Quick answer: Wankaner is easy to reach by train: Wankaner Junction (station code WKR) is on the main Western Railway line between Ahmedabad and Rajkot, and it is also where the branch line to Morbi starts. By road, Wankaner is about 53 km from Rajkot, with Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and private buses on most routes. There is no airport in Wankaner; the nearest is Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar.
Wankaner is a town and taluka headquarters in Morbi district, Gujarat. It sits on a bend of the Machhu river, which gives the town its name (“riverbend” in Gujarati). Wankaner was the capital of a princely state ruled by the Jhala Rajputs, and its best-known landmark is the Ranjit Vilas Palace on the hills above the town. Today Wankaner is also part of the ceramic and tile industry belt around Morbi, so many business travellers pass through.
Wankaner was part of Rajkot district until 2013, when the new Morbi district was created.
Wankaner travel options at a glance
| Mode | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Express and superfast trains to Wankaner Junction; local DEMU trains to Rajkot and Morbi | Travellers from other states and from Ahmedabad |
| Bus | GSRTC and private buses from Rajkot, Morbi, Ahmedabad and other cities | Travel within Gujarat |
| Car | Road links to Rajkot (about 53 km) and Morbi | Business trips and flexible plans |
| Air | Fly to Rajkot International Airport (Hirasar), then continue by road | Long distances |
How to reach Wankaner by train
Wankaner Junction (WKR) is in the Rajkot division of Western Railway. It sits on the Viramgam–Okha main line and is the junction for the branch line to Morbi and Maliya Miyana. Passenger, DEMU, express and superfast trains all stop here. Because of this, many people from Morbi use Wankaner as their railhead for Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Mumbai.
Station records list trains such as the Saurashtra Express, the Somnath Superfast Express, the Rameswaram–Okha Express and the Bandra Terminus–Jamnagar Humsafar Express among those that stop at Wankaner. Local DEMU trains also start from Wankaner for Rajkot and for Morbi.
An earlier version of this article printed a list of trains such as the Rajkot–Secunderabad and Pune–Veraval services. Train names, numbers and days of running change, so use that list only as a starting point and check current services:
- Open the Indian Railways National Train Enquiry System (enquiry.indianrail.gov.in) or IRCTC.
- Search from your starting station to “Wankaner Junction (WKR)”.
- Check the days of running; several long-distance trains are weekly.
- Book early during festivals and school holidays, and avoid unreserved coaches in those peak periods if you can.
How to reach Wankaner by bus
GSRTC, the state-run bus operator, connects Wankaner with Rajkot, Morbi and other towns in Saurashtra, and with Ahmedabad and other big cities. You can check timetables and book seats on the official GSRTC website (gsrtc.in) or its app.
Many private bus operators also run through the Wankaner area, especially on long-distance and overnight routes. Some of these buses stop on the highway outside the town rather than at the Wankaner bus depot, so confirm the exact boarding and drop-off point when you book, and arrange local transport for the last stretch.
How to reach Wankaner by car
Wankaner is about 53 km from Rajkot by road, and it is also linked by road with Morbi. From Ahmedabad, drivers usually take National Highway 47 west towards Bamanbore, where it meets National Highway 27 (the Rajkot–Morbi–Kutch corridor), and then follow local roads to Wankaner; check the turn-off on a map app. The roads carry heavy goods traffic because of the ceramic industry, so allow extra time.
An earlier version of this article said Wankaner is connected by “National Highway No. 8-A” with Kandla and Ahmedabad. India renumbered its national highways in 2010: the Ahmedabad–Bamanbore section of the old NH 8A is now part of NH 47, and the route on towards Morbi and Kutch is part of NH 27.
How to reach Wankaner by air
Wankaner has no airport. The nearest is Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, a new airport inaugurated on 27 July 2023. All of Rajkot’s scheduled flights moved there from the old Rajkot city airport in September 2023. From Hirasar, take a taxi or bus to Wankaner. If the flight timings from Hirasar don’t suit you, Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has many more flights, and you can continue by train.
An earlier version of this article said Rajkot’s domestic airport was 50 km from Wankaner. That referred to the old city airport, which no longer handles scheduled flights, so the figure has been removed. Check the road distance to Hirasar on a map app before booking a taxi.
Things to see in Wankaner
- Ranjit Vilas Palace: built from 1907 on a hill overlooking the town and the Machhu river, it mixes Venetian-Gothic, Italianate, Mughal and Rajput styles. It was the royal family’s residence, so check locally whether any part is open to visitors before you go.
- Combining trips: Wankaner fits easily into a Saurashtra itinerary with Rajkot, Morbi and Surendranagar.
See also our guides on how to reach Morbi, how to reach Rajkot and how to reach Surendranagar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wankaner a railway junction?
Yes. Wankaner Junction (WKR) is on the Ahmedabad–Rajkot main line and is where the branch line to Morbi and Maliya Miyana begins.
Which is the nearest airport to Wankaner?
Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar. Ahmedabad’s airport is further away but has more flights.
How far is Wankaner from Rajkot?
About 53 km. Buses, taxis and trains, including local DEMU services, run between the two.
Which district is Wankaner in?
Morbi district. It was part of Rajkot district until Morbi district was created in 2013.
Details checked in October 2026 against Western Railway station records, national highway route records and reporting on Rajkot’s new airport at Hirasar. Train and bus timetables change, so check them before you travel.
