Getting Around Gujarat: Rickshaws, BRTS, Metro and Trains

Gujarati transport vocabulary for autorickshaws, buses, the Ahmedabad metro and trains, with phrases for fares, directions and tickets.

Gujarat's cities have a mix of autorickshaws, buses, trains and, in Ahmedabad and Surat, growing metro networks. Knowing a few phrases makes travel smoother.

Types of transport

રિક્ષા — autorickshaw, the most common short-distance transport
બસ — bus
ટ્રેન / રેલગાડી — train
મેટ્રો — metro
ટેક્સી / કેબ — taxi, cab
સાઇકલ — bicycle
સ્કૂટર / બાઇક — scooter / motorbike
વિમાન — aeroplane
હોડી — boat

Places

રેલવે સ્ટેશન — railway station
બસ સ્ટેન્ડ / બસ સ્ટેશન — bus stand
હવાઈ મથક / એરપોર્ટ — airport
પ્લેટફોર્મ — platform
ટિકિટ બારી — ticket window
રસ્તો — road
ચાર રસ્તા — crossroads
પુલ — bridge

Buying tickets

ટિકિટ — ticket
એક ટિકિટ આપો. — One ticket, please.
અમદાવાદની ટિકિટ કેટલાની છે? — How much is the ticket to Ahmedabad?
જવા-આવવાની ટિકિટ — a return ticket
આરક્ષણ / રિઝર્વેશન — reservation
રિઝર્વેશન થયું છે. — The reservation is done.
ભાડું કેટલું છે? — What's the fare?

Talking to rickshaw drivers

સ્ટેશન જવું છે. — I want to go to the station.
મીટરથી ચાલશો? — Will you go by meter?
કેટલું ભાડું થશે? — How much will the fare be?
અહીં રોકો. — Stop here.
ડાબે વળો. — Turn left.
જમણે વળો. — Turn right.
સીધા જાઓ. — Go straight.
ધીમે ચલાવો. — Drive slowly.
થોડી ઉતાવળ છે. — I'm in a bit of a hurry.

Agree the price before starting if there's no meter, or use app-based cabs and rickshaws.

Directions

જમણી બાજુ / ડાબી બાજુ — right side / left side
સીધું — straight
નજીક / દૂર — near / far
આગળ / પાછળ — ahead / behind
સામે — opposite, in front
ચોક — junction, square
ત્યાં કેવી રીતે જવાય? — How do I get there?
કેટલું દૂર છે? — How far is it?

City transport

BRTS (જનમાર્ગ) — Ahmedabad's Bus Rapid Transit system, with dedicated lanes
મેટ્રો — the Ahmedabad Metro began operating in 2019 and has been extended in phases. Check current routes and timings, since new lines open over time.
સિટી બસ — city buses

Trains

Gujarat is well connected by rail, with major stations at Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot. Trains are booked in advance, especially for long distances.

ટ્રેન ક્યારે ઊપડે છે? — When does the train leave?
ટ્રેન મોડી છે. — The train is late.
કયું પ્લેટફોર્મ? — Which platform?
સીટ / બર્થ — seat / berth
વેઇટિંગ લિસ્ટ — waiting list

Road and driving

પેટ્રોલ પંપ — petrol station
ટ્રાફિક — traffic
સિગ્નલ — traffic signal
પાર્કિંગ — parking
હાઇવે — highway
ટોલ — toll

Traffic is dense, and drivers use horns frequently. Cross roads with care.

Useful phrases

માફ કરજો, સ્ટેશન ક્યાં છે? — Excuse me, where is the station?
આ બસ ક્યાં જાય છે? — Where does this bus go?
મને ઉતારી દેજો. — Please let me off (tell me when).
બસ, અહીં જ. — That's it, right here.

Practical tips

Use apps for cabs and rickshaws in cities.
Carry small change.
Book trains early.
Keep an eye on belongings in crowds.

Common beginner errors

Not agreeing on the fare beforehand.
Missing that the ટ્રેન platform can change.

Look up transport words offline with English Gujarati Dictionary →