Rajkot to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Gir National Park, the only home of the Asiatic lion, is within easy reach of Rajkot, the largest city in Saurashtra and a major airport and rail hub. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Rajkot to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and every way to reach the lion sanctuary, by car, train and air.

Rajkot to Gir distance and travel time

The Rajkot to Gir distance is about 170 km by the fastest road and the drive takes around 4 hours 20 minutes by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via GJ SH 104, heading south from Rajkot towards Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway to the national park. Actual times vary with traffic, road works and the number of breaks you take, so allow around half a day for the journey, ideally arriving in time to rest before an early morning safari. As one of the nearest cities and airports to Gir, Rajkot makes a convenient starting point for a safari trip and being under 200 km away, it is a far shorter and easier journey than reaching the sanctuary from Ahmedabad or the bigger metros.

Rajkot to Gir route options

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

The GJ SH 104 route is the shortest and fastest, at about 170 km, heading directly south towards Sasan Gir. The route via the Rajkot to Bhavnagar Highway is a little longer, while the NH151 route is much longer at about 248 km, useful mainly if you are combining the trip with other stops. For most journeys the GJ SH 104 route is the best choice.

Gir to Rajkot distance

The return journey, the Gir to Rajkot distance, is similar, about 170 km in around 4 hours 31 minutes via the Kodinar to Dhari Highway. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the shortest route of about 170 km is the quickest at around 4 hours 30 minutes. The Rajkot to Bhavnagar Highway route is a little longer, while the NH151 route is the longest. For a smooth, direct drive, the shortest route is the best option in both directions.

How to travel from Rajkot to Gir

There are several ways to reach Gir from Rajkot, so you can choose what suits your budget and comfort:

Rajkot to Gir by road

Driving is the most popular and convenient way to reach Gir from Rajkot, thanks to the good roads and the relatively short distance. The route heads south through the Saurashtra countryside to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway for the safari. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable choice, letting you set your own pace and arrive rested for an early safari; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. Self-drive is also fine on these well-marked roads, with fuel stations, dhabas and rest stops along the way. Being under 200 km, this is one of the easier drives to the sanctuary.

Rajkot to Gir by train

Gir has only a small station on a branch line, so most rail travellers take a train from Rajkot to Junagadh or Veraval, the nearest major railheads and then a road transfer of about 1 to 2 hours to Sasan Gir. Rajkot is well connected by rail to Junagadh, a short journey away. For the exact railheads and connections, see our guide on the railway station near Gir National Park, which explains the best rail routes to the sanctuary.

Rajkot to Gir by air

Rajkot has its own airport, one of the nearest to Gir at about 170 km, with good connections to Mumbai, Delhi and other cities. Travellers flying into Rajkot then continue to Sasan Gir by road, a transfer of about 4 hours. Keshod, about 90 km from Gir and Diu are other nearby airports. If you are already in Rajkot, the road is the simplest way to the sanctuary. Plan your visit around the how to reach Gir guide for all the options.

Rajkot to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Rajkot with Junagadh and the towns near Gir, taking around 5 to 6 hours by road, from where a local transfer reaches Sasan Gir. Options range from ordinary and express buses to more comfortable air-conditioned services. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though a car is faster and far more convenient for reaching the sanctuary and getting around for the safari and sightseeing.

Places to see on the way from Rajkot to Gir

The drive passes some worthwhile stops if you have time:

• Junagadh: the fort city at the foot of Girnar, with the Uparkot fort and the Junagadh Girnar temples, close to Gir on some routes.

• Gondal: a heritage town with palaces and vintage car collections, a pleasant halt on the way.

• Virpur: the Jalaram temple at Virpur, a popular pilgrimage stop for many travellers.

Combine Gir with Somnath and Dwarka

Gir sits at the heart of Saurashtra, so it pairs beautifully with the region's great temples. Somnath is only about 45 km from Sasan Gir, making a lion safari and the first Jyotirlinga an easy combination, while Dwarka up the coast completes a classic Gujarat pilgrimage and wildlife tour. Many travellers build Gir into a Somnath and Dwarka tripor the reverse, turning Rajkot into the starting point of a wider Saurashtra journey. A planned tour makes linking the temples and the safari seamless, so you can move from a dawn lion safari to an evening temple aarti in a single well-organised day.

Best time to visit Gir

Gir National Park is open for safaris from around mid-October to mid-June and remains closed during the monsoon, roughly from June to October, for the breeding season. The best time to visit is the cooler months, December to March, when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are good, while the hotter months of April to June offer the best chances of seeing lions near water, as covered in our best time to visit Gir. Plan the Rajkot to Gir journey to arrive the day before, so you can rest for an early morning safari and check the Gir safari ticket price and booking details in advance.

Tips for the Rajkot to Gir journey

A few pointers make the trip smoother:

• Arrive at Sasan Gir the day before your safari, so you are rested for an early morning start.

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

• Use the GJ SH 104 route for the shortest, fastest and most direct drive from Rajkot.

• Combine Gir with Somnath, only about 45 km away, for a temple and wildlife trip.

• Carry water and snacks for the drive, though fuel stops and dhabas are available along the way.

• Hire a car with a driver, which is far more convenient than buses for reaching the sanctuary.

Rajkot to Gir at a glance

Plan your Gir trip from Rajkot

Gir is best enjoyed as part of a wider Saurashtra trip taking in the temples of Somnath and Dwarka. Explore the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages, which can add a Gir safari, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and Gir lodges and let a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the Rajkot pickup, the drive and the whole itinerary, so you can focus on the lions and the darshan. Experience My India specialises in exactly this kind of combined temple and wildlife tour of Saurashtra.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Rajkot to Gir transfer, the safari and a wider Saurashtra trip. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsAppor call +91 73006 20809.