Mumbai to Somnath Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Mumbai, India's financial capital, is a common starting point for pilgrims heading to the first Jyotirlinga, 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 Somnath 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 Somnath distance and travel time

The Mumbai to Somnath distance is about 885 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 16 to 17 hours by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via NH 51, heading north to Gujarat and then across Saurashtra towards the coast. There are shorter routes in kilometres, but they are much slower, so the longer highway route is actually quicker. Mumbai lies in Maharashtra and Somnath on the far southern coast of Saurashtra, so this is a genuinely long, cross-state journey, best made by flight or overnight train or split over two days if you drive. Even the fastest options take the better part of a day, so it pays to plan generously and choose the mode of travel that suits you best.

Mumbai to Somnath route options

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

The NH 51 route is the fastest, running north to Gujarat and then across Saurashtra to the coast. Note that the NH 48 and NH 51 route is shorter in distance, at about 745 km, but much slower at over 20 hours, so it is rarely worth taking. For a road journey the fastest NH 51 route is the standard choice.

Somnath to Mumbai distance

The return journey, the Somnath to Mumbai distance, is about 884 km in roughly 15 hours via NH 51. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the shorter route in kilometres is much slower. The NH 51 route is the quickest way back at around 15 hours, while the shorter NH 51 and NH 48 route takes over 19 hours. For a long drive like this, the flight and train options are well worth considering over the road for most travellers.

How to travel from Mumbai to Somnath

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

Mumbai to Somnath by air

Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to make this long journey. Somnath has no airport, but the nearest is Diu, about 90 km away, with Keshod and Rajkot as other options. Mumbai has flights to Diu, Rajkot and other Gujarat cities, taking a little over an hour, followed by a road transfer of around 1 hour 30 minutes from Diu to Somnath. 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 Somnath 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 great Jyotirlinga the same evening.

Mumbai to Somnath by train

The train is a popular way to travel from Mumbai to Somnath. Trains run from Mumbai towards Veraval, the railhead about 7 km from Somnath and to the Somnath station itself, via Ahmedabad and Junagadh. The rail journey typically takes around 16 to 20 hours depending on the service, with convenient overnight options that let you sleep through much of it. Comfortable and economical, the overnight train is a favourite of pilgrims; check the timetable and book well ahead in the peak season, when these trains fill quickly.

Mumbai 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 two-day journey with an overnight halt rather than a single stretch; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. The NH 51 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 sightseeing so you arrive relaxed.

Mumbai to Somnath by bus

Private operators and some state services run long-distance buses between Mumbai and Somnath, taking around 17 to 22 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.

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 Junagadh in Saurashtra, all natural places to rest overnight and you can add Gir for a lion safari, Girnar from Junagadh or Dwarka up the coast with a detour. Turning the transfer into a multi-day trip lets you see much more of Gujarat and arrive at Somnath refreshed, rather than exhausted by a marathon drive.

Why travel from Mumbai to Somnath?

Somnath is the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, one of the holiest shrines in India, so it draws pilgrims from Mumbai and across the country. Despite the distance, the pull of the great temple by the sea, the sacred Bhalka Tirth and the Triveni Sangam makes the journey well worth it. Looking ahead, the Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train will cut the first leg to under two hours, making it far quicker to reach the gateway of Gujarat and continue to Somnath in the years to come.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Mumbai to Somnath is the cooler season, October to March, when the weather is pleasant for the journey and Somnath is at its best, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. 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 Somnath with time to settle in before the evening aarti, timed as in our Somnath temple timings.

Tips for the Mumbai to Somnath journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Fly to Diu and drive the short leg to Somnath for the fastest and easiest overall journey.

• Take an overnight train towards Veraval, a comfortable, economical and popular alternative.

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

• Stick to the NH 51 route, the fastest of the road options, over the slower shorter routes.

• 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 Somnath at a glance

Plan your Somnath trip from Mumbai

Once in Somnath, the Jyotirlinga darshan, the evening aarti and the sound-and-light show await, along with sightseeing places in Somnath. Follow our Somnath itinerary for a ready plan, 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 Somnath trip, with flights, trains, transfers or a car and driver. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.