Ahmedabad

Photos

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Best time to go

Sights and activities

Getting there

By bus

State and private buses link Ahmedabad with other Gujarat towns and with cities such as Mumbai (about 11 to 12 hours by overnight bus).

By train

Ahmedabad Junction (Kalupur) on the Western Railway is the main station, with about 35 trains a day from Mumbai and direct trains from New Delhi.

By air

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is about 9 to 16 km from the city centre (sources differ), roughly 35 minutes by taxi.

Where to base yourself

Stay near Ashram Road or the Sabarmati riverfront for easy access to both the old city and the ashram.

Getting around

• Ahmedabad Metro is the cheapest way across town, with short trips from about Rs 5 to 10 and most journeys under about Rs 35.
• BRTS (Janmarg) buses run on dedicated lanes, with tickets of about Rs 12 to 35 bought at the station before boarding.
• AMTS city buses are cheaper still, usually under about Rs 25, paid in cash to the conductor.
• Auto-rickshaws cost about Rs 80 to 250 for a ride across a few neighbourhoods; insist on the meter or agree the fare first.
• Ola and Uber cabs cost about Rs 170 to 500 for typical cross-city trips, and app-booked autos are also available.
• Prepaid taxi counters at the airport and railway station fix the fare in advance.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

• Statue of Unity (Kevadia): Road via Vadodara, about 4 hours, or train to Ekta Nagar. See the Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity trip
• Rann of Kutch: Train or road to Bhuj, about 6 to 7 hours. See the Ahmedabad and the White Rann of Kutch trip
• Dwarka: Train, about 8 to 9 hours, about 440 km by road. See the Gujarat: Dwarka, Somnath and Gir trip

Where to stay

Food

Manek Chowk in the old city turns into a street food market after dark, and Law Garden has a night market with food stalls. A cafe meal with drinks costs about Rs 500 to 1,000 per person. Gujarat is a dry state, so alcohol is not served in restaurants; visitors can get a liquor permit at licensed shops or the airport.

Try these

• Gujarati thali (vegetarian platter with dal, kadhi, rice, roti, vegetables and sweets)
• Fafda with jalebi (fried gram flour strips with sweet jalebi, a breakfast favourite)
• Dhokla and khaman (steamed savoury gram flour cakes)
• Khandvi (rolled gram flour and yoghurt snack)
• Chaas (spiced buttermilk)
• Shrikhand and basundi (sweet yoghurt and thickened milk desserts)

Vegetarian food is everywhere and is the norm. Jain-friendly food is widely understood. Non-vegetarian food is harder to find.

Daily costs

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No permit is needed to visit. Carry photo ID for hotel check-in. Drinking alcohol requires a liquor permit because Gujarat is a dry state.

Safety

By day

Generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowded markets such as Manek Chowk and the old city lanes.

At night

Night food markets at Manek Chowk and Law Garden are busy and popular, but much of the city winds down early.

Solo women

Ahmedabad is described as one of India's safer cities for solo women; the metro and BRTS have women's coaches or seating.

Roads

City traffic is heavy and rules are loosely followed; take care crossing roads, especially in the old city.

Emergency numbers

112 (all emergencies), 1800 203 1111 (Gujarat Tourism toll-free)

Practical

Mobile network

All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.

ATMs and cash

ATMs are easy to find in town. A large city with banks in all main areas.

Fuel

There are several petrol pumps in and around town. Fuel stations are found across the city.

Medical

Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Ahmedabad is a large city with major hospitals.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors

Most main sights are in the city and close together, but old city lanes are crowded and uneven; summer heat is tiring.

Children

Kankaria Lake and the riverfront are good for families; old city walks may be long for small children.

Wheelchair users

The old city's narrow lanes and stepwell stairs are difficult for wheelchair users.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

• Dress modestly and remove shoes at mosques and temples such as Jama Masjid and the Hutheesing Jain Temple.
• Gujarat is a dry state; do not drink alcohol in public without a permit.
• The pols are lived-in neighbourhoods; ask before photographing people or entering homes.
• Book the Calico Museum in advance, as visits are by registration only.
• Hotel prices rise during Navratri, Diwali and the November to February wedding season, so book early then.

What to pack

• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
• Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
• Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
• Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Ahmedabad

• Gujarat: Dwarka, Somnath and Gir, 6 nights
• Ahmedabad and the White Rann of Kutch, 4 nights
• Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity, 3 nights