Sasan Gir Railway Station (SASG): How to Reach Gir

One platform. One ticket window. One chai stall. That’s Sasan Gir Railway Station—code SASG—and if you’re heading to Gir National Park, this is where the train drops you off. Not Veraval. Not Junagadh. This tiny metre gauge halt, sitting right on the edge of the forest where Asiatic lions still walk free. But here’s what most travel guides won’t tell you upfront. SASG is metre gauge only. No broad gauge train stops here. The Somnath Express? That goes to Veraval. The Jabalpur Express? Also Veraval. If you’re coming from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, or Delhi—your train reaches Veraval Junction first. Then you cover the last 42 km to Sasan Gir by taxi or MG passenger. The station is small. The facilities are basic. But the national park gate? It’s three kilometers away. An auto ride. Ten minutes. And you’re in lion country.

Why This Station Matters for Your Gir Trip

Most visitors reach Gir by road. Junagadh, 60 km north. Veraval, 45 km west. But train travelers? Different story entirely. Sasan Gir is the only railway station inside the Gir Somnath district that sits at the park boundary. Step off the platform and you’re there. A jeep driver loiters near the entrance—always has, always will. He can have you on a safari within half an hour of arrival. The station itself is modest. Almost forgotten. Gir is a wildlife sanctuary; this isn’t Mumbai Central. No multi-platform sprawl. No gleaming waiting halls. What you get: a bench, a partial roof, and the forest sounds filtering through. Monkeys hang around the platform with eerie punctuality—they’ve learned the timetable better than most passengers. One traveler described the vibe as “waiting inside the national park.” Accurate enough. For families doing the Somnath-plus-Gir combo (and plenty do—Veraval is only 42 km away), this station splits the difference. You get the temple. You get the safari. Different trips. One base. And the sightseeing guide here covers both in detail.

Station at a Glance

Save this table. You’ll need it.

Detail	Information
Station Code	SASG
Station Name	Sasan Gir
Zone	Western Railway
Division	Bhavnagar
Platforms	1
Tracks	3 (Metre Gauge)
Gauge	Metre Gauge only — no broad gauge
Elevation	158 metres (518 ft)
Location	SH 111, Sasan Gir, Gujarat
Nearest BG Junction	Veraval (42 km)
Parking	No
Auto Stand	Yes (outside gate)
Waiting Room	Yes (basic)
Retiring Room	Available
Food	One chai stall

Category F halt. Trains stop for two minutes. Maybe three. There’s no elaborate anything. A partial roof. One counter. Bare minimum infrastructure for a station that exists solely to serve the wildlife sanctuary next door. And honestly? That’s fine. You’re not here for the station.

Trains That Actually Stop at SASG

Read this twice if needed. Sasan Gir is metre gauge. Broad gauge trains do not stop here. The big names—the Somnath Express, Jabalpur Express—those pull into Veraval. What stops at SASG are the MG passenger services. Slow. Unreserved. Wooden benches. The kind of trains where you watch Gir scroll past your window at 30 km/h.

MG Passenger Services

Train No.	Train Name	Route	Frequency
52951	Delvada-Junagadh MG Passenger	Delvada → Junagadh	Daily
52952	Junagadh-Delvada MG Passenger	Junagadh → Delvada	Daily
52929	Dhasa-Veraval MG Passenger	Dhasa → Veraval	Daily
52930	Veraval-Dhasa MG Passenger	Veraval → Dhasa	Daily
52933	Veraval-Junagadh MG Passenger	Veraval → Junagadh	Daily
52946	Junagadh-Veraval MG Passenger	Junagadh → Veraval	Daily
52955	Junagadh-Veraval MG Passenger	Junagadh → Veraval	Daily
52956	Veraval-Junagadh MG Passenger	Veraval → Junagadh	Daily

The Dhasa-Veraval service (52929) connects the broader Veraval-Junagadh-Dhasa triangle. Useful if you’re hopping between towns. Junagadh-bound? Roughly 1.5 hours on the MG line. Fares hover under ₹50. Almost nothing. And the Veraval-Junagadh pair (52933/52946) runs the full corridor—so if you’re arriving in Veraval by broad gauge, this is your connecting thread to SASG.

Real-world quirk: Single-line track. Your train sits at Sasan Gir waiting for the opposing train to cross. Could be 15 minutes. Could be 45. It’s not on the timetable—it just happens. Grab chai. Watch the monkeys. The food stall guy does brisk business during these waits. He knows the drill.

Nearest Broad Gauge Station: Veraval

This is the part travelers miss. You can’t take a direct broad gauge train to Sasan Gir. Doesn’t exist. Veraval Junction (VRL) is the hub—42 km from SASG. Every major train from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Rajkot, Delhi stops at Veraval. Then you connect.

Broad Gauge Trains at Veraval Junction

Train No.	Train Name	Route	Frequency	Classes
22957	Somnath Express	Gandhinagar Capital → Veraval	Daily	2A, 3A, SL
22958	Somnath Express	Veraval → Gandhinagar Capital	Daily	2A, 3A, SL
19221	Somnath Express	Ahmedabad → Veraval	Daily	2A, 3A, SL
19222	Somnath Express	Veraval → Ahmedabad	Daily	2A, 3A, SL
11463	Somnath-Jabalpur Express	Somnath → Jabalpur (via Itarsi)	5 days/wk	1A, 2A, 3A, SL
11465	Somnath-Jabalpur Express	Somnath → Jabalpur (via Bina)	5 days/wk	1A, 2A, 3A, SL
11464	Jabalpur-Somnath Express	Jabalpur → Somnath (via Itarsi)	5 days/wk	1A, 2A, 3A, SL
11466	Jabalpur-Somnath Express	Jabalpur → Somnath (via Bina)	5 days/wk	1A, 2A, 3A, SL

From Veraval to Sasan Gir—two choices. Taxi: ₹1,200–₹1,500, one hour flat. MG passenger: under ₹50, but 1.5 hours through the countryside. Budget dictates the decision. Or schedule does. Morning safari? Taxi wins. Leisurely afternoon? MG train offers something a taxi never will—a slow crawl through Gir scrubland where peacocks flash blue outside your window.

Veraval to SASG by MG Train

Train No.	Train Name	Departs Veraval	Arrives SASG	Duration	Fare
52933	Veraval-Junagadh MG Passenger	16:00	17:15	~1.5 hours	Under ₹50
52929	Dhasa-Veraval MG Passenger	Various	Various	~1.5 hours	Under ₹50
52955	Junagadh-Veraval MG Passenger	Various	Various	~1.5 hours	Under ₹50

One traveler called the MG journey “the only free safari in India—from the train window.” Hyperbole? Maybe. But the track cuts through open forest. Deer. Peacocks. Occasionally something bigger moving through the bush. You won’t get that from a taxi on the highway.

How to Reach Sasan Gir from Major Cities

Since SASG sits on a metre gauge branch line, the route from most cities runs through Veraval first. Broad gauge to Veraval. Then the final stretch to Sasan Gir.

From	BG Train To	Then to SASG	Total Taxi Cost	Total Time
Ahmedabad	Veraval (Somnath Exp)	Taxi 42 km	₹1,200–₹1,500	~13 hours
Rajkot	Veraval (Somnath Exp)	Taxi 42 km	₹1,200–₹1,500	~4 hours
Mumbai	Veraval (VRL-Mumbai Exp)	Taxi 42 km	₹1,200–₹1,500	~15 hours
Junagadh	SASG (MG train) or Road	MG 1.5 hr / Taxi 1 hr	₹1,500–₹1,800	1-1.5 hours
Delhi	Veraval (via Ahmedabad)	Taxi 42 km	₹1,200–₹1,500	~24 hours

Ahmedabad → Veraval → Sasan Gir

Somnath Express. That’s your train. Number 22957. Leaves Gandhinagar Capital at 21:45—not Ahmedabad Junction, mind you; the train starts from Gandhinagar. Pulls into Veraval at 06:00 next morning. Twelve hours. 443 km. Sleeper class starts at ₹255; 2A goes up to ₹710. No pantry car. Pack dinner before boarding. Veraval at dawn. Taxi stand outside the station. ₹1,200 gets you to Sasan Gir in an hour. You’re at the Gir gate by 07:00. Morning safari starts at 06:30 or 07:00 depending on season. Tight? Yes. Doable? Absolutely.

Rajkot → Veraval → Sasan Gir

Rajkot is the closest major junction. Somnath Express passes through at 02:07; reaches Veraval by 06:00. The Jabalpur Express (11463) hits Rajkot at 13:59; arrives Veraval at 17:30. Both connect to SASG via taxi. Or—GSRTC bus from Rajkot directly to Sasan Gir. 160 km. 2.5 hours. ₹1,500–₹2,000. Group of four? Taxi from Rajkot makes more sense. Split the cost. The road from Rajkot runs through Saurashtra countryside. Last stretch near Talala? Open scrubland. Peacocks crossing. Lions occasionally. Not the fenced park—the real thing, wandering across open ground. You might spot one from the taxi window. Or you might not. That’s wildlife for you.

Veraval → Sasan Gir Direct

Already in Veraval? 42 km separates you from SASG. Taxi: ₹1,200–₹1,500, one hour. MG passenger (52933): under ₹50, 1.5 hours. The choice depends on luggage, time, and how much of the countryside you want to see. Families with kids? Taxi. Solo traveler with a backpack? MG train, definitely. And if you’re combining Somnath Temple with Gir—Veraval works as a two-day base. Day one: temple. Day two: safari. The temple guide here covers timings and routes. The sightseeing guide handles the rest.

Junagadh → Sasan Gir

Junagadh sits 60 km north. MG trains connect the two towns throughout the day. Road drive: 1-1.5 hours via the Junagadh-Talala highway. GSRTC’s first bus departs at 5:15 AM—handy for morning safaris. And Junagadh itself? Uparkot Fort and Girnar Hill deserve a day if your itinerary allows. History stacked on history. Old stones beside newer ones.

What You’ll Find (and Won’t) at SASG

Let’s be direct. This is not a comfort stop.

Available

• Waiting room: General hall with benches. AC room exists for ticketed passengers.
• Chai stall: One. Masala chai, cold drinks, packaged snacks. That’s your food situation.
• Auto stand: Outside the gate. Autos and cycle rickshaws. App cabs? Forget it.
• Retiring room: Book via IRCTC or at the counter. Basic beds. Private rooms too.
• Cloak room: Luggage storage. Leave bags, explore, come back for your train.
• Ticket counter: Single window. Unreserved tickets only. Arrive early during peak season.

Not Available

• Parking: None. No dedicated space for private vehicles.
• Cycle facilities: Zero.
• Restrooms: Basic. Not clean. Carry tissues and water.
• ATM: Nearest one is 2 km away in Sasan Gir town.
• WiFi: No. Mobile data works—Airtel performs best in this area. BSNL and Jio struggle.

Honest take: Platform isn’t fully shaded. Half has a roof; half doesn’t. Midday sun? Brutal. Stand in the covered section. Carry water. Sunscreen. The monkeys are bold—they snatch food from hands. Happens daily. The locals just laugh.

But here’s the thing nobody mentions. The forest starts at the station boundary. Step off the platform and the air changes. Smells different. And if your MG train passes through the scrubland between stations—peacocks, deer, sometimes lions from the window. That’s the real perk of arriving by rail. You get a preview before the actual safari.

Station to Gir National Park Gate

Three to four kilometers. That’s the distance from SASG to the main safari gate. Walkable. But most people take transport—especially with camera gear or kids.

Option	Fare	Time	Notes
Auto-rickshaw	₹50–₹100	10-15 min	Negotiate before boarding. No meters.
Pre-booked taxi	₹300–₹500	10-15 min	AC car. Best with luggage.
Local bus	₹10–₹20	15-20 min	Cheapest. Crowded mornings.

Autos cluster outside the gate. ₹50 gets you to the park entrance. ₹100 if it’s peak season (December to March) or the driver senses you’re a first-timer. Bargain. It’s expected. And most hotels in Sasan Gir offer free pickup—ask when you book. Saves you the hassle entirely.

Distances to Key Spots from SASG

Destination	Distance	Auto Fare	Taxi Fare	Time
Gir National Park Gate	3-4 km	₹50–₹100	₹300–₹500	10-15 min
Devalia Safari Park	10 km	₹150–₹200	₹500–₹700	20-25 min
Sasan Gir Town	2 km	₹30–₹50	₹200–₹300	5-10 min
Kankai Mata Temple	15 km	₹200–₹250	₹600–₹800	30-35 min
Junagadh	60 km	—	₹1,500–₹1,800	1-1.5 hr
Veraval	42 km	—	₹1,200–₹1,500	1-1.5 hr

Day Trips & Onward Travel from SASG

Gir isn’t an isolated destination. Saurashtra packs寺庙, beaches, heritage—within driving distance of Sasan Gir station.

Destination	Distance	Drive Time	Taxi	Why Go
Somnath Temple (Veraval)	42 km	1-1.5 hr	₹1,200–₹1,500	Pilgrimage + Gir combo
Junagadh (Girnar, Uparkot)	60 km	1-1.5 hr	₹1,500–₹1,800	Heritage + wildlife
Diu	100 km	2-2.5 hr	₹1,800–₹2,200	Beach escape
Rajkot	160 km	2.5-3 hr	₹1,500–₹2,000	Airport, city hub
Ahmedabad	370 km	6-7 hr	₹3,500–₹4,500	Major airport
Porbandar	180 km	3-3.5 hr	₹2,200–₹2,800	Kirti Mandir, coast
Dwarka	230 km	4-5 hr	₹2,800–₹3,500	Dwarkadhish Temple

The classic combo: Gir plus Somnath. Veraval sits 42 km away—temple on day one, safari on day two. The complete Somnath itinerary breaks it down. Three to four days covers both comfortably. From Mumbai or Delhi? Fly to Ahmedabad or Rajkot. Train to Veraval. Taxi to SASG. Nearest airports: Keshod (60 km), Diu (100 km), Rajkot (160 km). Ahmedabad has the most flights; longest drive.

Best Train Strategy for a Gir Safari

Timing matters. More than most visitors realize. Morning safaris start 06:00-07:00. So reaching Veraval by dawn gives you the edge. Here’s the playbook by origin city.

From Ahmedabad

Train	Departs	Reaches Veraval	Then to SASG	Fare
22957 Somnath Express	21:45 (GNC)	06:00	Taxi 1 hr	₹255–₹710 + ₹1,200 taxi
19221 Somnath Express	22:10 (ADI)	06:00	Taxi 1 hr	₹255–₹710 + ₹1,200 taxi

22957 is the winner. Departs Gandhinagar—not Ahmedabad—so board accordingly. Reaches Veraval at 06:00. Taxi to SASG by 07:00. Safari. Simple. No pantry car on this train; eat before you board or pack something substantial.

From Mumbai

Train	Route	Reaches Veraval	Then to SASG
19570 Veraval-Mumbai Express	Mumbai Central → Veraval	13:40	Taxi 1 hr
19221 Somnath Express	Connect via Ahmedabad	06:00	Taxi 1 hr

No direct train from Mumbai to Sasan Gir. Period. Route: train to Veraval, taxi to SASG. The Veraval-Mumbai Express reaches at 13:40—late for same-day safari. Better play: overnight to Ahmedabad, catch 22957 at 21:45, Veraval by 06:00. Early start. Full day ahead.

From Delhi

Delhi requires patience. Rajdhani or Shatabdi to Ahmedabad (8-10 hours). Then Somnath Express overnight. Total journey: 22-24 hours. Jabalpur Express (11463) works too—connect via Ahmedabad or board at a MP station if you’re coming from central India. Either way, Veraval is your stop. Then taxi to SASG.

From Rajkot

Train	Departs Rajkot	Reaches Veraval	Then to SASG
22957 Somnath Express	02:07	06:00	Taxi 1 hr
11463 Jabalpur Express	13:59	17:30	Taxi 1 hr

Closest major junction to Veraval. 22957 reaches at 06:00—perfect for morning safaris. 11463 arrives 17:30. Or skip the train entirely: GSRTC bus or taxi from Rajkot directly to SASG. 160 km. 2.5 hours. Group of four or more? Taxi splits nicely.

First Time at SASG? Read This.

1. Safari permits first. Book at girlion.gujarat.gov.in before you travel. December to March sells out days ahead. Don’t wing it at the gate.
2. SASG is metre gauge. Your broad gauge train goes to Veraval. From Veraval: taxi (1 hr) or MG train (1.5 hr). Plan accordingly.
3. Arrive by morning. Somnath Express hits Veraval at 06:00. Taxi to SASG by 07:00. Safari by 07:30. Evening arrivals mean overnight stay first.
4. Carry food. One chai stall. That’s it. Pack snacks from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, or Veraval. Especially if you have dietary restrictions.
5. Cash is king. No cards at autos, local shops, eateries. ATM 2 km away in town. Carry ₹2,000–₹3,000 minimum.
6. Offline maps. Download Google Maps for Gir Somnath district before you arrive. Jio and BSNL struggle here. Airtel works.
7. Monkeys are bold. Zip your bags. Hide food. They’ve been doing this for years. You won’t outsmart them.
8. Train delays happen. 15-30 minutes late is normal. Use NTES app for live status. Don’t trust the timetable blindly.
9. Combine with Somnath. 42 km separates the two. Temple one day, safari the next. The complete itinerary is here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the station code?

SASG. Use it on IRCTC, RailYatri, ixigo.

Do broad gauge trains stop here?

No. SASG is metre gauge only. BG trains (Somnath Express, Jabalpur Express) stop at Veraval Junction, 42 km away.

Nearest broad gauge station?

Veraval (VRL). All major routes pass through it. Taxi to SASG: ₹1,200–₹1,500, one hour. MG train: under ₹50, 1.5 hours.

How many trains stop at SASG daily?

8-10 MG passenger services. All unreserved. Veraval-Junagadh, Dhasa-Veraval, Delvada-Junagadh routes.

AC waiting room?

Yes—for passengers with valid tickets or PNR. General waiting room also available.

Distance to Gir gate?

3-4 km. Auto: ₹50–₹100. Taxi: ₹300–₹500.

How to reach SASG from Veraval by train?

MG passengers 52933 or 52929. Under ₹50. 1.5 hours. Or taxi for ₹1,200 in one hour.

Taxi to Junagadh or Veraval from SASG?

Yes. Veraval: 42 km, ₹1,200–₹1,500. Junagadh: 60 km, ₹1,500–₹1,800. Book ahead in peak season.

Safe for solo female travelers?

Generally yes. Quiet, remote station. But avoid lingering alone after dark—no 24/7 staff. Late arrivals? Arrange pickup beforehand.

Eating options?

One chai stall. Chai, cold drinks, snacks. Real food: Sasan Gir town (2 km) or your hotel.

WiFi?

No. Airtel has best mobile coverage. Others struggle.

Best time by train?

October to March. Park closed during monsoon (mid-June to mid-October). Peak: December-February. Book everything early. Somnath Express to Veraval (06:00), taxi to SASG by 07:00. That’s the window.