gujarat and continue to Dwarka in the years to come.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Mumbai to Dwarka is the cooler season, October to March, when the weather is pleasant for the journey and Dwarka is at its best, in line with the best time to visit Dwarka. Avoid the peak summer, when the long journey is tiring and take extra care during the monsoon, when heavy rain can slow the roads and affect flights. For most travellers a flight or an overnight train is the ideal way to arrive, reaching Dwarka with time to settle in before the evening aarti and the sights in our Dwarka city guide.

Tips for the Mumbai to Dwarka journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Fly to Jamnagar and drive the short leg to Dwarka for the fastest and easiest overall journey.

• Take a direct overnight train to Dwarka, a comfortable, economical and popular alternative to flying.

• If driving, plan it as a relaxed two-day journey with an overnight halt at Ahmedabad or Rajkot.

• Stick to the NH 48 route, the fastest of the road options.

• Carry water and snacks for the long journey, though fuel stops and dhabas are plentiful on the highways.

• Book flights and trains well ahead in the peak winter and festival season, when they fill fast.

Mumbai to Dwarka at a glance

Plan your Dwarka trip from Mumbai

Once in Dwarka, the Dwarkadhish darshan, the evening aarti, Bet Dwarka and the sacred Gomti Ghat await. Plan the season with the best time to visit Gujarat, book Somnath Dwarka hotels near the temple and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the transfers, the drive and the whole itinerary, so you can relax and focus on the darshan.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Mumbai to Dwarka trip, with flights, trains, transfers or a car and driver. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.