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Pop:
3.5 million Area
Phone Code: 079
Ahmedabad is the largest city in Gujarat and is an important industrial
city. It was once known as the “Manchester of the East”
because of its many textile factories. It has some interesting temples,
mosques, and museums.
It
is a good place to see buildings designed in the Indo-Saracenic style,
a blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. The walls of the city have
been taken down, but some of the gates still remain. The capital of
Gujarat, Gandhinagar, is 32km to the northeast.
Sultan
Ahmed Shah founded Ahmedabad in 1411. In the 17th century it was one
of India’s most important cities, but the city’s fortunes
declined over time. Ahmedabad became an important textile producer during
the British rule, and over the years it became an important industrial
town. Mahatma Gandhi established an ashram in 1915 and spent much time
here.
Orientation
The Sabarmati River flows north-south through the middle
of the city. The main section of the city is on the eastern, old city
side. The railway station is about 3km east of the river. The airport
is in the northeast section of the city. There are two main streets
that run west to east: Tilak Road (Relief Road) and MG Road (Gandhi
Road). Sir RC Road, which runs along the west bank of the Sabarmati
River, goes to the Gandhi Ashram. At the northern end it is called Ashram
Rd, and most people know it by that name.
Information
and Tours
The Gujarati Tourist Office (658-9683), MK House, is
across the river from the downtown, just off Sri RC Rd. (Ashram Rd),
near the South Indian Bank. It has information on the events in Ahmedabad
and a good map of Ahmedabad and Gujarat. Open daily except Sun and the
2nd and 4th Sat of each month from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2 to 5:30
pm. There are also tourist counters at the railway station and airport.
The
Municipal Corporation (535-2911), intersection of RM
Rd and Sardar Patel Rd, organizes a City Tour (Rs 40) from 9 am to 1.30
pm and 2 to 6 pm (4 hr), which departs from the local bus stand (Lal
Darwaja).
The
tourist office runs a five-day tour of Western
Gujarat, which includes Dwarka, Somnath, Sasan Gir, Junagadh,
Girnar, and Palitana for Rs 1850. The tour leaves every Friday.
On Saturdays,
a five-day tour leaves for North Gujarat and Rajasthan
(Rs 1650) and includes Udaipur, Mt Abu, Chittorgarh, and Modhera.
The Royal Orient Train provides a luxury tour of Rajasthan
and Gujarat for $150 a day between April and September, and $200 a day
between October and March. It stops in Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Palitana,
Somnath, Diu, Sasan Gir, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. The tour must
be booked in advance at the Gujarat Tourism Office (449-172;
fax 656-8183), HK House, Ashram Rd, in Ahmedabad, or the office in Delhi
(011 373-4015; fax 373-2482) at the Gujarat State Emporia Building,
Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
Goa
Tourist Office (384-895), Vaveli Building, Fantasa Pole, Gandhi
Rd.
The
Choice Is Yours publication has information about the
city and a fare conversion table for rickshaw meters. The Ahmedabad
edition of the Times of India has the latest flight and train information
on the second page.
Money, Post, Internet & Medical
Foreexchange, next to the Hotel Goodnight, changes
most currencies and travelers cheques efficiently and at the bank rate
(Mon to Fri 10 am to 6.30 pm, Sat 10 am to 4 pm). You can change money
at the Bank of India, Lal Darwaja, near the local bus
stand; Bank of Baroda, one on Relief Rd and another
on Ashram Rd; and Central Bank of India, Lal Darwaja.
You can withdraw money against your Visa card at the Ashram Rd branch
of the Bank of Baroda.
The
GPO is in the center of the city on Salapose Rd, near
Relief Rd.
VS
Hospital, Ashram Rd and Ellis Bridge; and Chaturbhuj
Lajpatral Hospital (783-6311), 3km north of the railway station,
are both good hospitals.
Random
Access, Agarwal Arcade, Panchwati Circle, Ambavadi Rd, has
internet facilities. Interactive Technologies, Mardia
Plaza, CG Rd, has good internet facilities. Interscape CYBER Cafe (640-4131)<
Panchwati Circle, has good connections ad i open 24-hous.
Cultural
Centers
The British Library (656-0693), Bhaikaka Hall, west
side of the Sabarmati River.
Alliance Française (644-1551), near the Gujarat
College, west side of Sabarmati River, has French books and sometimes
shows French films.
Darpana Academy (644-5189), Ashram Rd, has cultural
programs.
Foreigners’
Registration Office
Located at the Commissioner of Police (562-0990), Balvantrai
Mehta Rd, Shahibaug, north of the center city. You may be able to get
a visa extension here.
Bookshops
Sastu Kitab Ghar, across from the Relief Cinema, west
end of Relief Rd, has a decent choice of books.
Crossword, Shree Krishna complex, Mithakali
Six Rd, also has a good selection.
Jama
Masjid (Friday Mosque)
This interesting mosque, built in 1424 by Sultan Ahmed Shah I, has a
large marble courtyard with a small, reflecting pool in the center.
The mosque has 256 pillars, which support fifteen domes (cupolas). Two
of the minarets were destroyed in 1957 by an earthquake. Sections of
the mosque are built from the remains of old Hindu and Jain temples.
The detailed carvings on the pillars are mostly Hindu. By the main entrance
is a black slab said to be an inverted Jain figure.
East
of the entrance of the mosque is the Teen Darwaza (Three Doorways).
It is a 12m high triumphal arch.
Outside
the east entrance of the mosque, in a large pillared chamber, are the
Tomb of Ahmed Shah (1442) and the tombs of Ahmed
Shah’s son and grandson. The graves in the main chamber
are covered in gold-laced cloth. A guard can lift the cloth so you can
see the fine carvings. Women are not permitted to enter the tombs of
the male members of the family. Nearby is the tomb of the Shah’s
queen, Rani ka Hazira.
Other Mosques
The two most interesting mosques are the Jama Masjid and Sidi Saiyad’s
Mosques.
Sidi Saiyad’s Mosque, in Lal Darwaja, was built
by a slave of Ahmed Shah in 1573. The impressive interior has elaborately
carved domes and ceilings. The intricate latticework on the screens
along the upper walls is excellent. Women are not permitted to enter,
but can view the mosque from the outside gardens. It is located at the
western end of Relief Rd.
Ahmed
Shah’s Mosque, Sardar Patel Rd, was built in 1414 and
is one of the oldest mosques in the city. It used to be a private royal
mosque. There are Sanskrit inscriptions and Hindu designs—remains
of Hindu temples, which stood in the area. Across the street from the
mosque is Victoria Garden. It is southwest of Bhadra Fort.
Sidi Bashir’s Mosque and the Shaking Minarets,
near Sarangpur Darwaja Gate (south of the railway station),
has two enormous 21m high minarets supported by huge arches. It is believed
that if you shake one minaret, the other will also shake, which is supposed
to prevent them from being destroyed in an earthquake. The old mosque
was destroyed in 1752. There is now a new mosque with a green facade
and a colorful interior.
Rani
Sipri’s Mosque, Sardar Patel Rd, also known as Masjid-e-Nagira
(Jewel of a Mosque), was constructed in 1519. It has ornamented 15m
minarets and excellent latticework. The tomb in the middle contains
Rani Sipri, who had the mosque built after her son was executed for
a minor crime. The tomb has a central dome surrounded by twelve pillars.
It is in the southeast section of the city. Near here is the Dastur
Khan’s Mosque.
Babi’s
Mosque, southeast of the railway station, has a 25m shaking
minaret. You can climb to the top and a guide can make it sway.
Haibat Khan’s Mosque, near Jamalpur Gate, Dastur
Khan’s Mosque, and Rani Rupamati’s Mosque
north of city center, are also interesting. There are many mosques throughout
the city.
Sabarmati Ashram
Known locally as the Gandhi Ashram, this is a peaceful
place with reddish buildings and nice gardens located on Ashram Rd,
north of Gandhi Bridge, about 6km from the center of the city. Gandhi
stayed here from 1917–30. You can see his simple rooms and tour
an exhibit of his biography, photographs, quotes, and paintings. There
is a bookshop here that sells books by and about Gandhi, handicrafts,
and handmade paper. This is where Gandhi began his famous march protesting
the British Salt Law. The Ashram is open daily April to Sept from 8:30
am to 6:30 pm; Oct to March from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Admission free. Buses
#81, #82, #83/1, and #84/1 drop passengers here.
There
is an hour Sound and Light Show in English about Gandhi on Wed, Fri
and Sun at 9 pm.
Swami
Narayana Temple
This interesting temple, located in the north part of the city, is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. It was built in 1850. It is painted in bright
colors and has interesting stonework, intricate woodwork, and paintings
depicting the pastimes of Vishnu. It is usually crowded.
Hathi Singh Temple
Located north of Delhi Gate, this Jain temple was constructed of white
marble in 1848. It is dedicated to Dharamarath, the 15th Jain tirthankara.
It has detailed carvings and excellent floral patterns. Open to non-Jains
daily from 10 am to noon and 4 to 7:30 pm.
Calico
Museum of Textiles
The Calico Museum of Textiles, Shahi Bagh, 3km north of Delhi Gate,
is an excellent textile museum. It is located in a beautiful old haveli
(mansion) surrounded by the Shahi Bagh Gardens, which are beautiful
gardens containing fountains and peacocks. This museum is worth seeing.
The
museum is divided into two sections. One section displays a large collection
of textiles made from many fabrics in different styles from all over
India. There is fine silk embroidery and white-on-white shadow work.
There is also a collection of beautiful saris costing Rs 100,000 and
more. Some saris are woven by a process that if there is one mistake,
the work must be disassembled and begun again. Some have so much gold
work on them that they weight over 9 kg (20 lb).
The
other half of the museum displays textiles used for religious purposes.
There is an 8m long pictorial scroll, old tapestries, and an image of
Krishna from Nathdwar, Rajasthan. There are also exhibits describing
the process of how different cloth is made.
Open
daily except Wed and holidays. Visitors must take a tour to enter. Guided
tours begin at 10:30 am and 2:45 pm, 2½ hr. Admission is free.
Cameras not allowed. Buses #101, #102, #103, and #105 come by here.
Museums
The Tribal Research and Training Museum, north of Ashram
Rd, exhibits crafts from regional tribal people and illustrates their
customs. Open Mon to Fri noon to 6 pm and Sat noon to 2:30 pm.
The
Shreyas Folk Museum, in the Ambavadi area northwest
of the city, has a collection of folk art from all over Gujarat. It
displays handicrafts, textiles, costumes, and other items. Open daily
except Wed 9 am to noon and 3 to 6 pm. Buses #34, #41, and #200 pass
this museum.
The
Institute of Indology, close to Gujarat University,
has a collection of illustrated manuscripts and miniature paintings.
Open daily 11:30 am to 5:30 pm.
The
Mehta Museum at the Institute of Indology in Paldi,
southwest of the river, has a good collection of miniatures, most of
them modern. Open daily except Mon 10 am to noon and 3:30 to 6 pm. Admission
is free.
Vishalla
This is an artificially built, traditional Gujarati village located
4km south of Ahmedabad on Sarkhej Rd in Vasana. Potters and weavers
make traditional crafts in mud and thatch huts. They serve spicy traditional
Gujarati meals on leaf plates and in clay cups. Local folk music is
played during the meal.
There
is a Utensil Museum here with a good collection of
pots, utensils, boxes, scales, and pipes (open daily 5 to 10 pm and
Sun 10 am to 2 pm and 5 to 10 pm). Bus # 31 comes here. If you are coming
for the evening meal, it is a good idea to arrange an auto-rickshaw
or taxi for a round trip plus waiting time because it can be hard to
find return transportation at night.
Step Wells (Vavs or Baolis)
The Dada Hari Vav (1501) is one of the most impressive
step wells in Gujarat. It has intricately carved walls and pillars,
and the steps lead down to different levels and end at a small well.
It is in poor repair, but is still interesting. It is best to visit
just before noon when the sun lights up the lower levels of the well
and you can see the fine stonework.
Mata
Bhavani’s Vav has been converted into a temple. This
well, which was made before the founding of the city (around the 11th
century), is of Hindu design. It is about 300m north of Dada Hari Vav.
There
are several vavs in the north part of town, just south of Civil Hospital.
ISKCON
Temple
This large, newly built temple (449-945) is located on Satellite Rd,
Gandhinagar Highway Crossing. It is a popular place to visit. It is
located in the new western side of town, and by rickshaw takes about
a half hour (Rs 50) from the railway station.
Other
Places
Bhadra Fort and
Azamkhan’s Palace (in the fort), near Teen Darwarja,
were built in 1411 by the founder of Ahmedabad, Ahmed Shah. Made of
red sandstone, the buildings now house offices. There are fairly good
views from the ramparts. Teen Darwarja, “triple
gateway,” is east of the fort.
Kankaria
Lake, southeast of town, is a park with a central, artificial
lake built in 1451. It has thirty-four sides, each 60m long and is a
nice place to stroll. Near the lake are a Zoo and Aquarium. To get here,
you can take buses #32, #42, or #153 from the local bus stand (Lal Darwaja).
Where to Stay
Most the hotels near the railway station in the east part of the town
are not very good. The better hotels are in the western part of the
downtown, a few km from the railway station. The hotel prices are higher
here than in other places in India, especially because tax is added.
When I
arrived at the train station, the rickshaw drivers insisted that the
two hotels to which I wanted to go were closed. Of course they weren’t.
They did know a few good places, however, that were, of course, open.
Where to
Stay—Lower
Most of the budget hotels are by the railway station or close to Tilak
Rd (Relief Rd). The ones by the station can be noisy.
There are Retiring Rooms at the railway station that cost Rs
75 per person and Rs 150/200 for a room with A/C and a private bath.
Dorm beds cost Rs 50.
A-One Guest House (214-9823), opposite the railway
station, has basic, unclean rooms with common bath for Rs 200/250, decent
doubles for Rs 300/450, and dorm beds (men only) for Rs 80. It is best
to get an outer room as the inner rooms are dismal. 24-hour checkout.
Hotel Esquire (550-6840), opposite Sidi Saiyad Mosque
and off the road, has clean rooms for Rs 175 a person, but it is often
full.
Hotel Mumbai, just north of Sidi Saiyad Mosque on the
third floor of the KB Commercial Centre, has rooms for Rs 225/275 with
common bath and no windows. It is Rs 425/475 for rooms with bath and
hot water. 24-hour checkout.
Ashiana (535-1114), Salapose Rd, by the GPO, has basic
rooms with common bath for Rs 135/160 and Rs 150/177 with bath. 24-hour
checkout.
Hotel Naigra (550-4977), near Tilak Rd, has rooms for
Rs 225 with common bath, Rs 400/450 with bath, and Rs 550 with A/C.
24-hour checkout.
Hotel Relax (550-7301), down an alley across from the
Advance Cinema, is a popular, clean place and is a good value. Rooms
with hot water are Rs 150/200 and Rs 300/350 with A/C.
Hotel Natraj (550-6048), Dada Mavlankar Rd, near the
Lal Darwaja local bus stand, is in a quiet area. It has good rooms,
some with balconies with views overlooking the garden of Ahmed Shah’s
Mosque next door, for Rs 200/300. Free buckets of hot water. 24-hour
checkout.
Hotel Cadillac (550-7558), Dr Tankaria Rd, Lal Darwaja,
has inexpensive rooms, some with bath, and a dorm for men.
Where to
Stay—Middle
Metropole (550-7988), opposite Electric House, Relief
Rd, has rooms that are a pretty good value
for Rs 250/350 to Rs 450 and Rs 450/550 with A/C.
Hotel Mehul (550-7862) has less expensive rooms that
are not quite as nice, but are still good for Rs 200/250. Both of these
hotels are located down a side street near the end of Tilak Rd.
Hotel Good Night (550-6997), Dr Tankaria Rd, opposite
Sidi Saiyad’s Mosque, has well-maintained rooms with TV for Rs
300/450, AC rooms for Rs 400/500, and larger A/C rooms for Rs 450/550.
It is a little off the road, so it is relatively quiet. It has a good
A/C restaurant, 24-hour room service, and 24-hour checkout.
Hotel Sahil (550-7351; fax 550-6265), Dr Tankaria Rd,
by the Advance Cinema, has small rooms for Rs 350/400 and Rs 700 with
A/C.
Hotel Balwas (550-7135; fax: 550-6320), 6751 Relief
Rd, has clean, modern rooms with hot water and a TV for Rs 550/650 and
Rs 700/850 with A/C. It is well-maintained. 24-hour checkout.
Hotel Embassy (535-8463), Lal Darwaja, has comfortable
rooms for Rs 300/450 and Rs 600/700 with A/C. A good value.
Hotel Gujarat, third floor of Sneha complex, Dr Tankaria Rd, is a modern,
clean place with a roof terrace.
Hotel Ambassador (550-2490; fax 550-1122), on Lady
Vidyagauri Rd, near the end of Tilak Rd, Khanpur Rd. by the river, is
a large, modern place with clean rooms and hot water for Rs 600/800
and Rs 800/10000 with A/C. 24-hour checkout.
Hotel Kingsway (550-1215; fax 550-4566), Ramanlal Sheth
Rd, close to Tilak Rd. and the GPO, is a nice place with rooms for Rs
500/600 and Rs 700/850 with A/C. All rooms have hot water and a color
TV.
Hotel Shakunt (550-4615), Reid Rd, near the railway
station and just off Station Rd, has rooms with hot water and TV for
Rs 700/750 and Rs 800/850 with A/C. Some rooms do not have exterior
windows. 24-hour checkout.
Moti Mahal Guest House (213-1881; fax 213-6132), Kapasia
Bazaar, by the railway station, is a well-maintained place with clean
rooms, bath, and a TV.
Hotel Sarita (550-1569), near the Indian Airlines office,
has clean rooms for Rs 450/500 and Rs 550/600 with A/C.
Hotel Alif International (550-1270; fax 550-0540),
Khanpur Rd, has clean, modern, comfortable rooms for Rs 350/425 and
Rs 400/550 with A/C. It has a good restaurant. 9 am checkout.
Hotel Sarita (550-1569), K Vaghela Rd, has modern rooms
for Rs 450 and Rs 600 with A/C.
Stay Inn (550-0727; fax 550-2243), near Khanpur Gate,
is a well-managed place with clean rooms for Rs 1100 and Rs 1500 with
A/C.
Toran Guest House (Gujarati Tourism) (748-3742), opposite
the Gandhi Ashram, has peaceful rooms for Rs 350/550 and Rs 600/800
with A/C.
Where to
Stay—High
Hotel Capri (550-7143; fax: 550-6646), has poorly maintained
but clean rooms for Rs 650/700 to Rs 800/900. For the price, the rooms
are not so bad.
Rivera Hotel (550-4201), Khanpur Rd, has clean, comfortable
rooms for Rs 1100/1400. It has a lawn and is quiet. It is a good value
and recommended.
Hotel Mascot (550-3848; fax 550-3221), Khanpur Rd,
is a new hotel with modern, comfortable rooms for Rs 900/1400. Airport
pickup.
The four-star Cama Hotel (560-1234; fax 560-0200; Email:
camahotel@vsnl.com; http://www.camahotels.com), Khanpur Rd, along the
river, has a pool, garden terrace, bookshop, and currency exchange.
Its luxurious rooms are Rs 4000/4500 and up. This rate includes breakfast.
The restaurant is good. Checkout time 9 am. Recommended.
Across the river on Ashram Rd. is the four-star Hotel Nataraj
(550-8747), which has A/C rooms.
Shalin Suites (642-967; fax 656-0022), near Ellis Bridge,
has a pool and nice bedroom and lounge suites for Rs 2300 to Rs 3500.
The restaurant serves lunch buffets.
Holiday Inn (550-5505; fax 550-5501; http://www.holiday-inn.com),
Khanpur Rd. near Nehru Bridge, has good A/C rooms for 5500/6000. A buffet
breakfast is included in the price. It has an indoor pool, health club,
jacuzzi, sauna, 24-hour coffee shop. Checkout 9 am. The pool can be
used by nonguest for Rs 300
Inder Residency (656-5222) has rooms for Rs 2800/3500
which includes breakfast. It has a pool and health club.
Where to
Eat
RG Pizza and Tomato’s (656-6129), off Chimantal
Girdharlal Rd, near Law Garden, has good pizza (Rs 70 and up), Indian,
and Continental food. Open 10 am to midnight.
ZK, Relief Rd, near the Hotel Balwas, is a good, inexpensive
place.
Girish Ice Cream, near Law Gardens, is a popular place
with good ice cream.
Vishalla Village (079 644-6554403-357), on Sarkhej
Rd in Vasana, 4km south of town, has an interesting setting—like
a local village. Diners sit on the floor and watch a puppet show for
entertainment. Over twenty preparations are served with the thali. Lunch
(Rs 150) is from 11 am to 2 pm, and dinner (Rs 200) is from 7 to 11
pm; snacks the rest of the day.
Cactus Restaurant in the Hotel Mascot, is a good place
serving Chinese, Continental, and Indian food. It has live music on
Monday and Thursday nights.
Paramount, Khas Bazaar near Teen Darwaja, serves Chinese,
Continental, and Indian food.
Mirch Masala, Chandan Complex, CG Rd, is a popular
restaurant with good, spicy Gujarati food. Mirch means “pepper.”
New Swagath, Babha Complex, has good South Indian food.
Nutan has very good, inexpensive food.
Havmor, Salapose Rd, is a good bakery; also serves
good ice cream.
Patang, Chinubhai Centre, Ashram Rd, is a revolving
restaurant with live music at night. The buffet is worth the price.
For dinner, best to reserve in advance.
Where to
Eat—Pure Vegetarian
Kalapi (550-7779), Dr Tankaria Rd, opposite the Advance
Cinema, is the best restaurant in the Bhadra area. It is an A/C place
and is reasonably priced (usually less than Rs 35 a preparation). It
has a good selection of desserts.
Advance Restaurant, almost right next door, is cheaper.
Chetna Dining Hall, Relief Rd, near Jama Masjid, has
good Gujarati thalis for Rs 30 and individual South Indian dishes. Open
10:30 am to 3 pm and 6:30 to 10 pm.
Woodlands is a first-class South Indian restaurant
on the other side of the river near Navrangpura Municipal Market on
CG Road.
Sankalp Restaurant, also across the river off Ashram
Rd, not far from the tourist office, is a good South Indian restaurant.
It has the longest dosas in India (over 1m long), costing Rs 151. They
also have the highest stack of napkins at your table, about half a metre
high.
Gopi Dining Hall (657-6388), Pritamarai Rd on the west
side of Ellis Bridge, near VS Hospital, is a popular Gujarati thali
place. Lunch, Rs 50; dinner, Rs 65. Open 10:30 am to 3 pm and 6 to 11
pm. Best to book in advance.
Mehta Garden, west of the river, has very good thalis.
Travel
Air The airport (642-5633, 286-9266) is 1km south of
the city. From the airport an auto-rickshaw costs Rs 100 to the city
center. There are also local buses (#101, #103, and #105) that go to
Lal Darwaja, the local bus stand in town.
There
are flights to Chennai (2 weekly, $220), Delhi (4 daily, $190), Hyderabad
(2 weekly, $150), Jaipur (2 weekly, $95), Mumbai (5 daily, $75), Pune
(3 weekly, $90) and Vadodara (1 daily, $25).
Indian
Airlines office (550-3061; fax 550-5599), Tilak Rd (Relief
Rd.), close to Nehru Bridg between Sidi Sayyid's mosque to Nehru Bride.
Air India (658-5622, 642-5644), Premchand House Building,
Ashram Rd, west of the river near the High Court building, has direct
flights to America and the UK.
Archana (440-666); fax 402-348);
Gujarat Airways (286-8770; 642-3130); Navrangpura;
Jet Airways (754-3304; Airport: 286-8307);
Sahara (656-4049; fax 656-3977), Sadat Palace, Shahibagh.
Train
Ahmedabad in not on the broad-gauge line between Delhi and Mumbai. There
is a metre-gauge line that goes north to Delhi, passing through major
towns in Rajasthan on the way. There is, however, a separate broad-gauge
line that goes between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. City buses #48, #122, and
#133 go from the railway station to Lal Darwaja, the local bus stand,
near the hotels.
There
are eight trains a day to Mumbai (7-15 hr, but usually 9 hr), including
the Shatabdi Exp #2010 (7 hr). There are three trains daily to Delhi.
The trip to Delhi on the #2906 Ashram Express (5 pm) takes eighteen
hours. Some of the Delhi trains stop at Abu Road (6 hr), Ajmer (14 hr),
and Jaipur (17 hr). The Delhi Express #9904 (6 pm) is the quickest train
to Jaipur (16 hr 20 min). A train goes to Chennai (35 hr) four times
a week. The Sarai Rohila Exp #9644 (10.40 pm, 9 hr) departs daily to
Udaipur. There are two trains daily to Ujjain (9½ hr) and several
daily to Mount Abu (3½ to 6 hr). There are trains to Chittorgarh
(17 hr) and Jodhpur (three daily), including the Surya Nagari Exp #2908
(9 hr). Bhavnagar Bhavnagar-Ahmedabad Exp #9936 (7 am, 5½ hr),
Shetrunji #9910 (5.10 pm, 5½ hr).
There
are also trains to Vadodara (twenty daily), Surat (14 daily), and Vapi
(for Daman—eight daily). The Saurashtra Mail #9005 (6 am) departs
daily to Dwarka (10 hr) via Rajkot (3½ hr). The overnight Girnar
Express #9646 (10 pm) goes to Veraval (10½ hr) via Junagadh (9½
hr). The Somnath Mail #9924 (11 pm, 12 hr) goes to Veraval via Junagadh.
There is an overnight direct train to Bhuj (Bhuj Fast Pass, 8.30 pm,
17 hr), but it is much faster to take the Kutch Exp #9031 to Gandhidham
and then catch a train or bus from there.
Outside
the main station is a computerized booking office (Mon to Sat 8 am to
8 pm, Sun 8 am to 2 pm). Counter #6 efficiently deals with tourist quota
tickets. If you do not have a reservation, a berth on some trains can
be reserved at a temporary counter on the platform just before the train
departs.
Bus The Central (ST) bus stand (214-4754)
is southeast of the old city, a few km from any accommodations. Buses
to all over Gujarat and the neighboring states leave from here. For
long distances, the private minibuses are slightly more expensive, but
quicker.
The
local Lal Darwaja bus stand is just east of the river,
between Ellis and Nehru bridges. City buses #13/1, #32, and #52/2 go
between Lal Darwaja and the Central bus stand.
From
the Central bus stand buses go to Gandhinagar (1hr, every 15 min), Mehsana
(2 hr, every 15 min), Nal Sarovar (2 hr, in the morning), and Dholka
for Lothal (1½ hr, every half-hour).
There are regular buses to Mumbai (11 hr), Ujjain, Udaipur (7 hr), and
Mt Abu (7 hr). It is usually quicker and more convenient to take a bus
to Mt Abu than to take a train to Abu Road and a bus from there to Mt
Abu.
There
are many travel agencies that run private luxury buses to the major
cities and tourist towns in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. I was
told at the tourist office that Punjab Travels (656-9200) was a good
travel agency. They are located around the corner from the tourist office
by the Sankalp Restaurant at Embassy Market. They also have an office
at Shefali Centre, Pritamnagar Rd. There is also Shajanand Travel, Shefali
Centre, and Bonny Travels (657-6568), Shefali Centre.
If you know of
a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update
our listings, please e-mail us at:
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