When are the Diwali and summer holidays in 2026–27?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, with Dhanteras on 6 November, the Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) on 9 November and Bhai Bij on 10 November. Summer holidays for most Gujarat schools fall in May and early June, so check your school's calendar before you fix travel dates.
| Date | Occasion | Travel note |
|---|---|---|
| 11–19 Oct 2026 | Navratri | Garba nights; temples busy |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Dussehra | Short trips and temple visits |
| 6 Nov 2026 | Dhanteras | Diwali travel starts |
| 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali | Most families travel just before or just after |
| 9 Nov 2026 | Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year) | Temple visits and family trips |
| 10 Nov 2026 | Bhai Bij | Family visits between cities |
| 24 Nov 2026 | Dev Diwali (Kartik Poonam) | Busy at temples |
| May–early Jun 2027 | School summer holidays | Hill stations and long trips; check your school's dates |
The Diwali dates follow the Hindu calendar and are the dates most Gujarati calendars give for 2026. Temples and markets are crowded through the whole Diwali week, so build in extra time on the road.
Where to go: holiday trips by season
For Diwali and the cooler months, families from Gujarat head to Udaipur, the Statue of Unity, the Rann of Kutch, and Dwarka and Somnath. In the summer holidays, the hill stations of Mount Abu and Saputara are the usual choice. All of them are a day's drive or less from Ahmedabad.
| Destination | From Ahmedabad | From Becharaji | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Udaipur | 260 km, about 5.5 h | 310 km | Diwali and winter: lakes, palaces |
| Statue of Unity | 200 km, about 4 h | 310 km | Diwali and winter: a 1–2 day family trip |
| Rann of Kutch | 425 km, about 8 h | – | Winter: the white desert |
| Dwarka & Somnath | 380 / 400 km | 420 / 410 km | Diwali and New Year pilgrimage |
| Mount Abu | 225 km, about 4.5 h | 200 km, about 4 h | Summer: the nearest hill station |
| Saputara | 400 km, about 7.5 h | 510 km | Summer: Gujarat's hill station |
| Diu | 370 km, about 7 h | 420 km | Winter: beaches and the fort |
| Ambaji | 180 km, about 3.5 h | 170 km, about 3 h | Any season: a one-day temple trip |
Distances are by road from our published route pages. Drive times are for normal traffic and get longer in the Diwali week.
How much does a holiday taxi trip cost?
A round-trip holiday is billed on at least 300 km a day plus ₹300 a day for the driver. So a two-day trip costs about ₹7,800 in a sedan, ₹8,400 in an Ertiga or ₹11,400 in an Innova, and a three-day trip about ₹11,700, ₹12,600 or ₹17,100. Tolls, parking and state tax are extra.
| Trip (round trip) | Days | Sedan | Ertiga | Innova |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad – Mount Abu | 2 | ₹7,800 | ₹8,400 | ₹11,400 |
| Ahmedabad – Statue of Unity | 2 | ₹7,800 | ₹8,400 | ₹11,400 |
| Becharaji – Mount Abu | 2 | ₹7,800 | ₹8,400 | ₹11,400 |
| Ahmedabad – Udaipur | 3 | ₹11,700 | ₹12,600 | ₹17,100 |
| Ahmedabad – Dwarka | 3 | ₹11,700 | ₹12,600 | ₹17,100 |
| Ahmedabad – Saputara | 3 | ₹11,700 | ₹12,600 | ₹17,100 |
| Becharaji – Ambaji, same day | 1 | ₹4,380 | ₹4,720 | ₹6,420 |
How these are worked out: the billed distance is the round trip or 300 km for each day, whichever is more, times the per-km rate (₹12 sedan, ₹13 Ertiga, ₹18 Innova), plus ₹300 a day driver allowance. For example, Ahmedabad to Udaipur and back is 520 km, but three days count as 900 km: 900 × ₹12 + ₹900 = ₹11,700. These are indicative fares. Tolls, parking and state tax (for example on entering Rajasthan for Udaipur or Mount Abu) are extra at actual cost, and driving between 10 PM and 6 AM adds 20%.
Only need a drop? A one-way taxi saves 40–50%, because you pay for one side only. For more on how fares work, see what it costs to rent a car in Gujarat.
When should you book a holiday taxi?
Book a week or two ahead for Diwali week and for summer weekends, when most families travel on the same days. Booking in advance gets 10% off, applied on the invoice, and there is still no advance payment. Cancelling is free up to 8 hours before pickup.
- Diwali week: the days just before Diwali and just after Bestu Varas are the busiest for long trips.
- Summer: the first and last weekends of the school break fill fastest.
- Early starts: a 5 or 6 AM pickup gets you past city traffic and the afternoon heat. The 20% night charge applies only between 10 PM and 6 AM.
- Changing plans: free cancellation up to 8 hours before pickup; charges apply once the car has left the garage.
Which car is right for your family?
Choose by how many people travel and how much luggage you carry. A holiday usually means more bags than a city ride.
Swift Dzire
Sedan · 4 passengers
₹12/km
Couples and small families with light luggage.
Book this car
Ertiga
MUV · 6 passengers
₹13/km
Families of five or six with holiday bags.
Book this car
Innova Crysta
MUV · 7 passengers
₹18/km
Long multi-day trips where comfort matters most.
Book this carTravelling as two families or a bigger group? We arrange a Tempo Traveller or a bus; call us for a quote. Our guide to cars for long road trips compares them in more detail.
Tips for a holiday road trip with family
- Share the full plan when you book: every stop and night halt, so the fare we confirm matches the trip you take.
- Plan the long drive for daylight: it is safer, and you avoid the 20% night charge.
- Budget for the extras: tolls, parking and state tax are paid at actual cost on top of the fare.
- Keep the driver's number handy for pickups from hotels and sightseeing stops.
- Pay at the end: no advance, and cash or UPI when the trip is done. A GST invoice is available.
- Every car is GPS-tracked, so family at home can be told where you are.
How to book a holiday taxi
- Pick your destination and dates. Tell us where you want to go, how many days, and any stops on the way.
- Tell us your group size. How many people and how much luggage, so we suggest the right car.
- We confirm the car and the fare. You get the per-km rate, the estimated distance and what is extra before you travel.
- Travel and pay at the end. No advance; pay the driver by cash or UPI when the trip is over.