How to reach Dholera
Dholera sits about 100 km southwest of Ahmedabad on the western coast of the Gulf of Khambhat. For visitors today, the practical way in is by road, since the rail link is planned and the airport is not yet open. Here is an honest look at each option.
By road from Ahmedabad
Road is the realistic option for reaching Dholera right now. The Ahmedabad to Dholera Expressway is a 109 km, four-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway built by NHAI, designed for a speed of 120 km per hour and expandable to eight lanes. It was reported inaugurated on 31 March 2026 and is operational. Before the expressway, the drive from Ahmedabad took roughly two to two and a quarter hours. With the new road, reported travel times have fallen toward the 40 minute to one hour range, though sources vary, so treat that as a guide rather than a promise. A FASTag toll is planned on the corridor, but specific rates are not reliably published yet, so carry a working FASTag and check current signage. Most visitors either self drive or hire a taxi from Ahmedabad for the day. Because Dholera is an early stage greenfield area, fuel stops and roadside services along the route are still limited, so it helps to refuel and stock water and snacks before you set out. Give yourself buffer time for the return leg, especially if you are also visiting Lothal, which lies roughly 36 km from Dholera.
By rail (planned, not yet built)
A dedicated rail link is approved but not built, so you cannot take a train directly to Dholera today. The Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) to Dholera Semi-High-Speed Rail was approved by the CCEA, announced through a PIB release dated 13 May 2026. The plan describes a roughly 134 km double line connecting Ahmedabad, the Dholera Special Investment Region, the planned Dholera airport, and the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. Completion is targeted up to 2030-31, so it remains a future project rather than a current travel choice. Figures circulating in the press, such as a 220 km per hour speed and a 45 to 48 minute journey, are not confirmed, so we will not present them as fixed. For now, if you prefer to travel most of the way by train, you can take a train to Ahmedabad, which is well connected to the national rail network, and then continue by road.
By air (airport not yet open)
Dholera International Airport is under construction and is not open to passengers. It sits about 20 km from the Dholera Special Investment Region and about 80 km from Ahmedabad. An earlier target of December 2025 was missed. The first aircraft, an AAI calibration and trial flight, landed on 4 June 2026 on the 3,200 metre runway near Pipli village. That milestone shows the runway is usable, but it does not mean the airport is receiving commercial flights. Reports describe the runway, taxiways, and ATC tower as complete and the passenger terminal at roughly 75 percent, with the project around 80 percent complete overall. Operations have been reported as targeted for September to October 2026, but that is a stated target, not a confirmed opening. Until scheduled flights begin, fly into Ahmedabad and continue by road.
Putting it together
For a trip planned in 2026, the simplest approach is to base yourself in Ahmedabad, which has the airport, rail connections, and the widest choice of hotels, then reach Dholera and nearby sites such as Lothal by road using the expressway. A private car or taxi gives you the most flexibility, because public transport into the greenfield area is still thin. Confirm your driver knows the expressway route and current toll arrangements. If you are combining Dholera with Lothal, Nalsarovar, or Velavadar, plan the day around driving distances rather than assuming quick local hops, since services between sites are limited. Always check the latest status locally before you travel, as the corridor is changing quickly.
Things to check before you travel
Because the region is changing month to month, a few checks save trouble. Confirm the current status of the expressway toll and carry a working FASTag, since payment arrangements on new corridors settle over time. If you are hiring a taxi from Ahmedabad, agree the route, the waiting time at each stop, and the fare before you leave, and make sure the driver is comfortable with the expressway and with the roads out to Lothal and any nature spots you want to add. Check the opening hours of the sites you plan to visit, as Lothal and other heritage places keep their own timings and may have closed days. Look at the weather, since the flat coastal Bhal plains can be very hot outside the cooler months, and pack water and sun protection accordingly. Finally, tell someone your plan for the day and keep a charged phone, because connectivity and services thin out once you leave the main corridor. None of this is difficult, but a little preparation turns a long drive into an easy one.
FAQ
Can I fly directly to Dholera?
No. Dholera International Airport is still under construction and not open to passengers. A trial aircraft landed on 4 June 2026 and operations have been reported as targeted for September to October 2026, but that is only a target. For now, fly to Ahmedabad and continue by road.
How long does the drive from Ahmedabad take?
Before the new expressway the drive took roughly two to two and a quarter hours. With the Ahmedabad to Dholera Expressway, reported travel times have fallen toward 40 minutes to about an hour, though sources vary. Treat that as a guide and allow buffer time.
Is there a train to Dholera?
Not yet. A semi-high-speed rail link of about 134 km was approved in May 2026 with completion targeted up to 2030-31, but it is not built. Take a train to Ahmedabad and continue by road.