Getting Around Junagadh
Junagadh is a compact city at the foot of the Girnar hills, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits within a short ride of the centre. There is no metro and no tram here, so getting around means a mix of auto-rickshaws, buses, taxis and your own two feet. The good news is that all of these are cheap and easy to find, and the old city's lanes are best explored on foot or by rickshaw rather than by car.
Auto-rickshaws: the default way to move
Auto-rickshaws are widely available within the city limits and are the most practical option for short trips. They are the best choice for reaching markets, heritage sites and the narrow lanes of the old city, where cars struggle to navigate. Fares are negotiable, so agree on a price before you set off, and carry cash since short rides are typically settled in notes and coins rather than by card.
Buses
City buses run on local routes with moderate availability and very low fares, making them a cheap way to cover longer hops across town. Useful stops include Majevdi Gate, the Railway Station and Timbavadi Bus Stand. Intercity buses are far more plentiful than local ones, and from Junagadh's bus stations you can catch frequent, affordable services to Somnath and Veraval, as well as to Porbandar and Rajkot. Private bus companies also run from many surrounding cities, which gives you more departure times to choose from. As with autos, keep small change handy for local fares.
Trains
Junagadh Junction is the city's main railway station and is well connected to major cities across India, including Rajkot, Somnath, Ahmedabad, Porbandar, Pune and Indore. Journeys to nearby Rajkot are short, while Ahmedabad is a longer haul of several hours. The station is a straightforward arrival point: from the platform you can pick up an auto-rickshaw or a taxi for the last leg to your hotel or the sights. If you are continuing onward by rail, book your tickets in advance, especially around festivals and holidays.
Taxis and cars
Taxis and hired cars are available through local operators and hotels, and come in hatchback, sedan and SUV types depending on your group and budget. They are the sensible choice for sightseeing days and for station transfers, and they can also be hired for day trips further afield, such as to Somnath, Gir or Diu. For a full day of local sightseeing, expect to pay a day rate that varies with the type of car; outstation trips are priced higher. Because ride-hailing apps are not the mainstay here, it is worth arranging a cab in advance through your hotel or a local operator rather than expecting to flag one down on the street. Self-driving is possible on the main roads, but in rural stretches you may need navigation apps or local directions.
Walking
Walking works well in the central and old parts of the city, where the sights are close together and the streets are not built for cars. It is also the natural way to experience the bazaars and the area around the fort. Outside the centre, though, distances stretch and the heat can be punishing, so plan to combine walking with short rickshaw hops rather than covering everything on foot.
The Girnar ropeway
For the climb up Girnar, the ropeway is a fast alternative to trekking. It runs from the foothill at Bhavnath Taleti up to the Ambaji Temple, covering the ascent in a matter of minutes, with cabins holding several passengers and a round-trip fare that is higher than the one-way price. Tickets are sold in hourly time slots, and those slots do fill up in advance, so book ahead if you can. Note that online ticket purchase does not accept international cards, which means foreign visitors will generally need to buy in person with cash. Going early is wise, both to avoid the heat and to beat the queues.
Reaching Junagadh from the airport
Junagadh does not have its own airport. The nearest one is at Rajkot, which receives regular flights, including services to Mumbai. From Rajkot, the onward journey to Junagadh is by road and takes roughly two and a half hours, so arrange a taxi or a car in advance, or connect by train or bus from Rajkot if you prefer. Whichever you choose, treat the airport leg as a separate booking from your travel around the city itself.
Practical tips
- Carry cash. Auto-rickshaws and short-distance buses are easiest to pay for in notes and coins, and the Girnar ropeway's online system does not accept international cards.
- Agree on auto-rickshaw fares before you set off, since they are negotiable.
- Book cabs and ropeway tickets ahead of time, particularly during festivals and holidays when demand peaks.
- Start early for Girnar to avoid the heat and the queues.
- Use rickshaws or walk in the old city and around the markets, where cars have difficulty navigating.
- For day trips to Somnath, Gir or Diu, hire a car rather than relying on local transport.