Surat to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Surat, the diamond and textile city of south Gujarat, is a long way from the last home of the Asiatic lion, so the journey to Gir takes some planning. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Surat to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options and travel time and every way to reach the lion sanctuary, by flight, train and car.

Surat to Gir distance and travel time

The Surat to Gir distance depends a lot on the route you take. The shorter option, along the coastal roads via Mahuva, Bhavnagar and the Una to Talala road, is about 360 to 369 km but takes around 10 to 11 hours, as the coastal roads pass through many towns. The longer option, via the expressway and NH 51 through Ahmedabad and Rajkot, is around 520 to 569 km but takes a similar time, as the faster highway makes up for the extra distance. Either way, expect a long drive of roughly 10 hours to Sasan Gir, so it is best to allow a full day, break the journey overnight or consider the train or a flight.

Surat to Gir route options

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

The choice comes down to shorter distance versus faster roads. The coastal routes via Mahuva, Bhavnagar and the Una to Talala road are the shortest in kilometres, at about 360 to 369 km, but slower, while the highway route via NH 51 is much longer but flows faster. All take about 10 hours, so pick the one that suits your comfort and the road conditions on the day.

Gir to Surat distance

The return journey, the Gir to Surat distance, is similar, about 361 km via NH 51 or around 521 km via the NE 4 expressway, each taking roughly 10 hours. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the shorter coastal routes and the longer expressway route take a similar time of around 10 hours. Times and distances are approximate and vary with traffic and the exact roads taken, so treat them as a guide. Many travellers prefer to break this long journey or to travel by train or air instead of driving the whole way.

How to travel from Surat to Gir

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

Surat to Gir by air

For such a long journey, flying can be the easiest option. The nearest airport to Gir is Diu, about 110 km away, with Rajkot, about 160 km away and Keshod also close. Surat has flights to Diu and other Gujarat cities and a flight followed by a road transfer to Sasan Gir is a quick and comfortable way to reach the sanctuary, saving many hours over the drive. From whichever airport you land at, a car completes the journey; see our guide on how to reach Gir for all the arrival options.

Surat to Gir by train

Surat is a major station on the Western Railway and trains run towards Junagadh and Veraval, the nearest major railheads to Gir, from where a road transfer of 1 to 2 hours reaches Sasan Gir. The rail journey typically takes around 12 to 15 hours depending on the route and connections, with overnight options that let you sleep on the way. Trains are an economical and comfortable choice for the long distance, so they are popular; check the timetable and connections and book ahead in the peak season. For the railheads near the park, see our railway station near Gir National Park guide.

Surat to Gir 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 highway route via Ahmedabad and Rajkot is the smoother drive, while the coastal routes via Mahuva and Bhavnagar are shorter but slower. 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 and safari so you arrive rested for the lions.

Surat to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect Surat with Junagadh and the towns near Gir, taking around 11 to 14 hours by road via Ahmedabad and Rajkot or the coastal route, from where a local transfer reaches Sasan Gir. 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 flight or a comfortable train is far easier.

Break the journey along the way

Because the drive is so long, breaking it makes good sense and the route passes some of Gujarat's best sights. On the coastal route you pass Bhavnagar and the Saurashtra shore, while the highway route runs through Rajkot and Junagadh, all natural places to rest. With a small detour you can add Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga, on the coast near Gir or even Dwarka further up. Turning the long transfer into a two-day journey with a stop lets you combine the lion safari with the region's great temples and arrive at Sasan Gir refreshed.

Why start your Gir 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 a Gir safari here. While it is a long way from the sanctuary, Surat connects onward to the temples of Somnath and Dwarka and the wider Saurashtra coast, so a Gir trip from Surat can be part of a fuller 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, making the journey to Gir quicker in the future.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Surat to Gir is the cooler season, December to March, when the long drive 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, so you can rest for an early morning safari and check the Gir forest weather for the season before you set off.

Tips for the Surat to Gir journey

A few pointers make the long trip smoother:

• Consider flying to Diu and driving on to Gir, the quickest option for such a long distance.

• Take an overnight train to Junagadh or Veraval, then a short road transfer to Sasan Gir.

• If driving, choose the highway route via Rajkot for a smoother, faster-flowing journey.

• Split the long drive with an overnight halt at Rajkot, Junagadh or along the coast.

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

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

Surat to Gir at a glance

Plan your Gir trip from Surat

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