How to Reach Gokarna, Karnataka, India
Gokarna is a small temple town on the western coast of India in the Uttara Kannada district of the state of Karnataka. The nearest airport and railway stations facilitate access to this coastal gem for travelers.
By Train:
Gokarna is accessible by train with the nearest railway station being Gokarna Road (GOK), which is about 10 kilometers from the main city. However, not all trains stop here, so the major railway station that people often use to reach Gokarna is Ankola (ANKL), about 20 kilometers away, or Kumta (KT), which is about 30 kilometers away. From these stations, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Gokarna.
By Flight:
The nearest airport to Gokarna is Dabolim Airport in Goa, which is approximately 140 kilometers away. From Goa, travelers can take a taxi or a bus to reach Gokarna. The drive from Goa to Gokarna offers a scenic journey alongside the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
By Road:
Gokarna is well-connected by road with the National Highway 66 passing nearby. One can drive down from various cities or take Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses which provide service to Gokarna.
Traveling from India's Top 10 Cities to Gokarna
Below are the approximate distances and suggested routes by road from India's top 10 cities to Gokarna, along with the mode of transport options available:
- Mumbai - Distance: About 700 km by road. Route: Mumbai - Panvel - Pune - Satara - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Dharwad - Yellapur - Gokarna via NH 48 and NH 66. Flight options available to Dabolim Airport (Goa). Train options available with nearest stations being Ankola, Gokarna Road or Kumta.
- Delhi - Distance: About 1950 km by road. Route: It’s best to take a flight from Delhi to Dabolim Airport (Goa) or take a long-distance train to the nearest railway station.
- Kolkata - Distance: About 2050 km by road. A flight to Goa is the most practical option followed by a road trip to Gokarna. Train options also available.
- Chennai - Distance: About 730 km by road. Route: Chennai - Vellore - Krishnagiri - Salem - Coimbatore - Kanjikode - Palakkad - Calicut - Mangalore - Udupi - Kundapur - Gokarna via NH 66. Flights are available to Goa along with train options.
- Bangalore - Distance: About 485 km by road. Route: Bangalore - Tumkur - Chitradurga - Davanagere - Haveri - Yellapur - Gokarna via NH 48 and NH 66. Flights to Goa and train options are available.
- Hyderabad - Distance: About 660 km by road. Route: Hyderabad - Zaheerabad - Humnabad - Gulbarga - Vijayapura - Bagalkote - Yellapur - Gokarna via NH 65 and NH 50. Flight and train options are available to Goa.
- Ahmedabad - Distance: About 1250 km by road. Route: Ahmedabad - Vadodara - Surat - Mumbai - Pune - Satara - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Dharwad - Yellapur - Gokarna via NH 48 and NH 66. Flight and train options to Goa/nearest railway stations as mentioned above.
- Pune - Distance: About 565 km by road. Route: Pune - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Dharwad - Yellapur - Gokarna via NH 48 and NH 66. Direct buses are available, as well as flights to Goa and train options to the nearest railway stations.
- Jaipur - Distance: About 1750 km by road. Opting for a flight to Goa or a long-distance train to the nearest train station is more feasible.
- Surat - Distance: About 870 km by road. Route: Surat - Mumbai - Pune - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Dharwad - Yellapur - Gokarna via NH 48 and NH 66. Flight and train options to Goa are available.
Note that road trips might require stops depending on the distance. Popular stopover cities include Pune, Belgaum, and Dharwad, where travelers can find accommodation and dining facilities.
Regardless of how you travel, remember to check for the latest travel advisories and road conditions.