Home in Gujarat for the Kiwi summer break? The world’s tallest statue is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Ahmedabad. Here is how to plan the day so everyone, from nani to the five-year-old, enjoys it.
At a glance: a Statue of Unity trip from New Zealand
The Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) is 182 metres tall, the tallest statue in the world, and honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is roughly 190 km from Ahmedabad, so allow 3 to 4 hours each way by road. It is closed on Mondays. Book tickets online in advance at soutickets.in, including a separate ticket for the viewing gallery. December and January are dry and pleasant. Flights Auckland to Ahmedabad start from NZD $1,020 per person (checked 12 October 2026, prices change daily).
Why the Statue of Unity suits the New Zealand summer holidays
Most New Zealand primary schools close in the week of 14 to 18 December 2026 (check your own school’s dates). For Kiwi Gujarati families, that is the signal to fly home to Ahmedabad for Christmas, New Year and, for many, Uttarayan in January. Those weeks are the best of the Gujarat year. The heat has gone, the days are dry and the evenings are cool.
It is also the window when the whole family is together and looking for something to do beyond visiting relatives. The Statue of Unity is the obvious choice. It is close enough for a day trip from Ahmedabad, it is the kind of place that impresses teenagers and grandparents alike, and the surrounding area at Ekta Nagar has enough to fill a second day if you decide to stay over.
If you have not booked your flights yet, our guide to flights Auckland to Ahmedabad explains the routes and stopovers. For the bigger picture on the break, read how to plan the NZ summer holidays in India.
Getting to the Statue of Unity from Ahmedabad
The statue stands at Ekta Nagar, formerly Kevadia, in Narmada district. Ahmedabad is about 190 km away. Vadodara is the nearest big city, about 90 km from the site.
How to get there | Time from Ahmedabad | Good to know |
Private car or taxi | 3 to 4 hours each way | The easiest option for a family with children and grandparents. Leave early. You can stop in Vadodara for breakfast and a break. |
GSRTC bus | Longer than a car; depends on the service | Gujarat’s state buses run from Ahmedabad and Vadodara to Ekta Nagar. Good value, less flexible on timing. |
Train to Ekta Nagar | Depends on the service | Ekta Nagar has its own railway station with trains from Ahmedabad. Check the timetable and book seats ahead over the holidays. |
For a day trip, a car is the practical answer. You set the times, and you can leave when the children have had enough.
Tickets, timings and what to see
A few facts worth knowing before you set off.
- Closed on Mondays. The statue is closed for maintenance every Monday. Do not plan your trip around a Monday.
- Open Tuesday to Sunday. Roughly 8 am to 6 pm, with last entry around 5 pm. Timings can change, so check the official ticket site, soutickets.in, before you go.
- Book online in advance. Tickets are sold online. The viewing gallery, which takes you up inside the statue for the view over the Narmada and the Sardar Sarovar Dam, needs a separate ticket. It is popular and limited, so book it early, especially around Christmas and New Year.
- More than the statue. The Sardar Sarovar Dam, the Valley of Flowers and the jungle safari are all nearby. You will not fit everything into one day, so pick what suits your group.
Day trip or overnight?
Both work. The question is how much energy your group has.
Day trip. Leave Ahmedabad by 6 am, reach Ekta Nagar mid-morning, see the statue and the viewing gallery, have lunch, add one more stop such as the Valley of Flowers, and head back by mid-afternoon. You are home by late evening. It is a long day, but very doable in December.
Overnight. Stay near Ekta Nagar or in Vadodara. This gives you a relaxed first afternoon, the chance to see the statue lit up in the evening, and a full second morning for the dam, the jungle safari or the gardens. With grandparents or young children, the overnight plan is kinder on everyone.
6 tips for a Statue of Unity trip from New Zealand
1. Avoid Mondays, and check the public holiday crowds
Monday is closed. Weekends and Indian public holidays over Christmas and New Year are busy. A Tuesday to Thursday trip is usually the calmest.
2. Book the viewing gallery before you leave New Zealand
Gallery tickets sell out on busy days. Booking from Auckland a few weeks ahead, once your dates in India are fixed, removes the guesswork.
3. Leave early
An early start means an empty road, a cool morning at the statue and a return drive before dark.
4. Dress for the sun, even in December
The days are pleasant, but the site is open and the sun is still strong at midday. Hats, sunscreen and water for the children. A light layer for the early morning and the evening.
5. Keep the whole family on one flight booking
Before any of this, you need to get to Ahmedabad. Book parents, children and grandparents on one booking. It keeps seats together and makes changes easier. Fares Auckland to Ahmedabad start from NZD $1,020 per person (checked 12 October 2026, prices change daily).
6. Students and teachers: use MannPass
Verified New Zealand students, teachers, lecturers and education staff can join Mann Travel Offer for NZD $50 off selected return flights between New Zealand and India. Each pass is valid for 30 days, can be renewed, and cannot be combined with other promotions.
Practical notes for Kiwi families
- Documents first. New Zealand passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card. Children born in New Zealand need their own. Sort this well before December.
- Check the official advice. Read the New Zealand government’s travel advice for India at safetravel.govt.nz before you fly, and register your trip.
- Food. There are places to eat at Ekta Nagar, but a packed tiffin from home is the family favourite and saves queuing.
- Payment. Ask our team about flexible payment options such as PayLite and Afterpay when you book your flights.
Staying on into January? Our guide to Uttarayan 2027 in Ahmedabad covers the kite festival and when to fly. And if family in Maharashtra is on the list too, see how to get from Auckland to Pune.
Why book your Ahmedabad flights with Mann Travel?
Our Papatoetoe team specialises in flights between New Zealand and India, with departures from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. We speak Hindi, Punjabi and English, we are on call 24/7, and we book a lot of families into Ahmedabad for the summer holidays. Tell us your school dates and we will find flights that fit around them.
Let’s take you home to Gujarat this summer.
Search live fares to Ahmedabad at manntravel.co.nz/flights or call our Auckland team on 09 973 1940. You can also send us your dates and we will come back with options.
frequently asked questions
How far is the Statue of Unity from Ahmedabad?
Roughly 190 km. Allow 3 to 4 hours each way by road. Vadodara, the nearest big city, is about 90 km from the site.
Is the Statue of Unity open every day?
No. It is closed on Mondays for maintenance. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 8 am to 6 pm with last entry around 5 pm. Check soutickets.in for current timings.
Do I need to book Statue of Unity tickets in advance?
Yes. Book online at soutickets.in. The viewing gallery needs a separate ticket and sells out on busy days, so book early.
Can I do the Statue of Unity as a day trip from Ahmedabad?
Yes, with an early start. Leave by about 6 am, see the statue and one nearby attraction, and return by evening. Families with grandparents or small children often prefer an overnight stay.
How much are flights from Auckland to Ahmedabad for the summer holidays?
Fares start from NZD $1,020 per person (checked 12 October 2026, prices change daily). December is a busy month, so book as early as you can.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Statue of Unity timings, ticket rules and attractions can change; confirm on the official ticket site before you travel.
