Surat, India 🇮🇳
#1395
21.209489, 72.831705
Nomad Score:
60%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Surat is a vibrant city located on the Tapi River in Gujarat, India, known for its rich historical heritage and as a major diamond trading hub. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 1.5 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 INR ≈ 0.012 USD. Major banks include State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is advised. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity supply is 230V, 50Hz. Common plug types are Type C and D. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; international cards work at major ATMs. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Oyo Rooms, and local guesthouses offer diverse housing options. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless transactions are commonly accepted via UPI, cards, and mobile wallets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on Airbnb and local rental platforms like NestAway. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Budget hotels and hostels like Hotel Gopi and Hotel Sagar offer affordable stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WorkFlo Coworking Space is one of the top choices for remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe D'oro, known for its great ambiance and Wi-Fi, is ideal for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech meetup events and startup showcases are frequently organized. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Surat Expats' host regular meetups and community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola are the preferred apps for on-demand transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Renting scooters is available through apps like Bounce and Vogo. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Dumas Beach, approximately 20 km away, is a popular nearby beach. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | SpiceJet and IndiGo cover regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air India and Emirates offer international flights to major destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Surat is connected to National Highways 48 and 6. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Surat Railway Station is the main rail hub, connecting to major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro and bus passes are available, with regular bus services across the city. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains provide easy access to nearby cities like Vadodara and Ahmedabad. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Sanjivani Hospital is one of the top healthcare facilities in Surat. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Art of Living Center offers yoga classes and wellness retreats. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Talwalkars are popular choices for working out. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services like Dry Clean Centre are commonly available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Zomato and Swiggy are the leading food delivery apps. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Surti Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish, is a must-try local delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Mainland China and Shree Thaker Bhojanalay serve vegetarian cuisine. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Agarwal Sweets is known for its delicious traditional sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Gopi Talav Market offers budget-friendly food and crafts. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and Flipkart are widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BigBasket and Grofers provide home delivery for groceries. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The city features a few bars like The Watering Hole and Crossover. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Rudra Brew is a notable local brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine bars are not prevalent; local restaurants offer wine options. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food at Gopi Talav is famous for chaat and pav bhaji. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Barbeque Nation offer popular international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Surat Castle and Sardar Patel Museum are must-visit sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Surat's Textile Museum showcases the rich textile history of the region. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Dutch cemetery and the old Surat Fort are notable historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The ISKCON Temple and Sri Swaminarayan Temple attract many visitors. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Veda Vyas Jayanti and Navratri are major cultural festivals celebrated. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The old city area is rich in culture and history. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Surat has several performance venues, including P S Patel Auditorium. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Surat's textile markets are famous for fabrics and sarees. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local events and festivals often feature traditional music concerts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street murals in the city reflect its vibrant culture and history. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes focusing on traditional Gujarati cuisine are offered. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Ravi Galleria showcases local artists and their works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Surat Fort and the old mosque complex are key historical buildings. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Surat's role as a major port city in history is celebrated in its heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Dumas Beach and the Tapi River offer scenic escapes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Girmal National Park is around a 3-hour drive from Surat. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Tapi Riverfront has cycling and walking paths for leisure. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewing points along Dumas Beach offer stunning sunset views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The nearby wetlands are perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated bonfire spots can be found at Dumas Beach. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Courier services like Blue Dart and DTDC are reliable options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Tech Fix offer repair services for gadgets. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Clubs like Table Tennis Federation in Surat host matches and sessions. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like EFLU offer English and Gujarati language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Surat Municipal Library has spaces for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Community centers like Surat Cultural Centre hold regular events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Venues like Gaming House offer a space for video gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Surat does not have casinos; however, gambling is available in Goa. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹1,800,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹1,280,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹3,300,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹2,400,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹4,000,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹2,800,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% is the standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The dividend withholding tax rate is 20%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | The tax system is based on residency and income earned in India. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 30%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 18%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, India has CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax basis is calculated based on rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Buyer pays 7% stamp duty on property transactions. |