Things to Do in Ahmedabad – Ahmedabad Travel Guide

Ahmedabad is the biggest city of Gujarat and is an economic and industrial hub of India. It is India’s one of the two UNESCO World Heritage cities, Jaipur is the other one. It is not a very popular tourist destination which I think is a shame and deserves to be one. I have gone there and I loved it. Ahmedabad has a lot to offer for all age groups from amazing museums, a fun theme park, beautiful monuments and delicious Gujarati delicacies. Since not very popular, going there would mean no big crowds, no exuberant hotel prices and very affordable travel.

Table of Contents
1 Best time to travel
2 How to reach Ahmedabad
2.1 Flight
2.2 Train
2.3 Bus
3 Must Things to Do in Ahmedabad
3.1 1) Kankaria Lake Front
3.2 2) Sabarmati Ashram
3.3 3) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial
3.4 4) Eat and Shop at Manek Chowk
3.5 5) Auto World Vintage Car Museum
3.6 6) Akshardham Temple
4 Other Things to Do in Ahmedabad
4.1 1) Relax at Sabarmati Riverfront
4.2 2) Vechaar Museum
4.3 3) Take Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad
4.4 4) Vaishno Devi Temple
4.5 5) Juma Masjid
4.6 6) Gujarat Science City
4.7 7) Calico Museum of Textiles
4.8 8) Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park
5 Get around in Ahmedabad
5.1 Bus
5.2 Cab
5.3 Auto-Rickshaws (Tuk-Tuk)
6 Stay in Ahmedabad
7 Food Cost in Ahmedabad

Best time to travel

October-March is the best time to travel to Ahmedabad. Temperature is much cooler but not chilly and perfect to roam around the city to experience all the sights. April-June is hot, while July-September is the rainy season and humid.

How to reach Ahmedabad

Flight

Ahmedabad has its own airport in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD). The airport serves flights to all the major Indian cities. From there, you can take a bus (approx. Rs 25 and 1 hour) or a cab (approx. Rs 200 and 30 minutes) to reach the city centre.

Train

The nearest train station is Ahmedabad Junction (ADI). Almost all the big cities have direct trains to Ahmedabad.

Bus

Ahmedabad is very well connected by bus to nearby cities.

Must Things to Do in Ahmedabad

1) Kankaria Lake Front

Kankaria Lake Front was developed around the Kankaria lake in 2008. Since then, it has become the major tourist attraction that attracts families all day round. It offers multiple attractions like the zoo, mini-golf, balloon safari, Water Park and much more which can be enjoyed by all ages.

ALSO READ: KANKARIA LAKE FRONT – MUST VISIT IN AHMEDABAD

Address – Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Vyayam Shala, Gate no. 3, Kankaria, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380022 Gujarat, India
Phone – +91 79 25472444
Official website – http://www.kankarialakefront.in
Opening Hours – 10 AM to 10:30 PM (closed on Monday)
Suggested Duration – 6 hours
Ticket Cost – Entry is free. Each activity costs extra.

2) Sabarmati Ashram

Located on the banks of the Sabarmati river, Sabarmati Ashram is the place where Mahatma Gandhi lived for 12 years along with his wife. From here, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Satyagraha Movement on 12th March 1930. The ashram displays archival materials such as photographs and writing; charkha used by him; the life of Gandhi in chronological order.

Address – Gandhi Ashram, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380 027, India
Phone – + 91 79 27557277
Official website – https://gandhiashramsabarmati.org
Opening Hours – 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM 
Suggested Duration – 1.5 – 2 hours
Ticket Cost – Free

3) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial

This is another museum that commemorates the freedom fighter of India. It is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also called the Iron Man of India, who was the 1st Home Minister of Independent India. The museum uses interactive exhibits to enhance the visitor’s experience. Museum also runs a 3-D sound, light and laser show in the evening on weekends which narrates the story of India.

Address – Gandhi-Sardar Smruthi Chowk, Opp. Circuit House, Shahibag, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380004
Phone – +91 79 22867027
Opening Hours – 9:30 AM to 5 PM (closed on Monday)
Suggested Duration – 1.5 hours
Ticket Cost – Rs. 20 (Adult), Rs. 10 (Child less than 5 years old)
3-D Show Timing – 7 PM to 7:45 PM (Sat & Sun only)
3-D Show Ticket Cost – Rs. 30 (Adult), Rs. 10 (Child)

4) Eat and Shop at Manek Chowk

This is an open square in old Ahmedabad. It is a vegetable market in the morning, the jewellery market in the noon and the street food market at the night. Here, you can shop for some jewellery in the morning and come back in the night for some delicious chaat.

5) Auto World Vintage Car Museum

This is the place to go for all car lovers. Auto World Vintage Car Museum is a private museum housing the collection of Antique vehicles including cars, motorcycles, buggies etc of renowned companies like Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Mercedes, Cadillacs. You can also take a car ride for a couple of kilometres for Rs. 500. If you are with kids, then there are a few kids rides just outside the museum you may go for.

Address – Dastan Estate, Sardar Patel Ring Road, Kathwada, Ahmedabad-382430, Gujarat, India
Phone – +91 79 22820699, +91 9824276653
Official website – http://www.vccci.com/vintage-car-museum
Opening Hours – 9 AM to 9 PM 
Suggested Duration – 1.5 hours
Ticket Cost – Rs 50, Rs 100 (Camera)

6) Akshardham Temple

This incredible temple is built in a 23-acre plot at Gandhinagar(30 kms from Ahmedabad), made of 6000 tonnes of pink sandstone. A 7 foot high, gold-leafed idol of Swaminarayan is the highlight of the temple. Do wait for the water show at night.

Address – Sector 20, ‘J’ Road, Gandhinagar – 382 020 Gujarat, India
Phone – +91 79 2326 0001, +91 79 2326 0002
Opening Hours – 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM (closed on Monday)
Official website – https://akshardham.com/gujarat
Suggested Duration – 2-3 hours
Exhibition Ticket Cost – Rs 60 (11+ years), Rs 40 (3-11 years)
Water Show Ticket Cost – Rs 90 (11+ years), Rs 60 (3-11 years)

Other Things to Do in Ahmedabad

1) Relax at Sabarmati Riverfront

Riverfront was opened to the public in 2012. Covering an area of 203 hectares with 11.5 km long lower promenades on both banks, the riverfront provides recreation time for both public and tourists alike. You may take a stroll along the promenade or enjoy the flora of the riverfront park or go for boating.

Official website – http://sabarmatiriverfront.com/
Opening hours – 4 AM to 1:30 AM
Suggested Duration – 1 to 2 hours
Boating Cost – Rs 20 (Motor Boat), Rs 100 (Speed Boat and Pontoon Boat)

2) Vechaar Museum

This is a personal museum with a collection of thousands of antique utensils made of brass, copper and bronze.

Address – Vishalla, Opp. APMC Market, Vishalla Circle, Ahmedabad – 380055, Gujarat, India
Phone – +91 79 26602422, +91 79 26600919, +91 8200543694
Official website – http://www.vishalla.com/museum.html
Opening Hours – 3 PM to 6 PM 
Suggested Duration – 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Rs 20 (12 years +), Rs 10 (3-11 years old), Rs 50 (Foreigners)

3) Take Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad

Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad is a guided tour arranged by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation which covers the glory of old Ahmedabad by going through old quarters with religious and heritage-rich places as stops.

Address – Heritage Cell, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Block-A, First Floor, Sardar Patel Bhavan, Sardar Patel Road, Danapith, Ahmedabad – 380 001, India
Phone – 1800 233 9008, +91 9687332484, +91 7567639008
Official website – https://heritagewalkahmedabad.com/
Opening Hours – Tour starts from Swaminarayan Mandir at 8 AM and ends at Manek Chowk, Juma Masjid at 10:30 AM
Suggested Duration – 2:30 hours
Ticket Cost – Rs 60 (Locals), Rs 120 (Foreigners)

4) Vaishno Devi Temple

This is a popular temple of the goddess Vaishno Devi. It is modelled based on the famous Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu & Kashmir.

Address – Vaishnodevi Temple, Gota, Ahmedabad-382481, Gujarat, India
Opening Hours – 5 AM to 10 PM
Suggested Duration – 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Free

5) Juma Masjid

Built in 1424 and made of yellow sandstone, Juma Masjid was once the largest mosque in Indian Subcontinent.

Address – Manek Chowk, Gandhi Road, Danapidth, Khadia, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001
Opening Hours – 6 AM to 10 PM
Suggested Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Free

6) Gujarat Science City

This was envisioned to promote science among kids through the use of 3-d films, an energy park, life science park and natural disaster simulators.

Travel Tip: I was encountered with the extremely low crowd on weekday causing the delay in the start of some of the attraction and cancellation of some. If you are planning to visit the Science city, then go on a weekend.

ALSO READ: GUJARAT SCIENCE CITY – AN UTTER DISAPPOINTMENT

Address -Gujarat Council of Science City, Science City Rd., Off S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad – 380 060
Phone – +91 7929703122
Official website – https://scity.gujarat.gov.in
Opening Hours – 10 AM to 7 PM
Suggested Duration – 3 hours
Average Cost – Rs 300

7) Calico Museum of Textiles

This colourfull museum houses textiles collection ranging from ancient textiles, royal tents, carpets and costumes of Mughal court. The museum can be explored through guided tour only which must be pre-booked.

Address – The Retreat, Opp. Underbridge, Shahibag, Ahmedabad-380004, Gujarat, India.
Phone – +91 79 22868172 , +91 79 22865995, +91 94297 07978, +91 97260 89595
Official website – http://calicomuseum.org/
Opening Hours – 10:30 AM to 1 PM (Guided tour -must arrive before 10:30 to join the tour) ; (closed on Wednesday)
Suggested Duration – 2.5 hours
Ticket Cost – Free

8) Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park

Only dinosaur museum of India, Indrorda houses the fossilized remains and eggs of the dinosaurs. Fossils are from world’s 3rd largest dinosaur fossil excavation site and 2nd largest hatchery located at Raiyoli, Balasinor, Gujarat.

Address – Nature Park Walk, Indroda, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382421
Phone – +91 79 2397 7313
Opening Hours – 8 AM to 6 PM (closed on Monday)
Suggested Duration – 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Rs 30 (12+ years), Rs 15 (5 – 12 years)

Get around in Ahmedabad

Bus

Ahmedabad has an excellent bus network and one can board a bus to get anywhere in Ahmedabad for a cost of Rs 3 to Rs 25 depending upon the distance.

Cab

App-based taxi aggregator like Uber and Ola are very common in Ahmedabad and doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket as well.

Auto-Rickshaws (Tuk-Tuk)

They are very popular and convenient when travelling to a shorter distance.

Stay in Ahmedabad

Accommodation is cheap in Ahmedabad as compared to metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai. If you are lucky, you can get a room at a 5-star hotel under Rs 6000.

Antra Service Apartment: This is an apartment turned hotel located 10 kilometres away from the city centre. The rooms are equipped with air conditioner, television, safe locker, Wi-Fi. Home-cooked food is also served on extra pay.
Price Range: Rs 800 – 1000

Hotel Accolade: This is a mid-budget hotel located in the city centre. The rooms are beautifully decorated and equipped with all the basic modern amenities. The major downside of this hotel is that it does not allocate a room to the unmarried couples.
Price Range: Rs 2500 – 3000

The Lotus Park: This is a 3-star hotel located in the city centre. The hotel has 49 rooms of three different categories, each equipped with all the modern amenities.
Price Range: Rs 2500 – 3000

Regenta Central Antarim: This is a 3-star hotel located in the city centre. All the rooms are contemporarily designed and come with modern amenities such as air conditioner, television, refrigerator, minibar, tea/coffee maker, safe and ironing facilities. The hotel also has a fitness centre and free access to computers located in the reception area. If you are a family of four, you can book a family room having two queen-sized bed.
Regenta Central Antarim was my abode in Ahmedabad. The staff was cooperative, service was good, and breakfast was excellent.
Price Range: Rs 3500 – 4500

Grand O7 Suites & Convention: This is a 5-star property located at about 15 kilometres from the city centre. It offers 160 stylish rooms across three categories, each equipped with all the modern facilities. Apart from the beautifully decorated rooms, the hotel also has a fitness centre, spa centre, swimming pool, tennis court, two mini-theatres, and kids play zone. If you don’t mind commuting for an hour to Ahmedabad city, this luxurious hotel is a steal at this price.
Price Range: Rs 4500 – 6000

Food Cost in Ahmedabad

Food is very cheap in India and Ahmedabad is no exception. In fact like hotels, restaurants rates are also cheap as compared to Delhi & Mumbai. One can have a meal as cheap as Rs 100 from a small restaurant or dhabas. Most mid-range restaurants cost around Rs 250 – Rs 400. Eating in a restaurant with a variety of cuisines and great ambience does not cost more than Rs 700 and after that sky is the limit.