Somnath to Khodaldham Car Rental – Cab Fare, Route and Booking Guide
143 km. Three hours, maybe four if you stop for breakfast at Junagadh. Somnath to Khodaldham—the drive most pilgrims take when they’ve finished the Jyotirlinga circuit and want to visit Gujarat’s most revered Khodal Mata shrine. Khodaldham isn’t just a temple. It’s where the Leva Patidar community gathers for their annual pilgrimage. The temple sits near Kagvad village in Rajkot district—14 km from Jetpur, just 4 km off the National Highway. And the drive from Somnath? One of the smoothest in Saurashtra—coastal air for the first stretch, then inland through Junagadh’s busy streets and into the quiet farmlands beyond. Here’s everything—fare, route, stops, and a few opinions I couldn’t resist throwing in.
Why Book a Car Rental from Somnath to Khodaldham
Here’s what most guides gloss over: Khodaldham isn’t easy to reach by public transport. GSRTC buses run to Jetpur, then you need another vehicle to cover the final 14 km to the temple. Trains? The nearest stations are Virpur and Jetpur—both require auto-rickshaws or local taxis for the last stretch. A car rental fixes everything. Door-to-door. AC. Freedom to stop at Junagadh for Uparkot Fort, or any temple that catches your eye along the way. And the cost? Starts at ₹5,850. For 143 km, that’s competitive—especially when you factor in the time you save and the headaches you avoid.
The route itself is part of the experience. This isn’t a boring highway drive. It’s coastal Saurashtra for the first hour, then inland through Junagadh and into the green farmlands of Rajkot district. Flat, open, dotted with villages. Your driver navigates the highway while you enjoy views of the Arabian Sea in the distance. Different moods. Both valid. The full Somnath itinerary covers both cities—but getting between them? That’s this guide.
Somnath to Khodaldham Car Rental Fare — All Cab Options
Six vehicles. Three price tiers. The cheapest (Swift Dezire) runs ₹5,850. The priciest (26-seater Tempo) hits ₹21,800. All fares include fuel, toll charges, and driver allowance. No hidden costs. Here’s the breakdown—not the polished version, the real one.
Vehicle
Type
Capacity
Luggage
Fare (₹)
Best For
Swift Dezire
Sedan
4 Seats
2 bags
5,850
Couples, solo travelers
Ertiga
SUV
6 Seats
2 bags
7,250
Small families
Innova Crysta
SUV
6 Seats
4 bags
10,500
Comfort-focused families
Tempo Traveller 14
Tempo
14 Seats
10 bags
15,200
Groups of 8-12
Tempo Traveller 17
Tempo
17 Seats
10 bags
16,000
Larger family groups
Tempo Traveller 26
Tempo
26 Seats
10 bags
21,800
Pilgrimage groups, tours
Swift Dezire — The Budget Pick
₹5,850. The cheapest option on this route. AC sedan, four seats, two bags. Is it luxurious? Not remotely. But the highway is mostly well-maintained—the Dezire handles 143 km without complaint. For couples or solo pilgrims, it’s the obvious choice. Not fancy. Just works.
Ertiga & Innova Crysta — Family Choices
Ertiga at ₹7,250 seats six with two bags. Decent for a family of four who packed reasonably. Then there’s the Innova Crysta at ₹10,500—noticeably more spacious, four bags fit without playing luggage Tetris, and the ride quality takes a noticeable step up. If you’re traveling with elderly parents or small kids? The extra ₹3,250 pays for itself over a 3-4 hour drive. Both are AC. Both are clean. But the Innova—it just handles the long stretch better. Different class of vehicle entirely.
Tempo Travellers — Groups & Pilgrimage
The 14-seater at ₹15,200. The 17-seater at ₹16,000. Same price difference as other routes—bit odd, but that’s the rate. The 26-seater jumps to ₹21,800. All AC. All carry 10 bags. For 10-12 people, the 14-seater works. Larger pilgrimage groups? The 26-seater at ₹21,800 breaks down to ₹838 per person. Add the return and it’s still under ₹1,700 for the complete Somnath-Khodaldham transfer. That’s cheaper than most bus tickets. Good instinct.
Somnath to Khodaldham Route — Distance, Time & Road Conditions
One route. No ambiguity. NH 27 from Somnath to Khodaldham is the only sensible option—shorter, faster, and better maintained than any alternative. Here’s the detail.
6:00 AM – 7:00 AM (arrive Khodaldham by mid-morning)
The route is straightforward. Exit Somnath, pass through Veraval, then follow NH 27 through Junagadh and Jetpur to Khodaldham. The road is mostly smooth, well-maintained. In light traffic, you can cover 143 km in under four hours. Most people take longer because the stops along the way earn the time. And they will. Junagadh alone is worth a 30-minute stop—Uparkot Fort, Mahabat Maqbara. Jetpur is known for its textile mills. And the final stretch to Khodaldham? Quiet farmland, villages, and the kind of rural Gujarat that most tourists never see.
How to Book Your Car Rental
Three ways. All simple. All take under five minutes.
Online Booking
somnathyatra.com/booking — Select your vehicle, choose pickup date and time, enter your details. Confirmation arrives instantly via email and SMS. The entire process takes about 90 seconds.
WhatsApp Booking
Send a message to 919228317067. Mention your pickup location (Somnath), drop location (Khodaldham), preferred date, and number of passengers. The team responds within minutes with vehicle options and fare details. Confirm, and your booking is locked. WhatsApp works well if you have questions—more conversational, less formal.
Phone Booking
Call 099789 02166. Direct. Immediate. No waiting. The booking team handles everything—vehicle selection, route planning, special requests. Good for last-minute bookings or if you prefer speaking to a human. Also works if you’re already on the road and need to adjust your plans.
One-Way vs Round Trip — Which Makes More Sense
Depends on your plans. Both options are available. Here’s the honest comparison.
Option
Distance
Best For
Cost
One-Way (Somnath → Khodaldham)
143 km
Continuing to Rajkot/Ahmedabad
Starting ₹5,850
Round Trip (Return Same Day)
286 km
Day pilgrimage, return to Somnath
Starting ₹11,700
Round Trip (With Rajkot)
350 km
Temple + city visit combo
Starting ₹14,500
My suggestion? If you’re doing a day pilgrimage—leave Somnath early, visit Khodaldham, return by evening. The round trip makes sense. If you’re continuing to Rajkot or Ahmedabad afterward, book one-way and arrange a separate vehicle from Khodaldham. Don’t overthink it. The one-way fare covers 143 km comfortably. The round trip doubles the distance. Decide what serves your pilgrimage best.
Best Time to Travel
Ideal Departure Time
6:00 AM. Start early. Reach Khodaldham by 10:00 AM. Avoid the midday heat, the afternoon crowds, and the tired driver factor. Temple visits are better in the morning. The light is softer. The queues are shorter. And you have the entire day ahead of you.
Season Guide
Season
Months
Experience
Winter
November – February
Best time. Pleasant 15-25°C. Ideal for temple visits and road travel.
Summer
March – May
Hot (35-42°C). Start at 5 AM. Carry water. AC vehicle essential.
Monsoon
June – October
Green landscapes, occasional rain. Roads stay passable. Carry umbrella.
Khodaldham has its own peak season—during Chaitra Navratri (March/April), the temple draws lakhs of visitors. Book your vehicle well in advance if you’re visiting during this period. The entire region buzzes with devotees. Different energy entirely.
Popular Stops on the Somnath-Khodaldham Route
143 km isn’t a long drive. But three stops make it memorable. And they’re worth the time.
Veraval (5 km from Somnath)
Fishing port. Busy streets. The old Junagadh state was here. If you left Somnath and realized you forgot breakfast, Veraval has dhabas that serve the kind of poha that makes you forget you’re on a schedule. Quick stop. 15 minutes.
Junagadh (55 km from Somnath)
The big stop. Uparkot Fort—2,300 years old, carved into the hillside. Mahabat Maqubara—a tomb that looks like it belongs in Iran. Girnar Hill for the adventurous (10,000 steps, not for the faint-hearted). Junagadh demands time. Give it 30-45 minutes minimum. Or skip it entirely and head straight to Khodaldham. Different priorities. Both valid.
Jetpur (129 km from Somnath)
Textile town. Known for block printing. Not much to see for a passing traveler—but the dhabas here serve excellent Gujarati thali. 20-minute lunch stop. Then the final 14 km to Khodaldham through quiet farmland.
Somnath to Khodaldham — Taxi vs Other Options
You have options. Some good. Some less so. Here’s the honest comparison.
Option
Time
Cost
Comfort
Verdict
Car Rental
3-4 hours
From ₹5,850
AC, door-to-door
Best option. Period.
GSRTC Bus
4-5 hours
₹150-250
Basic, no AC on some
Cheap. Uncomfortable. Bus to Jetpur, then another vehicle.
Shared Taxi
4-5 hours
₹200-350 per seat
Shared, fixed timing
Budget option. Wait for enough passengers. No flexibility.
Self-Drive
3-4 hours
₹2,500-4,000 + fuel
Full control, GPS needed
Only if you know Gujarat roads well. Navigation can be tricky near Khodaldham.
The car rental wins. Not even close. Door-to-door. AC. No waiting. No transfers. No “the bus left 10 minutes ago” moments. For ₹5,850, you get a clean vehicle, a professional driver, and the freedom to stop wherever you want. That’s not a luxury—that’s common sense.
Group Travel — Tempo Traveller & Packages
Traveling with 10+ people? The math changes. And it gets better.
Vehicle
Capacity
Total Fare
Per Person
Best For
Tempo 14
14 Seats
₹15,200
₹1,085
Groups of 10-12
Tempo 17
17 Seats
₹16,000
₹941
Larger groups
Tempo 26
26 Seats
₹21,800
₹838
Pilgrimage groups, tours
The 26-seater at ₹21,800. Twenty-six seats. AC. Ten bags. That’s ₹838 per person for a 143 km journey. Add the return and it’s still under ₹1,700 for the complete Somnath-Khodaldham transfer. That’s cheaper than most bus tickets. Most Somnath Yatra taxi packages include this option. Good instinct.
Group booking tip: For 15+ people, book at least 3 days in advance. Peak season (Navratri, Mahashivratri) fills up fast. WhatsApp your group size and preferred date to 919228317067 — the team will match you with the right vehicle.
Khodaldham. The name itself—Khodal Mata—tells you everything. This is Goddess Khodal’s temple. The main deity, Khodal Mata, is believed to have self-manifested (swayambhu) centuries ago. The temple sits on a small hillock near Kagvad village in Rajkot district. 14 km from Jetpur. 4 km off the National Highway. Not grand. Not sprawling. Intimate. Powerful. The kind of place that doesn’t need architecture to command respect.
The temple complex includes the main shrine, a large dharamshala for pilgrims, and open grounds that fill up during festivals. The Leva Patidar community considers this their kuldevi temple—entire families arrive during Navratri with offerings, prayers, and the kind of devotion that makes you pause. The temple trust maintains the complex well. Clean. Organized. Efficient. Even during peak season, the darshan queues move steadily. That’s rare for a temple this popular.
And the temple itself? It doesn’t try to impress you. The architecture is modest. The carvings are simple. But the energy—whatever you want to call it—is different. The air feels still. Personal. Almost private. Maybe it’s the rural setting. Maybe it’s the centuries of devotion. Either way, Khodaldham isn’t a tourist destination. It’s a pilgrimage. Treat it that way.
Temple Timings
Session
Timing
Morning Aarti
6:00 AM
Darshan Hours
6:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Evening Aarti
7:00 PM
Quick Facts
Detail
Information
Deity
Khodal Mata (Goddess Khodal)
Location
Kagvad, Rajkot district, Gujarat
Nearest Town
Jetpur (14 km)
Nearest Railway
Virpur (8.6 km), Jetpur (14.5 km)
Nearest Airport
Hirasar Airport, Rajkot (95 km)
Best Season
October – March
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Khodaldham from Somnath?
143 km by road via NH 27. Travel time: 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic and stops. The route passes through Junagadh and Jetpur.
What is the car rental fare from Somnath to Khodaldham?
Starts at ₹5,850 for a Swift Dezire. Ertiga: ₹7,250. Innova Crysta: ₹10,500. Tempo Travellers: ₹15,200 to ₹21,800. All fares include fuel, toll, and driver allowance.
How long does the drive take from Somnath to Khodaldham?
About 3 to 4 hours. Leave early at 6:00 AM and you reach Khodaldham by mid-morning. The route is mostly smooth with occasional traffic near Junagadh.
How do I book a car rental from Somnath to Khodaldham?
Three options. Online at somnathyatra.com/booking, WhatsApp at 919228317067, or call 099789 02166. All take under five minutes.
Can the cab stop at places along the route?
Yes. Tell the driver before departure. Veraval at 5 km, Junagadh at 55 km, Jetpur at 129 km. Detours add 10 to 30 minutes depending on how long you spend.
Is it safe to travel at night?
Yes. Drivers are police-verified, vehicles GPS-tracked. But recommended hours are 6 AM to 6 PM. The Jetpur-Khodaldham stretch has limited lighting after dark.
Can I book a round trip?
Yes. Both one-way and round-trip available. Round trip fares include return distance and driver allowance. Popular option for day pilgrimages.
What types of cabs are available?
Three tiers. Sedan (Swift Dezire) for 4 passengers. SUV (Ertiga, Innova Crysta) for 6 passengers. Tempo Traveller for 14 to 26 passengers. All AC.
Is fuel included in the fare?
For outstation routes, fuel is usually included. Confirm when booking. No surprise charges at the end.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Contact the booking team via WhatsApp or phone. Usually free if cancelled 12 plus hours before pickup. Flexibility built into the system.
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Written by
adminsy
Content writer at Somnath Yatra — sharing travel guides, heritage stories and local insights from Gujarat.
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