Ahmedabad to Jharsuguda 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 Jharsuguda

Located in the northern side of Odisha is the city of Jharsuguda. The place is famous for its metallurgical contribution. It is recognised as an industrial hub and has good connectivity with other metropolitan cities. The city recently inaugurated the Jharsuguda Airport and renamed it as Veer Surendra Sai Airport. Jharsuguda does not have a lot of tourist attractions but thanks to its industrial relevance, manages to attract industrialists.

Best time to visit Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda's geographical features give it mild summers and winters in comparison to the rest of Indian cities. Despite being located in the far northwest of the state of Odisha, the city witnesses decent and mild temperatures. The months from October to March are considered to be the best time to visit the city. Jharsuguda actually enjoys mild temperatures without much humidity during these months. During winters, the city actually sees a temperature that drops to 13 degree Celsius in the night. The days during summer are quite clear and sunny. It is not hot as the maximum the temperature rises to is 27 degree Celsius during winter months. Hence, travelling within the city or to engage in tourist activities become easy. The city does witness a good footfall of tourists during this season. It is considered to be the peak season for Jharsuguda. In fact, December and January are actually peak winter months and will see the maximum drop in temperatures. The hotel prices do see a surge during this time as the demand rises. You will find some decent establishments in the city, and the hotel prices are still decent, even after the hike.

The summers in Jharsuguda are not very favourable for travelling or tourism. The temperatures skyrocket just as much as they drop. The hot weather is accompanied by humidity too, which only makes the weather extremely unpleasant. April and May see peak summers with temperatures going as high as 41 degree Celsius. Interestingly though, while the day temperatures see a hike, the night temperatures see a tremendous drop. In fact, April and May months actually see night temperatures going down to 10 degree Celsius sometimes. The extreme temperatures often make it difficult for tourists. The monsoon kicks in from July and stays till September, sometimes even October. You will need to pack your bags as per the seasons and their varied temperatures. If monsoon is what you are rooting for then an umbrella and rainy boots would be ideal. Not to mention how you should pack light clothes with winter jackets to deal with summers in Jharsuguda. The place doesn't see excessive tourism during the summers, and the hotel prices in Jharsuguda are also cheap during the summers.

Places to visit in Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda is a growing industrial hub to Odisha. Hence, much of the city has tremendous industrial locations and complexes. This leaves room for less tourist attraction. It is not the ideal place for vacation. However, for those who do live close by or have a free weekend from their professional commitments, then they can indulge in some of the activities and places to visit around the city. Since many folks often flock over for business and work-related commitments, spending quality time to break away from the professional responsibilities, they can start with checking out the Bikramkhol cave. The Bikramkhol caves are known to be archaeological sites. There are actually interesting inscriptions on the cave's walls that have been done by the tribal of the area. You can also visit the Chandi Mandir, which is located close to the city of Jharsuguda. The temple has the Ib River flowing in the backdrop which adds to the beauty of the place. While you are here, you can also check out the Jhhadeswar Temple, which is in proximity to the city. Another famous tourist attraction in Jharsuguda is the Vedanta Meadows Park. The lovely park is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and is refreshing. It is definitely unmissable and perfect for hanging out, especially with family.

Things to do in Jharsuguda

There are not many things that can be done in Jharsuguda. As an industrial hub, the place doesn't have enough recreational spaces where one can unwind. However, you can always choose to trek up the Bikramkhol caves. You actually have to walk up the stairs to reach the caves. The scenic trail makes for some lovely photographs that you can indulge in as you go up the caves. Also, close to the ChandiMandir is the Koilighugar Waterfall. The waterfall is a major tourist attraction as many devotees who visit the temple, take some time to enjoy the view and the waterfall. Close to the city, you will also find Gudguda waterfalls.

Food and Restaurants in Jharsuguda

Odisha's tribal culture is reflected in their cuisine. You will find some really simple yet sublime dishes that are quite appetising. In fact, Jharsuguda has many restaurants and food establishments that express the cultural heritage of the state. Do not be surprised if you are served food on sal leaf as it is a tradition followed by the locals. Much like how the South Indians serve food on a banana leaf, the Odisha culture has them serve food on a sal leaf. The food is perfect for those who are looking to have healthy and down-to-earth food. As a small town, Jharsuguda does not have extensive establishments. In fact, it would be tough for you to find the globally recognised fast food joints such as KFC, McDonald's and Burger King. However, the small and quaint restaurants have good food. The rich cuisine of Odisha can be tasted at these establishments with meals ranging from their classic pakhala bhata to pilaf. When you do visit Jharsuguda, you should definitely not miss their famous curry, Santula. The dish is basically made from raw papaya, drumsticks, brinjal and tomato with light spices.

You should also not miss potala alu rasa, one of the most famous Odisha delicacies. The dish is basically flavoured potato mixed with pointed gourd and cooked perfectly. Other dishes that you cannot miss include gupchup, which is basically puchka of the east, pani puri of the west and gol gappa of the north. For the ones with a sweet tooth, you should indulge in chhena poda, rasabali, and pitha to give your taste buds a tour of the state. These dishes are quite tasty. You can visit Chick Blast to get the best fried chicken and other dishes pertaining to the meat. Mayank Restaurant and Fast Food is also recognised in the city for the lovely spread of food and dishes from around the country. Pramod Hotel and Yog - Sheela are both touted to be the best restaurants in the city. They serve a plethora of cuisines that don't limit to just the Odisha cuisine. You should also visit GOCOOL for the classic sandwiches and other fast food that is recognised around India. The Food Court also does the deed. In fact, you can find salads too here.

How to reach Jharsuguda (Transportation)

By Air

The flight connectivity to Jharsuguda is decent. Over the years, the connectivity has improved as the city is turning into a thriving industrial hub for Odisha. The Jharsuguda Airport or Veer Surendra Sai Airport was used for various political and military reasons. In fact, the airfield catered to the RAF (Royal Air Force) during the British Raj as well as other Allied Forces amid the Second World War. Freedom Fighters, including Subhash Chandra Bose, also contributed to the battle. Much recently, the airport gained prominence again as it was elected to be the second commercial airport after Bhubaneshwar's Biju Patnaik International Airport in the state of Odisha. SpiceJet is the only airline that has dedicated flights flying to Jharsuguda. The flight tickets to Jharsuguda are actually quite expensive compared to the other cities in India. The most popular route to reach Jharsuguda is from Hyderabad and Delhi. These two cities are the only ones who have domestic routes connected to Jharsuguda by air. Hence, layovers also take place in Jharsuguda.

By Rail

There are quite a handful of trains to Jharsuguda. The Jharsuguda Junction is quite famous and has good connectivity with the other major Indian cities. As long as you make prior bookings of your tickets to Jharsuguda, you will be able to secure a seat and also get it for cheap. Since there are not an extensive number of trains dedicated to Jharsuguda, it is tough to reserve a seat. You can make online bookings of tickets to Jharsuguda. In the state though, Jharsuguda is an important junction with many outstation trains passing and even stopping at the station.

By Road

Road is considered to be a viable mode of transport to reach Jharsuguda. Many people often pick the domestic route from Bhubaneshwar to reach Jharsuguda. You can book for rentals at the airport or even the train station as many such services are available. There are buses that go to Jharsuguda from Bhubaneswar too as well as other neighbouring cities. Hence, the bus has always been an economically viable option to many.

  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.