The New Star: Surat to Udaipur in 7.5 Hours
The latest game-changer for travellers in South Gujarat is the newly approved Vande Bharat Express connecting Surat with Udaipur. This service marks Surat's first originating Vande Bharat train, creating a direct, high-speed link to Rajasthan's famed
'City of Lakes'. The train is expected to cover the distance in approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, a significant improvement over the typical 8-9 hour road journey. Operating six days a week (except Tuesdays), the train will depart from Surat in the early morning at 6:10 AM and reach Udaipur by 1:40 PM, making it perfect for a weekend trip. The return journey leaves Udaipur at 3:35 PM, arriving back in Surat at 11:00 PM. With halts at key stations like Vadodara, Anand, and Asarva, the service also enhances connectivity within Gujarat itself. This new link makes Udaipur, with its majestic palaces and serene lakes, an easily accessible destination for a quick escape.
Strengthening Gujarat's Rail Network
The Surat-Udaipur route is the sixth Vande Bharat service for Gujarat, highlighting a broader push to bolster the state's rail infrastructure. Existing services, like the popular Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, have already transformed travel between Gujarat's commercial capital and India's financial hub, cutting the journey to under six hours. Another key route connects Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) to Okha, enhancing access to the pilgrimage site of Dwarka in the Saurashtra region. Furthermore, a series of new projects announced in September 2026, including the laying of third and fourth railway lines between Vadodara and Ratlam and gauge conversion projects, are set to increase capacity and reduce congestion. These upgrades are not just for passengers; the full operationalisation of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) will streamline goods movement, which in turn frees up capacity on existing tracks for more passenger trains.
Beyond the Rails: Smoother Roads and Coastal Drives
It's not just the railways that are making travel easier. Gujarat is witnessing a massive overhaul of its road network. The state has approved a significant ₹1,185 crore plan to upgrade roads in South Gujarat, improving access to tourist spots like Saputara and Wilson Hills. Another major undertaking is the ambitious 1,630 km coastal highway project stretching from Umargam in the south to Narayan Sarovar in Kutch. A key section of this, a Rs 356-crore coastal highway, has begun construction to connect Hazira in Surat with Kantyajal in Bharuch, drastically cutting the travel distance from 55 km to around 20 km. These road projects are designed to ease traffic on major arteries like National Highway 48 and open up previously hard-to-reach coastal areas, making scenic drives and visits to beach towns a more attractive weekend option.
Planning Your Next Weekend Escape
These developments unlock a host of new travel possibilities. For residents of Surat and Vadodara, a luxurious weekend in Udaipur is no longer a tiring overnight journey. You can leave Friday after work and be back Sunday night, refreshed. The improved rail network also solidifies connections to other weekend favourites like Mumbai and destinations within Saurashtra. Meanwhile, the developing coastal highway invites exploration of South Gujarat's beaches and the serene eco-tourism circuit near the Statue of Unity. With road travel to hill stations like Saputara becoming smoother, and access to heritage sites like Champaner or pilgrimage spots like Ambaji improving, the options are plentiful. Whether you prefer the history and romance of Rajasthan, the bustling energy of a metropolis, or the tranquil beauty of a coastal drive, Gujarat’s evolving infrastructure is putting more destinations within easy reach for that much-needed break.
