City guide

Ahmedabad

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD)

Airport

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD)

Time zone

IST (UTC+5:30)

Currency

INR (₹)

Language

Gujarati, English in hospitals

Getting to your hospital

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport sits roughly 15km from the main hospital cluster along SG Highway, typically a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic. Pre-paid taxi counters and ride-hailing apps are both available at arrivals.

Weather & best time to visit

Summers (April-June) are very hot and dry, often exceeding 40°C, which is worth avoiding for post-operative recovery if travel dates are flexible. November to February is mild and comfortable, and is generally the best window for both travel and recovery.

Hospital districts

Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city, known for strong private hospital infrastructure and a calmer pace than India's larger metros. It suits patients who want good clinical care without a high-intensity big-city environment.

Accommodation

Guesthouses and extended-stay hotels cluster near the SG Highway hospital corridor, generally a more practical choice than city-centre hotels further from the treatment area.

Accessible transport

Ahmedabad is generally considered a safe, low-intensity city for international visitors. Ride-hailing apps operate reliably for day-to-day movement between hospital, accommodation, and errands.

Dietary support

Gujarat has a strong vegetarian food culture, making it easy to find vegetarian and Jain meals; non-vegetarian options exist but are less prominent than in other Indian cities. One distinctive local fact worth knowing: Gujarat is a dry state, and alcohol is restricted for those without a permit.

Recovery-friendly communication

Gujarati is the main local language, with Hindi widely understood. English is spoken confidently within hospitals and professional settings, though less so in everyday street-level interactions outside that environment.

Staying connected

Local SIM cards and eSIMs are available at the airport and in the city, with reliable 4G coverage across hospital and accommodation areas.

Emergency numbers

All-in-one emergency112
Ambulance102
Police100
Fire101

Keep the treating hospital's 24-hour helpline, and know the nearest consulate for your home country, which for most nationalities means the consulate in Mumbai or Delhi rather than a local Ahmedabad office.

Planning checklist

Passport, visa and medical letter
Hospital 24-hour helpline saved offline
Prescription list and medical records
Local SIM or eSIM activated on arrival
Cash plus card (INR) for the first 48 hours
Travel and medical insurance details
Companion contact info shared with hospital