What is the recommended route from Somnath to Bet Dwarka?

The standard route is Somnath → Veraval → Junagadh (or NH47 bypass) → Rajkot bypass → Jamnagar → Dwarka → NH47 to Okha → ferry to Bet Dwarka. Alternatively via Porbandar (264 km total) which adds only marginal distance and allows a Porbandar sightseeing stop.

Is there a train from Somnath to Dwarka or Bet Dwarka?

There is no direct train from Somnath (Veraval) to Dwarka. You would need to travel to Rajkot or Ahmedabad by train and then onward to Dwarka. Road travel by private car or taxi is far more practical for the Somnath to Dwarka to Bet Dwarka journey.

How much does a taxi from Somnath to Bet Dwarka cost?

A private taxi from Somnath to Dwarka costs approximately ₹3500-5000. From Dwarka, a separate auto to Okha and ferry to Bet Dwarka adds ₹400-700 more. If hiring a single vehicle for Somnath to Bet Dwarka and back, expect ₹8000-12000 for the round trip depending on vehicle type.

What should I visit in Dwarka when stopping overnight between Somnath and Bet Dwarka?

On arrival evening in Dwarka from Somnath, visit Dwarkadhish temple for evening darshan and Gomti Ghat at sunset. The next morning, do the full Okha circuit, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (17 km), Okha ferry, Bet Dwarka darshan, and return to Dwarka by afternoon.

264 km Distance 5 Hours Drive Stay in Dwarka Via Porbandar Option

Somnath to Bet Dwarka: 264 km and the Best Way to Plan This Journey

Q: What is the distance from Somnath to Bet Dwarka?

Somnath to Bet Dwarka is approximately 264 km by road. The route goes from Somnath north to Dwarka (236 km, 4-4.5 hours), then 36 km northwest to Okha (another 55-60 minutes), and finally a 3.5 km ferry crossing to Bet Dwarka island (20-30 minutes). Total journey including ferry is about 5.5-6 hours.

Q: Can I do Somnath to Bet Dwarka in one day?

Technically possible but very tiring. Departing Somnath at 5 AM, you could reach Dwarka by 9-10 AM, proceed to Okha and take the ferry, reach Bet Dwarka by noon, do darshan, return ferry, and be back in Dwarka or en route to Somnath by evening. Most pilgrims prefer a 2-day trip with overnight in Dwarka.

Somnath to Bet Dwarka is approximately 264 km by road, about 5 hours of driving. The route goes north from Somnath to Dwarka (236 km, 4-4.5 hours) and then 36 km further to Okha jetty, followed by a short 3.5 km ferry crossing to Bet Dwarka island. Most pilgrims plan this as a 2-day journey with an overnight stay in Dwarka, using the second day to visit Bet Dwarka along with Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.

By Kishan Rajyaguru|Updated 18 August 2026

Surya temple, Somnath Veraval Gujarat. Photo by Ms Sarah Welch via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.

Category Distance & Route Guide

Covers Distance · Fare · Route · Travel Time

For Pilgrims Dwarka Sacred Circuit

Total Distance ~264 km

Somnath to Dwarka 236 km / 4-4.5 hrs

Dwarka to Okha 36 km / 55-60 min

Okha Ferry to Bet Dwarka 3.5 km / 20-30 min

Recommended Plan 2 days / overnight Dwarka

Ferry Fare ₹40-50 per person

Useful References

The Pilgrimage Logic: Why This Route Matters

Somnath and Bet Dwarka are both pivotal sites in the story of Lord Krishna. Somnath Jyotirlinga sits near Bhalka Tirth, where the divine hunter Jara's arrow struck Lord Krishna's foot, leading to his departure from the earthly realm. Bet Dwarka is where Lord Krishna actually lived and held court during his years ruling the kingdom of Dwarka. Traveling from one to the other is therefore a journey through the sacred geography of Krishna's final years, from his island home to the shore where his earthly incarnation concluded.

This spiritual dimension makes the Somnath-Dwarka-Bet Dwarka route one of the most meaningful yatra circuits in Vaishnavism. Pilgrims who visit only Somnath or only Dwarka often feel incomplete. The full circuit, Somnath Jyotirlinga, Dwarkadhish, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, and Bet Dwarka, is considered the comprehensive Saurashtra Char Dham within Gujarat, distinct from the broader four-dham circuit of India.

The 264 km distance is not insignificant but is entirely manageable over two days, which is how most serious pilgrims approach it. The rhythm of a 2-day plan, driving the 236 km from Somnath to Dwarka on day one, doing Dwarkadhish darshan in the evening, and then completing the Okha circuit including Bet Dwarka on day two before heading back, gives each site the time and attention it deserves without exhaustion.

Route Options: Somnath to Bet Dwarka

There are two main road routes from Somnath to Dwarka (the mandatory stopover before Bet Dwarka). The direct NH47 route is faster; the via-Porbandar coastal route adds 28 km but provides a meaningful stopover at Gandhi's birthplace.

Route 1: Direct (NH47) Somnath → Veraval → Rajkot bypass → Jamnagar → Dwarka = 236 km / 4-4.5 hrs

Route 2: Via Porbandar Somnath → Veraval → Porbandar → Dwarka = 264 km / 5-5.5 hrs

Dwarka to Okha (both routes same) 36 km via NH47, 55-60 min

Okha to Bet Dwarka (ferry) 3.5 km, 20-30 min

Total (direct route to Bet Dwarka) ~275 km including Okha + ferry

The direct NH47 route from Somnath to Dwarka is the most traveled by pilgrims. It passes through Veraval (major fishing town), then heads inland through the Saurashtra plains. The highway is a two-lane road for much of the journey with some four-lane stretches closer to Jamnagar. Traffic is generally manageable outside of peak festival periods. The road can be dusty in dry months but is passable year-round.

The Porbandar route adds the coastal dimension and the opportunity to visit Kirti Mandir (Gandhi's birthplace) and Sudama Mandir. If you are doing this journey in a hired vehicle over two days, the Porbandar stopover on day one (Somnath to Porbandar to Dwarka) is an excellent way to break the drive and see an important historical site. The total distance for this variant is approximately 264 km to Dwarka and then 36 km more to Okha.

Transport Options for This Journey

Private Taxi (Most Practical)

Hire a taxi in Somnath for the full Saurashtra circuit: Somnath → Dwarka → Nageshwar → Okha → Bet Dwarka → return. 2-3 days. Cost: ₹8000-15000 depending on car type and days. Most Somnath hotels can arrange this.

Self-Drive Rental

Rental cars available in Somnath/Veraval but limited options. More reliable from Rajkot or Ahmedabad. Self-driving the NH47 is straightforward. Fill fuel at Somnath before departing, fuel stations are available throughout but spacing increases in the Okhamandal area.

GSRTC Bus (Somnath to Dwarka)

Government buses run Somnath to Dwarka but require a change at Junagadh or Rajkot. Direct services are infrequent. This option works if you have time flexibility but does not accommodate a Porbandar stop easily. Bus fare Somnath to Dwarka: ₹200-350.

Tempo Traveller (Groups)

For groups of 8-12 pilgrims, a tempo traveller from Somnath covering Dwarka and Bet Dwarka over 2 days costs ₹10000-16000 for the full trip. This is very popular with family groups doing the complete Saurashtra yatra.

Recommended 2-Day Plan: Somnath to Bet Dwarka

The 2-day plan is the most balanced approach and is followed by the majority of pilgrims doing this journey. It avoids rushing either the Dwarkadhish darshan or the Bet Dwarka visit and allows for a comfortable overnight rest in Dwarka between the two legs.

Day 1 Morning Morning aarti at Somnath temple (6 AM). Depart by 8-9 AM.

Day 1 Midday (Porbandar optional) Stop at Porbandar for Kirti Mandir + lunch (1.5-2 hrs).

Day 1 Afternoon Arrive Dwarka by 1-4 PM (depending on route).

Day 1 Evening Dwarkadhish evening darshan + Gomti Ghat at sunset.

Day 2 Early Morning Dwarkadhish Mangla aarti (6 AM) or depart for Nageshwar by 7 AM.

Day 2 Morning Nageshwar darshan (17 km from Dwarka, 35-40 min).

Day 2 Late Morning Okha ferry + Bet Dwarka darshan. Return by noon-1 PM.

Day 2 Afternoon Return to Dwarka or continue onward journey.

Dwarka has abundant accommodation for all budgets. Budget dharamshalas near the Dwarkadhish temple start at ₹400-600 per night. Mid-range hotels along the main road offer rooms from ₹1500-3500. Most pilgrim groups book accommodation in advance during October-February when Dwarka sees its highest footfall. During summer months, walk-in availability is generally fine.

If you prefer a one-day marathon (Somnath to Bet Dwarka and back without overnight), depart Somnath by 5 AM, drive directly to Dwarka (4-4.5 hours), proceed to Okha for the ferry (another 55-60 minutes), visit Bet Dwarka, return to Okha, and drive back to Somnath. This puts you back in Somnath by 9-10 PM. It is achievable but exhausting and leaves no time for Dwarkadhish or Nageshwar darshan, effectively wasting the best pilgrimage opportunities of the region.

What Not to Miss on This Route

Between Somnath and Dwarka, there are several sites worth a brief stop that many pilgrims overlook. Madhavpur (roughly 50 km from Somnath on the Porbandar route) is believed to be the site of the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini. The annual Madhavpur Mela held here during Chaitra (March-April) is one of Gujarat's largest folk festivals. Even outside festival time, the temple at Madhavpur is a meaningful stop of 20-30 minutes.

Shivrajpur Beach, 12 km from Dwarka toward Okha (and also 28 km from Somnath, making it accessible on the direct route from a different direction), is Gujarat's only Blue Flag certified beach. If arriving in Dwarka by afternoon with time to spare, a visit to Shivrajpur Beach before the evening darshan at Dwarkadhish temple is a refreshing detour. The beach is calm, clean, and sees relatively light crowds outside holiday weekends.

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev temple, 2 km from Dwarkadhish on a rocky outcrop in the sea, is another essential stop in Dwarka itself. The temple is accessible only at low tide, plan your timing carefully. Being situated between the sea on all sides, it offers one of the most dramatic temple settings in all of Gujarat. Evening visits when the sunset reflects on the surrounding water are particularly memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Somnath to Bet Dwarka?

Somnath to Bet Dwarka is approximately 264 km by road. Somnath to Dwarka is 236 km (4-4.5 hours), then 36 km to Okha (55-60 minutes), and a 3.5 km ferry to Bet Dwarka (20-30 minutes). Total including ferry is 5.5-6 hours of travel.

Can I do Somnath to Bet Dwarka in one day?

Technically possible with a very early start (5 AM from Somnath) but extremely tiring and does not allow for Dwarkadhish or Nageshwar darshan. Most pilgrims prefer a 2-day trip with overnight in Dwarka, using day one for Somnath-to-Dwarka travel and day two for the Okha circuit and Bet Dwarka.

Is there a direct train from Somnath to Dwarka?

No direct train. From Somnath/Veraval area, trains go toward Rajkot or Junagadh. You would need to change trains to reach Dwarka. Road travel by car or taxi is far more practical for this Saurashtra circuit.

Which route is better, direct or via Porbandar?

The direct NH47 route (236 km) is faster by about 45-60 minutes. The via-Porbandar route (264 km) adds Gandhi's birthplace as a meaningful stop. If time permits, the Porbandar route is preferable for pilgrims who appreciate the historical-spiritual combination.

Where should I stay overnight between Somnath and Bet Dwarka?

Dwarka is the obvious overnight stop, it lies exactly on the route to Okha and Bet Dwarka. Staying in Dwarka allows you to attend evening and morning aartis at Dwarkadhish temple and do the full Okha circuit the next morning fresh and unhurried.

What is the ferry fare from Okha to Bet Dwarka?

Government ferry from Okha to Bet Dwarka costs ₹40-50 per person each way. You can also cross by road on Sudarshan Setu. The crossing takes 20-30 minutes. Ferries run from approximately 6 AM to 7 PM depending on the season and weather.