Arriving
Compare Cities, Settling In, Flights & Connections. 7 min read.
01Compare Cities
How Ahmedabad compares with other cities
Most people thinking about Ahmedabad are weighing it against the big cities of the west and south. Here is a fair comparison on the things that matter for a move within India in 2026.
| Category | Ahmedabad | Mumbai | Pune | Bengaluru |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | Low-Moderate (48) | Very High (100) | Moderate (60) | High (72) |
| 3BHK Rent (Gated, Premium) | ₹45k to 95k/month | ₹1.5L to 3.5L/month | ₹50k to 1.5L/month | ₹80k to 1.8L/month |
| Finance / GIFT City IFSC | · India's only IFSC | · Financial capital | · Limited | · Growing |
| Manufacturing / Pharma | · Pharma & textiles | · Limited | · Auto & engineering | · Moderate |
| IT Sector Depth | · Emerging (GIFT/GCCs) | · Strong | · Hinjewadi/Kharadi | · Dominant |
| Healthcare | · Apollo, Zydus, CIMS | · Deepest network | · Strong | · Strong |
| Schools | Deep CBSE/GSEB + 4 intl | 8+ flagship IB schools | Strong CBSE + 3 IB | 6+ IB schools |
| Commute / Traffic | · Easiest (metro+BRTS) | · Severe (suburban rail saves you) | · Moderate-High | · Severe (limited rail) |
| Climate Comfort | · Lovely winters; fierce Apr-Jun | · Humid; intense monsoon | · Most pleasant | · Mildest in India |
| Safety | · Among India's safest | · Safe for a megacity | · Safe | · Safe |
| Alcohol / Nightlife | Dry state, liquor by permit | · Buzzing | · Lively | · Pub capital |
| Weekend Escapes | Kutch, Gir, Statue of Unity | Goa, Lonavala, Alibaug | Lonavala, Konkan, Mahabaleshwar | Coorg, Mysore, Chikmagalur |
This is a rough guide. The cost-of-living index and the star ratings are IKAN's own estimates, not a published index. Check the details for your own situation.
Choose Ahmedabad if...
Ahmedabad Wins
- Your role is in GIFT City finance, pharma, chemicals, textiles or manufacturing
- You want a big jump in space and savings, a large gated 3BHK for ₹45k to 95k
- You value safety, cleanliness and an easy sub-30-minute commute
- You're a family wanting calm, value and strong CBSE schooling
- You prefer a food-and-festival social life over a bar-and-club one
Consider Mumbai if...
Mumbai Wins
- Your role demands the financial capital's depth (banking, markets, media, films)
- You want India's broadest international-school and nightlife scene
- Suburban-rail commuting beats Ahmedabad's road network for you
- You'll trade space and cost for sheer career optionality
- Coastal city life and a cosmopolitan crowd matter most
Consider Pune if...
Pune Wins
- You're in auto, engineering or the Hinjewadi/Kharadi IT corridors
- Climate is your deciding factor, Pune is the most pleasant of the four
- You want a younger, student-and-startup energy
- Proximity to Mumbai (now ~3 hours by expressway) is a plus
- You want a metro-city feel at lower cost than Mumbai or Bengaluru
Consider Bengaluru if...
Bengaluru Wins
- Your role is in IT, software or a startup, it's India's dominant tech hub
- You want the mildest, most temperate big-city climate in India
- A deep cosmopolitan crowd, café culture and a lively pub scene matter to you
- You want the widest choice of IB and international schools
- You'll trade Ahmedabad's easy commute for sheer tech-career depth
02Settling In
Your first 30 days
Do these steps in this order. IKAN handles the ones with deadlines, so none of them is missed.
1
within48 hours
Rental Agreement & Move-in
IKAN's property advisors arrange viewings within 48 hours of arrival and negotiate your Leave & License terms, typically a 2 to 3 month deposit, an 11-month tenure, and 5 to 10% renewal escalation. We coordinate the e-stamped agreement, move-in date, and society NOC/move-in formalities. Clarify any vegetarian-only preference of the owner upfront so there are no surprises.
2
Mobile & Connectivity
If you don't already have an Indian SIM, register at any Jio or Airtel store (eSIM available; activation 4 to 24 hours). Keep your existing number active during the move so OTPs and verifications for banking and local services aren't interrupted.
3
Update Your Aadhaar & Bank Address
YouUpdate the address on your Aadhaar after the move, it is the linchpin that flows through to banking, school admissions and local services. Do it online via the UIDAI Self-Service Update Portal (uidai.gov.in) or at any Aadhaar enrolment centre, with your rent agreement or a utility bill as address proof. You don't need to close your existing bank account, simply update its address (and complete re-KYC if asked) so cards, cheque books and statements follow you to Ahmedabad.
4
Gujarat Vehicle Re-registration
IKANIf you're bringing a personal vehicle from another state, re-register it with the Gujarat RTO and pay applicable road tax. The NOC from your previous state's RTO is the prerequisite. IKAN handles all RTO coordination, NOC, road tax and the new GJ plate.
5
School Admissions (if applicable)
For families with school-age children, Ahmedabad's top CBSE schools (Udgam, DPS Bopal, Anand Niketan, Nirma Vidyavihar) run 3 to 6 month waitlists and competitive admissions. Begin applications before your move whenever possible. IKAN recommends schools by your corridor and curriculum, and helps with transfer certificates and grade equivalency.
6
Utility & Broadband Setup
Torrent Power for electricity (set up auto-pay, summer bills run high). Confirm the building's water and piped-gas arrangement with the society office, cooking gas in most western-suburb societies is piped natural gas (PNG) from Adani Total Gas, while older buildings use LPG cylinders. Jio or Airtel for home broadband, 100 to 300 Mbps is standard in new developments across the west city.
7
onDay 1
Build Your Local Network
Engage a maid / cook / driver as needed. IKAN's vendor network has providers used by other relocating families and can share current indicative salary bands for part-time and live-in staff. Arrange police verification for any live-in or daily household staff, a simple formality at your local police station that many societies expect. Identify your local kirana shop, vegetable vendor, chemist and dry-cleaner within walking distance, and get on your building's WhatsApp group on Day 1. The society community is your fastest route to settling in.
Transport Setup
Ahmedabad Mobility
Ola & Uber · Ahmedabad Metro (Blue/Red + GIFT City) · autos & app cabs · BRTS Janmarg · IKAN car-lease with driver. Many families use ride-hailing + a hired driver for the first few months while learning the roads and two-wheeler etiquette.
Liquor Permit
Dry-State Essentials
Having moved from another state, if you wish to drink, apply for a liquor permit online via the Gujarat e-permit portal (Aadhaar/ID needed). Permitted liquor is sold at licensed shops in certain hotels, there is no general retail.
Community
Build Your Network
Your society's WhatsApp group · your employer's relocation circles · regional associations (Tamil Sangam, Bengali, Marwari, Marathi communities) · GIFT City professional groups · sports clubs & gymkhanas · neighbourhood Garba groups during Navratri
Key Portals
Essential Links
Aadhaar: uidai.gov.in · Vehicle (RTO): parivahan.gov.in · Liquor permit: Gujarat e-permit portal · Torrent Power: torrentpower.com · AMC: ahmedabadcity.gov.in · Metro: gujaratmetrorail.com
Safe City
Safe for Women & Families
Ahmedabad is consistently ranked among India's safest big cities, and women generally report feeling comfortable out and about, including in the evenings across the western suburbs. The usual big-city common sense applies, but day-to-day life here is calm and family-friendly.
Places of Worship
Faith & Community
Temples, Jain derasars, mosques, churches and gurudwaras sit across the city, from the Swaminarayan and ISKCON temples to historic mosques and churches, reflecting Ahmedabad's mixed heritage. Your society and local community groups are the easiest way to find your congregation.
03Flights & Connections
The airport and flights
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) is one of India's busiest. For a move within India, the domestic network matters most, with frequent flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. For trips abroad there are strong Gulf links and a few long-haul routes (London, Singapore). Ahmedabad is also a major rail junction, and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet-train line is under construction.
| Destination | Airlines | Frequency | Duration | Approx Fare (Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Emirates, IndiGo, Air India Express | Multiple daily | 3h 00m | ₹16,000 to 32,000 |
| London Gatwick | Air India (non-stop) | 3×/week | ~10h 00m | ₹60,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Singapore | Singapore Airlines | Most days | 5h 50m | ₹30,000 to 52,000 |
| Abu Dhabi | Etihad, IndiGo | Daily | 3h 15m | ₹17,000 to 34,000 |
| Doha | Qatar Airways, IndiGo | Daily | 3h 30m | ₹20,000 to 40,000 |
| Bangkok | Thai carriers (seasonal) | Several / week | 4h 15m | ₹22,000 to 42,000 |
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Mumbai
1h 15m
IndiGo, Air India, Akasa, frequent
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Delhi
1h 35m
IndiGo, Air India, Akasa · 15+ daily
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Bangalore
2h 05m
IndiGo, Akasa · 8-12 daily
Domestic
Ahmedabad → Hyderabad
1h 45m
IndiGo, Akasa, several daily
SVPIA Terminal 2
About Your Airport
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), at Hansol, ~9km north of the centre, has a modern international terminal inspired by Singapore Changi, with a moving walkway between terminals. Distance to SG Highway / Satellite: 30 to 45 minutes by road. The Gulf hubs (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha) put the rest of the world one stop away; most other long-haul routes connect via Delhi, Mumbai or a Gulf hub.
Already moving with IKAN?
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