'''Vadodara''', a town in Gujarat in India, also known as '''Baroda''', is named for the Vad (banyan) trees that flourish in the area.
Understand
Get in
By plane
You can get into Vadodara on a domestic flight, and it is reasonably connected to the rest of the country by domestic airlines like Indian Airlines, Kingfisher, GoIndigo, Air Deccan and Jet Airways (there are several smaller and cheaper operators, too. The nearest international airport is about 100 km away in Ahmedabad to which is served by Air India, Emirates Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
By train
At Vadodara railway station you can get on and off both superfast and premium trains like Shatabdi and Rajdhani express, as well as travel the humble passenger trains (memu/ kathana passenger etc) that will take you to the smaller towns and villages in Gujarat. It is well connected to the other parts of the country (east, south and north) by direct long distance trains and is a major stop on the Bombay-Delhi Rajdhani route.
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
The main bus station is the STC bus station that is a stone's throw away from the railway station (Vadodara Central). Non-airconditioned buses leave from here. Buses leave every 15 minutes to Ahmedabad, taking 2 hours on the expressway and costing Rs. 68 per person (Jun 08).
By boat
Vadodara can be accessed by travelling in river Mahi in a boat from Surat.
Get around
Local transport consists mainly of 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 = 29Rs for a 4-5km journey).
By Car (Local)
You can easily visit Vadodara through Car. There are many Car Rental Companies available which Provide world Class Services.
'''Enterprises Car Rental'''
'''Savaari Car Rental''',Savaari [http://www.savaari.com Car Rental Vadodara] has a reputation for providing quality luxury car rentals Vadodara. For more information on online booking of Rental Car in Vadodara, Website:[http://www.savaari.com/user/vadodara-car-rentals/car-rentals-vadodara.php]
'''Hertz Car Rental'''
See
Vadodara has an excellent IHC
Vadodara has an excellent '''golf course''' and lovely '''university grounds '''that can be walked through.
Travel to '''Sankheda''' near Baroda to see the making of lovely lacquer coated furniture.
Travel to '''Champaner''' to be at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the remains of medieval mosques and a medieval city whose architecture is special because it was islamic buildings executed by HIndu and Jain workmen...a very unique style.
Visit the '''Fatehsingh museum''', to view several Raja Ravi Verma originals- the royal family of Baroda has a notable collection of his works.
Check out the '''Tribal Academy at Tejgarh'''.
Do
There are quite a few sights worth taking a look at such as the '''maharaja's 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.
Learn
If you want to learn anything related to the arts, Baroda is a good place to be - you can learn classical dance, pottery, whatever ... fairly inexpensively and from good teachers.
Work
Vadodara has companies like L&T,IOCL,ABB, GSFC, ONGC, IPCL (now Reliance), Bombardier, General Motors and Jyoti. Many other petrochemical companies like GACL and pharma cos like Sun Pharma, Alembic and Sarabhai of the city are also well known. It is also considered as good location for IT companies with coming SEZ. Also, a new biotech park is coming up in the city.
Buy
Camel leather and related arts of embedding pure gold and stone colors, on camel leather and hide vessels are well known here.
Eat
Dal vada, sev usal, kulfi, bhajia, khakhra, bhurji at Raju Omlet, the best chaat at Mirch Masala.
'''Azure''' is one of the most popular and favourite eating destination of Vadodara. It serves Indian, continental, Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian delicious dishes.
at a very reasonable price. The ambience of the Hotel is one of the most beautiful site in and around Vadodara. This Hotel is just 09 km from the railway station and can be accessed by Taxi, Auto, town bus. The Hotel has a open air restaurant and a beautiful indoor restaurant with pleasant ambiance. The service quality and courtesy of the Hotel staff is excellent. This is one of the most popular destination in the city.
There are plenty of eateries in and around the city and getting good food is not a problem.
Budget
'''Vishal Sandwich''', near Baroda High School in Alkapuri. Try their Samosa Sandwich.
'''Kalyan Restaurant''', near the Railway station and the Central Bus Station. Here you can get a variety of food choices from Chinese to continental along with Chats, South Indian foods etc. Its a self service restaurant with good quality food.
'''Dairy Den''', Sayajigunj area. This is Baroda's first ice cream parlor that serves soft cones. You can enjoy a variety of flavors over here.
'''Mahakali Sev Usal''' Delicious Sev Usal near Kirti Stambh, Old City,Vadodara
'''Vanity''' - At Sayajigunj near railway station; tasty non-vegetarian food
'''Decent''' - At Lalbaugh. Only vegetarian food.
Mid-range
'''Hotel Sayaji''' - Offers buffet at Rs. 250 on weekdays and at Rs. 275 on Sundays. You get non-vegetarian delicacies also. For people who prefer something other that buffet, there is a rooftop restaurant.
'''Havmor''' (Near Kalaghoda Circle) - Offers excellent variety in non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian delicacies. Try there Chicken Tikka Masala is too good to resist. Plus they have there own Havmor ice-cream joint outside, so you can chop onto it outside. Try Cookie Crunch or Coffee flavoured one they are the ones to fall for.
'''Zaika''' - Good taste. Recommended for non-vegetarian food.
'''Periyaar''' - The only award winning restaurant of the city and the only place where you get non vegetarian food from South India.
'''Goodies Cafeteria'''. Decent Bakery and food to suit different tastes: Baroda's take on a 'modern' eatery.
'''Pooran Singh's kababs and parathas''' near the Cafe Coffee Day by the Birds' Circle at Race Course Road. He's an ex-Welcomgroup chef who runs his own place now...very good food!
Don't forget to try the famous 'GUjarati Thali'...it is heaven on a plate :)
'''The Gujarati (veg) Thali''', at the Express Hotel (First floor). At 150 Rs is delicious and exceptional value in delightful surroundings. Opens at 19.30 for dinner. Recommended by locals.
Splurge
'''Peshawari''', at the Welcomgroup.
'''STIR''', at Taj Residency, Vadodara.
Drink
It is a nice place to be but lacks a nightlife altogether because of a '''blanket ban on alcohol''' that coats Gujarat. Foreign nationals can procure alcohol after getting a permit, but this procedure is not without its headaches.
You will need a 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 Rs. The permit is valid for one month during which time each person is limited as to the quantity you can buy - 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 currently being refurbished but the wine shop is open on the side of the building) is open from 12.00 to 20.00 and always can issue a permit.
Sleep
Budget
Choose any of the hotels available besides the bus station.
Mid-range
'''Surya Palace'''
'''PM Regency'''
Splurge
'''ITC Welcomgroup Hotel'''
'''Taj Residency Vadodara'''
'''Express Hotel'''.
Contact
Stay safe
Its always safe to move out in city any where any time.
Cope
Get out