[category]
[title]
Daman & Diu, Delhi's closest bet for beaches, Portuguese forts and a relaxed coastal evening, has surprisingly been awkward to reach from the capital. Until now, getting there usually meant enduring a 15-hour train journey from Hazrat Nizamuddin or flying to Surat before hopping on a lengthy road or rail transfer.
Thankfully, that's history. Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has launched direct scheduled flights to NAMO Airport (Daman Airport) in Daman with Alliance Air, making spontaneous beach weekends a lot more realistic for Delhiites.
How expensive is the flight?
According to MakeMyTrip, the limited direct flights between Daman and Delhi currently run twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays), in the morning, with a total duration of approximately three hours. You can secure a ticket for around ₹7,000.
The flight, even if booked a month prior, will be slightly more expensive than a train journey. But at the fare it is currently operating at, the air journey is a significant value addition. While a train from Delhi to Daman or Surat station will cost anything between ₹800 and ₹3,500 for a day long travel before you can reach your accommodation, the flight will land you directly in central Daman, saving nothing less than 10 hours.
Why Daman & Diu deserve a spot on your travel list
Its Portuguese-era churches and forts, quiet palm-lined beaches, seafood and slower pace of life make Daman the perfect breather. While travellers from Gujarat and Maharashtra have long treated Daman as a quick coastal escape, Delhiites finally have an equally convenient way in.
While Diu is small enoigh to explore in a weekend, with its stunning Portuguese heritage. Starting with the imposing Diu Fort, with cannons face the Arabian Sea, the Naida Caves, a maze of sandstone tunnels carved by time, and lastly, St. Paul's Church. When in Diu, you can beach-hop between the calm waters of Ghoghla, the lively shores of Nagoa and the nascent corners of Chakratirth.
The new route is also expected to improve connectivity for the region's booming manufacturing sector, spanning pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and engineering.
Interconnectivity between Daman & Diu
Separated by nearly 650km of coastline, Daman and Diu may share the same Union Territory, but travelling between the two is not straightforward and involves a combination of trains and long road transfers.
Here's how most travellers make the journey
By road (fastest and most flexible): The drive takes around 11–13 hours, following the scenic coastline via cities such as Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara and Bhavnagar.
By train: There is no direct rail link. You can take a train from Vapi (the nearest railway station to Daman) to Veraval or Delvada, followed by a taxi or bus to Diu. This option typically takes 12–15 hours, depending on connections.
By air: There are no direct flights between Daman and Diu. Travellers usually fly via Mumbai or Ahmedabad, or combine a flight with a road journey.
IGI just keeps getting bigger
Delhi Airport continues to cement its position as India's most connected aviation hub. It operates more than a thousand domestic flights every day and handles over five million domestic passengers each month. With this recent addition, IGI now has direct flights to 90 domestic destinations (including seasonal winter services to Khajuraho and Jaisalmer). This makes Delhi Airport the only airport in India with non-stop connectivity to 32 of the country's 36 states and Union Territories.
Whether you're headed for the Himalayas, the desert or, now, an underrated stretch of the Arabian Sea coast, chances are there's a direct flight waiting.