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Ahmedabad

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Where heritage meets modern India

Ahmedabad stands as one of India’s oldest cities with a history stretching back over five centuries. Founded in 1411, it grew into a major center for trade and textiles under the rule of Sultan Ahmed Shah. Today, the city shows layers of its past through historic forts, mosques and stepwells alongside modern offices and bustling markets. The Sabarmati River runs nearby, offering quiet walks while local food stalls serve sweet treats like jalebi. Ahmedabad balances tradition with growth in a way that feels steady rather than rushed.

City in India
Climate zone: Hot steppe

Hot steppe: Semi-arid climates bordering hot deserts, with hot summers, limited rainfall and short grasses or shrubs dominating vegetation.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.5
General Safety:7
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:6
Tap water:2
Read details
Tourist English: 3/5
English proficiency varies across Ahmedabad. It's widely understood in tourist areas, hotels, and by educated professionals, particularly in the service industry. However, in local markets and residential areas, Gujarati and Hindi predominate, so basic ph
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Ahmedabad Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Strong in historic architecture and culture. Explore mosques and stepwells, visit Gandhi heritage sites, browse busy markets and enjoy vibrant street food.
Place score
7.3
Best at:
Street food
9
Local cuisine
8
Architecture
8
Walkable
7
Museums
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🥗 10
Vegetarian
🥦 8
Vegan
India – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type D , Type M
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type D:
Diagram of a Type D power plug
Type M:
Diagram of a Type M power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
£1 ≈ ₹126.52
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in India, especially in urban areas. Credit cards and mobile payment apps like Google Pay, Paytm, and PhonePe are widely accepted in cities.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is appreciated in India but not mandatory. A 10% tip in restaurants is common. Tipping taxi drivers and hotel staff is also customary, typically 10-15% for good service.
Public drinking: Public drinking is not commonly seen in India. Alcohol is typically consumed in licensed bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport stations.
Independence Day
(15 August)
A national holiday celebrated with flag hoisting and parades
Diwali
(October-November)
The Festival of Lights, celebrated with fireworks and festivities
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps: Ola, Uber
Other: India is a vast and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, offering a wide range of experiences from ancient temples to modern cities. Prepare for varying infrastructure and safety conditions depending on the region.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ahmedabad, India
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
⛈️
Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
High season: Jan. - Feb., Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season: March
Crowdedness: 6 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Temperatures regularly exceed 40°C from April to June, plan sightseeing for early morning
Uttarayan Kite Festival 14 to 15 January, rooftops and old city packed, hotels book out early
Navratri nine nights of garba dancing, late September to October, many events and crowded evenings

Why travel to Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad rewards travelers with an extraordinary architectural heritage that spans centuries, from the intricately carved Adalaj Step-well showcasing 15th-century craftsmanship to the serene Sabarmati Ashram where Gandhi launched his famous Salt March. The city's unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles is evident in landmarks like the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque with its famous stone latticework windows and the Jama Masjid with its 260 pillars supporting 15 magnificent domes. These structures tell the story of a city that has been a cultural crossroads for over 600 years. Beyond its architectural splendors, Ahmedabad offers immersive cultural experiences that engage all your senses. The bustling old city with its pols (traditional neighborhoods) connected by labyrinthine lanes reveals hidden havelis, bird feeders and community spaces that showcase a traditional way of life. Culinary adventurers will delight in the street food scene at Manek Chowk, which transforms from a jewelry market by day to a food paradise by night. For a more contemporary experience, the revitalized Sabarmati Riverfront provides a 22km promenade perfect for evening strolls. However, visitors should be prepared for the intense heat during summer months (March-June), occasional traffic congestion and the need to dress modestly when visiting religious sites.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Jama Masjid
  • 2 Swaminarayan Temple
  • 3 Bhadra Fort
  • 4 Sarkhej Roza
  • 5 Sabarmati Ashram
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Science City
  • 2 Sabarmati Riverfront Promenade
  • 3 Law Garden
  • 4 Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
  • 5 Narendra Modi Stadium
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Riverfront Children's Park
  • 2 Lokmanya Tilak Garden (Victoria Garden)
  • 3 Parimal Garden
  • 4 Kankaria Lake
  • 5 Vastrapur Lake
  • 6 Sabarmati River front Road
  • 7 Thol Bird Sanctuary
  • 8 Chandola Lake
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Big Bazaar
  • 2 Manek Chowk
  • 3 Ahmedabad One Mall
  • 4 Gulmohar Park Mall
🎈Events
  • International Kite Festival (January)
  • Navratri Festival (October)
  • Uttarayan (January)
  • Rath Yatra (July)
  • Holi (March)
  • Diwali Celebrations (October/November)
  • Gandhi Jayanti (October 2)
  • Ahmedabad Heritage Week
  • Sabarmati Marathon
  • Ahmedabad Food Festival

Knowledge before you go

  • Visit in winter (Nov-Feb). Summers hit 44°C, making sightseeing unbearable.
  • Join the morning heritage walk through old city pols, uncovering hidden historic alleys and architecture.
  • Dress modestly for temples and mosques; carry water and cash as street vendors rarely take cards.
  • Sabarmati Ashram offers profound Gandhi insights; time visit early morning to avoid crowds and heat.

How to travel to Ahmedabad

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad connects to major Indian cities and some international destinations, making it the primary gateway for air travelers. The city is well-connected by rail, with trains arriving from all major Indian cities at Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station. For road travelers, Ahmedabad is accessible via national highways, with regular bus services from neighboring states and cities. Within Gujarat, state transport buses provide frequent connections to Ahmedabad from cities like Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat.

Access summary

  • From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport (AMD): Taxi or bus, about 20–40 minutes.
  • From Mumbai: Frequent trains or 1-hour flights, overall journey about 1–9 hours.
  • From Delhi: Direct flights around 2 hours; overnight trains roughly 12–16 hours.

Where to stay in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad offers accommodation options for all budgets, from luxury hotels to mid-range and budget properties. The CG Road area features upmarket hotels convenient for business travelers, while Khanpur on the east bank of the Sabarmati River is popular with tourists due to its proximity to major attractions like the Sidi Sayed Mosque. Budget travelers can find affordable guesthouses in the old city area. For longer stays, serviced apartments are available in newer parts of the city. Booking in advance is recommended during festival seasons like Navratri and the International Kite Festival.

How to get around Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has a comprehensive public transportation system, with AMTS buses covering the entire city for very affordable fares (₹3 – 25 (£0.02 – 0.20) depending on distance). For tourists, the special 'Dekho Amdavad' (See Ahmedabad) air-conditioned bus tours are excellent for sightseeing, with morning and afternoon routes covering major attractions. Taxis are readily available with meter fares starting at ₹40 (£0.32) plus ₹22 (£0.17) per mile thereafter. Auto-rickshaws are a cheaper alternative for shorter distances. For those preferring more independence, car rentals are available for around ₹400 (£3.16) per day from services like Happy Travels.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-69 %
Daily expenses in Ahmedabad are around 69% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to INR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£17
£43
£128
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£5
£19
£53
🍝 Food per day
£10
£21
£71
🚕 Transportation per day
£1
£2
£5
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£6
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£2.70
🍟 Fast food combo
£3.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£3.20
☕ Cappuccino
£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£2.40
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.18
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£3
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.80
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£2.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£17
🤧 Cold medication
£0.80
💇 Basic haircut
£1.70

Safety information overview

General safety
7
Ahmedabad is generally safe for tourists, with lower crime rates than many Indian cities. Exercise standard precautions in crowded areas like markets and tourist spots. Women travelers should dress modestly and avoid isolated areas after dark. Traffic can be chaotic, so cross roads carefully.
Health & Medical
7
Medical facilities in Ahmedabad are good, with several modern hospitals offering quality care. However, travel insurance is recommended. The intense heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion, especially in summer. Food hygiene varies, so eat at reputable establishments to avoid stomach issues.
Accessi­bility
6
Accessibility is challenging in Ahmedabad, particularly in the old city with its narrow lanes and historic sites. Modern malls and newer attractions offer better facilities for those with mobility issues. Public transportation is generally not wheelchair-friendly, though some premium hotels provide accessible accommodations.
Tap water
2
Tap water in Ahmedabad is not safe for drinking. Rely on bottled or filtered water, which is readily available throughout the city. When dining out, ensure that water served is purified. During summer, stay well-hydrated due to the extreme heat.

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