Day Trips from Ahmedabad. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Accessible Locations Within Day-Trip Distance

Gandhinagar: Approx. 25 kilometers PER 1 hour drive. Gujarat'the capital city, known for wide roads and Akshardham Temple.

Modhera: Approx. 100 km / 2-2.5 hour drive. Home to the 11th-century Sun Temple.

Patan: Approx. 125 kilometers AN 2.5-3 hour drive. Features Rani ki Vav and Patola silk weaving.

Lothal: Approx. 80 km / 1.5-2 hour drive. Ancient Harappan archaeological site.

Vadodara: Approx. 110 km / 2 hour drive. Cultural capital with Laxmi Vilas Palace.

Transportation Options

Gandhinagar: Local bus, taxi, ride-sharing (Uber/Ola).
Modhera, Patan, Lothal: Private car with driver or organized tour.
Vadodara: Frequent train and bus connections, private car.
Organized tours simplify logistics and often include guides. Book day trips here.

Natural Escapes

Discover nature's tranquility within reach of Ahmedabad.

Parks and Nature Reserves

Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary (approx. 25 km): Ideal for birdwatching, especially for migratory birds in winter.

Highlights

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (approx. ABOUT 37 miles): Larger wetland sanctuary with diverse avian population.
Boat trips at Nal Sarovar for closer bird views.
Best birdwatching: November-February.

Scenic Landscapes & Beaches

Rural Gujarat: Drives to Modhera and Patan present views of fields and traditional villages.

Further Afield

Mount Abu (Rajasthan, 225 km): Hill station, often an overnight trip.
Closest significant beaches (Diu, Dwarka, Mandvi) require multi-day trips.
Seasonal natural phenomena: Migratory birds at Thol and Nal Sarovar during winter.

Cultural Excursions

Historical Sites

Modhera Sun Temple: Intricate carvings, beautiful stepwell.
Rani ki Vav (Patan): UNESCO World Heritage Site, architectural marvel.
Lothal: Ancient Harappan port city ruins.
Akshardham Temple (Gandhinagar): Modern architectural marvel, spiritual site.

Rural & Pilgrimage Sites

Rural Villages: Glimpse into Gujarati life during drives or specific tours.
Akshardham Temple (Gandhinagar): Prominent Swaminarayan pilgrimage site.
Dwarka & Somnath: Important Hindu pilgrimage sites further afield, multi-day trips.
Organized tours cover these sites well. Browse cultural excursions.

Time Required & Itineraries

Gandhinagar:Half-day to full-day.
Modhera & Patan:Full day.
Lothal:Half-day.
Vadodara:Full day.

Organized Tours:Convenient for multiple sites.
Independent Travel:More flexibility, budget-friendly via public transport.
Book tours:GetYourGuide
Day trips:See options

Travel Tip:

Consider a guided tour for hassle-free exploration of distant sites like Modhera and Patan.

Multi-Day Extensions

Consider extending your trip to explore more of Gujarat's diverse attractions.

Rann of Kutch 2-3 days

Visit the vast white salt desert, especially during Rann Utsav (Nov-Feb). Explore craft villages.

Gir National Park 2-3 days

Last refuge of the Asiatic Lion. Advance safari bookings recommended for wildlife experience.

Dwarka & Somnath 2-3 days

Important Hindu pilgrimage sites on the Arabian Sea coast. Shrines and spiritual significance.

Logical Next Destinations

Combine Ahmedabad with other popular Indian regions.

Options

Rajasthan: Udaipur (260 km) or Mount Abu (225 km) overland.
Mumbai: Well-connected by flight, train, and bus.
Explore more of India's diverse experiences. Find tours.

Transportation Connections

Plan your journey effectively for these longer trips.

Modes of Transport

Rann of Kutch (Bhuj): Overnight trains, long-distance buses, private car.
Gir National Park: Private car, or train to Veraval/Junagadh.
Dwarka & Somnath: Overnight trains, buses, or private car.

Suggested Routes for Longer Regional Travel

Gujarat Heritage Circuit:7-10+ days.

Route:Ahmedabad - Modhera/Patan - Bhuj (Kutch) - Dwarka/Somnath - Gir - Vadodara.

Coverage:Heritage, culture, wildlife, coastal areas.

Diverse Experiences:Comprehensive itinerary.

Planning:Pre-book transport and accommodations.

Experience:Full appreciation of Gujarat.

Planning Tip:

For a Gujarat Heritage Circuit, allow ample time for travel between destinations.
Consider breaking up long drives with overnight stays.
Safari bookings for Gir National Park book up rapidly.
Rann of Kutch visits are seasonal, typically November to February.
Use online booking platforms for train and bus tickets.

Itinerary Recommendations

Detailed plans to maximize your Ahmedabad visit.

-Hour Layover Highlights

Focus on historical and cultural activities for a short visit.

Your Day

Morning (9 AM - 1 PM): Ahmedabad Heritage Walk.
Lunch (1 PM - 2 PM): Traditional Gujarati Thali.
Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM): Visit Sabarmati Ashram.

Evening & Departure

Concluding your brief but enriching Ahmedabad experience.

Last Moments

Evening (5 PM - 8 PM): Law Garden Night Market for shopping and street food.
Or head to Kankaria Lake for recreation.
Departure from Ahmedabad.

Weekend Getaway 2-3 Days

A longer visit for city exploration and a day trip.

Day 1: Arrival & Old City

Arrive, check into accommodation.
Ahmedabad Heritage Walk & Old City lunch.
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Jama Masjid, Hutheesing Jain Temple.

Day 2 & 3: Legacy & Excursion

Carry on with your travels through history and local culture.

Activities

Day 2: Morning Sabarmati Ashram, Calico Museum (pre-booked).
Afternoon: Auto World Vintage Car Museum or Science City.
Evening: Law Garden Night Market.
Day 3: Day trip to Adalaj Stepwell, Modhera Sun Temple, Patan (Rani ki Vav) or Lothal.

One-Week Comprehensive Experience

A week covers most attractions and a few day trips.

Days 1-3

Follow the "Weekend Getaway" itinerary for Ahmedabad city highlights.

Day 4-5

Day 4: Gandhinagar excursion (Akshardham Temple, Indroda Nature Park). Day 5: Deep dive into culture/interests (Calico Museum, Sanskar Kendra, cooking class). Book experiences.

Day 6-7

Day 6: Nature or relaxation (Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary, spa). Day 7: Farewell and departure after souvenir shopping.

For Longer Stays:

Consider two-week itineraries combining Ahmedabad with multi-day regional trips (Rann of Kutch, Gir, Dwarka/Somnath, Rajasthan). Long-term stays benefit from cultural immersion, niche exploration, and community engagement.

Interest-Based Routes

Personalize your schedule for your passions.

Historical and Heritage Focus

1

Old City Exploration

Heritage Walk, Jama Masjid, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Hutheesing Jain Temple, Dada Hari ni Vav, Sarkhej Roza.

2

Day Trips

Adalaj Stepwell, Modhera Sun Temple, Patan (Rani ki Vav), Lothal archaeological site. Find historical tours.

3

Architectural Gems

Focus on the intricate designs and historical significance of structures across the region.

Food and Culinary Experiences

Street Food Hubs: Manek Chowk, Law Garden, other street food areas.
Traditional Dining: Swati Snacks, Gordhan Thal for Gujarati thalis and snacks.
Specialty Experiences: Cooking class or dedicated food tour.
Local Delicacies: Taste various local snacks and sweets.
Explore Markets: Visit local markets for fresh produce and spices.
Cultural Immersion: Dining experiences reveal local customs.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

City Options: Limited adventure within Ahmedabad.
Nature Escapes: Day trips to Thol Loch or Nal Sarovar for birdwatching.
Longer Trips: Gir National Park for wildlife safaris (requires advance booking).
Rural Cycling: Explore rural areas by bicycle for a different viewpoint.
Photography: Capture diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Outdoor Pursuits: Activities outside the city.

Family-Friendly / Art & Architecture / Spiritual & Wellness

Family-Friendly

Kankaria Lake (amusements, zoo, toy train), Gujarat Science City, Auto World Vintage Car Museum, Sabarmati Riverfront.

Art & Architecture

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Jama Masjid, Hutheesing Jain Temple, Adalaj Stepwell, Sanskar Kendra (Le Corbusier), Calico Museum of Textiles.

Spiritual & Wellness

Sabarmati Ashram (reflection), Hutheesing Jain Temple, Swaminarayan Temple, Akshardham Temple (Gandhinagar), yoga/Ayurvedic clinics.

Customize Your Path:

These routes are adaptable. Mix and match experiences to design your perfect Ahmedabad journey.

Day Trips from Ahmedabad