Daman and Diu are two coastal places known for beautiful beaches and exquisite colonial architecture. Now a part of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, they were once Portuguese colonies. While Daman is located near Vapi in south Gujarat, and Diu is near Gir Somnath in Saurashtra, their popularity among tourists has improved road and bus travel in recent years.
Even though these towns do not own an airport or a major railway station within their boundaries, for nearby cities, travelling by bus remains the most convenient and cost efficient way to visit both Daman and Diu, along with offering beautiful views. In this guide, I talk about travelling to Daman and Diu via bus, discussing everything from routes to bus types, stations, operator schedules, and other travel tips.
Geography of Daman and Diu
While planning your itinerary snd booking your bus tickets, it’s important to understand that Daman and Diu do not sit next to each other.
Daman can be easily accessed from Vapi and Surat. It is situated close to the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.
Diu is situated close to Veraval, Somnath, and Junagadh, in the southern coast of Kathiawar peninsula.
As a consequence of the more than 650 kilometers distance, the Diu and Daman buses operate separately and you need to choose the city where you board your bus from accordingly.
Section 1: Daman’s Reachable by Bus
Situated along with Dui in southern Gujarat and on the borders of Maharashtra, Dui is located just 12 kilometers away from Vapi, an important industrial city which has good road connectivity through the NH48 (Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway) road.
Daman is Connected to Major Cities by Buses
| City | Distance | Estimated Travel Time | Travel Route | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surat | 120 km | 3 hrs | NH48 via Navsari, Pardi | |
| Vadodara | 260 km | 6 hrs | NH48 via Bharuch, Surat | |
| Ahmedabad | 370 km | 8 hrs | NH48 via Vadodara, Surat | |
| Pune | 320 km | 8-9 hrs |
Bus Types Available for Daman
- Non-AC Seaters: targeted for daily commuters Limited Seating. Local Shuttle Transports at a reduced fare.
- AC Seaters: Offered by private operators ideal for mid-distance travel.
- AC Sleepers/Volvos: Offered on select routes like Mumbai and Ahmedabad
- Mini Buses: Local shuttles from villages and Daman to Vapi
State Transport Buses to Daman
GSRTC (Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation) has scheduled buses for Daman originating from Surat, Ahmedabad, Vapi and even nestled far away in Bhavnagar. Maharashtra st buses have less frequent, erratic routes but tend to pop up for Thane and Palghar.
Private Operators Serving Daman
- Shreenath Travels
- Mahadev Travels
- Royal Express
- Raj Ratan Tours
- Ramdev Bus Services
These operators offer luxury and semi-luxury travel from Pune, Mumbai and Ahemdabad.
Primary Bus Station in Daman
Daman Bus Stand (Nani Daman) serves as the main drop-off and pick-up bus station. The Location is very strategic since it is close to Devka Beach and Daman Fort. Hotel and beaches are only a short auto-rickshaw ride away.
Section 2: Diu Bus Links
Where is Diu Located?
Diu lies at the southeastern extremity of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. It is located near Una, Veraval, Somnath and has good road connectivity with the southern parts of Gujarat.
Major Cities Connected with Diu by Bus:
| Origin City | Distance | Travel Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 370 km | 9–10 hours | NH27 via Bhavnagar, Una |
| Rajkot | 230 km | 5 hours | NH8D via Jetpur, Kodinar |
| Somnath/Veraval | 90 km | 2.5 hours | SH98 via Una |
| Bhavnagar | 320 km | 7–8 hours | NH51 via Mahuva, Una |
| Junagadh | 200 km | 5 hours | SH98 via Vanthali, Kodinar |
Available Bus Types For Diu
- GSRTC Deluxe: Non-AC and comfortable seating.
- Luxury AC Sleepers: Predominantly from Ahmedabad and Rajkot.
- Mini Buses: From Somnath, Veraval, and Una for shorter distances.
State Transport Buses to Diu
Long-distace buses for Diu are primarily run by GSRTC. There are government bus stations at:
- Ahmedabad (Geeta Mandir)
- Bhavnagar
- Rajkot
- Veraval
- Una
There are different schedules for each station, however, most long-distance buses depart in the evening and reach Diu early in the morning.
Private Bus Operators to Diu
- New Patel Travels
- Shree Hari Travels
- Bhagwati Travels
- Jamnagari Express
Are primarily based in Rajkot and Ahmedabad and provide a sleeper Bus service.
Diu’s Main Bus Stand
Located close to Diu Fort, Diu Bus Stand serves an important transport hub. Other points of interest are Diu Museum, Nagoa Beach and Naida Caves. There are local auto rickshaws for last mile connectivity.
Section 3: Bus Ticket Reservation
Web based ticketing systems
- RedBus.in
- Abhibus.com
- GSRTC’s official site
- MakeMyTrip (for bus services)
- Paytm Travel
All of the above listed sites offer functionalities:
- Seat reservations
- Boarding and drop off point selection
- Real time tracking
- Discounts for early reservations
In-person reservation
- Visit any state transport depot for GSRTC bookings.
- Private transporters permit cash reservations at pickup counters in Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Rajkot.
Section 4: General Advice for Travel
- During Diwali and New Year’s travels, booking in advance is highly recommended.
- Maximizing the time for Diu is best achieved by arriving in the early morning.
- For long travel string journeys overnight, it is advised to bring snacks and water.
- If Daman is your destination and your bus doesn’t enter Daman, alight at Vapi for an auto or local bus ride to continue.
- While GSRTC buses don’t provide flashy features, they are dependable and leave on time.
- Private luxury buses excel at long distance and overnight trips.
Section 5: Transport Locally After Arriving
In Daman:
- Auto Rickshaws: Local trips are priced between ₹100-₹150.
- Scooters: Available from beachside rentals for ₹300 per day.
- Shared taxis: Available but very infrequent from Daman Naka.
In Diu:
- Scooters and cycles can be rented out near the fort and beach areas.
- You can take auto-rickshaws from the bus stand to Nagoa Beach or the various resorts.
- Hotels offer a day tour for their guests.
Section 6: Travel by bus at the best time
| Season | Travel Experience | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Oct–Feb) | Cool and pleasant | Best time to travel, book in advance |
| Summer (Mar–June) | Hot, but dry | Travel in AC sleeper buses, prefer night travel |
| Monsoon (July–Sept) | Lush greenery | Avoid night travel due to slippery roads |
Sample Bus Itineraries
1. Mumbai to Daman
- Board AC sleeper at 11 PM from Borivali
- Arrive in Vapi by 3 AM
- Auto or taxi to Daman by 4 AM
2. Diu from Ahmedabad
- GSRTC Deluxe bus at 9 PM from Geeta Mandir
- Reach Diu by 7 AM
- Breakfast near bus stand and check-in at hotel
3. Rajkot to Diu
- Private sleeper bus at 11 PM
- Reach by 5 AM, ideal for weekend beach trip.
For those wishing to visit the coastal charm, the rich heritage, and the peaceful Daman and Diu without the hassle of flights or expensive cab rides, bus travel is the most convenient and economical option.
The lesser-known beach towns can now be reached easily due to clean and safe government and private buses as well as upgraded highway infrastructure. Additionally, these towns are now easier than ever to access from major cities.
This guide guarantees that you are able to reach Diu with the utmost comfort, clarity, and confidence whether you’re embarking on a long road trip or looking to spend a short weekend in Daman.
