Sasan Gir to Keshod Taxi Guide: 45 Km Fares, Timings & Safari Connection
Keshod Airport sits 40-45 km from the Sasan Gir safari gate — a 1 to 1.25-hour drive that most visitors underestimate until their flight is three hours away. A sedan taxi costs Rs.2,200 one way, an Ertiga Rs.2,800, and an Innova Crysta Rs.4,000-4,500. The route runs northwest via Talala on SH-26, then straight to Keshod town before a short spur to the airport. And if you are finishing a Sasan Gir National Park safari guide morning slot and racing for an Alliance Air departure, that timing matters more than the fare.
This is Gujarat’s shortest airport transfer from the lions — closer than Diu (100 km), Rajkot (160 km), or Ahmedabad (375 km). But Keshod (IXK) has just 1-2 flights a day, no night operations, and strict check-in cutoffs. Before you book, you need to understand the Talala bottleneck, CNG boot-space limits, and why operators quote a minimum 90-100 km even for this 45 km drop.
Route Overview – Sasan Gir to Keshod by Car
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~40-45 km via Talala (Sasan Gir → Talala 13-16 km → Keshod 28-30 km → Airport 3-5 km) |
| Travel Time | 1 to 1.25 hours; 1.5 hours with Talala halt or Keshod town traffic |
| Route | Sasan Gir → Talala → Keshod → Keshod Airport (IXK) |
| Highway Notes | SH-26 Sasan to Talala (2-lane, forest buffer); Talala-Keshod district road (2-lane, rural); airport spur paved and signed |
| Toll Estimate | Rs.0 — no toll plazas. Only airport parking Rs.50-100 if driver waits |
The drive starts at the Sasan Gir safari gate and heads west through the Gir buffer zone to Talala. Teak forest lines both sides for the first 10 km — early morning you will see nilgai and chital near the road edge. Keep windows up. So many drivers slow here, not for photos, but because forest guards flag speeding.
Talala is the split point. South goes to Veraval (40 km) and Somnath (50 km). Northwest goes to Keshod. Take the northwest exit past the Talala APMC yard and Gir Kesar mandis — in May-June trucks clog this stretch till 11 AM. Beyond Talala the landscape opens into groundnut and cotton fields, with long straight runs where your driver can hold 60-70 kmph. Keshod town itself is congested for 2 km around the bus stand. Your driver will bypass it via the eastern ring road, then join the airport spur. IXK terminal appears suddenly on the right — small, white, easy to miss if you are looking at your phone.
Road quality holds year-round. SH-26 was relaid in sections through 2024-25 and the Talala-Keshod road is 2-lane asphalt without potholes in dry months. July-September changes things. Waterlogging near the Talala low bridge adds 15-20 minutes, and forest checkposts sometimes hold traffic after heavy rain. Still motorable — just not fast.
Taxi Fare Breakdown – What You Actually Pay
Below are standard one-way fares for the Sasan Gir to Keshod drop in 2026. Operators bill a 90-100 km minimum for outstation drops, so this 45 km ride is priced as 90 km plus driver return — that explains the per-km rate. Local Sasan operators quote slightly lower than online aggregators, but airport drops carry a Rs.200-300 premium for parking and wait time:
| Vehicle Type | Models | Capacity | Luggage | One-Way Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Swift Dzire, Etios | 4 seater AC | 2 bags | Rs.2,200 |
| SUV | Ertiga | 6 seater AC | 2 bags | Rs.2,800 |
| SUV (Premium) | Innova Crysta | 6 seater AC | 4 bags | Rs.4,000 |
| Tempo Traveller | 12 Seater | 12 seater AC | 10 bags | Rs.6,000 |
| Tempo Traveller | 17 Seater | 17 seater AC | 10 bags | Rs.6,500 |
| Tempo Traveller | 26 Seater | 26 seater AC | 10 bags | Rs.8,000 |
The CNG Luggage Warning
Most Dzires and Ertigas in Saurashtra run on CNG. The cylinder sits in the boot. That leaves room for 2 medium bags — nothing more. Heading to the airport with 3 suitcases plus hand baggage? You will not fit. An overhead carrier for Ertiga/Innova costs Rs.300-400 extra — essential for 3+ bags in CNG cars, request it at booking. Otherwise book Innova Crysta. It beats leaving a bag at the lodge.
What’s Included vs. What’s Extra
What’s included: Fuel, driver allowance, GST on aggregator bookings. What’s extra: Airport parking (Rs.50-100 if driver enters terminal lane), night driving charge Rs.200-300 (10 PM-6 AM), waiting Rs.100 per hour after first 60 minutes.
No toll. No UT border tax — both Sasan Gir and Keshod are inside Gujarat, unlike the Diu run. One catch: many operators bill a minimum 90-100 km for outstation drops. Your 45 km ride is priced as 90 km plus driver return. That is why the fare looks high per km. Always ask: “Is this final with parking, or will the driver ask for more at IXK gate?”
Why Are Round Trips Sometimes Cheaper?
One-way at Rs.2,200 already includes empty return — driver comes back to Sasan alone. If you fly in and need pickup plus later drop, book round-trip. Same-day return (90 km total) runs Rs.3,200-3,600 for sedan, Rs.4,000-4,500 for Ertiga. Per-km rate drops from Rs.48 to Rs.35. For multi-day holds — driver stays at Keshod — expect Rs.500-700 driver bata per night plus food. Worth it during peak safari season (Dec-March) when one-way cabs out of Keshod are scarce.
Car Rental Options – How to Book
Online aggregators: MakeMyTrip, GozoCabs, Savaari and CabBazar list Sasan-Keshod sedans around Rs.2,400-2,800. You get driver details by SMS and free cancellation till 24 hours before. Useful if your flight lands late and you need a confirmed pickup at IXK with name board. Prices run Rs.200-400 higher than street rates.
Local taxi stands in Sasan Gir: Stands near the safari reception gate, Sasan bus stop, and Talala chowk control most cars on this route. Walk up, check the car, note the number plate, take the driver’s mobile. Bargaining works — especially for same-day return. Ask for a written slip with fare, waiting terms, and parking inclusion. Lodge travel desks add Rs.200 commission but solve problems fast if the car breaks down.
Hotel pickup for IXK departures: Share flight number, PNR timing, and luggage count at booking. Alliance Air often revises Keshod timings by 30-60 minutes. A good operator tracks this. Request pickup 3 hours before departure — 1.25 hr drive + 30 min buffer + 1 hr check-in. For 10 AM flights, that means 7 AM exit from Sasan. No exceptions during mango truck season.
Best Route: Sasan Gir to Keshod via Talala
There is only one practical road. Sasan Gir → Talala (SH-26) → Keshod (Talala-Keshod road) → Airport spur. No alternate highway saves time. The Junagadh detour via Mendarda adds 35 km and is only used when the Talala low bridge floods in August. Your driver knows this. If he suggests the long route on a dry day, he is padding km — push back.
Compared to the southern exit, traffic is thin. The Sasan Gir to Veraval car rental road carries pilgrim buses to Somnath. The Keshod road carries farm tractors, milk tankers, and school vans. Slower vehicles, but fewer jams. Overtaking needs care — 2-lane with soft shoulders.
En Route Stops & Waypoints
| Stop | Distance from Sasan | What to See / Do |
|---|---|---|
| Sasan Gir Gate | 0 km | Start point — safari reception, last ATM, fill fuel, buy water |
| Talala | 13-16 km | APMC mango yard (Apr-Jun Kesar auctions), petrol pumps, dhabas, restrooms |
| Keshod Town | 38-42 km | Bus stand bypass, tea stalls, medical shops — last stop before airport |
| Keshod Airport (IXK) | 42-45 km | Terminal, parking, Alliance Air check-in counters |
Talala deserves 15 minutes. Between late April and June, roadside stalls sell Gir Kesar by the dozen — cheaper than Junagadh or Ahmedabad. Outside season, use Talala for fuel and restrooms. Keshod town has little for tourists, but the Swaminarayan temple lane has clean toilets at the canteen if you ask. After Keshod, nothing — no dhaba on the 4 km airport spur. Eat before you turn off.
Keshod Airport (IXK) Guide – Catching Your Flight
IXK (VAKS) is a small regional airport 3 km east of Keshod town. Alliance Air connects it to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Diu and Porbandar with ATR-72 aircraft — usually 1 departure a day, sometimes 2 in winter. These ATRs often run multi-hop sectors (e.g., Ahmedabad–Keshod–Diu–Mumbai), so track the incoming aircraft — a delay on the first leg rolls into Keshod. No night landings. Terminal has 2 check-in counters, basic waiting hall, and a tea kiosk. Security is strict but quick; 45 minutes is enough if you are inside.
Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. They enforce it — ATR doors shut early and the runway has no holding scope. Reach 90-120 minutes before. Carry your printed/mobile ticket along with a valid government photo ID (such as Passport, Voter ID, Driver’s License, or Aadhaar). DigiYatra is not fully active at IXK as of early 2026. Luggage limit on Alliance Air ATR is 15 kg check-in + 7 kg cabin on most fares. Excess is charged per kg at the counter, cash/UPI only.
Morning Safari to Flight – Realistic Itinerary
You can do both in one day, but only with the early slot. The Devalia Safari Park interpretation zone is the backup if core permits are sold out — 1.5 hours, guaranteed lions, back by 9:30 AM:
- 6:00-9:00 AM: Core Gir safari. Keep luggage packed and billed out before you leave.
- 9:00-9:30 AM: Breakfast at lodge, pick bags, confirm driver is at gate.
- 9:30 AM: Depart Sasan. Non-stop via Talala unless you need fuel.
- 10:30-10:45 AM: Reach IXK. Pay driver, keep Rs.50-100 for trolley if needed.
- 11:30 AM-12:30 PM window: Typical Alliance Air departures. You are inside with time to spare.
For afternoon flights (2-4 PM), leave Sasan by 11 AM. That avoids mango trucks and midday heat (42°C+ in May). Tell your lodge you need a 5:30 AM wake-up call — safari entry lines start at 5:45 AM and late entry eats into drive time.
Things to Do in Keshod Town
Keshod is a transit town — keep halts brief and plan for the airport, not sightseeing. For transit passengers:
- Keshod Bazaar: Quick tea and supplies near bus stand. Wednesday cattle bazaar if you have 30 minutes.
- Swaminarayan Mandir: Quiet halt 1 km from bus stand. Closes 12-4 PM.
- Onward links: Junagadh (40 km north) for Uparkot Fort/Girnar, or drive straight to Somnath (65 km via Veraval) for evening aarti. See our Sasan Gir to Somnath route for darshan timings and electronics-ban rules.
Best Time to Drive & Road Conditions
Early morning (6:00-9:00 AM): Best window. Cool air, empty road, wildlife near SH-26. You reach IXK before terminal crowds. Fog in Dec-Jan can cut visibility to 50 metres till 7:30 AM — use headlights, no high beam in forest stretch.
Late morning (9:30 AM-12:00 PM): Standard for flight connections. Traffic moderate. Carry 1 litre water per person — dhabas thin out after Talala and summer heat hits 40°C by 11 AM.
Avoid: Night driving after 8 PM. The Talala-Keshod road has no streetlights for 20 km, plus nilgai crossings and unmarked speed breakers near villages. Forest gates shut civilian movement around 9 PM in buffer pockets. Monsoon (July-Sept) adds waterlogging at Talala bridge — add 20 minutes and confirm with driver the night before. If IMD issues a cyclone warning for Saurashtra coast, IXK cancels flights first. Check Alliance Air SMS before leaving Sasan.
Return Options – Keshod to Sasan Gir
- Pre-booked round-trip cab: Easiest. Driver waits at IXK parking (Rs.50-100) with name board. Same fares as onward — sedan Rs.3,200-3,600 return.
- Airport prepaid taxi: Counter outside arrivals has 3-4 cars. Sedan to Sasan Rs.2,500-2,800 — Rs.300 higher than Sasan pickup rates. Limited after last flight; no cars after 7 PM.
- GSRTC bus: Keshod bus stand to Talala (hourly, Rs.40-60, 45 min), then Talala to Sasan auto (Rs.200-300 shared, Rs.500 private). Total 2-2.5 hrs. Last Talala-Sasan link leaves around 6 PM.
- Train + cab: Keshod Junction (KSD) on Rajkot-Veraval line. Take train to Junagadh or Veraval, then cab to Sasan. Maliya Hatina (30 km from Sasan) is a nearby broad-gauge alternative on the same line. Useful if you are coming from Rajkot side. For onward to the coast, operators offer a Diu to Keshod car rental combo in reverse — ask for Keshod-Sasan-Diu package if you land and head straight to Diu (140 km, 3.5 hrs).
Highway Safety & Practical Tips
- Wildlife protocol: If a lion or leopard is on SH-26, stop, kill headlights to low beam, wait. Do not honk or reverse fast. Sightings cluster 5:30-7:00 AM near Sasan west gate.
- Fuel: Fill at Sasan or Talala. Keshod has pumps but airport spur has none. CNG stations at Talala and Keshod — queues 20-30 min at 9 AM, so CNG cabs should top up night before.
- Cash + network: UPI works at Talala dhabas, patchy in buffer zone. Keep Rs.1,000 cash for driver balance, parking, tea. Jio and Airtel hold signal throughout; Vi drops near forest.
- Documents: Keep safari permit printout separate from flight ticket. Drivers sometimes mix them up at checkout. Photograph odometer at start — prevents extra-km disputes on 45 km routes billed as 90 km.
- Luggage check: Count bags before leaving lodge veranda. Roof-carrier straps loosen on Talala rumble strips — ask driver to re-tighten at Talala halt.
- Flight backup: IXK cancellations are common in monsoon and fog. Keep Rajkot (160 km, 3.5 hrs) as backup airport. Your Sasan operator can divert the same cab — negotiated rate Rs.4,500-5,000 sedan to Rajkot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Sasan Gir to Keshod?
40-45 km by road via Talala. Sasan Gir to Talala is 13-16 km on SH-26, Talala to Keshod town is 28-30 km, and Keshod town to the airport terminal is another 3-5 km. Total drive time is 1 to 1.25 hours without long halts.
How much does a taxi from Sasan Gir to Keshod cost?
Sedan (Dzire) Rs.2,200 one way, Ertiga Rs.2,800, Innova Crysta Rs.4,000. Tempo Traveller 12-seater Rs.6,000, 17-seater Rs.6,500. Same-day return costs Rs.3,200-3,600 for sedan. Parking Rs.50-100 extra if the driver enters IXK lane.
How long does it take to reach Keshod from Sasan Gir?
Plan 1.25 hours door-to-door. Non-stop run is 1 hour; a Talala halt or May-June truck traffic makes it 1.5 hours. Leave 3 hours before departure to cover check-in buffer.
Is Keshod Airport the closest airport to Sasan Gir?
Yes. Keshod (IXK) at 42-45 km is the closest, ahead of Diu (100 km), Rajkot (160 km) and Ahmedabad (375 km). But connectivity is limited to Alliance Air ATR flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Diu and Porbandar — usually 1 a day. Check schedules before locking safari dates.
Can I do a morning safari and catch a same-day flight from Keshod?
Yes, if your flight is after 11:30 AM. Exit Sasan by 9:30 AM to allow 90-minute check-in. 10 AM flights are too tight for a core safari — do Devalia the previous evening instead.
How much luggage can I carry in a Sasan-Keshod cab?
Dzire/Ertiga on CNG hold 2 medium bags. Innova Crysta holds 4 large bags plus cabin bags. Airport runs with 3+ suitcases need Innova or a roof carrier (Rs.300-400 extra). Tell the operator bag count at booking — drivers do not carry carriers by default.
Are there tolls or border taxes on this route?
No tolls and no border tax. Entire route is inside Gujarat on state and district roads. You pay only the cab fare plus IXK parking Rs.50-100 if the driver waits inside. Keep the parking slip — some operators reimburse it against waiting charges.
What if my Keshod flight gets cancelled?
Common in fog (Dec-Jan) and monsoon (Jul-Sep). Backup is Rajkot Airport (160 km, 3.5 hrs, Rs.4,500-5,000 sedan) with more flights, or Diu (100 km). Ask your Sasan driver to stay on call till boarding. Most lodges allow late checkout till 1 PM if you need to wait for rescheduling.
Is it safe to drive at night from Sasan Gir to Keshod?
Avoid after 8 PM. The 20 km Talala-Keshod stretch has no lights, unmarked breakers, and nilgai movement. Forest buffer checks restrict movement late evening. If your flight lands after 7 PM, stay at Keshod town and drive to Sasan next morning.
Are there buses or trains from Keshod to Sasan Gir?
Yes, with a change. GSRTC buses run Keshod-Talala hourly (Rs.40-60), then auto Talala-Sasan (Rs.200-300 shared). Trains run Keshod-Veraval/Junagadh on the Rajkot-Veraval line, then cab 40-55 km to Sasan. Total 2-2.5 hrs. Pre-booked cabs remain faster at 1.25 hrs door-to-door.
