Veraval to Somnath Distance: Routes and How to Reach the Temple

For most pilgrims, the journey to the first Jyotirlinga ends with a short hop from Veraval, the nearest railway station and port town to Somnath. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the Veraval to Somnath distance and the reverse, the route options and how to reach the temple quickly and easily from Veraval station.

Veraval to Somnath distance and travel time

The Veraval to Somnath distance is just about 8 km by the shortest road and the drive takes only around 24 minutes. Veraval and Somnath sit right next to each other on the Saurashtra coast, so this is a very short local transfer rather than a long journey. Veraval is the main town and the nearest major railway station, while Somnath is the temple town, so almost everyone arriving by train, bus or air covers this short final leg to reach the Dwarkadhish of Shiva, the great Somnath temple by the sea. Because the two are so close, they are often treated as one destination and the hop between them is quick, cheap and easy at any time of day.

Veraval to Somnath route options

There are a few short ways to travel from Veraval to Somnath:

The routes via Bilesware Street and Bander Road are the shortest and most direct, at about 8 km, taking under 25 minutes through the twin towns. The NH 51 route is longer at about 15 km, looping around by the highway, but takes a similar time. For most journeys the short direct roads are the best choice and any auto or taxi driver will know the way.

Somnath to Veraval distance

The return journey, the Somnath to Veraval distance, is the same short hop, about 7.6 km in around 24 minutes via Bilesware Street. The route options for the reverse direction are:

As on the way there, the short direct roads via Bilesware Street or Bander Road are the quickest at around 22 to 24 minutes. The NH 51 route is longer but similar in time. This tiny distance is why Veraval and Somnath are often spoken of together as a single destination.

How to travel from Veraval to Somnath

Being so short, the Veraval to Somnath hop is easy by several means:

Reaching Somnath from Veraval railway station

Veraval railway station is the nearest major railhead to Somnath, about 8 km away and it is where most pilgrims arrive by train. From the station, auto rickshaws and taxis are readily available just outside for the short 20 to 25 minute ride to the Somnath temple. Local buses also run between Veraval and Somnath through the day. Note that there is also a small Somnath station even closer to the temple, served by some trains, but Veraval has far more services, which is why it is the main arrival point. For all the ways to reach the temple town, see our how to reach Somnath guide. Whichever train you arrive on, the short hop from Veraval to the temple is the easy final step of the pilgrimage, one that any local driver can complete in well under half an hour.

Veraval to Somnath by auto and taxi

For such a short distance, an auto rickshaw is the most popular and economical way to reach Somnath from Veraval, taking around 20 to 25 minutes. Autos wait outside the railway station and bus stand and the fare is modest, though it is worth agreeing the price before you set off. A taxi is more comfortable, especially with luggage or a family and only a little dearer for the short trip. A Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange a car to meet your train and take you straight to your hotel or the temple. Experience My India can set this up as part of a wider Somnath trip, so the short but important last leg is handled for you.

Veraval to Somnath by bus

Local town buses and shared autos run frequently between Veraval and Somnath through the day, making the short journey very cheap. State-run and private buses arriving at Veraval from other cities also often continue to or near Somnath. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to cover the hop, though for convenience, comfort and door-to-door service, an auto or taxi is easier, especially if you are carrying luggage or travelling with elders.

About Veraval, the gateway to Somnath

Veraval is a busy coastal town and one of Gujarat's most important fishing ports, sitting right beside Somnath on the Saurashtra coast. As the nearest major railway station and a hub for buses, it serves as the practical gateway for the millions of pilgrims who visit Somnath each year. The town has hotels, markets and eateries and its lively fishing harbour is a sight in itself. Many visitors simply pass through Veraval on their way to the temple, but it is worth a little time for its coastal, working-town character. Historically, Veraval grew as a major port on the Arabian Sea and its harbour still bustles with fishing boats, giving the town an authentic, salt-air atmosphere quite different from the temple town next door.

Things to see around Veraval and Somnath

The two towns together hold all the great sights of the Somnath pilgrimage. The main draw is the Somnath temple, the first Jyotirlinga, with its evening aarti and sound-and-light show. Nearby lie the sacred Bhalka Tirth, where Lord Krishna is believed to have left his mortal body and the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers with the sea. There are also ancient temples, a museum and Somnath beach, all covered in our sightseeing places in Somnath, making Veraval and Somnath a rich, compact destination.

Where is the Somnath temple from Veraval?

The Somnath temple stands on the coast at Prabhas Patan, about 8 km south of Veraval town, right on the shore of the Arabian Sea. From Veraval, you head south through the twin-town roads to reach the temple complex, an easy 20 to 25 minute ride. The temple's seaside setting, with the waves crashing below the great shikhara, is unforgettable. For more on its exact location and how to find it, see our guide on where is Somnath temple. Because the temple sits at the very edge of the land, it is one of the few great shrines in India where you can hear the sea as you take darshan, a setting that makes the short journey from Veraval feel like arriving at the end of the country itself.

Best time to make the trip

As a short local hop, the Veraval to Somnath transfer is easy at any time, but the best time to visit Somnath overall is the cooler season, October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. Time your arrival to reach Somnath before the evening aarti, one of the highlights of the visit and plan around the Somnath temple timings. Autos and taxis run late enough to cover the short hop even for the evening aarti and the light show.

Tips for the Veraval to Somnath journey

A few pointers make the short trip smooth:

• Agree the auto rickshaw fare before you set off, as it is a short fixed-price kind of ride.

• Book a taxi or package pickup to meet your train if you have luggage or elders.

• Head straight for the temple in time for the evening aarti after checking in.

• Note the small Somnath station too, closer to the temple, served by some trains.

• Keep small change handy for autos and shared rides between the towns.

• Stay near the temple in Somnath rather than Veraval to be close to the aartis.

Veraval to Somnath at a glance

Plan your Somnath trip

Once at Somnath, the Jyotirlinga darshan, the evening aarti and the sacred sites await. Follow our Somnath itinerary for a ready plan, book Somnath Dwarka hotels near the temple and consider adding Gir for a lion safari or Dwarka up the coast. Let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages handle the Veraval pickup, the transfer and the whole itinerary, so your pilgrimage runs smoothly from the moment you arrive.

Related guides

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

Plan your journey

Experience My India can arrange your Veraval pickup and the whole Somnath trip. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.