Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) Flights & Flight Status

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) serves as the main gateway to Gujarat, connecting Ahmedabad and nearby Gandhinagar with international destinations like London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. Located in Hansol about 5.6 miles north of Ahmedabad, this single-runway facility handles around 11.5 million passengers annually.

But what catches the eye first upon visiting this facility is the towering statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who the airport is named. These tips will help you on your way through AMD airport.

Getting to and from AMD by public transportation

Public buses offer a reliable, budget-friendly way to reach AMD. City buses run to AMD, with Route 15 connecting ISKCON to the airport. You can buy tickets on the spot at the bus counter near Terminal 1 Arrival Gate, but I prefer using the Ahmedabad BRTS-AMTS app to book ahead and check real-time schedules.

I’d recommend the BRTS bus 15D, which offers air-conditioned comfort and picks up passengers directly from T1 arrivals, dropping at departures. This single route runs between AMD and ISKCON Temple, passing stops like ISRO, Star Bazaar, Himmatlal Park, Memnagar and Valinath Chowk.

If your destination is a little more off the beaten path, other bus options can get you there. They run every 15-25 minutes from the Sardar Nagar Approach station, which is about a 12-minute walk from the airport. Be careful to note the bus number you book, and identify it at the station before hopping on.

Getting to and from AMD by car

You can also rent a car from the Carzonrent kiosk in the arrivals hall or book a prepaid taxi. Fair warning though, prepaid taxis often cost almost double what you’d pay for a rideshare like Ola or Uber. Always check the app for a price comparison before you commit.

Rideshare fares from AMD run higher than usual, likely due to parking charges drivers pay at the designated zone. Here’s a hack I use: walk to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue or SN Approach bus station and book from there. You’ll wait a bit longer for pickup, but fares drop significantly.

You can book through the Ola or Uber apps.

A heads-up for international travelers: drivers often prefer cash or the local Unified Payment Interface (UPI) system. Foreign travelers from participating countries can now use the ‘UPI One World’ prepaid wallet without an Indian bank account.

It’s a good idea to have cash on hand or just prepay for your ride through the app.

Terminal tips

AMD operates international flights from Terminal 2 and domestic flights from Terminal 1, with Terminal 3 designated for special operations such as Hajj flights. Buses connect the two main terminals every few minutes, though they fill up quickly. I usually find the moving walkway more convenient.

Here’s something I learned the hard way: AMD is a silent airport with no flight announcements. You’ll need to actively monitor your flight and boarding status, so keep an eye on the displays.

The airport is now managed by Adani Airports Limited (AIAL). While security is still handled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the terminal staff are privately appointed. Some travelers report an insistence on the Gujarati language among the new staff, but I have personally never faced an issue.

Arriving at the airport

The airport recommends arriving three hours before international departures. I typically don’t need quite that much time since I know the layout well, but it’s a good baseline if it’s your first visit. AMD sits about 5.6 miles from the city center (about 30 minutes by direct cab), but traffic during peak hours can add significant time.

If you’re traveling during rush hour, build in extra buffer time.

If you have a layover at AMD on your way out of India, I’d recommend at least two hours between flights. The check-in and immigration process can be tedious, and a short connection could easily turn into a missed flight.

Check-in and security

Here’s something crucial: web check-in is recommended by many airlines to save time, though it’s not mandatory for domestic flights. You’ll need a valid ticket or boarding pass (physical or digital) and an ID to enter the terminal. You’ll need to sign in to your airline website and obtain your pass by entering flight details. Check the specific timing requirements for your airline and plan accordingly.

If you have luggage to check, you can use the self-baggage drop facilities for a quicker process. If you’re traveling with just a carry-on and have completed web check-in, you can skip the airline desks and head straight for security and immigration.

The international departure area was recently expanded to better handle crowds, which has helped with wait times. Still, you can expect a bit of organized chaos and maybe a few people cutting in line. It’s all part of the experience. The new expansion also includes a dedicated transfer area for international-to-international connections.

Things to do during a layover

There are ample facilities for diners and shoppers at AMD. Once you’re past security, you’ll see international chains like Tim Hortons and Subway alongside Indian cafés and eateries such as Theobroma for baked goods and Wagh Bakri Tea World for simple, cheap beverages. Duty-free stores can seem unnecessarily expensive but make for a good way to pass time window-shopping during long layovers.

There is not much provision to rest at the airport, save for some recliner chairs, and I’ve hardly ever found one empty. Be ready to hunt for one of the few traditional seating options if you will need to rest. There are some massage chairs at the airport, and these can be booked on the spot for a small fee, but expect a wait.

Wi-Fi is free for the first 30 minutes, but there’s a catch. You can only access it directly if you have an Indian SIM card. For everyone else, you’ll need to find one of the Wi-Fi coupon dispensers located around the terminal to get a code.

Lounges

There are only two lounges at the airport, one in each terminal. They can get crowded, but the lounge in Terminal 2 is exclusively for international passengers, which helps filter out some of the crowd.

You will find this one just opposite the boarding gates, so it’s convenient to settle down until right before it’s time to catch your flight. This is also a good place to get some work done, as you won’t find any tables or workstations elsewhere around the airport.

There is a business class section, but you can still expect to experience a lot of activity here, too, since most credit card, Priority Pass and airline flight reward holders can gain access to the space. Additional stragglers often sneak into this blockedoff section, too.