Major city · India
Suratસુરત
Give Surat one full day for the castle, Gopi Talav and the food lanes, or two if you are shopping for textiles or diamonds; skip it in June–September.
Surat is Gujarat's diamond and textile engine on the Tapi river, not a monument city. Most foreign travellers pass through on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad rail line; those who stop come for wholesale fabric, diamond workshops and a food scene locals rate above almost anywhere in India. Sights are few and spread out, so a day or two is enough.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon), Apr–May (40°C (104°F)+)avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon), Apr–May (104°F (40°C)+)
- Airport
- STV
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Surat112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Surat, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetySurat is a low-crime city for its size and travellers rarely report trouble.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services · 100 police · 108 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTV Surat Airport (Magdalla; domestic flights plus Bangkok and Dubai.
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws do the work; agree the fare or insist on the meter before you sit.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a street stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Auto-rickshaw, 5 km (3.1 mi)Auto-rickshaw, 3.1 mi (5 km)Agree before you sit; meters are often ignored.₹100–180 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or monument entry₹20–100 (≈ US$1–2) (check)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₹600 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹8,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STV Surat Airport (Magdalla; domestic flights plus Bangkok and Dubai. About 30–40 min by taxi to the centre (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Surat: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws do the work; agree the fare or insist on the meter before you sit. City buses and the BRTS cover more ground but are slow and hard to read without Gujarati. Surat Metro is under construction (check). Most trips are 10–25 min by auto.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Valsad
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train or bus south on the Mumbai line, about 1 h
Coastal town with a quieter pace and access to the beaches at Tithal.
Bharuch
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train north on the Ahmedabad line, about 1 h
River town with the Golden Bridge and a small old quarter.
Daman
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus or car south via the coast, about 2 h
Former Portuguese territory; better with a night than as a return day.
Silvassa
cautionDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus or car east via Vapi, about 2 h
Union territory with tribal museums and gardens; long for a day return.
Saputara
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Train to Waghai or Billimora, then road, 4–5 h total
Hill station in the Dangs; only worth it with a night or two.
Kevadia (Statue of Unity)
overnightDoor to door: 3.5–4.5 h
Train to Vadodara, then road, or a direct bus, 3–4 h
A full day at the statue complex; sleep in Kevadia or Vadodara.
Dharampur
cautionDoor to door: 3–3.5 h
Bus or car east into the hills, about 2.5 h
Small hill town; transport is slow and infrequent.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Surat Railway Station area
Central, walkable to the castle and Chowk Bazar; best for a one-night rail stop.
Athwa Lines / City Light
Mid-range hotels, malls and restaurants; 15–20 min by auto from the station.
Piplod / Dumas Road
Newer hotels near Lake Garden and the airport road; needs an auto for everything.
Adajan / Rander
West bank of the Tapi; Rander's food lanes are the draw, but it is far from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × ₹3,500 | ₹3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Airport taxi, both ways2 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹2,400 |
| Auto-rickshaw, a day of short hops2 × ₹400 · check | ₹800 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,530 |
| Trip total≈ ₹8,420 per person per day, bed included | ₹16,830≈ US$200 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a street stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Locho or khaman plate | ₹40–80 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali at a mid-range restaurant | ₹250–500 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Auto-rickshaw, 5 kmAgree before you sit; meters are often ignored. | ₹100–180 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Surti ghari (per piece) | ₹30–60 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
| Museum or monument entry | ₹20–100 (≈ US$1–2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Auto drivers and hotel staff often speak little English; have your address written in Gujarati or Hindi.
- Summer heat is real: 40°C (104°F)+ in April–May, so plan indoor stops at midday.Summer heat is real: 104°F (40°C)+ in April–May, so plan indoor stops at midday.
- Monsoon flooding closes the Tapi causeway and water sports, usually July–September.
- Textile market wholesalers may refuse retail buyers; ask before you browse.
- Street food stalls are cheap and busy: pick ones with a fast turnover.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist helpline (India, 24 h)
- 1363
Pocket card
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Suratસુરત
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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આ સરનામે લઈ જાઓTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Police100
- Ambulance108
- Tourist helpline (24 h)1363
Embassy
No embassies in Surat; most countries keep embassies in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai. The British and US missions are in Delhi (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Surat Airport → city centre, taxi: ₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10), about 30–40 min (check)
- Auto, railway station → Athwa Lines: ₹80–150 (≈ US$1–2) (check)
- Train Surat → Mumbai Central: from about ₹200 (≈ US$3) sleeper to ₹1,500 (≈ US$18)+ AC chair (check)
Say or show
- નમસ્તે — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- આભાર — Thank you (aabhar)
- કેટલા રૂપિયા? — How much is it? (ketla rupiya?)
- મને આ સરનામે લઈ જાઓ — Please take me to this address (mane aa sarname lai jao)
- શાકાહારી છે? — Is it vegetarian? (shakahari chhe?)
- ટોઇલેટ ક્યાં છે? — Where is the toilet? (toilet kya chhe?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Surat. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon), Apr–May (40°C+) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for STV: taxi bands field-checked, late-arrival fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the castle and Chowk Bazar, Gopi Talav, Athwa Lines, Rander.
- Place pages with verified hours (Surat Castle, Science Centre, Andrews Library, Dutch Garden) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monsoon and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSurat Municipal Corporation
- officialGujarat Tourism
- officialAirports Authority of India — Surat Airport
- officialIndian Railways — IRCTC
- secondaryWikivoyage: Surat, revision 5322271 (CC BY-SA 4.0)