Vadodara

Vadodara City is also known as cultural capital of Gujarat. The city has a cosmopolitan mixture of Indian nationals as well as that of Non Resident Indians with various tourists visiting this city. The major residents of this City happen to be from the native land of Gujarat and speak Gujarati. Being a multicultural mix the city has people who are generally found to be able to speak Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Sindhi as well as English. Most people are easily able to speak passable English, and in certain areas you will meet people that are fluent in English.
Vadodara is built across the bank of Vishwamitri River. The east part of city is old city and the west part of city beyond the Vadodara Railway Station is recent and modern parts of the city.
Karelibaug, Alkapuri, Subhanpura, Gotri, Manjalpur are areas heavily frequented by NRI's (non-resident Indians) and has western restaurants (Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway, CCD, Barista, Barbeque Nation), stores (Adidas, Nike, Metro). So also are the areas of Mandvi and Nyay Mandir crowded market place frequented by all sectors of society for living and shopping alike.
The city has a history of being industrious since the era of Gaekwad kingdom who brought the Gaekwad Railways in the city in ancient times. The industry in city include Gujarat State Fertilizer Limited, Gujarat Refinery, Reliance Industries, Gujarat Alkali Chemicals Limited, L&T Limited, TCS, Wipro, IBM, Winodw Maker, Transpek Silox, ABB Limited, Siemens, Alstom, TBEA. various industries of sectors like IT, Pharma, Manufacturing, Petrochemical, Medical, Automation and Control. People from various cities who moved here, prefer working here because of the simple life, but with all resources like schools, water and electricity.

By plane

• Vadodara AirportAir India and Indigo provide domestic flights.

The nearest international airport is about 100 km away in Ahmedabad which hosts Air India, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

By train

• Vadodara Junction Railway StationThe busiest station in Gujarat. It is situated on the Mumbai - Delhi Western Railway Main Line. Even high speed trains on Delhi-Mumbai route, like Shatabdi and Rajdhan, stop at Vadodara Junction. Humble Mail/Express Trains connect Vadodara to nearby towns and even some in Gujarat. This railway station has seven platforms. Exits from platform no. 1 to 5 and 7 will lead you to Sayajigunj, and exit from platform 6 will lead you to Alkapuri.

By car

The National Highway no.8 passes through Baroda. It is connected by excellent roads. There is an express highway to Ahmedabad, and highway travel is fairly speedy by road, at least to other places in the western part of the country. Its going to be a 6 Lane road soon.

By bus

• main bus station

  phone: +91 265 276 0060
  Non-air conditioned buses arrive from here which connect Vadodara with all the parts of Gujarat and the major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Intercity buses from Ahmedabad take 2 hours on the expressway and cost ₹150 per person and up (as of January 2015). When looking up fares and schedules on bus ticketing sites, keep in mind that you may need to use the city's alternate name of Baroda to find information about buses to Vadodara.

Local transport consists mainly of City Buses and three-wheelers called auto-rickshaws which are very cheap and easily available. Always insist on meter usage and the rate payable is 10 times the amount shown plus 1. (for example, if it shows 2.80, the fare is ₹28+₹1 = ₹29 for a 4-5km journey). The fare is meter reading plus 5. An extra ₹5 is charged if there are 4 passengers.
The VITCOS City Buses take you to all parts of the city and the VITCOS Bus Stand is right opposite to the Railway Station. The buses are very comfortable and cheap. It costs ₹1 per 1.2 km.

• Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery

  address: Dak Bunglaw
  The museum displays Indian musical instruments, Mughal miniatures, sculptures, textiles and objects from Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Egypt. The museum's artifacts were collected by Maharaja Sayajirao, devoted to travel. The Picture Gallery displays paintings by British artists, also from Sayajirao's private collection

• The EME templeVadodara is quite serene. It was built by the Military and one can enjoy a pleasant hour in its premises.

• Fateh Singh Museum

  address: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg
  The royal family of Baroda has a notable collection of his works. Apart from these, there are many art works of masters collected and commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao. If you are art lover, keep aside a day for the palace and museum. The museum itself is in the palace premises. to view several Raja Ravi Verma originals

• Hazira Maqbara

  address: Tagore Rd/Vaijnath Mahadev Marg crossing
  The mausoleum contains the graves of Qutb-ud-din Muhammad Khan and his son Naurang Khan. It is an octagonal structure in the style of Mughal tombs.

• Khanderao MarketAnother palatial building created by Sayajirao III in 1906 at a cost of 3 lakhs. It was a present by him to the Municipality to mark the Silver Jubilee as his administration. The offices of Vadodara Municipal Corporation are located in this building

• Kirti Mandirthe cenotaph of the Maharajas of Baroda

• Laxmi Vilas Palace

  phone: +91 265 242 6372
  The imposing palace was built in the Indo-Saracenic tradition, with an eclectic mix of Indian, Islamic, and European elements by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1890. Major Charles Mant was the architect. The interior, full of multi-colored marble and mosaic tile , include a museum, containing portraits of the Royal family and original paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.

• Maharaja Sayajirao UniversityThe world-famous Maharaja Sayajirao University has one of the largest campuses in Gujarat, full of beautiful historical buildings including Kala Bhavan, a former palace which is pictured in this article.

• Makarpura Palace

  address: Himmat Nagar, Marutidham Society
  The former royal summer palace now houses a training school by the Indian Air Force. It's a magnificent building modeled after Italian Renaissance prototypes, well worth a sight from outside

• Sevasi VaavStepped well with some beautiful carvings on its pillars

• Surya Narayan TempleThe oldest temple of the city.

• Tambekar Wada

  address: Tambeaker Road, Dandia Bazar
  The private mansion (Haveli) of a chief minister (diwan) of Baroda who lived during the last Mughal Empire. It's a wooden four-story building notable for its miniature-style painted murals, depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, from the Mahabharata, and from the Anglo-Maratha war. Tambekarwada is a heritage monument under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. Only a small part of the historical mansion is open to the public

The Old City

• Central Library Baroda

  phone: +91 265 241 5713
  address: Fatepura Road
  One of the oldest public libraries in India.

• Gendi Gate

  address: Gendi Gate Rd, Moghul Wada
  One of the few survived gateways to the old city.

• Mandvi Gate

  address: Fatepura Road, Mandvi Gate Circle

• Nazar Baug Palace

  address: Panigate Road, Chhipwad
  a former royal guesthouse now converted into the Railway Staff college. The palace is scheduled to be demolished in early 2015.

• Nyaya Mandir

  address: MG Rd

There are quite a few sights worth taking a look at such as the Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the old zoo. If you're headed here plan a trip that lasts not more than three days because then you'll run out of things to do. And because of the fact that it is cosmopolitan, infrastructurally decent and well connected by rail, road and air, this is a good place to have as your 'hub' and make day trips to other places.

• Cinepolis

  phone: +91 97278 98051
  address: 2nd Floor Inorbit Mall
  Good 3D effect.

• The Gaekwad Baroda Golf ClubBaroda’s premier club and Gujarat’s oldest private golf club

• Inox Multiplex

  phone: +91 265 305 6888
  address: Race Course Road, Gopal Baug, Ellora Park
  By far the best movie theater in town. Also at Seven Seas Mall 4th Floor

• Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Gruh

  phone: +91 265 241 0914
  address: Kothi Rd, Opposite Jubilee Baug,
  Dance shows, and musical events

• S-Cube Water Park

  phone: +91 999 899 0933
  address: Opp. Ajwa Lake, Near Vrundavan Garden
  Water park with many slides, family pool, wave pool and six cuisine restaurant.

• Sayaji Baug GardenSet on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, the garden is home to the Baroda Museum, the Sardar Patel Planetarium, and the Sayaji Baug Zoo. A toy train runs around the garden covering a distance of 3.5 km

• Sir Sayajirao Nagargruh

  address: Shankheshwar Parshwanath Marg, Akota
  The 1000-seat auditorium is Baroda music and dance main venue.

• Sursagar TalavThis artificial lake with a huge statue of Shiva.

Events

• Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival -

Religious festivals

• Navratri, meaning nine days, is the biggest festival of Baroda. People worship the nine avatars of Goddess Durga, the manifestation of Shakti. The festival includes typical dances, known as Garbas and Dandiya Raas, performed by men and women wearing traditional, colorful dresses. The Navratri festival normally falls in the month of October every year

If you wish to undertake studies in the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) you must apply at any India Embassy or Consulate in your country for a student visa. International student fees are high. Your best bet for reducing costs is to apply for scholarship issued by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Vadodara has companies like L&T, Xylem water solutions, IOCL, ABB, GSFC, ONGC, IPCL (now Reliance), Bombardier, General Motors, Kemrock, Alembic and Jyoti. Many other petrochemical companies like GACL and pharma companies like Sun Pharma, Alembic and Sarabhai are also well known. It is also considered a good location for IT companies, and a new biotech park is coming to the city. Quickstart Global has set up its operations as well, providing employment to more than 800 people in Vadodara.

Camel leather and related arts of embedding pure gold and stone colors, on camel leather and hide vessels are well known here.

• Centre Square Mall

  address: Sarabhai Road, Alkapuri,
  A lot of international and local brands and some recreational options.

• Inorbit Mall

  phone: +91 265 235 2525
  address: Gorwa road, Subhanpura
  best mall in town. A wide array of retail outlets and international brands. A large food court offers world cuisine (Chinese, Italian, fast food). Entertainment arcade with 10-lane bowling alley and HD cinema.

• Nava Bajar area

  address: around Naya Rd
  Visit here for cloth and handicraft shopping.

• Seven Seas Mall

  address: VIP Road, Jayesh Colony, Fatehgunj

• Vadodara Central

  address: Race Cource Road, Genda Circle

There are plenty of eateries in and around the city and getting good food is not a problem.

• Dairy Den

  phone: +91 90990 20959
  address: Dairy Den Circle, opposite SBI Bank,
  This is Baroda's first ice cream parlor that serves soft cones. You can enjoy a variety of flavors over here.

• Frigtemp

  phone: +91 265 278 9108
  address: Nt 1, Enstern Society, Fatehgunj
  recommended for Frankies. at (Fatheganj, Karelibaug & Old Padra Road)

• The Goodies Cafeteria

  phone: +91 265 656 1620
  address: Gol Bungalow, Sayajigunj
  Goodies, also in Sayajiganj, Makarpura, Fatehganj and Natubhai Circle, are favorite hangouts for youngsters apart for their bakery delights & junk food!

• Govinda's Restaurant

  phone: +91 265 231 0630
  address: Gotri Road
  Veg Restaurant. Samosas, alu (bataka) wadas, dahi wadas and gulab jamuns. The "prasad snack bar", where many items are available daily from 5PM until 9PM (9:30-10PM on Sundays and holidays) is located in the northeast corner of ISKCON Temple.

• Kalyan Restaurant

  phone: +91 265 236 2211
  Here you can get a variety of food choices from Chinese to continental along with Chaats, South Indian foods, etc. It is a self-service restaurant with good quality food. The best thing is the sizzler at the very low price of ₹130 and good in taste.

• Mahakali Sev Usal

  address: Shiyabaug, Kevdabaug
  Food stand, delicious Sev Usal

• Millenium Restaurant

  phone: +91 265 278 8435
  address: 1st Floor Fatehgunj Main Rd, Jayesh Colony
  Most popular for Biryani. Also in Alkapuri

• Mirch Masala

  phone: +91 265 653 8101
  address: 4, Meghdhanush Complex, Gotri Road
  Veg and Nonveg Punjabi food. Try out the dilli chaat. Also inside Inorbit Mall.

• Nayab Restaurant

  address: Saptagiri Complex, Akota Rd
  Although menu is extensive at Nayab Restaurant, their delicious tandoori items are highly recommended and make for an excellent dining at very low prices. Takeaways are available

• Pooran Singh's kababs and parathas

  address: at Race Course Road
  He's an ex-Welcomgroup chef who runs his own place now.

• Raju Omlet

  address: S/4, Mahalaxmi Apartment
  Eggetarian delights in Karelibaug in VIP Rd.

• Romana Pizzeria

  address: 2nd Floor, Ashoka Icon, Sangam Cross Roads, Harni Warasiya Road

• Vanity

  phone: +91 265 236 1220
  address: Sarod
  Tasty non-vegetarian food.

• Vishal SandwichTry their samosa sandwich.

Mid-range

• Ginger Hotel

  phone: +91 265 663 3333
  address: Opp. Saffron Tower, Near Methodist Church, Fatehgunj
  Offers breakfast & buffet at ₹150 & ₹200 respectively.

• Havmor

  phone: +91 96245 65602
  address: 56 Puneet Nagar Society, Old Padra Road
  Offers excellent variety in non-vegetarian delicacies. Plus they have their own Havmor ice-cream joint outside. Try Cookie Crunch or Coffee flavoured one - they are the ones to fall for & also at Sayajigunj, near railway station) -

• Kala Ghoda

  phone: +91 265 6619 619
  address: Near Kalaghoda Circle, Sayajigunj
  You get both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies.

• Periyar

  address: Ramin Park Society, Old Padra Road, Harinagar
  The only award winning restaurant of the city and the only place where you get non vegetarian food from South India.

• Zaika

  phone: +91 265 325 4477
  address: Ground Floor 1, Saran Bldg - Old Padara Rd
  Good taste. Recommended for non-vegetarian food.

Don't forget to try the famous 'Gujarati Thali' (Kathiyawadi):

• Kismat kathiyawadi

  phone: +91 87587 11011
  address: Amit Nagar Char Rasta, VIP Rd
  Also try the thali at Kismat Kathiyawadi in typically rural ambiance. Meal for 2 at 100 bucks. Must visit!

• Mandap

  phone: +91 92278 81135
  address: R.C. Dutt Road, 1st floor
  At ₹150, this thali is delicious and an exceptional value in delightful surroundings. Recommended by locals.

Splurge

• Barbeque Nation

  phone: +91 265 606 0000
  address: R.C. Dutt Road, 3rd Floor, Shreem Shalini Mall, Alkapuri
  very good non-veg fare at the buffet

• Peshawri

  address: RC Dutt Road, Alkapuri
  Inside WelcomeHotel.

• The Gateway Hotel Akota Gardens Vadodara

  address: Akota Rd

Vadodara is a nice place to be but lacks a nightlife altogether because of a blanket ban on alcohol throughout Gujarat. Foreign nationals can procure alcohol after getting a permit, but this procedure is not without its headaches.
You will need your passport plus a photocopy of your passport data page and your visa. You must ask your hotel to stamp this photocopy and write a simple statement to say that "xxx is residing at this hotel, room xxx. The fee for the permit is ₹100. The permit is valid for one month, during which time each person is allowed to buy a limited quantity - 10 units at a time (one unit is 10 large bottles of beer, or 3 bottles of wine or 1 bottle of spirits), no more than twice in six days. This should satisfy all but the heaviest of drinkers. You can use the permit at any location that sells alcohol.
The wine shop at the Hotel Kaviraj (the hotel is being refurbished but the wine shop is open on the side of the building) is open from noon to 10PM and can always issue a permit.

Budget

Choose any of the hotels available besides the railway station (Sayaji Gunj area), but be aware that they sometimes refuse foreign tourists because of the paperwork needed for the booking.

• Ginger Hotel

  phone: +91 265 663 3333
  address: Opp. Saffron Tower, Near Methodist Church, Fatehgunj
  Although a budget class hotel, price is a little bit high. Well-designed rooms but not large enough. Ginger Hotel Chain is owned and operated by Tata Group

• Hotel Sunrise

  phone: +91 265 235 5401
  address: 5, Sampatrao Colony, R. C. Dutt Road, Alkapuri
  Budget hotel. 21 A/C rooms covered with Wi-Fi. Book well in advance

• Zostel

  phone: +91 265 278 2564
  address: Central Bus Station (next to Vadodara Jn. train station)
  Dormitory and single beds. Central air conditioning. Laundry. Separate female dorms. Internet kiosk

• white house

  phone: +91 7600057279
  address: B/h. Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, Vasna-Bhayli Rd. Vadodara

Mid-range

• Hotel Aditi

  phone: +91 265 236 2258, +91 265 236 1188

• Hotel Apex International

  phone: +91 265 236 2551

• Hotel Express Residency

  phone: +91 265 309 9000
  address: 18/19 Alkapuri Soc,

• Hotel Revival

  address: Sayajigunj, Dak Bunglaw

• Hotel Surya

  phone: +91 265 222 6161
  Rooms range from economy class to Deluxe. Check their website for details

• PM Regency

  phone: +91 265 236 1616
  address: Sarod, Sayajigunj

• Surya Palace Hotel

  phone: +91 265 222 6000
  address: Sarod, Sayajigunj

• Tansha Comfort Residency

  phone: +91 265 308 8888
  address: Dutt Road

Splurge

• The Gateway Hotel Akota

  phone: +91 265 235 4545
  address: Akota Gardens
  Part of the Taj Group of Hotels,

• Hotel Hampton Inn by Hilton

  phone: +91 265 230 3000
  address: 14, Friends Co-op Society

• WelcomHotel

  phone: +91 265 2330033
  address: R.C. Dutt Road
  Leading 5-star hotel in Vadodara.

Mail

Vadodara has 3 main post offices:

• Haribhakti Post Office

  phone: +91 265 236 1725
  address: Race Course Road

• Head Post Office

  phone: +91 265 242 2449
  address: Kharivav Rd, Raopura

• Manjalpur Post Office

  phone: +91 98258 75502

Phone and Internet

Most hotels in Baroda do offer free Wi-Fi. You'll be able to check email or use Skype at McDonald's Family Restaurants too. Internet Cafe are few. At

HB's Cyber Cafeconnection speeds are good

Vadodara is generally a safe city, and is heavily secured by the local cops (who may be in yellow-ochre, black, white or informal dress but in yellow-ochre socks). In the relatively unlikely event that you have any trouble, you can call 108 (emergency number).

Tourists and especially non-resident Indians can expect to pay significantly more than locals, so don't be surprised if you experience this.

• Bharuch - Halfway between Vadodara-Surat, Bharuch is the oldest city in Gujarat.
• Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (47 km from Vadovara) - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see the remains of a medieval city whose architecture is special because it was Islamic buildings executed by Hindu and Jain workmen in a very unique style. Pavagadh Kalika mandir is a must see place. You may hire local taxi or auto to reach Manchi which is 5 km from Pavagadh. There is a state bus facility every hour from Pavagadh to Manchi. At Manchi, Get a Ropeway (Udan Khatola in Hindi) ticket (₹98/- to and fro) one of the best ropeways in India. After getting down from ropeway, climb 250 step to kalika mandir.
• Dabhoi (33 km from the city center) - an old fortified town, originally known as Darbhavati, renowned for its gates and Jain temples, both impressive for its fine carved details
• Sankheda - Travel to Sankheda to see the making of lovely lacquer coated furniture.ee the making of lovely lacquer coated furniture.
• Tejgadh - A village noted for its Tribal Academy of Gujarat, which is a social service organization aiming for the development of local tribals. It also operates a museum showcasing tribal crafts.