Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Surat is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat located on the Tapi River and is known for its diamond cutting and textile industries. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 25-50 Mbps, with fiber options available |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 INR ≈ 0.013 USD, major banks include State Bank of India, HDFC Bank |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, Type C/D plugs |
| 📶 SIM Card | Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone provide good coverage and data plans |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted widely; cash is also commonly used |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Oyo Rooms, Airbnb, and local guesthouses |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, digital payments are commonly accepted via UPI, Paytm, and cards |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local services like Oyo Rooms are good for short stays |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Dormigo and guesthouses starting from ₹500 per night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Gopi Talav area and near Surat Castle for historical access |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Dumas Road area, known for cafes and co-working spaces |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WorkLab Surat, featuring fast internet and good amenities |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Chocolate Room and Starbucks provide a work-friendly environment |
| 💼 Networking Events | Startup Grind Surat hosts regular networking events |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Surat Facebook group for community gatherings and meetups |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola operate effectively in Surat |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Apps like Bounce and Yulu for scooter rentals |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Dumas Beach, approximately 16 km away |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air India offers flights connecting Surat to major cities |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | IndiGo has direct flights to Dubai and other destinations |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | National Highway 48 connects Surat to Mumbai |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Surat Railway Station serves as the main transit hub |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Buses operated by GSRTC; daily and monthly passes available |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses available to nearby cities like Vadodara and Ahmedabad |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | New Civil Hospital Surat is a major public healthcare facility |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Various yoga studios like Yoga Institute Surat offer classes |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and Fitness First are popular options |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundry services available, such as Dhobi Ghat |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Zomato and Swiggy are widely used for food delivery |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Surti Undhiyu and Surat's famous locho |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Ganesh Gully for variety of vegetarian food |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Khaman Dhokla and Surti Puran Poli available at local sweet shops |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Surat Textile Market and local food markets |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon India and Flipkart for online shopping |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BigBasket and Grofers offer grocery delivery services |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Surat does not have a vibrant nightlife, but areas like Piplod have some bars |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | No dedicated breweries, but local bars serve craft beers |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Limited options, but some cafes serve wine |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | A variety of stalls in Gopi Talav and Nearby Rander offering local snacks |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Copper Chimney serve Indian and Continental food |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Surat Castle, Dutch Surat, and Dutch Cemetery |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Surat Diamond Museum showcases the city's diamond industry |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Surat Fort and old religious sites around the city |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | ISKCON Temple and Swaminarayan Temple are notable |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Surat International Diamond Jewellery Show happens annually |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Old Surat area reveals the historical roots of the city |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Sardar Patel Theater hosts various cultural events |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Palanpur Gali for shopping textiles and local crafts |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local folk music venues and occasional shows at theaters |
| 🎨 Street Art | Urban artworks near Surat's old districts |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Classes available at local cooking schools to learn Gujarati cuisine |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Surat Art Gallery for contemporary and traditional art |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Curated heritage walks available around old Surat |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Surat's diamond and textile industry reflects its vibrant trading past |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Sarthana Nature Park, a local urban wildlife sanctuary |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Gir National Park is about 350 km away, known for Asiatic lions |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cycling paths along the Tapi River offer scenic views |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Dumas Beach offers sunset views |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Chorvad Point is a good spot for birdwatching |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Dumas Beach allows bonfires in designated areas |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and India Post offer reliable courier services |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Mobile Repair Shop and iTech provide repairs |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Several community centers host table tennis facilities |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like English Speaking Institute offer various classes |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Surat City Library for reading and study |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local centers for cultural events such as Kavi Narmad Central Library |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Games Bizarre offers gaming experiences |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos, but gaming arcades are available in malls |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹200,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹140,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹360,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹270,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹440,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹320,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% across various sectors |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% tax on dividends |
| 🏦 Tax System | Indian tax system for residents based on income slabs |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% on income above ₹1,000,000 |
| 🧾 VAT | 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply to foreign entities |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on local regulations |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Registration charges and stamp duty applicable |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | India offers various tax treaties for foreign income |