Overview
Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, offers UK travellers India's first UNESCO-listed walled city, a world-famous textile tradition and a deep connection to Mahatma Gandhi. It's a firm favourite with visitors heading to see family across Gujarat, plus anyone drawn to history, architecture and superb vegetarian food. If you're looking for cheap flights to Ahmedabad, the live fare data and price charts on this page are the quickest way to see what routes cost right now.
Best time to fly to Ahmedabad
The most pleasant weather runs from November to February, with warm, dry days and cooler evenings – ideal for sightseeing. March to June becomes very hot, often well above 40°C, while the monsoon brings humidity and heavy downpours from roughly July to September. Mid-January is lively with the Uttarayan kite festival, and Navratri in the autumn is a spectacular time to visit. For the best value, check the When to book chart above to see how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Air India operates a nonstop service between London Gatwick and Ahmedabad, with a typical flight time of around nine hours. Many travellers instead choose a one-stop route through a Gulf or European hub – Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, Etihad via Abu Dhabi or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul – with total journey times usually between 12 and 17 hours. Connecting flights depart from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, which often makes them the easiest choice outside London. Use the price charts on this page to compare airlines and dates.
Things to do in Ahmedabad
Compact and walkable in parts, Ahmedabad blends medieval mosques, ornate Hindu and Jain temples and a proud craft heritage.
- Sabarmati Ashram: Gandhi's riverside home from 1917 to 1930 and the starting point of the Salt March, now a moving museum.
- Old City heritage walk: An early-morning guided stroll through carved havelis and pols, the tightly knit lanes of the UNESCO World Heritage city.
- Sidi Saiyyed Mosque: Famed for its delicate stone jali screens, including the Tree of Life design that has become the city's emblem.
- Adalaj Stepwell: An intricately carved five-storey water well just outside the city, cool and atmospheric even at midday.
- Calico Museum of Textiles: One of the world's finest collections of Indian fabric; book the guided tour well ahead.
At Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD)
The airport sits about 9 km north-east of the centre, typically 20 to 30 minutes by road. Prepaid taxis and app cabs such as Uber and Ola are the simplest way into town, while auto-rickshaws are cheaper for shorter journeys. The international (Terminal 2) and domestic (Terminal 1) buildings are close together, with a shuttle between them if you're carrying on to a domestic flight.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Ahmedabad
- Book roughly two to six months ahead, and use the When to book chart above to see this route's pattern.
- Fly midweek and avoid the Diwali, Christmas and summer school-holiday peaks, when Gujarat routes fill fast.
- Keep your dates flexible and check the price charts on this page for cheaper departure days.
- Compare the nonstop Gatwick flight against one-stop Gulf carriers – a connection is often cheaper, especially from regional airports.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for India. Most travellers apply online for an e-Visa well before departure, with a passport valid for at least six months. The currency is the Indian rupee (INR); cards and UPI are widely accepted, but carry some cash for markets and rickshaws. Drink bottled or filtered water, and check the latest health and vaccination advice on the NHS Fit for Travel and TravelHealthPro websites before you travel. Gujarat is a dry state, so alcohol is heavily restricted.
