Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, North Ahmedabad, is one of the world’s largest cricket venues. If you’re planning to attend a match, understanding your transport options is essential, especially on match days when roads around the stadium become severely congested. This guide covers metro access, cab options, parking, and practical tips to reach the stadium smoothly.
By Metro (Recommended)
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The Ahmedabad Metro Red Line (North-South Corridor) is your best option for match days. The dedicated Motera Stadium station opened on October 6, 2022, and runs directly to the stadium’s main gate.
How to access the Red Line:
- From Kalupur Railway Station area: Walk to Kalupur Metro Station or nearby Red Line stops; travel time ~15–20 minutes to Motera Stadium station.
- From SG Highway / Thaltej: Access at Thaltej Metro Station on the Red Line; ~20 minutes to the stadium.
- From Maninagar / South Ahmedabad: Head to the nearest Red Line station (e.g., Visat or Urvashi); ~25–35 minutes depending on origin.
- From the airport: Take a cab to Thaltej Metro Station (~12–15 minutes), then metro to Motera Stadium (~20 minutes total).
Metro fare: Approximately ₹15–35 depending on your origin point. Fares are calculated by distance, and a metro card is reloadable for convenience.
Why metro on match days: Roads around the stadium become gridlocked 2–3 hours before and after matches. Metro avoids traffic entirely and deposits you at the stadium gate.
By Auto-Rickshaw or Cab
Auto-rickshaws, Ola, and Uber operate in Ahmedabad, but be aware of surge pricing on match days — fares can double or triple during peak hours.
Approximate fares (normal traffic, non-match conditions):
- From Ahmedabad Railway Station: ₹200–300 (30–40 minutes).
- From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport: ₹300–500 (25–35 minutes).
- From Maninagar / Satellite area: ₹150–250 (20–30 minutes).
- From SG Highway / Thaltej: ₹100–180 (15–25 minutes).
On match days: Expect 50–100% surge pricing, longer wait times, and heavier traffic. Plan for 1.5–2× the normal duration. If you must take a cab, book early (at least 30 minutes before departure) and allow extra travel time.
By Road
If you’re driving your own vehicle, Narendra Modi Stadium is located in Motera, North Ahmedabad, near the Sabarmati River. The stadium’s address is Motera, Ahmedabad 380024.
Navigation: Search “Narendra Modi Stadium” on Google Maps for real-time directions and traffic updates. Always check the map before leaving, as construction and special events can affect routes.
From North Ahmedabad (Thaltej / Mahatma Mandir area): Head south on SG Highway or use internal roads via Thaltej; approximately 15–20 minutes in normal traffic.
From South Ahmedabad (Railway Station / Maninagar): Take SG Highway northbound or National Highway 48; approximately 30–40 minutes in normal traffic. On match days, allow 60–90 minutes.
Nearby landmarks: Sabarmati River, SG Highway, Thaltej area. The stadium is relatively isolated, so plan your route carefully.
Parking at Narendra Modi Stadium
The stadium offers dedicated parking managed by its operations team:
- Car parking capacity: 3,000 vehicles.
- Two-wheeler parking capacity: 10,000 vehicles.
- Parking fee: Starts at ₹20 for two-wheelers; car parking rates vary (typically ₹50–100+ depending on match day rates).
- Entry points: Multiple entry gates manage flow during events. Follow signage once you arrive.
Pro tip on match days: Arrive at least 90 minutes before the match starts to secure parking and avoid long queues. Parking fills up quickly during high-profile matches.
Avoid driving on match days if possible: Even with parking available, roads to and from the stadium experience severe congestion. Metro is genuinely faster.
Getting There on Match Day (IPL & International Games)
A regular visit and a match day visit to Narendra Modi Stadium are two different exercises in logistics. With 132,000 seats and the Sabarmati riverfront as the only real approach road, the area becomes a controlled bottleneck well before the first ball is bowled. Here is what you actually need to know.
Gates open four hours before a 7:30 PM match. For evening fixtures — which covers most IPL games and international T20s — the official opening time is 3:30 PM. That is not an invitation to arrive at 3:30 PM; it is the window that prevents queuing chaos. If you are sitting in the GMDC or East Pavilion stands, arriving between 4:30 and 5:00 PM is reasonable. For premium stands (Adani Pavilion, Club Pavilion, West Pavilion), the crowd is thinner and you have a little more flexibility — but do not push past 6:00 PM.
Take the metro. Every time, without exception. The Motera Stadium Metro Station on the Red Line drops you within walking distance of the main gate. On match days, the metro runs extended hours — services have been confirmed to run until 12:50 AM on selected IPL nights, which covers most post-match departures. One important detail: on match day evenings, the Ahmedabad Metro does not accept metro cards at turnstiles. You will need to buy a paper ticket at the counter. Prices are higher than standard fares. Buy your return ticket at the same time — post-match queues at the ticket counter are long and the platform gets packed. After 10 PM, entry is allowed only at Motera Stadium and Sabarmati stations, so do not plan to board from elsewhere after the match.
Driving? Know the parking zones before you leave home. The stadium organises parking into North and South zones, and your entry gate determines which zone applies to you. Check your ticket for the gate number before you decide where to park. For IPL 2026, ShowMyParking (the official IPL parking partner) offered pre-bookable slots via events.showmyparking.com — pre-booking is worth it for big fixtures since walk-in parking fills within the first hour of gates opening. All official lots are FASTag-enabled, so ensure your FASTag balance is topped up before you go. Carry ₹50–₹100 in cash as well, in case card readers are offline at entry.
One operational reality to plan around: vehicles are not permitted on the access road that leads directly to the stadium. You will be stopped at the main road — roughly where the BRTS corridor runs — and will need to walk 1–1.5 km to the gates. Factor this into your timing, especially if you are with elderly guests or children.
Gate and seating orientation: The stadium has 21 numbered entry gates in total, though public entry is concentrated through two main access points. Pre-match ceremonies, the toss, and post-match presentations all face the South Stand (the Presidential Gallery side), so if you want a direct view of those moments, South-facing blocks are preferable. Your ticket will state your gate number — locate it on Google Maps before entering the car park so you do not cross the entire stadium perimeter on foot after parking.
Match Day Transport Tips
- Leave early: Plan to depart 90 minutes to 2 hours before match time if using any mode except the metro. Traffic congestion begins hours in advance.
- Prioritize metro: The Red Line to Motera Stadium station is your fastest and most reliable option on match days. No traffic, predictable arrival time.
- Download a metro map: Familiarize yourself with the Red Line route before the match day to avoid confusion at stations.
- Book cabs in advance: If you must use Ola or Uber, book at least 30 minutes before departure. Surge pricing is severe during peak hours (2 hours before and 1–2 hours after matches).
- Know your gate: Check your match ticket for your assigned gate. The stadium has multiple entry points; arriving early gives you time to locate yours without rushing.
- Keep cash for parking: Bring small bills (₹50, ₹100) for parking fees. Card payment may not always be available at entry points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the nearest metro station to Narendra Modi Stadium?
A: Motera Stadium station on the Ahmedabad Metro Red Line (North-South Corridor). It opened in October 2022 and stops directly at the stadium’s main entrance.
Q: How much does parking cost at Narendra Modi Stadium?
A: Two-wheeler parking starts at ₹20. Four-wheeler parking varies by match day demand, typically ₹50–100+. Arrive early to secure a spot.
Q: How far is Narendra Modi Stadium from the airport?
A: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is approximately 12 km from the stadium, roughly 25–35 minutes by car in normal traffic. On match days, allow 45–60 minutes. Consider taking a cab to Thaltej Metro Station and then the metro to the stadium for a more reliable journey.
For more information about the venue, explore Narendra Modi Stadium on Ashaval, and check out ticket prices to plan your visit. If you’re looking for more activities in the city, browse things to do in Ahmedabad.
