How to reach Dholera?
The main way to reach Dholera today is by road from Ahmedabad, about 100 km southwest, using the roughly 109 km Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway that was reported inaugurated in March 2026 and targets a drive of around 40 minutes. A semi-high-speed rail line is approved for 2030-31, and a local international airport is reported around 80 percent built but not yet open. The nearest working airport is Ahmedabad.
For now, reaching Dholera means driving from Ahmedabad. That is the honest headline. The road has improved dramatically with the new expressway, and rail and a local airport are on the way, but as of mid-2026 the car is how you get there. Here is each option with a clear status so you can plan a real trip, not a brochure one.
By road, the way to go today
From Ahmedabad, Dholera SIR is about 100 km to the southwest. The main link is the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, roughly 109 km, a four-lane greenfield access-controlled highway with a 120 km/h design speed, reported inaugurated on 31 March 2026. It targets a drive time of around 40 minutes, down from about two to two and a quarter hours on the old road. Verify whether it is fully open end to end before assuming the 40-minute figure for your trip. The tolled section uses FASTag. See every route in the connectivity overview or on the connectivity explorer.
By air, for now via Ahmedabad
There is no operational airport at Dholera yet. Dholera International Airport, near Navagam village about 20 km from the SIR core, is reported around 80 percent complete with operations targeted for September to October 2026, but that is a target and Dholera airport dates have slipped before. Until it opens, fly into Ahmedabad and drive the expressway. When the Dholera airport does open, it will put an international gateway within a short drive of the city.
By rail, later this decade
A semi-high-speed rail line from Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) to Dholera was approved by the CCEA in May 2026 at Rs 20,667 crore, a roughly 134 km double line targeted for 2030-31. Press reports mention speeds up to 220 km/h and a Sabarmati to Dholera time of about 48 minutes, but those figures are press-sourced, not in the official approval text. A metro or MRTS link is planned but not sanctioned. So rail is a future option, not a current one.
| Mode | Status | Practical for a trip now? |
|---|---|---|
| Expressway (road) | Reported open Mar 2026 | Yes |
| Ahmedabad airport + drive | Operational | Yes |
| Dholera airport | ~80% built, not open | No |
| Semi-high-speed rail | Approved, 2030-31 target | No |
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Dholera from Ahmedabad?
Is there an airport at Dholera?
Can I reach Dholera by train?
Which is the nearest working airport to Dholera?
Sources
- Expressway spec and inauguration reports (~109 km, reported 31 March 2026, FASTag tolling).
- Airport status reports, July 2026 (~80% complete, operations targeted Sept-Oct 2026).
- PIB Release ID 2260624 (semi-high-speed rail approved). See our sources page.