RegionOutline guide

Gujarat

State in western India

Photo: NASA, MODIS, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Gujarat (Gujarati: ગુજરાત Gujarāt) is a state in the western region of India. Lothal, near to Ahmedabad and Dholavira, near to Kutch are sites of a Harappan (Indus) civilisation, which existed more than 4,000 years ago. Gujarat is known for the Stepped Wells, Jain Temples, Asiatic Lion, and business-oriented people.

Regions

North Gujarat
A semi-arid to arid region with culture and language influenced by neighbouring Rajasthan
Central Gujarat
The Gujarati heartland. Ahmedabad and Vadodara are the main cities in this region.
South Gujarat
Hot, wet and green, this region is rapidly urbanising and industrialising
Saurashtra
This hilly and fertile region was never part of British India. Instead it survived as more than 200 princely states under British suzeranity till independence.
Kutch
The largest district in the state and the country, famous for the Rann of Kutch; a huge salt desert

Getting there and around

Getting there

By car
Gujarat has 1,572 km of National Highway network.
By train
India has comprehensive rail network. Indian Railways has a 5,890 km rail network in Gujarat.

Read in the guide

Getting around

By rail
Trains are a reliable option for covering long distances across Gujarat.
By air
Air travel is the fastest way to move between Gujarat’s major cities or connect with destinations outside the state.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Sardar Vallabh Patel International Airport

Ahmedabad · International · AMD

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Read before you go to Gujarat

Articles and travel topics about Gujarat and India.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandGujarat is a dazzlingly diverse state that shakes up the know-it-all Indophile, and reveals treasures hidden from the tourist hordes. Gujaratis are famous for their thrift and entrepreneurship.

TalkThe official language of the state is Gujarati. It is the native language of virtually everyone living in the state.

Get inFlights into smaller airports of Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Diu, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Keshod, Surat and Rajkot connect through Mumbai.

Get aroundRoad travel is the backbone of movement across Gujarat, and it’s often the most flexible way to explore the state’s cities, coastlines and rural landscapes.

See

BuyShopping in Gujarat is shaped by its long craft traditions, busy markets and coastal trade routes. Every region has its own specialties, and browsing local bazaars is often as interesting as the purchases themselves.

EatGujarati thalis are the most recognisable way to experience the state’s food culture.

DrinkGujarat’s drink culture is simple and mostly centred around everyday, non‑alcoholic favourites. Across the state you’ll find stalls and cafés serving masala chai, fresh lassi, buttermilk (chaas) and seasonal juices.

Stay safeCities like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara are lively, especially around markets and old‑city lanes. Crowds are normal, and it’s easy to get swept along in the bustle.

Respect

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Gujarat" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Gujarat", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: NASA, MODIS, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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