Surat to Dwarka Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Surat, the diamond and textile city of south Gujarat, lies a long way from Krishna's city, so the journey to Dwarka takes some planning. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Surat to Dwarka distance and the reverse, the route options and travel time and every way to make the journey, by car, train, bus and air.

Surat to Dwarka distance and travel time

The Surat to Dwarka distance is about 649 km by the fastest route and the drive takes around 11 hours by car under normal conditions. The quickest route runs via NH 151A, heading north and west across Gujarat and Saurashtra through Rajkot and Jamnagar to the coast. There are shorter routes in kilometres, but they are much slower, so the longer highway route is actually quicker. Surat sits in the far south of Gujarat and Dwarka at the far western tip of Saurashtra, so there is no short, fast route between the two, making this one of the longest drives to the coast and a journey best split or made by train or air. Actual times vary with traffic, road works and breaks, so it is wise to plan generously and, ideally, to break the drive rather than attempt it in one stretch.

Surat to Dwarka route options

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

The NH 151A route is the fastest despite being one of the longer ones, as it runs on good highway through Rajkot and Jamnagar. The NH 27 route is shorter in distance but much slower, taking nearly 15 hours, so it is rarely the best choice. For most journeys the NH 151A route is the one to take, balancing distance and speed.

Dwarka to Surat distance

The return journey, the Dwarka to Surat distance, is about 654 km in roughly 12 hours via NH 151A. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the shorter routes are much slower. The route via the Rajkot to Bhavnagar Highway is the shortest at about 539 km but the slowest at over 15 hours, while NH 151A is longer but far quicker. For speed and comfort, NH 151A through Jamnagar and Rajkot is the best option in both directions.

How to travel from Surat to Dwarka

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

Surat to Dwarka by train

For such a long journey, the train is a popular choice. Surat is a major station on the Western Railway and direct trains run to Dwarka, which has its own station close to the temple, via Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar. The rail journey typically takes around 14 to 17 hours, with convenient overnight options that let you sleep through much of it and arrive fresh. Trains are an economical and comfortable choice for the long distance, so they are popular with pilgrims; check the timetable and book ahead in the peak season, when the Dwarka trains fill quickly. Boarding an overnight train in Surat and waking near Krishna's city is, for many, the most relaxed way to make this long journey.

Surat to Dwarka by air

Flying can save many hours on this long route. Dwarka has no airport, but the nearest is Jamnagar, about 130 km away, with Porbandar and Rajkot as other options. Surat has flights to Jamnagar and other Gujarat cities and a flight followed by a road transfer of a couple of hours from Jamnagar is a quick, comfortable way to reach Dwarka. From whichever airport you land at, a car completes the journey; see our guide on how to reach Dwarka for all the arrival options.

Surat to Dwarka by road

If you prefer to drive, a private car with a driver is the most comfortable way to cover the long distance, letting you set your own pace and break the journey where you like; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange this. The NH 151A route via Rajkot and Jamnagar is the fastest and smoothest, so stick to it rather than the shorter but much slower alternatives. Fuel stations, dhabas and rest stops are plentiful and it is wise to split such a long drive with an overnight halt. Experience My India can handle the Surat pickup and the whole journey so you arrive rested.

Surat to Dwarka by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Surat with Dwarka, taking around 13 to 16 hours by road, usually via Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar. Options range from ordinary and express buses to more comfortable air-conditioned and sleeper services on the private side, including overnight buses. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to travel, though for such a long journey a comfortable train or a flight is easier and a car gives the most flexibility along the way.

Break the journey along the way

Because the drive is so long, breaking it makes good sense. On the NH 151A route, Rajkot, the largest city in Saurashtra and Jamnagar, the brass city, make natural halts and Junagadh with Girnar or a Gir lion safari can be added with a small detour. Turning the long transfer into a two-day journey with a stop lets you see more of Gujarat and arrive at Dwarka refreshed, ready for the Dwarkadhish darshan and the sights around the coast. A common plan is to drive as far as Rajkot or Jamnagar on the first day, rest overnight and complete the shorter final leg to Dwarka the next morning, turning a gruelling single stretch into two easy days.

Why start your Dwarka trip from Surat?

Surat is one of Gujarat's largest and fastest-growing cities, with an airport, good rail links and highways, so many travellers from south Gujarat and beyond begin their Dwarka pilgrimage here. While it is a long way from the coast, Surat connects onward to Somnath, Gir and the rest of Saurashtra, so it can be the start of a wider Gujarat tour. With the Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train planned to stop at Surat, reaching the gateway to Saurashtra from here will only get easier in the years ahead.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Surat to Dwarka is the cooler season, October to March, when the long drive is pleasant and Dwarka is at its best, in line with the best time to visit Dwarka. Avoid the peak summer, when the heat makes the long journey tiring and take extra care during the monsoon, when rain can slow the roads. For a road trip, an early start or an overnight halt is ideal and for many the train or a flight is the more comfortable choice, letting you reach Dwarka with time to settle in before the evening aarti and the sights in our Dwarka city guide.

Tips for the Surat to Dwarka journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Consider the direct train to Dwarka or a flight to Jamnagar, the easiest options for such a long distance.

• If driving, stick to the NH 151A route via Rajkot and Jamnagar, the fastest despite being longer.

• Split the long drive with an overnight halt at Rajkot or Jamnagar.

• Avoid the shorter NH 27 and Bhavnagar routes, which are much slower despite fewer kilometres.

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

• Book flights, trains and buses well ahead in the peak winter and festival season.

Surat to Dwarka at a glance

Plan your Dwarka trip from Surat

Once in Dwarka, the Dwarkadhish darshan, the evening aarti, Bet Dwarka, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and the sacred Gomti Ghat await. 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 Surat to Dwarka trip, by road or with flights and transfers. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.