Veraval to Gir Distance: Routes, Time and Travel Guide

Veraval, the busy fishing port beside Somnath, is the main railhead for the whole region, so many travellers arrive here by train before heading inland to Gir, the last home of the Asiatic lion. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Veraval to Gir distance and the reverse, the route options, the travel time and how to reach the sanctuary from the Veraval railhead.

Veraval to Gir distance and travel time

The Veraval to Gir distance is about 64 km by the fastest road and the drive takes only around 1 hour 36 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. As Veraval sits right beside Somnath, this is effectively the same short journey as Somnath to Gir, only a little longer, reflecting Veraval's position on the coast. Being the nearest major railway station to the sanctuary, Veraval is where many rail travellers begin the final leg of their journey to see the lions, stepping off the train and driving straight into lion country in well under two hours.

Veraval to Gir route options

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

The route via NH 51 and the Kodinar to Dhari Highway is the fastest, at about 64 km, reaching Sasan Gir in around 1 hour 36 minutes. The other routes, via Gangetha Road or the Veraval to Talala road, are similar in distance but a little slower. For most journeys the fastest route is the best choice and any driver will know the way to the sanctuary.

Gir to Veraval distance

The return journey, the Gir to Veraval distance, is much the same, about 65 km in around 1 hour 34 minutes via NH 51. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the outward journey, the NH 51 route is the quickest, at around 1 hour 34 minutes. The route via GJ SH 98 is similar in distance but slower, while the Kodinar to Dhari route back is a longer loop at about 81 km. For a smooth, quick drive, the NH 51 route is the best option in both directions between Veraval and the sanctuary.

How to travel from Veraval to Gir

Being close, the Veraval to Gir hop is easy by a few means, whether you have just arrived by train or are travelling within Saurashtra:

Reaching Gir from Veraval railway station

Veraval railway station, also known as Somnath Junction, is the nearest major railhead to Gir, well connected to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mumbai and other cities, so it is where many pilgrims and wildlife lovers arrive. From the station, the drive to Sasan Gir, about 64 km away, takes around 1 hour 36 minutes and taxis are readily available for the transfer, while a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange a car to meet your train. There is also a small branch line towards Sasan Gir, though services are limited, so the road is simpler. For the railheads near the park, see our railway station near Gir National Park guide. Arriving at Veraval and driving on to Gir is one of the most popular ways to reach the sanctuary, combining an easy overnight train journey with a short morning drive into the forest.

Veraval to Gir by road

Driving is the easiest way to travel from Veraval 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 gateway for the safari. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable and flexible choice, especially if you are arriving by train at Veraval, letting you go straight from the station to the sanctuary in good time to rest before an early safari. Self-drive is also fine on these well-marked roads and the short, pleasant drive from the coast into the greener Gir landscape is an easy start to a wildlife adventure. Leaving the sea and the fishing port behind for the forest and its lions makes the drive feel like a real change of world in just an hour and a half.

Veraval to Gir by bus

State-run GSRTC buses and private operators connect 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, Veraval and the sanctuary are easily linked, but the safari itself is best managed with your own vehicle arranged at Sasan Gir.

Combine Veraval, Somnath and Gir

Because Veraval sits right beside Somnath, only about 8 km away, arriving at Veraval lets you combine the temple and the safari with ease. A classic plan is to arrive at Veraval by train, take darshan at the nearby Somnath temple, the first Jyotirlinga and then drive the short distance to Sasan Gir for a lion safari, as covered in our Somnath to Gir distance guide. Plan the safari with our Gir safari ticket price and places to visit in Gir National Park guides. This coastal railhead is the perfect launch point for a Somnath and Gir trip, blending the sacred and the wild.

Best time to make the trip

The best time to travel from Veraval to Gir is the cooler season, 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 Veraval 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 Veraval to Gir journey

A few pointers make the short trip smoother:

• If arriving by train at Veraval, book a taxi to meet you at the station for the transfer straight to Sasan Gir.

• Use the NH 51 and Kodinar to Dhari route, the fastest and most direct way to the sanctuary.

• See the Somnath temple and its evening aarti, only about 8 km from Veraval, on the same trip.

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

• Reach Sasan Gir the day before and stay overnight nearby, so you are rested for the early morning safari.

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

Veraval to Gir at a glance

Plan your Veraval, Somnath and Gir trip

Experience My India can plan a trip that combines the Veraval railhead, the Somnath temple and a Gir lion safari. 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 meet your train and handle the temple, the drive and the safari, so you can relax and 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 Veraval, Somnath and Gir trip, temple and safari. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.