Ahmedabad to Palitana Taxi Service

Palitana, in Bhavnagar district, is one of the holiest places in Jainism. Its Shatrunjaya hill is covered with hundreds of temples, and pilgrims from Ahmedabad visit throughout the open season for yatra, for special tithis, and to accompany family members on their first climb.

Happy Car Rental arranges taxis from Ahmedabad to Palitana so you can arrive the evening before, rest at a dharamshala, and start the climb early. The driver waits while you complete darshan and brings you back, or drops you if you are staying on.

Ahmedabad to Palitana at a Glance

Estimated Round-Trip Fare

Estimate for a round trip of about 440 km over 1 day. Your final fare depends on the actual kilometres from our garage to our garage and the number of days.

Driving from Ahmedabad to Palitana

Palitana is roughly 210–230 km from Ahmedabad, about 4.5–5.5 hours by road. The route follows the Bhavnagar highway via Sarkhej and Bagodara for most of the way, then branches off through smaller towns to Palitana. The last section has narrower roads and slower traffic, so the driver will take it steadily.

Most pilgrims leave Ahmedabad after lunch, reach Palitana by early evening, and spend the night near the foot of the hill. This makes it possible to begin the climb before sunrise without a very early start from Ahmedabad.

Climbing Shatrunjaya hill

The path to the summit is a long stone staircase of several thousand steps, and the climb usually takes around two hours each way for a reasonably fit adult, longer for elders and children. Starting at first light means you climb in the cool of the morning and reach the temples before the heat builds.

• Start early. Many pilgrims begin before 6 am. The hill is not for overnight stays, so plan to be back down by late afternoon.
• Dolis are commonly available at the foot of the hill for those who cannot climb. Rates and availability vary, so ask locally on arrival.
• Carry water and wear comfortable clothing. Food is not taken up the hill, and the temple dress and conduct rules should be followed.
• Leave valuables in your room or with family who are not climbing, and keep footwear that is easy to remove.

When to go

The Shatrunjaya yatra traditionally pauses during Chaturmas, the monsoon months, and reopens around Kartik Purnima, when large numbers of pilgrims gather for the start of the season. Check the current status before you plan a trip in or around those months. From November to February the weather is cool and good for climbing; March to May is hot, so start even earlier.

Festival days and holiday weekends bring heavy crowds, and dharamshala rooms fill up quickly. Book your stay and your car well in advance for those dates.

Planning the trip

A typical round trip is two days: drive on day one, climb on the morning of day two, rest after lunch and return to Ahmedabad by night. Some families prefer a third day so that elders can rest before the drive home. Billing on a round trip is per km from our garage to our garage, with a minimum of 300 km per day, plus a daily driver allowance; tolls and parking are extra. The taxi tariff page has per-km rates.

If you will stay in Palitana for several days, or return by another route, the Ahmedabad to Palitana one way taxi saves you paying for an empty return. Bhavnagar is roughly 50 km away and can be added for a night or a half day; see our Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar taxi page. Pilgrims planning a wider Jain circuit often also visit Shankheshwar or Taranga on separate trips from Ahmedabad.

Pickup and drop

We pick up from homes, upashrayas, temples and offices across Ahmedabad, including Paldi, Navrangpura, Satellite, Vasna and Maninagar, as well as from the railway stations and airport. In Palitana, the driver can drop you at your dharamshala or hotel, the taleti area at the foot of the hill, or the bus stand.

If an elder in your group uses a wheelchair or walker, mention it at booking time so we can suggest a car with easier entry and enough boot space for the equipment.

Choosing a vehicle

A Swift Dzire is enough for two to four pilgrims with light bags. For families with elders, an Ertiga or Innova Crysta is easier to get in and out of, and the higher seats are more comfortable after a tiring climb. Sangh groups and extended families travelling together often book a 9 seater Winger, an 11 seater Tempo Traveller or a Toofan, which keeps the group together and splits the cost.

A simple checklist for pilgrims

• Confirm your dharamshala or hotel booking and keep its phone number handy for the driver.
• Pack a small bag for the climb: water bottle, a light shawl for the early morning, and any regular medicines.
• Elders with heart, knee or breathing problems should consult a doctor before attempting the steps and may prefer a doli.
• Agree on a meeting point and time with the driver before you start the climb, as mobile signal on the hill can be weak.
• Plan the return drive after a meal and some rest, rather than straight after coming down the hill.