How long does it take to travel from Surat to Dwarka by road?

By road, Surat to Dwarka takes 10-11 hours via NH48 through Baroda, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot. The road is mostly highway and manageable if you have your own vehicle or hire a cab.

What is the overnight train option from Surat to Dwarka?

Pilgrims from Surat often board a train to Okha or Dwarka that departs late evening, travels through the night via Baroda and Ahmedabad, and arrives in Dwarka early morning. This saves a hotel night and lets you start your darshan fresh at Mangla Aarti.

Which is better, train or road from Surat to Dwarka?

For solo pilgrims or couples, overnight train is better, you sleep through the journey and wake up at Dwarka. For families with children or groups of 5+, a hired cab or self-drive is more comfortable and costs roughly similar when split.

660 km Distance Train 12-14 Hrs Change at Ahmedabad Overnight Option

Surat to Dwarka: 660 km on the Pilgrim's Path from South Gujarat

Q: Which train goes from Surat to Dwarka?

There is no direct train from Surat to Dwarka. Most pilgrims take a train from Surat to Ahmedabad (2.5 hrs) and then board the Dwarka Express or another train onward to Dwarka DWK station. Total journey 12-14 hours.

Q: Is there a direct bus from Surat to Dwarka?

GSRTC does not operate a direct Surat-to-Dwarka bus as a daily service. The standard route is to take a bus or train to Ahmedabad first, then change to a Dwarka-bound bus or train. Some private operators run overnight sleeper coaches on this route during peak pilgrim seasons.

Surat to Dwarka is 660 km by road and 12-14 hours by train via Ahmedabad or Rajkot. There is no direct train, but overnight connections ensure you arrive in Dwarka fresh for morning aarti.

By Kishan Rajyaguru|Updated 18 August 2026

Nageshvar jyotirlinga temple Dwarka Gujarat. Photo by TeshTesh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to Reach

🚂 Train🚌 Bus🚗 Road

Road Distance 660 km

Road Time 10-11 hrs

Train Time 12-14 hrs

Change Point Ahmedabad / Rajkot

Station Code DWK (Dwarka)

Best Option Overnight train

Useful References

The Distance and What It Actually Means

When people in Surat plan a Dwarka pilgrimage, the first question is always whether the journey is practical in one sitting or whether it needs a break overnight. At 660 km, it sits in that uncomfortable middle zone, not short enough for a comfortable same-day drive, yet not so far that flying becomes necessary. The distance stretches across the full breadth of Gujarat, from the industrial diamond city on the Tapti estuary to the ancient temple at the westernmost tip of Saurashtra.

By road, the route goes north on NH48 through Surat bypass, past Baroda (Vadodara) and Anand, into Ahmedabad, then continues west on NH947 through Rajkot, eventually meeting the Saurashtra coast at Jamnagar before the final stretch to Dwarka. The road quality is generally good, national highway for most of the stretch, but the Rajkot-to-Dwarka section can have slower traffic through small towns. Expect 10-11 hours in a reasonably fast vehicle with two short stops.

By train, the same journey adds time because there is no direct Surat-Dwarka train. You board at Surat Junction (ST) and ride to Ahmedabad (ADI) in about 2.5 hours, then wait for a connecting train to Dwarka (DWK). The Dwarka Express or Saurashtra Mail can take that Ahmedabad-to-Dwarka leg in 7-8 hours, putting the total door-to-station time at 12-14 hours depending on connection timings. Overnight trains make this palatable, you sleep through the Ahmedabad-to-Dwarka stretch and wake up at the temple town.

Train Options from Surat to Dwarka

No single train runs directly from Surat to Dwarka DWK station, but there are well-established routing patterns that pilgrims use. The most reliable approach is to take an express train from Surat to Ahmedabad, then board one of several Ahmedabad-to-Okha or Ahmedabad-to-Dwarka trains. The key is to check IRCTC for trains that depart Surat in the early evening so you arrive Ahmedabad by 9-10 PM, then board an overnight train to Dwarka that arrives by early morning.

The Saurashtra Mail (19016) is one classic option, it runs from Mumbai CSMT and picks up passengers at various Gujarat stations. Some pilgrims from Surat board this train after it passes Surat station, continuing via Ahmedabad and all the way to Okha, with Dwarka being a stop along the way. The journey can be 14-16 hours from Surat on this train but you are on one train for the whole stretch. Another common pattern is Surat to Ahmedabad via Intercity Express (fast, frequent), then Ahmedabad to Dwarka on the Dwarka Express (19101/19102 series).

Route Segment	Train Type	Duration	Approx Fare (Sleeper)
Surat → Ahmedabad	Intercity / Express	2.5-3 hrs	₹100-180
Ahmedabad → Dwarka	Dwarka Express	7-8 hrs	₹200-350
Surat → Okha (via Saurashtra Mail)	Express (change at Surat junction)	14-16 hrs	₹350-500
Total (via Ahmedabad change)	Two trains	12-14 hrs	₹300-530

Book train tickets at least 15-20 days ahead during October-February pilgrimage season. Sleeper class (SL) is affordable at ₹300-500 for the full journey. AC 3-tier (3A) costs ₹700-1200 and is worth considering if you are traveling overnight and want better sleep quality. The Dwarka-bound trains often have dedicated religious tourist demand, so waiting lists can be long on weekends from November through February.

Road Route: Surat to Dwarka by Car or Bus

Self-Drive or Hired Cab

Distance660 km

Time10-11 hrs

RouteNH48 → Baroda → Ahmedabad → Rajkot → NH947 → Jamnagar → Dwarka

Cab Cost (one way)₹6,000-9,000 for sedan

Fuel (petrol car)Approx ₹3,500-4,500

GSRTC or Private Bus

Direct BusNot available daily (change at Ahmedabad)

Surat → AhmedabadRegular GSRTC, 3.5-4 hrs, ₹150-250

Ahmedabad → DwarkaGSRTC Volvo ~9 hrs, ₹350-500

Private SleeperSome operators, ₹600-900, check seasonal

Shared Cab / Tempo Traveller

Best ForGroups of 5-12 pilgrims

VehicleInnova Crysta or Tempo Traveller (12 seater)

Cost per head₹700-1,500 depending on group size

AdvantageDoor-to-door, flexible stops, same-day

The road route via NH48 through Baroda and Ahmedabad is the most reliable. After Ahmedabad, the road shifts to NH947 heading west toward Rajkot, then northwest toward Jamnagar. From Jamnagar the final 90 km to Dwarka is a two-lane road through coastal Saurashtra, passing through small towns and salt flats. The stretch before Dwarka can feel long but is scenic as you approach the coast. Avoid this section after dark if possible as stray animals on the road are common at night.

If you are hiring a cab from Surat, fix the price clearly before departure and agree on toll payments separately or included. A sedan cab for one-way Surat to Dwarka runs ₹6,000-9,000. Round-trip cabs with driver waiting in Dwarka for 2-3 days can be negotiated at ₹12,000-18,000 total, which works out economically for families who want maximum flexibility on their yatra schedule.

The Overnight Train Strategy Explained

Most experienced pilgrims from Surat use the overnight train strategy, and for good reason. Here is how it works in practice: you finish your workday, board a train from Surat to Ahmedabad around 7-8 PM, arrive at Ahmedabad Cantt or Ahmedabad Junction by 10-10:30 PM, and board a pre-booked overnight train to Dwarka that departs around 11 PM or later. You sleep through the Gujarat countryside and the train pulls into Dwarka DWK station around 6-7 AM, just in time for the Shringar Aarti at 7 AM or, with advance planning, the Mangla Aarti at 6 AM.

This strategy saves you a full hotel night in Dwarka and maximizes your temple time. Instead of arriving at Dwarka exhausted at noon after an overnight journey, you arrive with the early morning atmosphere of the temple town, the conch shells blowing, the priests beginning their rituals, the sea breeze off the Gomti creek. The difference in experience between arriving at dawn versus arriving at midday is substantial for a pilgrimage.

The key to making this work is booking both tickets well in advance on IRCTC. The Surat-to-Ahmedabad segment is usually easy to get even last-minute. The Ahmedabad-to-Dwarka segment, particularly for sleeper and 3A on the Dwarka Express, can fill up 30-45 days ahead in peak season. Set a reminder and book the Ahmedabad-Dwarka portion first, then book the Surat-Ahmedabad leg.

Flying from Surat: When It Makes Sense

There is no airport in Dwarka. The nearest airports are Jamnagar (JGA) at 141 km from Dwarka and Rajkot (RAJ) at 215 km. Surat Airport (STV) has flights to both Jamnagar and Rajkot, though these are not daily and depend on airline schedules at the time of booking. If you can find a good fare and are traveling in a group, flying to Jamnagar and renting a cab for the 2.5-hour drive to Dwarka can be time-efficient.

However, for most pilgrims from Surat, flying adds expense without proportionate benefit given the train options. The Jamnagar flight from Surat may cost ₹3,000-6,000 per person, and then you still need a ₹2,000-3,000 cab from Jamnagar to Dwarka. Compare this to a ₹500-800 train ticket, and the calculus is clear unless your time is extremely limited or you are traveling in a large group where cab costs split favorably.

The one scenario where flying makes genuine sense is if you want to do Dwarka plus Somnath in a short 2-3 day trip. Fly into Jamnagar, spend a day at Dwarka, drive to Somnath (about 5 hours via Porbandar), spend a day there, then fly back from Rajkot or Jamnagar. This compact circuit uses road segments that are too slow by train and air bridges the gap efficiently.

What to Do Immediately on Arrival at Dwarka

Dwarka station is 1 km from the Dwarkadhish Temple gate. When the train arrives at DWK, you will find auto-rickshaws waiting outside, the fare to the temple is ₹30-50. If you have luggage, ask the auto driver to take you to a hotel near Swarga Dwar (the main entrance gate area) before going to the temple. Most small hotels and dharamshalas are within a 5-10 minute walk of the temple and within the ₹500-1,500 per night range.

If you arrive by the early morning train and want to go directly to temple, there are luggage storage facilities at Swarga Dwar for ₹20-40 per bag. Leave your bags, freshen up at the temple's facilities, and join the darshan queue. The temple opens at 6 AM for Mangla Aarti. Off-peak queues take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Peak season (October-February, especially on weekends) can stretch to 2-4 hours.

Do not carry your mobile phone into the main sanctum, there is a counter to deposit it outside. Leather items including belts and wallets with leather covers are not allowed inside. Wear covered clothing, no shorts or sleeveless. The dress code is enforced more strictly than at many other temples, with volunteers stationed at entry to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Surat from Dwarka?

Surat to Dwarka is approximately 660 km by road via NH48 and NH947 through Baroda, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot. By train the distance is slightly less at 580-620 km depending on the route.

Which train goes from Surat to Dwarka?

There is no direct train. Most pilgrims travel Surat to Ahmedabad (2.5 hrs) then take the Dwarka Express or Saurashtra Mail onward to Dwarka DWK. Total train time is 12-14 hours with connection.

How long does Surat to Dwarka by road take?

By road, expect 10-11 hours in a car or hired cab. The route goes via Baroda, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Jamnagar. The road is good on national highways with some slower stretches near Jamnagar and approaching Dwarka.

Is there a direct bus from Surat to Dwarka?

GSRTC does not run a daily direct Surat-Dwarka bus. You typically change at Ahmedabad. Some private operators run seasonal overnight sleeper coaches, especially during peak pilgrimage months of November through February.

What is the overnight train strategy for Surat pilgrims?

Board an evening train from Surat to Ahmedabad, arrive by 10 PM, then board an overnight train to Dwarka arriving 6-7 AM. This saves a hotel night and delivers you to Dwarka at temple-opening time. Book both segments in advance on IRCTC.

Should I fly from Surat to Jamnagar and then drive to Dwarka?

Flying makes sense only if you have very limited time or are in a large group where cab costs split well. For most pilgrims, the cost (₹3,000-6,000 flight plus ₹2,000-3,000 cab) is much higher than the train option (₹500-800 total). Trains are preferred by most pilgrims from Surat.