Somnath to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Two of the greatest experiences of Saurashtra, the first Jyotirlinga at Somnath and a lion safari at Gir, lie remarkably close together, so many travellers combine them. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Somnath to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and how to plan the temple and the safari in one trip.

Somnath to Gir distance and travel time

The Somnath to Gir distance is about 57 km by the fastest road and the drive takes only around 1 hour 24 minutes by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via NH 51 and the Kodinar to Dhari Highway, heading inland from the coast to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway to the national park. It is a short, easy and scenic drive through the countryside, so Somnath and Gir sit within an easy morning's reach of each other, which is why a temple pilgrimage and a lion safari combine so naturally into one memorable journey. Few great pilgrimage sites in India lie so close to a major wildlife sanctuary, so this short drive links two utterly different but equally unforgettable experiences.

Somnath to Gir route options

There are three main ways to drive from Somnath to Gir, all short and easy:

The route via NH 51 and the Kodinar to Dhari Highway is the shortest and fastest, at about 57 km, reaching Sasan Gir in under an hour and a half. The routes via the Una to Talala road are a little longer, at about 66 to 67 km. For most journeys the fastest route is the best choice and any driver will know the way to the sanctuary.

Gir to Somnath distance

The return journey, the Gir to Somnath distance, is much the same, about 57 km in around 1 hour 23 minutes via the Kodinar to Dhari Highway and NH 51. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the route via the Kodinar to Dhari Highway and NH 51 is the quickest, at around 1 hour 23 minutes. The Una to Talala and Veraval to Talala routes are a little longer. For a smooth, quick drive, the fastest route is the best option in both directions between the temple and the sanctuary and a driver will normally take it each way unless there is a reason to detour, such as visiting Diu or another site along the coast.

How to travel from Somnath to Gir

Being so close, the Somnath to Gir hop is easy by a few means:

Somnath to Gir by road

Driving is by far the best way to travel from Somnath to Gir, as the distance is short and the roads are good. The route heads inland from the coast through the countryside to Sasan Gir, the main village and gateway for the safari. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable and flexible choice, letting you leave Somnath after your morning darshan and reach Gir in good time to rest before an early safari; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. Self-drive is also fine on these well-marked roads and the short, pleasant drive through the Gir landscape is an enjoyable part of the journey. As you leave the coast and head inland, the scenery shifts from the sea and the temple town to the green, forested country around Gir, a gentle transition from the sacred to the wild that sets the mood for the safari ahead.

Somnath to Gir by train

Gir has only a small station on a branch line, Sasan Gir station, so rail options are limited. Some travellers take a train from Veraval, near Somnath, towards Junagadh and then a road transfer to Sasan Gir, though for such a short distance the road is far simpler and quicker. For the exact railheads and connections, see our guide on the railway station near Gir National Park, which explains the rail routes to the sanctuary. In practice, a car is the easiest way to cover this short hop.

Somnath to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Somnath and Veraval with Talala and the towns near Gir, taking around 2 hours by road, from where a local transfer reaches Sasan Gir. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though for such a short journey and for getting around Gir for the safari, a car or taxi is far more convenient. Being close, the two are easily linked, but the safari itself and the sanctuary access are best managed with your own vehicle, as public transport does not run inside the park and the safari gypsies must be arranged separately at Sasan Gir.

Combine Somnath with a Gir safari

The short distance between Somnath and Gir means the temple and the safari are one of Saurashtra's most rewarding combinations. A classic plan is to take darshan and the evening aarti at Somnath, drive the short distance to Sasan Gir, stay overnight near the park and rise early for a morning lion safari in search of the Asiatic lion. Plan the safari with our Gir safari ticket price and places to visit in Gir National Park guides. Combining the sacred and the wild in a single short trip, a Shiva temple by the sea and the last home of the Asiatic lion, is a highlight of any Saurashtra journey and one that few other regions of India can offer.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Somnath to Gir is the cooler season, roughly 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. Note that Gir National Park's safari zones close during the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-October, though the temple and the road remain open. Plan to reach Gir the day before, so you can rest for an early morning safari and check the Gir forest weather for the season.

Tips for the Somnath to Gir journey

A few pointers make the short trip smoother:

• Leave Somnath after your morning darshan to reach Sasan Gir with time to rest and settle before an early safari.

• Use the NH 51 and Kodinar to Dhari route, the shortest and fastest way from the temple to the sanctuary.

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

• Stay overnight near Sasan Gir so you are rested and ready for the early morning safari slot.

• Hire a car with a driver, which is far more convenient than buses for the temple, the drive and getting around Gir.

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

Somnath to Gir at a glance

Plan your Somnath and Gir trip

Experience My India can plan a trip that combines Somnath with a Gir lion safari and the wider coast. Plan your arrival with our how to reach Somnath and how to reach Gir guides, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and Gir lodges and consider extending to Dwarka. Let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka tour by car handle the temple, the drive and the safari, so you can focus on the darshan and the lions.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Somnath and Gir trip, temple and safari. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsAppor call +91 73006 20809.