How to Reach Dholera: Road, Rail and Air
Planning a visit or a site trip? Here is how you actually get to Dholera today, and what is coming, with honest labels on what is open versus targeted.
By road today
Today, the main route is by road from Ahmedabad via the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway (reported operational since March 2026), a drive of roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour. REPORTED The airport (targeted late 2026) and the semi-high-speed rail (targeted 2030-31) are not yet operational, so road is the practical option now. TARGET
Dholera is about 100 km south-west of Ahmedabad. DURABLE With the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway reported operational since March 2026, the drive is reported cut to roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour, from the earlier 2 to 2.25 hours. REPORTED Exact times vary by source and starting point.
The airport
The Dholera International Airport is being built about 20 km from Dholera SIR, but it is not operational yet (reported ~80% complete, operations targeted late 2026). TARGET Until it opens, the nearest working airport is Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International), about 100 km away, roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour via the expressway. REPORTED
Dholera International Airport is not open yet. As of July 2026 it is reported about 80% complete after a review by the Union Civil Aviation Minister, with commercial operations targeted for September-October 2026. TARGET
Be careful with the opening date: the airport has a single runway (3,200 m, Code 4E) and its opening has slipped repeatedly since around 2010, so we present the date as a target, never as achieved. The earlier December 2025 target was missed.
Rail on the way
The Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) to Dholera semi-high-speed rail was approved by the CCEA and confirmed via a PIB release on 13 May 2026. Cost is about Rs 20,667 cr for a roughly 134 km double line, described as India's first semi-high-speed rail using indigenous technology, completion targeted up to 2030-31. TARGET
It is planned to connect Ahmedabad, Dholera SIR, the upcoming Dholera airport and the Lothal heritage complex. The often-quoted 220 km/h speed and 45-48 minute journey are press figures; the official PIB release states the cost, length and timeline, not a speed. REPORTED
The distances
Approximate distances from Dholera SIR: Ahmedabad ~100 km (~40 min to 1 hr by expressway), Dholera International Airport ~20 km (under construction), Lothal ~36 km, Nalsarovar ~78 km, Salangpur ~85 km, Velavadar ~110 km. REPORTED The Dholera airport is ~80 km from Ahmedabad. All distances are approximate and vary by exact start point.
FAQ
How do I reach Dholera?
Today, the main route is by road from Ahmedabad via the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway (reported operational since March 2026), a drive of roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour. REPORTED The airport (targeted late 2026) and the semi-high-speed rail (targeted 2030-31) are not yet operational, so road is the practical option now. TARGET
What is the nearest airport to Dholera?
The Dholera International Airport is being built about 20 km from Dholera SIR, but it is not operational yet (reported ~80% complete, operations targeted late 2026). TARGET Until it opens, the nearest working airport is Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International), about 100 km away, roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour via the expressway. REPORTED
How far is Dholera from Ahmedabad?
Dholera is about 100 km south-west of Ahmedabad. DURABLE With the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway reported operational since March 2026, the drive is reported cut to roughly 40 minutes to 1 hour, from the earlier 2 to 2.25 hours. REPORTED Exact times vary by source and starting point.