Mount Girnar in Junagadh, Gujarat, is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in western India, and the Girnar Ropeway has changed the way people experience this ancient hill forever. Known locally as the “Udan Khatola,” this cable car service is celebrated as Asia’s longest ropeway and has turned what used to be a punishing five to seven hour climb up thousands of stone steps into a smooth eight minute ride through the clouds. If you are planning a visit to Girnar and searching for accurate details on the ropeway ticket price, this guide covers everything you need before you book your trip.
What Is the Girnar Ropeway
The Girnar Ropeway stretches across roughly 2.3 kilometers between the base station at Bhavnath Taleti and the upper station near Ambaji Temple. Nine towers support the cable line along the route, with the tallest pole rising 66 meters above the ground near the 1000th step of the traditional pilgrim path. The ropeway operates on a mono cable detachable gondola system, meaning cabins can be added or removed from the line depending on passenger demand, which keeps the flow of visitors smooth even during peak pilgrimage season.
Each cabin comfortably seats seven to eight passengers, and with twenty five to thirty cabins in continuous rotation, the system is built to carry around 800 passengers every hour and close to 8000 people in a single day. The journey that once took devotees the better part of a morning is now completed in seven to eight minutes, climbing to an altitude of roughly 850 to 900 meters above the base.
The idea for this ropeway is far from new. It was first proposed back in 1893 by tourism planners who recognized how difficult the steep stone staircase was for elderly pilgrims and families. The project faced decades of delays due to legal hurdles and approval processes, and only gained real momentum after 2002. Land acquisition was finalized in 2007, and the foundation stone was laid during that period. The ropeway finally became operational for the public on 24 October 2020, after a construction cost of around 130 crore rupees, a figure that included both terminal stations and the nine supporting towers.
Girnar Ropeway Ticket Price Breakdown
Ticket pricing for the Girnar Ropeway has changed a few times since it opened, mostly due to rising maintenance and operational costs. As of the most recent update, here is how the pricing generally works.
| Ticket Category | Price |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket (Adult) | Around ₹400 |
| Round Trip Ticket (Adult) | Around ₹699 to ₹700 |
| Child Ticket (Height 90 to 110 cm, roughly age 5 to 10) | Around ₹350 |
| Children Below 5 Years | Free |
| Senior Citizen Round Trip (where applicable) | Around ₹600 |
It is worth noting that GST is applied on top of the base fare in many cases, which can bring the effective round trip cost for a full paying adult closer to ₹826 once the 18 percent tax is added. Prices are subject to periodic revision by the operating company, so what you see listed on a travel blog from last year may not match what you pay at the counter today. Always confirm current rates on the official booking portal or at the ticket counter before finalizing your travel plans.
Why the Price Sometimes Changes
The operator of the ropeway, a private company called Udan Khatola, has occasionally revised fares to account for maintenance, safety upgrades, and general upkeep of the cable system. In late 2024, for example, the standard round trip fare was raised by around 10 percent, moving from ₹600 to ₹699, a change the company attributed to the rising cost of running such a large mechanical operation safely.
On the other hand, prices have also dropped temporarily during special religious occasions. During the Mahashivratri Mela, one of the largest festival gatherings at Girnar, the ropeway management has offered a discounted rate to make the pilgrimage more accessible to the massive number of devotees who arrive during those few days. During one such Mahashivratri period, the fare was reduced by ₹69, bringing the round trip cost down to ₹630 for five days. During this festival window, online booking is usually suspended entirely, and tickets are sold only through the physical counters at the base station because of the sheer volume of foot traffic.
Gujarat Darshan Combined Ticket
For travelers who want to explore more of the region in a single package, there is often a combined ticket option known as the Gujarat Darshan ticket. This bundled pass typically costs around ₹899 for adults and ₹499 for children, and it is designed for visitors who want to pair their Girnar Ropeway experience with other nearby attractions or a broader sightseeing circuit in the region. If you are traveling as a family or in a group with mixed interests, checking whether this combined option suits your itinerary can sometimes work out to be more convenient than buying separate tickets for different attractions.
Girnar Ropeway Timings
Knowing the operating hours is just as important as knowing the ticket price, especially if you want to catch the cooler part of the day or avoid long queues.
The ropeway generally operates from early morning, around 7 to 8 AM, until the evening, closing somewhere between 4 PM and 6 PM depending on the season and local weather conditions. Since Girnar is a hill station with unpredictable weather patterns, especially during monsoon months, operating hours can shift due to high winds, fog, or heavy rainfall, all of which can temporarily halt cable car operations for safety reasons. It is always a good idea to check the latest schedule a day or two before your visit, particularly if you are traveling from outside Gujarat and have limited flexibility in your travel dates.
How to Book Girnar Ropeway Tickets Online
Booking your ticket in advance is strongly recommended, especially during weekends, holidays, and festival seasons when footfall at the base station can be overwhelming. The process is fairly simple and can be completed from a smartphone or computer.
Start by visiting the official website of the ropeway operator. Once there, select your preferred travel date along with an available time slot, since the system runs on a slot based entry model to manage crowd flow efficiently. After choosing your slot, you will move to the ticket selection screen where you can pick the number of adult and child tickets you need. Complete the payment online, and you will receive a confirmation that you can either print or show digitally at the entry point. This advance booking system exists primarily to reduce overcrowding at the base station and to give visitors a more predictable, comfortable start to their trip up the hill.
During major festivals like Mahashivratri, keep in mind that online booking is often paused completely, and every ticket must be purchased in person at the counter, so plan for extra waiting time if your visit coincides with such events.
Tips Before You Visit Girnar Ropeway
A little preparation goes a long way when visiting a high altitude pilgrimage site like Girnar. Here are some practical suggestions gathered from the experiences of regular visitors and pilgrims.
Arrive early in the morning if possible. Not only does this help you avoid the midday heat, but it also means shorter queues and a better chance of getting your preferred time slot, especially on weekends.
Carry a light jacket or shawl even in warmer months, since temperatures at the upper station near Ambaji Temple tend to be noticeably cooler than at the base due to the altitude gain.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Even though the ropeway eliminates most of the climbing, there are still some steps and walking paths to navigate once you reach the temple complex at the top.
Keep some cash on hand in addition to your digital booking confirmation, since counter transactions and small vendor purchases near the base station are often easier with physical currency.
If you plan to explore beyond just the Ambaji Temple, such as visiting the Dattatreya Shrine or the Jain temples scattered along the lower slopes, set aside extra time in your schedule, as these sites involve additional walking beyond where the ropeway drops you off.
Check the weather forecast before heading out, since ropeway operations are sometimes suspended briefly during strong winds or storms as a safety precaution.
Why the Girnar Ropeway Matters to Pilgrims and Tourists
Beyond the numbers and pricing details, the Girnar Ropeway represents a genuine shift in accessibility for one of India’s oldest pilgrimage circuits. For decades, elderly devotees, people with mobility challenges, and families with young children were effectively excluded from reaching the upper temples because the climb was simply too demanding. The ropeway has opened this sacred mountain to a much wider range of visitors, allowing five to six lakh people annually to experience the spiritual and scenic richness of Girnar without the physical strain of the traditional climb.
The ride itself has also become an attraction in its own right. As the cabin glides above the forested slopes, passengers get sweeping views of the Gir landscape, distant temple spires, and the winding stone staircase below that pilgrims have used for centuries. For many travelers, this short journey through the sky is just as memorable as the temple visit that follows.
Girnar Ropeway Address and Location
The Girnar Ropeway base station is located at Bhavnath Taleti, near Junagadh, in the state of Gujarat, India. This is the same area where the famous Bhavnath Fair is held every year, so the base station sits within a well known pilgrimage zone surrounded by smaller temples, ashrams, and food stalls.
If you are traveling from Junagadh city center, the ropeway base is only a short drive away, usually reachable within 20 to 30 minutes by local taxi or auto rickshaw. The nearest major railway station is Junagadh Junction, and the nearest airport is Rajkot, which is connected to major Indian cities and is roughly two hours away by road. Most hotels in Junagadh can arrange transport directly to the Bhavnath Taleti base station, since this is one of the most requested routes for tourists and pilgrims visiting the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Girnar Ropeway ticket price?
The standard round trip ticket for an adult costs around ₹700, while a one way ticket costs around ₹400. Prices can vary slightly depending on GST and any ongoing promotional or festival rates, so it is best to confirm the exact figure at the time of booking.
Is there a separate price for children?
Yes. Children between the ages of 5 and 10, or those measuring between 90 and 110 cm in height, are charged a discounted round trip fare of around ₹350. Children below the age of 5 travel free of charge.
Are senior citizens given any discount?
Some reports mention a concessional round trip rate of around ₹600 for senior citizens, though this benefit may not always be available and can depend on the operator’s current policy, so it is worth asking at the counter or checking the official website beforehand.
Does the ticket price include GST?
Not always. Many visitors report that the listed base fare has an additional 18 percent GST applied at checkout or at the counter, which can raise the effective round trip cost for a full paying adult to around ₹826.
Can I book Girnar Ropeway tickets online?
Yes, tickets can usually be booked in advance through the official ropeway website, where you select your travel date, choose an available time slot, and complete payment digitally. This is recommended to avoid long queues, especially on weekends and holidays.
Is online booking available during festivals like Mahashivratri?
Generally, no. During major festival periods such as the Mahashivratri Mela, online booking is typically suspended, and tickets are sold only at the physical counters near the base station due to the extremely high number of visitors during those days.
What are the ropeway’s operating hours?
The ropeway typically runs from early morning, around 7 to 8 AM, until the evening, closing somewhere between 4 PM and 6 PM. Timings can shift slightly due to weather conditions or seasonal changes, so checking the latest schedule before your visit is a good idea.
How long does the ropeway ride take?
The full journey from the base station to the upper station near Ambaji Temple takes approximately seven to eight minutes, covering a distance of around 2.3 kilometers.
Where exactly is the Girnar Ropeway located?
The base station is at Bhavnath Taleti, near Junagadh, Gujarat, close to the site of the annual Bhavnath Fair. It is easily reachable from Junagadh city by local taxi or auto rickshaw.
Is the ropeway price the same for local residents and outside visitors?
Some sources mention that non local adult passengers may be charged a higher rate compared to local residents of Junagadh, largely to help offset maintenance and safety costs. It is best to check current local resident policies directly with the operator, as such rules can change.
Conclusion
The Girnar Ropeway ticket price remains reasonably affordable considering the scale of engineering involved and the convenience it offers to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. While the standard round trip fare hovers around ₹700 for adults, with discounted rates for children and occasional festival concessions, it is always wise to verify the current price directly through official channels before your trip, since rates are periodically revised. Whether you are a devoted pilgrim making your way to Ambaji Temple or a curious traveler drawn to Asia’s longest ropeway, this cable car journey up Mount Girnar offers a rare combination of spiritual significance, engineering achievement, and breathtaking natural scenery, all packed into a ride that lasts less than ten minutes.
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