Ahmedabad to Gir Distance, Somnath and Dwarka by Car: A 4 Day Route That Works
The Ahmedabad to Gir distance is 365 km, about 6.5 hours by road. From Gir it is a short hop to Somnath, and from Somnath a coastal drive to Dwarka. Gujarat's Saurashtra coast holds three of the state's biggest draws, the Asiatic lions of Gir, the Somnath temple and the Dwarkadhish temple, and they sit on one long loop that a private car handles easily.
Here are the distances, the day by day plan and the things worth knowing before you go.
The distances
| Leg | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad to Sasan Gir | 365 km | About 6.5 hours |
| Sasan Gir to Somnath | Short hop | Just over an hour |
| Somnath to Dwarka | 235 km | Coastal drive |
| Dwarka to Ahmedabad | 395 km | Full day |
If you skip Gir and go straight to Somnath, Ahmedabad to Somnath is 400 km via Rajkot. The full loop with Gir comes to just over 1,000 km.
Ahmedabad to Gir distance: the plain answer
People search this in many ways: the Ahmedabad to Sasan Gir distance, the Gir National Park distance from Ahmedabad, or just how far Gir is. The answer is the same for all of them. Sasan Gir is 365 km from Ahmedabad by road, and the drive takes about 6.5 hours. The return leg, from Gir to Ahmedabad, is the same distance.
Gir first: what to know
Sasan Gir is home to the last wild population of Asiatic lions. Gir is closed to safaris from 16 June to 15 October every year. The 2026 season reopens on 16 October, so November is a good time to go.
Safari permits are limited, so book them on the official Gir online permit portal (girlion.gujarat.gov.in) before you fix the rest of your plan. We cannot book permits for you, but we can tell you which slot fits your arrival time. Early morning and afternoon slots are both available.
The 4 day plan
Day one: Ahmedabad to Sasan Gir. Leave early and reach Gir by mid afternoon. Rest, settle in and sleep early. Your safari starts at dawn.
Day two: safari, then Somnath. Do the morning safari. Check out, then drive to Somnath, just over an hour away. Visit the temple and stay for the evening aarti and the light show.
Day three: Somnath to Dwarka. See Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth in the morning. Then take the 235 km coastal drive to Dwarka. Reach in time for the evening aarti at Dwarkadhish Temple.
Day four: Dwarka and home. Visit the Dwarkadhish and Rukmini Devi temples in the morning. If you like, take the boat to Bet Dwarka. Then start the 395 km drive back to Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad to Dwarka by car
Ahmedabad to Dwarka by car is about 395 km each way, and most people break the trip at Somnath or Rajkot rather than drive it straight. If you only have time for one leg, a direct trip to Dwarka takes a full day on the road in each direction. Combined with Somnath, the loop makes better use of the drive.
Somnath Dwarka tour package: the 3 day version
Short on time? The classic three day pilgrimage loop skips Gir and runs Ahmedabad, Somnath, Dwarka, Ahmedabad. Think of it as a Somnath Dwarka tour package on wheels: a private car, a driver who knows the coastal route, and timing built around the evening aarti at each temple. See our Somnath Dwarka darshan tour.
Who this trip suits
This route suits families with teenagers or adults, travelers who enjoy wildlife and temples in one trip, and parents who want a devotional journey without changing vehicles. It is a long trip on the road, so it is less suited to very young children or anyone who dislikes long drives. If that is your situation, choose the three day version and skip Gir.
Best season for the Saurashtra loop
The Gir safari runs from 16 October to 15 June, and the winter months are the most comfortable for both the safari and the coastal drive. Late October through February is the sweet spot for most travelers. Summer is hot along the coast, and the monsoon closes Gir entirely.
Add Diu if you have a spare day
Diu is roughly two hours from Somnath, and some travelers add it to the loop for a quieter day by the sea. If you want to extend the trip, ask us about Ahmedabad to Diu by taxi and we plan the route with you.
Car options for Gir
| Vehicle | Seats | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchback | 4 | Round trip only |
| Sedan | 4 | One way or round trip |
| Ertiga | 6 | One way or round trip |
| Innova | 7 | Billed as round trip |
Toll, permit and border tax are extra.
For the full loop, we quote by your dates and group size. Send us a message on WhatsApp and we reply with a total. The quote covers the cab and driver. Hotels, meals, temple entry fees and the Bet Dwarka boat crossing are not included.
Which vehicle?
- Sedan: up to 4 people
- Ertiga: up to 6
- Innova: up to 7, better for a long trip because the seats are more comfortable
- Tempo Traveller: up to 11, a good pick for family groups
- Urbania: larger groups
On a trip this long, comfort matters more than anything else.
What to budget beyond the cab
The taxi fare covers the car and driver. Plan separately for your Gir safari permit, your hotels, meals, temple entry fees where they apply and the Bet Dwarka boat crossing. Toll, permit and border tax are also extra. Once you tell us your dates and group size, we quote the taxi part clearly, so you only have to estimate the rest.
What each stop is known for
Sasan Gir. Lion safaris in the forest. Book permits early, dress in muted colors and keep the mornings free.
Somnath. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, on the shore of the Arabian Sea. The evening aarti and the light show are the highlights of a visit.
Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth. Two quieter pilgrimage spots near Somnath, worth an unhurried morning.
Dwarka. The Dwarkadhish temple and the Rukmini Devi temple, with an optional boat crossing to Bet Dwarka.
How to pace the four days
Day one and day four are the long driving days, so keep them free of sightseeing. Book your Gir stay close to Sasan so the dawn safari does not start with another long drive. On day three, leave Somnath after the morning visits and give the coastal road to Dwarka its full afternoon rather than racing it. Reserve your Dwarka hotel near the temple if you can, because the evening aarti is the reason you are there.
Tips from the road
- Dress for the temples. Somnath and Dwarka have dress codes and specific timings. Check them before you go.
- Time your day around the evening aarti. It is the best part of both temples.
- Do not rush the coast. The drive from Somnath to Dwarka is scenic, so leave time to stop.
- Carry water and snacks. Some stretches between towns are long.
- Keep cash for temple offerings and small purchases.
Questions people ask
365 km, about 6.5 hours.
A little over an hour.
235 km.
It is tight. Four days is more comfortable, and it lets you enjoy the safari.
No. We help you choose the timing, and you book the permit on the official portal.
On 16 October 2026, after the monsoon closure from 16 June to 15 October.
Route pages: Gir Forest, Somnath, Dwarka. Going for Diwali? See Diwali trips from Ahmedabad.