Getting around Ahmedabad has changed a lot in a few years. Between the Metro, the BRTS and the regular AMTS buses, you can now cross most of the city, and reach Gandhinagar and GIFT City, without a car or a bike. The hard part is knowing which one to take for a given trip, what it costs, and how to pay. Here is all three in plain terms, with current routes, fares and timings.
For a quick decision: take the Metro for long trips along its corridors and out to Gandhinagar or GIFT City, take the BRTS for fast travel along its dedicated bus lanes across the city, and take an AMTS bus (or an auto) for the last stretch into a specific area. Most journeys work best as a Metro or BRTS leg plus a short AMTS or auto hop.
Three systems, and when to use each
| Your trip | Best option |
|---|---|
| Long distance along a Metro corridor, or to Gandhinagar/GIFT City | Metro |
| Medium or long trip along a dedicated corridor in the city | BRTS |
| Reaching a specific local area or the last stretch | AMTS bus, or an auto |
| To the airport | AMTS airport bus, or an auto/cab |
Combining them is normal: the long part on Metro or BRTS, then an auto-rickshaw or AMTS bus for the final bit. It is cheaper than a cab and usually faster than driving in peak traffic.
The Metro, in detail
Run by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation, the Metro is the fastest way to cover long distances across the city.
Where it goes now
Phase 1 has two corridors: an East-West line from Vastral to Thaltej (part elevated, part underground) and a fully elevated North-South line from Motera to APMC. Phase 2, fully commissioned in early 2026, extends the network north into Gandhinagar (up to Mahatma Mandir) and adds a branch to GIFT City, which finally makes the Metro a real commute option for people working there. If that is you, see our guide to jobs in GIFT City.
Timings and frequency
It runs daily from roughly 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with trains every 5 to 7 minutes at peak times and every 10 to 15 minutes off-peak, so you rarely wait long.
Fares and how to pay
Fares run from about ₹5 up to around ₹40, depending on distance and whether you cross into Gandhinagar or GIFT City. Pay by a QR ticket on the official metro app (UPI or card, valid around 180 minutes), by a common mobility NCMC/RuPay card (handy if you regularly cross the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar boundary), or with a day pass for heavy travel. Fares and stations change as the network grows, so check the app before an important trip.
BRTS: the bus that skips the traffic
The BRTS, branded Janmarg, runs in dedicated lanes down the middle of the road, so it dodges much of the traffic that slows normal buses. It covers roughly 167 km with close to 200 stations across many corridors, including circular and shuttle routes. You buy a ticket at the station or on board, then board level with the raised platform. It is a strong pick for medium and long trips along its corridors where the Metro does not reach, and new electric buses are joining the fleet.
AMTS: the everywhere buses
AMTS is the older, wider city bus service that gets into the neighbourhoods and roads the Metro and BRTS miss. With a fleet of over a thousand buses, it runs regular services, AC buses on busier routes, airport buses, and ladies-special buses. It is usually the cheapest option and the best way to cover the last mile from a Metro or BRTS stop to your door.
What a typical trip actually costs
To put the fares in perspective: a long Metro ride tops out around ₹40, a BRTS or AMTS ride is usually a few rupees up to about ₹25, and an auto for the last kilometre or two might run ₹30 to ₹60. So a Metro-plus-auto journey right across the city often lands well under ₹100, against a few hundred for a cab over the same distance. For a daily commuter, a travel card and a settled Metro-plus-bus route is comfortably the cheapest way to move, and it sidesteps parking and fuel entirely.
Rider questions
What are the Ahmedabad Metro timings?
Daily from about 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with trains every 5 to 7 minutes at peak and every 10 to 15 minutes off-peak. Confirm exact times on the official metro app.
How much does the Metro cost?
From around ₹5 up to about ₹40 depending on distance and whether you cross into Gandhinagar or GIFT City. Pay by QR ticket on the app or a common mobility card.
Does the Metro go to GIFT City and Gandhinagar?
Yes. Phase 2, fully commissioned in early 2026, reaches Gandhinagar (up to Mahatma Mandir) and adds a branch serving GIFT City.
What is the difference between BRTS and AMTS?
BRTS uses dedicated central bus lanes for faster travel along its corridors; AMTS runs regular buses on normal roads, reaching far more of the city. BRTS is quicker on its routes, AMTS covers more ground.
A few things that make it smoother
- If you commute daily, get an NCMC/RuPay card so you are not buying tickets every trip.
- Use the metro app for QR tickets, live timings and the current route map.
- Travel off-peak where you can, the rush is genuinely crowded.
- Keep small change for AMTS and BRTS tickets.
- Check the first and last service times if you are out early or late.
Official sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm the current details on the official source before you act.
