Mumbai to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Mumbai, India's financial capital, is a common starting point for a Gir safari, but the sanctuary lies a long way across two states. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Mumbai to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to reach the last home of the Asiatic lion, by flight, train and car.

Mumbai to Gir distance and travel time

The Mumbai to Gir distance is about 848 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 15 hours by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via NH 48, heading north to Gujarat and then across Saurashtra towards Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway to the national park. This is a genuinely long, cross-state journey, so very few people drive it in a single stretch. For most travellers, a flight to Diu or Rajkot, followed by a road transfer or an overnight train to Junagadh or Veraval, is a far easier and more comfortable way to reach Gir than the long drive.

Mumbai to Gir route options

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

The NH 48 route is the fastest at around 15 hours, running north to Gujarat and then across Saurashtra. The route via NH 48 and the NE 4 expressway is similar in time. Note that the NH 51 route is shorter in distance, at about 693 km, but much slower at over 19 hours, so it is rarely worth taking. For a road journey the NH 48 route is the standard choice, though flying or the train is easier for most.

Gir to Mumbai distance

The return journey, the Gir to Mumbai distance, is about 847 km in around 14 hours 27 minutes 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 14 hours 30 minutes, while the shorter NH 51 route is much slower at over 18 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 heading to or from the sanctuary.

How to travel from Mumbai to Gir

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

Mumbai to Gir by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to reach Gir from Mumbai. The nearest airports to Gir are Diu, about 110 km away and Rajkot, about 160 km away, with Keshod also close. Mumbai has frequent flights to Diu and Rajkot, taking a little over an hour, followed by a road transfer to Sasan Gir. Flying into Diu and driving on is a particularly popular option, turning 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 Gir for all the arrival options.

Mumbai to Gir by train

The train is a popular way to travel from Mumbai towards Gir. Trains run from Mumbai to Junagadh and Veraval, the nearest major railheads to the sanctuary, from where a road transfer of 1 to 2 hours reaches Sasan Gir. The rail journey typically takes around 16 to 20 hours, with convenient overnight services that let you sleep through much of it. Junagadh Junction and Veraval are both well connected to Mumbai, making the train a comfortable, economical choice for the long distance. For the railheads near the park, see our railway station near Gir National Park guide.

Mumbai to Gir 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 Gujarat and Saurashtra 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 safari so you arrive relaxed and ready for the lions.

Mumbai to Gir by bus

Private operators and some state services run long-distance buses between Mumbai and the towns near Gir, taking around 16 to 20 hours by road via Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Junagadh, 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 along the way to the sanctuary.

Break the journey along the way

For those driving, breaking the long journey makes it far more pleasant and the route passes some of Gujarat's best sights. Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Junagadh make natural overnight halts and with a small detour you can add Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga or Dwarka, Krishna's city, on the way to or from Gir. Turning the transfer into a multi-day trip lets you combine the lion safari with the region's great temples and coast, arriving at Sasan Gir refreshed rather than exhausted by a marathon drive.

Why travel from Mumbai to Gir?

Gir National Park is the last home of the Asiatic lion, found nowhere else on earth in the wild, so it draws wildlife lovers from Mumbai and across the country. Despite the distance, the chance to see the majestic Asiatic lion in its natural habitat, along with leopards, deer, crocodiles and rich birdlife, makes the journey well worth it. Gir also pairs beautifully with the temples of Somnath and Dwarka and the coast, so a trip from Mumbai can combine a safari with a pilgrimage, making the long journey doubly rewarding.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Mumbai to Gir is the cooler season, December to March, when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are good, while April to June, though hotter, offer the best chances of seeing lions near water, as covered in our best time to visit Gir. Gir National Park's safari zones close during the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October, so plan your trip outside these months. Reach Gir the day before to rest for an early morning safari and check the Gir forest weather for the season before you set off.

Tips for the Mumbai to Gir journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Fly to Diu or Rajkot and drive on to Gir for the fastest, easiest journey from Mumbai.

• Take an overnight train to Junagadh or Veraval, a comfortable and economical alternative.

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

• Book your Gir safari permit well in advance, as slots are limited and sell out in the peak season.

• Add Somnath or Dwarka on the way to combine a safari with a pilgrimage.

• Avoid the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October, when the Gir safari zones are closed.

Mumbai to Gir at a glance

Plan your Gir trip from Mumbai

Experience My India can plan a Gir trip from Mumbai, with flights, transfers and the safari arranged. Plan the safari with our Gir safari ticket price and places to visit in Gir National Park guides, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and Gir lodges and combine the sanctuary with the temples on a Somnath Dwarka tour package. Let the Experience My India Gujarat tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the travel so you can focus on the lions and the darshan.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

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