Monsoons: June to September
Climate: 27°-41°C (summer); 14°-29°C (winter)
Route duration:5-10 days (far longer if pinned down on sunkissed beaches)Bombay to Diu 930 km (580 miles)
Air / Road
Vayudoot offers one flight daily to Keshod (PF325, Rs1540). It’s wise to book a return as Keshod-Bombay flights are heavily subscribed. From Keshod to Diu is 150 km (94 miles) by road: local buses to Veraval (11/2 hrs), to Oona (2 1/2 hrs) and to Ghoghla (30 mins). Then either ferry or, when the new bridge is completed, auto-rickshaw over to Diu.
Rail
There are daily trains from Bombay Central to Ahmedabad (9 hours); and the Gurdinar Express from Ahmedabad down to Veraval (dep 8.45 pm daily, arr 10 am next morning).
Road
The daily ‘luxury video’ bus runs direct to Diu (22 hours). Book from Goa Travels /Hirup Travel Service, Prabhakar Sadan ground floor, Khetwadi Back Rd, 12th lane (tel 358186, 359856) or Pawan Travels, 103 Auto Commerce House, Kennedy Bridge, near Nana’s Chowk Post Office (tel 356887, 357907). This is a notorious Indian bus journey: a whole day of excruciating disco music/video films, potholed roads and arguments over double-booked seats, plus the occasional breakdown. Take earplugs, two seat-cushions, and a crash helmet. One way on this bus is quite enough. It’s popular though, and much quicker than the train. There’s also a cheap state bus (about Rs100) from Bombay to Oona—less comfortable, but no video! Book from MTDC office, Bombay. It leaves 12.30 pm daily.
Diu to Somnath 54 km (34 miles)
Road
Buses to Oona (Rs4) and Veraval (Rs12); then a Rs15 rickshaw or Rs3 bus for the final 7 km (4 1/2 miles) up to Somnath.
Somnath to Sasan-Gir 46 km (28.8 miles)
Road
Bus from Veraval (2 hours, Rs6). Do check timings for Sasan-Gir buses before going up to Somnath: it’s an irregular service.
Sasan-Gir to Diu 105 km (65.6 miles)
Road
Two express buses daily to and from Oona (3 hours). Then bus to Ghoghla.
Rail
Daily train to Oona (9 hours). Slow.
Diu to Bombay
Road/Air
Buses from Ghoghla, Oona and Veraval to Keshod; one Vayudoot flight daily to Bombay (PF326, Rs1540).
Rail
Daily trains from Veraval or Somnath (13/14 hours) to Ahmedabad; night train to Bombay (dep 10.35 pm, arr 7 am).
Road
Two ‘luxury video’ buses daily (22 hours): 11.30 am departure from Diu, booked from Goa Travels, opposite jetty (tel 44, 87); 10.30 am departure from Ghoghla, booked from Rajasree Travels, Main Rd, Ghoghla (tel 98). Reserve your seats well in advance.
CONTINUATIONS
From Ahmedabad, you can connect with the Rajasthan itinerary via quick bus journeys up to Mt Abu (6/7 hours) or Udaipur (8 hours).