Ahmedabad to Bhopal Flights

  About Ahmedabad

The city of Ahmedabad is known to be the fifth largest in India and is quite the commercial hub of the state. It is easily one of the fastest-growing cities in India, which also plays a centre for education and various industries. Even though it is not the capital of the state, Ahmedabad has immense scope for development and has been rapidly growing. The city plays an excellent host to a traveller who wishes to experience more of the city's history, development and spirituality. While the development sphere continues to expand in the city, the authorities are further following the Swachcha Bharat campaigns to maintain a neat town.

Ahmedabad is impeccably connected with the rest of the major cities in India. Besides, the international flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is excellent. Reaching the city is easy from all means of transport. As for accommodations, abundant options are ranging from luxury hotels to hostels for all kinds of travellers. You can opt for a fun staycation by booking your hotels in Ahmedabad and make the most of your time in the city. The city also has some great educational institutions that one can consider. In fact, the student crowd in Ahmedabad is rising as the opportunities are immense.

Best time to visit Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad's summers can get pretty rough and hot, but the monsoon and winter are equally pleasant. Interestingly, the Gujaratis actually have specific dishes for every season. For summer, aam ras and dishes made from mango. As for winter, their famous undiyo takes over the kitchens and streets! The monsoon also has some cool street food that one can indulge in, when in the city.

Monsoons are typically dedicated to fun street snacks such as roasted corn, boiled corn and some essential roasted dishes. You can primarily find these on the streets as several vendors indulge in selling smokey flavoured street snacks. During this time, the city also welcomes festivals such as Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami, which are celebrated with gusto.

Undoubtedly though, winter becomes the best season to visit Ahmedabad as it comes with a plethora of cultural relevance as well as sublime atmosphere. The temperature actually drops down to 5-20 degree Celsius, so do pack thermal wear for your trip. Not to mention how festivals such as Navratri, Diwali also take place during the winter months. This means you can actually indulge in some fun Garba as well as dress up for the occasion. Navratri food is another reason why you would want to take a trip to Ahmedabad during the winters.

Places to see in Ahmedabad

Gandhi Ashram

The Sabarmati Ashram, popularly known as the Gandhi Ashram is the place founded by Mahatma Gandhi. What makes this one of the major tourist attractions of Ahmedabad is the rich historical relevance it holds. The premise of the ashram has teachings of Gandhiji etched on the walls. Interestingly, the ashram continues to work with the principles set by the freedom fighter as the premise also contributes to the handicrafts market with their handmade products. In fact, the ashram also has a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory located within the premise.

ISKCON

The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama is prevalent in many parts of the country and even the world. The inspiring stories of the two deities as well as their teachings resonate with many followers. The temple is beautiful and has a festive air which will soothe your soul.

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum

Established by Muni Shri Punyavijayi and Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the museum is a haven for a bibliograph as it is an abode to priceless book collections, manuscripts and text materials from a long time ago. From Vedic scriptures of Jainism to poetic verses written in ancient India, the manuscripts and published literary work would be of interest to you if you're an avid reader or someone interested in history.

Auto World Vintage Car Museum

At the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, you will find yourself in awe of some of the swanky rides owned by Shri Pranlal Bhogilal, who opted to convert his private collection to public viewing. Not only will you get to see some fancy rides such as Maybach, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Chrysler, Lincoln, etc. but will also get to take one for a spin! Of course, you'll have to pay a token to take one of the cars out for a drive.

Bhadra Fort

The Bhadra Fort was once a pristine palace with lush gardens and gorgeous sights. Built back in 1411, the fort vicinity also has a temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. The fort has some historical significance as well as some spiritual relevance. One can take up a stroll around the Bhadra Fort and learn more about the rich backstory.

Calico Museum of Textiles

Ahmedabad or rather Gujarat, in general, is known for their contribution to the textile industry. In fact, they are the frontrunners in the textile industry. Many might assume that credit goes to Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, which enabled them to opt for handwoven khadi garments and produce the same. However, Ahmedabad's history with textiles dates back to the 1700s! Please take a tour through the Calico Museum of Textiles to learn more about their history and more.

Things to do in Ahmedabad

Drive-in theatres are a big hit here. You can probably rent a vehicle and head straight to Drive-In Road in the city but ensure to check the show timings before making a plan to watch a movie. Law Gardens is a bustling capital for the shopaholic in you. As long as you can handle some impeccable haggling, Law Gardens is the best place to shop Gujarati ensembles and clothes representing their culture. From glasswork on the fabric to shimmery outfits, you will have a lot of options to pick from at this shopping street.

A heritage walk is usually conducted in the city where you are taken through a tour of some of the historical streets of the town. The walk is organised by Ahmedabad's municipal corporation and happens daily. The walk starts at Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur and stretches up to the Jama Masjid. You can choose a day of leisure by hanging out at the Victoria Garden. It is close to the Bhadra Fort.

Food and Restaurants in Ahmedabad

Gujaratis fondness towards food is no big secret. They love food and are always game to explore the variety. In fact, much recently, a man found fame for selling pineapple and rabdi sandwiches! Speaking of which, if you do wish to check out this melange of flavours then you should head to Manek Sandwich in the city's Manek Chowk. For lip-smacking Gujarati thalis, you should check out Vishala. Tadka Punjabi, Sankalp is also some famous food joints in Ahmedabad with impeccable cuisines. While you're here, you should undoubtedly visit Havmor ice cream parlours and get some of that action.

There is something known as Kathiyawadi Food which is an Ahmedabad speciality. In case you're in the mood for some adventure, this is an excellent way to go about your gastronomical journey. Visit Bardi at CG Road for the same. There are more options available at CG Road such as Choice Snacks, Mirch Masala, to name a few that you can check out.

How to reach Ahmedabad (Transportation)

By Air

Ahmedabad has impeccable flight connectivity as various domestic as well as international airlines have flights in and out of the city. The main airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located approximately 15 km from the city centre. The airport is looking at some significant expansion plans to bring in more space for international airlines. Some of the global flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is with cities such as Kuwait, London, Doha, Singapore and Muscat, to name a few. As for domestic destinations, the flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is brilliant as a majority of the domestic airlines have flights in the city. You can fly to a majority of the metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Surat, Goa, Kolkata and more.

By Rail

The Ahmedabad Central Railway Station is also well-connected in terms of daily availability of transport. There are dedicated trains from Mumbai heading to Ahmedabad regularly with multiple connections to other major cities such as Rajkot, Pune , Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, etc. Other important junctions include the Sabarmati Junction and Maninagar Railway Station which connect to the central railway station.

By Road

Driving up to Ahmedabad is actually a fun ride as the roads are exciting and the highways are not risky. You can either book a bus ticket for yourself or rent a car or even drive yourself. People travelling from Maharashtra, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh often opt for buses as the best option if railway tickets aren't confirmed. The buses are comfortable too as you have options such as semi seater and sleeper to choose from. You can easily reach Ahmedabad from any corner of the country.

  About Bhopal

Also known as the City of Lakes, Bhopal is one of the greenest and cleanest cities in India. With a rich cultural heritage and rapid development, the capital of Madhya Pradesh has found itself in the top 20 list of India's largest cities. Bhopal has been ruled by many influential leaders in the past, ranging from the Maurya Dynasty to the Nawabs to the progressive Begums. It was initially a princely state and witnessed some significant women royalties, who reigned during the British era. Bhopal's rich history also comes with exquisite architecture and inspiring structures. From the stunning Sanchi Stupa to the marvellous Moti Masjid, the city has innumerable tourist attractions that continue to bring travellers from around the world.

The flight connectivity to Bhopal is also quite decent, allowing people to visit the city. If you book your flight tickets well in advance, you will be able to snag some cheap flight tickets. As for accommodations, the city has top-rated hotels and guest houses that you can check out. In fact, peruse through some options and book hotels in Bhopal before you travel.

Best time to visit Bhopal

Winters easily become the best time to visit the lovely city of Bhopal thanks to the chill weather. Starting from October and running till March, the mild winters are pleasant in Bhopal while the nights are chilly. They form the perfect kind of balance that one prefers with December and January being the coldest months. The temperatures usually drop to 5 degrees Celsius in Bhopal. This is also the perfect time to visit other tourist attractions in the city.

Monsoons are not the most sought-after choices to visit Bhopal as the heavy rains and thunderstorms could be a tad bit scary. The natural beauty and greenery is enhanced during the rains but owing to the other concerns it comes with, monsoon is not ideal for travel plans to Bhopal.

Summers in Bhopal are from March to June, and it is easily the hottest season. The heat often gets unbearable, especially during the peak months of May and June. Often the temperatures cross 40 degree Celsius which makes travelling outside difficult.

Places to see in Bhopal

Moti Masjid

Built back in 1862, the illustrious Moti Masjid has exceptional historical and socio-cultural value. The mosque is said to be made by Sikander Jahan Begum, touted to be the most progressive and free-spirited woman of the said era. The structure holds an uncanny resemblance to the Jama Masjid of Delhi with its use of white marble and architecture. Travellers enthused by history would find the mosque intriguing.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

Lakshmi Narayan Temple is yet another famous tourist attraction of Bhopal. The temple was built to honour Goddess Lakshmi and her consort Lord Vishnu. The temple premise also has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. The impeccable designs and well-kempt gardens of the temple complex help soothe the eyes as well as the heart.

Van Vihar National Park

Located in close proximity with the Upper Lake is the Van Vihar National Park, home to an array of wildlife including Sambar, Blackbuck, Blue Bull, Hyena, Porcupine and more. The park is well-maintained as it plays lungs to the city, which has seen some troubled times in terms of environmental hazards. The vast expanse of the national park has exotic flora as well to combine the joys of a wildlife and nature lover.

Sanchi Stupa

The Sanchi Stupa is a structure that dates back to 3rd century BCE and is said to be built by the great emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, King Ashoka. As the Mauryan King pursued the path of Buddhism and contributed to the spiritual movement, the Stupa's dome structure has been turned into a central vault to preserve the relics of Lord Buddha. The historical significance, as well as the Stupa's unmatched architecture, has made it a venerated tourist attraction in Bhopal. In the premise of the Sanchi Stupa, you will find some intricate designs on the walls of the structure which explain significant timelines of the Buddhism history. Moreover, visiting the Stupa would be an educational expedition that would certainly be quite enjoyable.

Upper Lake

Prominently known as Bhojtaal or Bada Talab, what makes the Upper Lake so famous is the fact that it is the oldest artificial lake in the country. The lake is believed to be built in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj. The lake has a scenic view and faces the royal garden, also known as Kamla Park. Either, you can sit by the banks of the lake to enjoy the sunset, or you can take up boating as an activity.

Taj-Ul-Masjid

Touted to be one of the most pristine mosques in Madhya Pradesh is the Taj-Ul-Masjid which translates to 'Crown of Mosques'. The name fits the image perfectly as the mosque is an architectural bliss with soothing blush walls while the domes are white. The premise of the mosque also has a grand courtyard with marble flooring and a pond. It would be best if you visited the mosque, especially for its architectural prowess.

Things to do in Bhopal

Entertainment at the Sair Sapata

One of the entertainment attractions of Bhopal has got to be the Sair Sapata. While the city's rich history and exquisite architecture could keep you on your toes, the Sair Sapata with its stimulating entertainment activities such as bike racing, boating, hiking, car dash and more must be visited. Irrespective of your age, the place is entertaining for everyone.

Boating at Bhojtal and Halali Dam

The city has quite a few lakes and rivers flowing, which makes boating a favoured activity. Often people take up boating on the Upper River or Bhojtal. You can engage in the same kind of activity at the Halali Dam too, which is approximately 40 km away from the city centre.

Trek to Raisen Fort

Located close to 23 km from the city centre is this mighty proud Raisen Fort. The Fort is actually atop a hill and is also surrounded by some quaint temples and reservoirs. The Raisen fort is famous for being a shrine to Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba, a venerated Muslim saint. Over the centuries, the Fort witnessed a slew of rulers since the 13th century. You can easily do a trek and explore more of the Fort, which also has a mosque and dome structures within the complex.

Explore Bhimbetka Caves

Bhimbetka Caves enjoys the stature of being a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site. The caves are more than 30,000 years but continue to offer aesthetic vibes with the aptly sculpted rock formations. The natural green surrounding further amplifies the beauty of the place. One can simply take a 20 Ltr hiking bag and stroll through the magnificent caves.

Food and Restaurants in Bhopal

With a rich Mughal influence, you will find some of the best Mughlai food in Bhopal. Zamzam is one such restaurant which is popular for its lip-smacking biryani. The menu is quite affordable and the food, certainly delectable. Another food paradise that you should visit for cuisines ranging from Awadhi to Bhopali is the Za-aiqa restaurant. It is located in Kohefiza, Bhopal and offers a compelling variety of delicacies that would make the foodie in you, a happy person. You will get to taste the taste of Awadhi food as well as can delve into the impeccable Mughlai spread.

Other popular food destinations in Bhopal are Kebabsville, Bhopal Express, Manohar, Da Pizzeria, La Kuchina and more. Since Bhopal is a metro city, the place has acquired many of the commercial foot joints. However, to get the true essence of Bhopali cuisine, one must definitely visit these places.

How to reach Bhopal

By Air

Bhopal airport is located on the northwestern side and is 13 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to and from Bhopal is excellent as it connects with major metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Gwalior. The Raja Bhoj Airport witnesses regular domestic flights as airlines Air India and SpiceJet have flight services to the city. The main city of Bhopal is easy to reach from the airport as the distance is not much and there are taxi cab and other transport facilities available.

By Rail

The Bhopal Railway Station is also well-connected with domestic routes and can reach the city from various parts of the country. There is a domestic route from Delhi to Mumbai that connects to Bhopal. A Delhi-Chennai main line also passes through Bhopal by train.

By Road

Bhopal's location makes it easy for bus services to reach the city. There is an abundance of public and private-owned bus services that can be found from all parts of the country, except for the Northeastern states. From Indore to Ratlam to Nagpur, the city can be reached from several parts of India. It is recommended that ahead of the travel, you book your hotels to avoid complications.

  About Ahmedabad Airport

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves as an international airport to the city of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in the state of Gujarat. The airport is about 9 km to the north of central Ahmedabad. The airport has been named after the First Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It falls in the top ten list of busiest airports in India with respect to passenger traffic. In fact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport stands at the seventh spot for being one of the busiest airports in India. According to reports received in 2018-19, the airport recorded a whopping passenger capacity of 11.17 million in a year. Ahmedabad Airport also serves as the focus city for GoAir airline.

The airport was originally set up in 1937 for domestic operations. However, the airport eventually received its international operations stature in 1991. In 2000, Ahmedabad Airport was added in the category of international airports in India. In the same decade, works to create a new terminal also commenced. In 2010, the airport's new terminal 2 came into existence, and it was inaugurated to handle international passengers.

Further, a towering 18 foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was also erected at the airport. The airport has been recognised internationally for its world-class facilities and modern amenities. In fact, it also received an award in 2017 for being the 'Most Improved Airport' in Asia-Pacific, by the Airports Council International.

About Ahmedabad Airport terminals

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 caters to domestic operations and comprises of two floors. The design and layout of the terminal are exquisite and is capable of handling 1400 passengers during peak hours. The terminal has also reserved spaces for parking cars which can accommodate 250 at one go. It comes with various facilities, including WiFi services and several food establishments. There are about 32 check-in counters as the terminal is sprawled over 480,000 square feet. Just recently in 2018, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport opened a new Plaza Premium lounge in the domestic terminal 1. The lounge is located right next to Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal building. The lounge has world-class facilities and caters to Priority Pass. You can also use other select bank cards to get access to the lounge. Business-class passengers depending on the airlines that they fly from will also get access to the lounge.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2, also known as T2, was inaugurated in 2010 and commenced operations the same year. Thanks to the exquisite Steel Structure built by the management, the terminal won accolades for the same at the 2009 edition of National Structural Steel Design and Construction Awards. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport's Terminal 2 accommodates four aerobridges with 32 check-in counters. The terminal's floor area sprawls across 41,000 square meters approximately.

With this, the terminal has the potential to accommodate over 1,600 passengers at all times. Similar to the terminal 1 lounge, terminal 2 also has a new Plaza Premium, which was opened in 2018. The new lounge at the terminal has been reserved for business class and first-class passengers. In fact, passengers who have special Priority Pass and other bank card are also given access to the terminal 2's lounge. Along with great facilities, the terminal also accommodates a 51,975 square metre long apron that enables parking bays for nine A-321 and four ATR-72 types of aircraft.

Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is located next to terminal 1 and is used for domestic flight activities. The terminal is yet to start functioning, but as of 2019, the airport has managed to lay the foundation. Construction work has already commenced for the new terminal. The terminal building is set to accommodate a parking facility of 200 cars and will predominantly be used for Hajj season.

Terminal 4 - Terminal 4 is reserved for cargo activities. The airport has the capacity to accommodate about 51,637 tonnes of cargo, this includes gold and silver. Sixty per cent of the cargo is derived from various domestic sources. Presently, cargo airlines such as Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo operate from Terminal 4 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

About Airport Authority

Airports Authority of India is the owner and played as the operator of the Ahmedabad Airport. However, in 2015, they announced to privatise the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Until 2015, much of the airport's management and operations were handled by the Airports Authority of India. Following a bid to transfer the ownership or rather operations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Adani Group has become the management now. Plans of expansion and upgradation under the operations of Adani Group have not been revealed yet.

Facilities at the Ahmedabad Airport

Lounge – The international and domestic terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have dedicated lounge services. Called the Plaza premium lounge, the two lounges have great hospitality and comfortable facilities.

Medical services – With a view to handle medical emergency cases, the airport has installed medical services and first aid rooms too. These are present in the domestic as well as international terminals.

WiFi – The airport offers free WiFi facilities for passengers. One can avail the free internet services without having to pay an extra tariff of any sort. Also, the internet connection is strong and can be utilised from various spots in the airport premise.

Currency exchange - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is an international airport and hence has a foreign exchange counter available in the terminal. You can get your currencies exchanged for a decent rate and also get money transfers done.

Child care rooms – There are provisions for parents travelling with kids to relax at the child care room. These rooms have been installed specifically to help parents calm their kids and to cater to their needs. The rooms are private in nature and have facilities such as changing tables, comfortable chairs and more. They also have baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent runs out of these essentials.

Spa – Ever since the airport has undergone upgradation, they have installed some interesting new features. One of them is a spa service. You can avail the spa services at the airport's terminals and relax ahead of the flight. They are mostly present in the international terminal.

Restaurants – There are dedicated food courts available at both the terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. You can find famous restaurants and food joints from around the world at the airport. Famous establishments such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC, to name a few, are also part of the airport terminals. Affordable food joints and beverage points are present at the airport as well. You can pick from the most upscale establishments to the cheap and affordable ones at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

ATMs – The airport facilitates various ATM kiosks of local banks at selected spots in the international and domestic terminals.

Top airlines flying from Ahmedabad Airport

As one of the most important airports in India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport accommodates several domestic and international airlines. The domestic airlines that operate from Ahmedabad Airport include Air India, AirAsia India, Air Deccan, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines connect to major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pune, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Kozhikode, Kochi, Bagdogra, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Dehradun, to name a few. Meanwhile, the international airlines that operate from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia X, Druk Air, Emirates, flydubai, Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. These airlines connect to international destinations such as Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Paro, London, Baghdad, Kuwait, Doha Singapore, Jeddah, Dubai, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, to name a few.

How to reach Ahmedabad Airport

By Bus

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is approximately 8n km away from the bus stand. From the bus stand, you can easily find taxis and private buses that will directly reach you to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. There are several prepaid taxi booths also available near the bus stand for you to reach Ahmedabad Airport. Reaching Ahmedabad Airport from the bus stand is quite convenient and comfortable. You can also find transportation facilities on Ola and Uber to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It would take approximately 20 minutes to reach Ahmedabad Airport. However, depending on the city traffic, the duration can vary.

By Rail

The railway station is also located about 8 km from the airport. If you have a flight to catch from Ahmedabad Airport and if you are travelling to Ahmedabad from other parts of Gujarat, it would be a comfortable journey. You can get various taxi cabs and other such vehicle services at the railway station to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Private cabs are available at the station and would take you around 20 to 25 minutes to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

  About Bhopal Airport

Raja Bhoj Airport, which is the fundamental airport serving, Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is known to be the second busiest in the state. The Bhopal Airport comes after Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport of Indore as an important airport in the state. It is 15 km away from the city centre and the Bhopal Junction railway station. The airport is perfectly located at the intersection of the National Highway 46 as well as State Highway 18. The State Highway connects the city of Bhopal to Indore. The airport also stands 20 km away from the Habibganj railway station, which is located in the south of Bhopal. The city does offer domestic and international flights which include the famous Hajj pilgrimage to Jeddah. It is flown by Saudia airlines, and the airport accommodated operations of the same from 2010, specifically for Hajj travellers. The flight has decent connectivity with the city centre as there are buses, trains and taxi cabs available from and to the Bhopal Airport.

About Bhopal Airport Terminals

For the longest time, the Raja Bhoj Airport had a domestic stance, but after accommodating the Saudia airlines as well as flight connectivity with Middle Eastern cities, the proposal to turn it international is being acknowledged. The airport is required to have immigration facilities to ensure that the international services that operate from the Raja Bhoj airport. The integrated terminal building at the Bhopal Airport has been built across an expanse of 289,940 sq ft with 14 check-in and four immigration counters for departure. For arrival, though, it has six immigration booths. There are about 22 customs desks also prevalent at the airport with 11 for departure and 11 for arrival. A dedicated X-ray machine for security is also present at the airport. Much recently, the terminal has also introduced a food establishment and some local stores. The whole initiative has been taken by the Airport Authority of India, as part of their development scheme. There are also two aerobridges connecting the terminal. Meanwhile, the third aerobridge's construction is to start soon.

About airport authority

The Raja Bhoj Airport is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The statutory body is responsible for the management, infrastructural expansion, upgradation and maintenance of the airport. The authority has worked to better the Bhopal Airport and done a pretty good job with it. In fact, Bhopal Airport has been developed extensively with a view to adding the international tag to the airport's status. The Bhopal airport does accommodate international flights that connect to cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh.

Top airlines flying from Bhopal Airport

Bhopal Airport is a domestic airport that only caters to flights and airlines flying in the country. The city has good connectivity to domestic cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, to name a few. These are the big cities in the country and have immaculate connectivity with the rest of the country. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo and Saudia operate from the Raja Bhoj Airport. While mostly the airlines flying from the Bhopal Airport are domestic, some of the Indian airlines also have flights to Jeddah and Riyadh. Air India has a dedicated flight to Jeddah. Meanwhile, Saudia is the only international airlines operating from Bhopal Airport. The airlines have flights flying to Jeddah and Riyadh from the city. The airlines cater to the Hajj pilgrimage and hence, fly from the city of Bhopal. While the Raja Bhoj Airport has a bare minimum of airlines flying international, the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, located in Indore, serves as a domestic and international airport. It caters to domestic airlines and international airlines.

Facilities at Bhopal Airport

WiFi - The airport caters to domestic and just one dedicated international flight that caters to Hajj pilgrims. Hence, they have reserved WiFi services. The WiFi connection can be availed for free and is available in all areas of Bhopal Airport. However, the free use can only last up to 200 Mb. Post this, the passenger might have to pay for the services. Details of the same can be acquired at the airport itself

ATMs and forex - Bhopal Airport also provides ATM kiosks located at convenient spots as well as forex centres. Currency exchange counters are usually located in the arrival sections of the international terminal. There is access to reach the forex counter and exchange currencies. You can take the help of any airport staff to reach the currency exchange counter.

Child care centres - With a view to helping out travellers with infants, Raja Bhoj Airport has reserved special facilities to cater to them. Dedicated child care rooms have been installed within the premise of the airport to help take care of the infant's needs. These could range from feeding to changing of diapers. The room can be utilized for free and is available on the first level of the airport. Further, you can find baby products also, in case you run out of them.

Post office - A post office has also been installed in the passenger concourse to cater to the passengers. In case there are any last-minute couriers that need to be sent. Or even if there are some baggage woes where you might need to courier some of the items from your bag, the same can be done without a hassle. You can ask details of the same at the airport itself. The staff are quite helpful.

Medical aid services - First aid centres and medical professionals are available at the airport. With a view to helping with medical emergencies at the Raja Bhoj Airport, they have installed medical rooms and other such services. There are pharmacies also available within the premise of the airport to help with last-minute medication purchases.

Smoking zone - Dedicated smoking lounges have also been created in the airport as smoking in public is prohibited. The smoking lounges are available on the ground as well as the first levels in both the terminals.

Lounges - A VIP lounge is available at the airport and can be used by all passengers. No specific cabin class tickets are required to hang out at the lounge. Raja Bhoj Airport has made the lounge free to use for all passengers. The lounge comes with relaxed seating and restaurants.

Restaurants and cafes – Food courts and restaurants are present at the airport. The food court has small joints as well as globalized fast food joints such as Subway, KFC, McDonald's and more. There are small coffee and tea establishments also available at the arrivals and departures.

How to reach Bhopal Airport

There are dedicated buses that are often opted to reach the Bhopal Airport. Two reserved buses service from the Raja Bhoj Airport to downtown Bhopal. The buses are air-conditioned and perfectly well-connected to reach the city centre. The routes chosen by the buses are also very convenient as they pass through the most important spots in Bhopal. There are stops at Habibganj Railway Station, New Market, Misrod and even Board Office. The bus tickets to reach the Bhopal airport is also quite minimal and affordable. There are specific schedules that need to be followed, and you can find them at the Bhopal Airport. Another comfortable mode of transport chosen to reach the Bhopal Airport are by prepaid taxis and car rentals. There are several of these available in the city centre as well as the Raja Bhoj Airport. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the Raja Bhoj airport from Bhopal's city centre. While a metro line is being constructed to connect the Bhopal Airport and the city centre, there are no direct railway lines connected otherwise. No railway station is connected directly or is even close to the Bhopal airport.

About Bhopal

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. The city is famous for its flourishing artificial lakes and for being one of the greenest and beautiful cities in the country. Bhopal's fame also comes from the princely regime that took place during the British rule. To this day, the city continues to celebrate its Nawabi culture and celebrate some of the cultural heritages from the Nawab period. These include places such as Taj-ul-Masajid and Taj Mahal palace, to name a few. Bhopal is also known worldwide for the tragic industrial disaster which resulted in the loss of lives and natural habitat.

Bhopal gas tragedy took place in 1984 following a gas leak from the Union Carbide India Limited's (UCIL) pesticide manufacturing plant. The disaster resulted in the loss of lives and also shed light on the socio-political challenges of people living in Bhopal. However, the city overcame the tragedy and now stands as one of the smart cities to be developed under the current prime minister's flagship project, Smart Cities Mission. Bhopal has been receiving the coveted title of the greenest cities in the country for consecutive years.