Bagdogra to Jaisalmer SpiceJet Flights

  About Bagdogra

North-East India and the Himalayas are a trendy tourist destination in India, for all the right reasons. Bagdogra is a hill station near the foothills of Himalayas and in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Bagdogra is considered as the gateway to the North-East and the Himalayas. This small hill station is so beautiful; you'll love being here even if it is for a couple of hours. It's the perfect place for all you nature lovers out there. You can either laze around and admire the scenery or take a walk around the town to explore it.

The hill station is a perfect holiday spot. It's also like paradise for tea lovers since tea gardens surround it. River Teesta also flows through the town, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in river rafting. Or you can sit by the river and embrace solitude for a while. You pass through Bagdogra to get to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri and Bhutan. Bagdogra will make you fall in love with it. Apart from sightseeing and river rafting, there are quite a few activities that you can opt for in Bagdogra. It's not the most popular vacation destination, but you will surely not regret spending time in this town.

Bagdogra is connected to all major cities in the country. It is pretty easy to reach Bagdogra by flights, trains and road, too. The Bagdogra Airport connects to domestic routes from Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Guwahati. You can also quickly get a bus or taxi from the neighbouring cities to Bagdogra.

Make sure you do add Bagdogra to your itinerary when you plan a trip to the North-East. You will love this small town for its lush green surroundings and the beautiful weather. The people, too, are quite friendly and helpful. Even though there is very little that you can do in Bagdogra, it is worth stopping by. If you have a long layover at Bagdogra airport, you can make the most of it by going sightseeing somewhere near the airport. Since it is a small town, you won't have to worry about making it back on time for your flight. But if you are going to Darjeeling, Bhutan or Shillong and the town falls on your way, make sure that you do visit this town.

Best Time to Visit Bagdogra

July to February is the best time to visit Bagdogra. While the hill station witnesses monsoon from July to October, the winter sets in from November to February. This is the ideal time for you to witness the beautiful, scenic hill station. The temperature can fall to as low as 5 degree Celsius. You can see the snowy mountains that surround the town and be mesmerized by the beauty of it. The summer is also quite pleasant in the City, and the maximum temperature touches 38 degree Celsius.

Places to Visit in Bagdogra

Check out the Coronation Bridge that is 37 km from Bagdogra. It is on the way to Gangtok from Bagdogra, and the view is just beautiful. The Surya Sen Park in Siliguri, which is close to Bagdogra, is a bright picnic spot. The park sees quite a few families on vacation spending quality time with each other while enjoying the view. Madhuban Park, which is 24 km ahead of Bagdogra in Siliguri, was established by the Indian Army. This is yet another picnic spot that tourists love. You'll even spot deers, peacocks and rabbits in the park, along with butterflies.

The Umrao Singh Boat Club in Siliguri has a lot of activities in store for you, including boating. They have a huge variety and different shapes of boats for tourists. You can get in touch with your spiritual side at the ISKCON temple in Siliguri and at Kali Mandir in Binnaguri which is also quite close to River Teesta. You can visit the temple and combine it with river rafting at the river. You can also visit Salugara Monastery while you are here.

Bagdogra has no hotels since it's only a pitstop to get to the other neighbouring cities and Bhutan. You can, however, book a hotel room in Siliguri or Darjeeling or any of the nearby towns. The bus services to Bagdogra are widespread, so you won't have to worry about travelling to and from the City.

Things to do in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is the gateway to reaching Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and everything North-East. You can take a cab or a bus to visit Siliguri, which is the nearest City to this hill station. If you have a couple of hours left to catch another flight, you can get around the town in less time. Since Bagdogra is just a pitstop, you will find fewer tourist things to do, but the hill station is entirely worth it. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bagdogra has the most beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

If you do have time on your hands, make sure you go river rafting at River Teesta. Or you can admire the river and meditate by the river for a while. You can also visit the Coronation Bridge that is quite close to the river stream. Whether you are with your friends or family, be assured that you will have a great time here. You can also visit the Salugara Monastery and the Kali Mandir to offer your prayers and to enjoy your solitude.

Even if you don't feel like indulging in any activities, grab your favourite book and get engrossed in the stories amid the best of what nature has to offer to you. You can also put on your headphones, play your favourite music and get lost in the tranquillity of the hill station. If you are on a solo trip, you will love spending time here in Bagdogra, even if it is for a little while. Bagdogra is quite accessible to most cities in the North-East, and travelling will not prove to be troublesome for you.

Food and Restaurants in Bagdogra

If you are travelling via plane, you have to try the restaurant that is inside the Bagdogra airport. It is run by the Bagdogra Airport Restaurant Workers Co-operative Society Ltd, and it serves a unique dish that grabbed headlines for all the right reasons. The airport serves you chicken cutlets that are made in Bagdogra style and are a one-of-its-kind dish. All foodies must try this out at least once. The restaurant can seat up to 150 people, and you'll be treated to a runway view as you finish your meal. It won't even burn a hole in your pocket.

Marina's Motel is one of the best restaurants near the airport if you are craving for Chinese or Continental cuisines. The staff is quite friendly, and the restaurant has a very cosy ambience. Bagdogra also has a solution to your biryani cravings. Naz Biryani House is known for serving and cooking the most delicious biryani, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. For a quick bite, you can head over to Hunger Stop restaurant near the airport. You can even try the dessert here.

The Gourmet Central Family Restaurant and Bar is approximately 11 km away from the airport. It has a charming decor with cosy seating and friendly staff. It is also one of the best restaurants in the town. Do make sure that you try the food at the airport restaurant though. You can also opt for street food or the local chai, which will be available quite easily. Don't hesitate to try out the local street food, too.

How to reach Bagdogra (Transportation)

By Air

The Bagdogra Airport is well-connected to major domestic routes from Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Chennai. The flight connectivity is quite functional, and getting to Bagdogra is not very difficult. You can get pretty good flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, too.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is in Siliguri, which is 5 km away from Bagdogra. There are no direct trains or buses to Bagdogra, and you will have to change a taxi or bus from Siliguri to reach the hill station.

By Road

There are lots of transport options and services are available to reach the town. You can opt for whichever suits your convenience. The transport is quite affordable, too. The roads are also quite smooth and won't be uncomfortable for you. You will also find a lot of convenient options to go to other neighbouring cities of the North-East and the Himalayas. Travelling by road is also one of the best options. The journey will surely be a treat for the eyes and the soul.

  About Jaisalmer

Located on the west of Rajasthan's capital Jaipur (Pink City), is the Golden City Jaisalmer. The palatial paradise found prominence as the Golden City owing to the use of yellow sandstones to erect mansions and monuments. The use of the yellow-hued sandstone constructs much of the city's architecture. Hence, the city is always shining. To reach the Great Indian Thar Desert, you will have to reach Jaisalmer as it is near located to the desert. The population of Jaisalmer is quite less, but tourism continues to keep many people on the streets of the city.

The city found its name as Jaisalmer after the Bhati ruler, Rawal Jaisal. He founded the city back in 1156 AD and brought forth a golden-hued revolution in the face of Rajasthani architecture. As you stroll through the city, you will notice various shades of yellow as most of the structures built in the city are variations of the hue. Blessed with numerous forts and temples, the city of Jaisalmer runs heavily on tourism.

Jaisalmer recently transformed one of its civil aviation centres into an airport. Up until 2017, the closest airport was Jodhpur and travellers often used road transport to reach the beautiful city. However, with great flight connectivity from Jaisalmer to the rest of the major cities in India, reaching the city has become easier.

Best time to visit Jaisalmer

Deserts can get pretty hot in summers and the evening temperatures are also just as hot and dry. However, come winter and the setting changes. From considerably hot days to extremely cold nights, the balance is maintained. With Jaisalmer too, the best time to visit is between November to March as the winter season constitutes cool climate which makes sightseeing, desert safari and camping in the That desert convenient. The day-time temperature during winters doesn't go beyond 24 degrees Celsius while the evening temperatures drop below 7 degree Celsius. The months of December and January are exceptionally cold but pleasant.

The summer months in Jaisalmer are between April to August, where the temperature dances between 25 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. The heat is unbearable and certainly not ideal for engaging in tourist activities. Sunscreens and light clothes can help you combat the heat, but you wouldn't be able to enjoy the desert. Since it is off-season, there are always numerous flight deals online where you can snag cheap flights tickets to Jaisalmer.

Places to visit in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort

The magnificent Jaisalmer Fort is also known as Golden Fort thanks to the golden reflection of the yellow sandstone. The fort was constructed by Raja Jaisal who incorporated the fine depiction of Rajasthani architecture on the structure. What adds more charm to the fort is how it lights up in the night.

Patwon Ki Haveli

Patwon ki haveli is an interesting structure that was built by Guman Chand, a recognised trader of the city. The haveli is basically a marketplace for local artisans to craftsmen to sell their products. You can take a stroll in the haveli and be charmed by the interesting architectural style.

Gadisar Lake

Gadisar Lake is actually an artificial lake that was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal who wanted to compensate for the grim water crisis of Jaisalmer. The lake is being well-maintained by the locals. Often they even come over to the lake to wash away all the stress and troubles of the day by delving in the tranquil space.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli

Salim Singh ki Haveli is a popular tourist attraction of Jaisalmer. The structure has a contemporary take on the Rajasthani-style architecture. You will notice that the designs are quite intricate with peacock-shaped artistry on the roof and balconies with sharp designs. You should definitely visit this structure as its architecture will amaze you.

Amar Sagar Lake

The little Amar Sagar Lake is more like an oasis in a desert that is located in the outskirts of the city of Jaisalmer. Built by Amar Singh, the lake also has a quaint Shiva temple on the side. In fact, many temples have been constructed. Visit the quaint lake and immerse yourself in the serene vibe of the oasis-like setting.

Sam Sand Dunes

A little in the outskirts of Jaisalmer, you'll find several sand dunes and expanses of the Thar desert. You can either opt for a camel safari to explore the dunes, or you can choose a jeep safari. Sam Sand Dunes is actually quite interesting as you can also set camp in the desert, light up a bonfire and stargaze.

Maharaja's Palace

The Maharaja's Palace is a colossal structure that is visible from every corner of Jaisalmer city. The massive palace is an architectural masterpiece. From the exquisite tapestry to the quintessential designs, everything about it is royal and regal.

Things to do in Jaisalmer

Explore the abandoned Kuldhara village

Here's an interesting place that you might want to explore. The Kuldhara village in Jaisalmer has a reputation for being a ghost town as the land remains untouched and inhabited for the past few centuries now. Legend states that the village was thriving and prosperous at one point in history. However, after some drastic incident, the Paliwal Brahmins decided to evacuate the village. The whole village turned into a haunted hamlet overnight and has been the same way since forever.

Camping at Khuri Sand Dune

Khuri is a small but famous village known in Jaisalmer. What adds to its popularity is the fact that the village is close to the sand dunes where one can camp and indulge in desert safaris. The route to reach the dunes is from the village. Badalji provides camel safaris for travellers and is recognised for the same. He organises desert safaris as well as camping in the desert as well.

Parasailing in Jaisalmer

Parasailing is possible in the majestic Thar Desert! On the outskirts of Jaisalmer city, there are adventure groups who organise parasailing, quad biking and many such outdoor activities that you can indulge in, as part of your trip. It would be quite an experience to parasail on top of a sand dune.

Food and restaurants

Rajasthani cuisine means indulging in heavy but wholesome food with dollops of ghee that will make you burp more than usual. Right from their thick kulchas and daal baati churma, the cuisine has some really intense use of ghee and oil that leaves your tummy begging for mercy. Jaisalmer will also pamper you with some lip-smacking dishes from their kitchen. While there are some signature dishes that you should try from their cuisine, these places are exquisite and honour the Rajasthani culture.

Suryagarh Restaurant, with its outdoor setting, is beautiful and has amazing food to serve. Plus, the hospitality further makes it a good experience. To indulge in barbecues in the desert, you should visit Angaara Restaurant. The rooftop dining experience of the Wyra restaurant with live cooking and drinks is one of a kind that you would surely enjoy. Other notable restaurants and food joints include Fotiya Restaurant, Gaji's Restaurant, Pleasant Haveli and Milan Restaurant.

How to reach Jaisalmer (Transportation)

By Air

Jaisalmer did deal with some trouble of not having a dedicated airport for quite some time. That was until they finally managed to transform their civil aviation hub into a dedicated domestic airport. After 2017, they converted the space secured for civil aviation and made it the brand new Jaisalmer airport. The airport has proper flights flying in and out from Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bikaner and Agra. Earlier, travellers opted to get down at the Jodhpur airport and reach Jaisalmer from there via roadways.

With better flight connectivity to Jaisalmer, three dedicated airlines are offering their flights, namely, Zoomair, Trijet and SpiceJet. Rumour has it that soon the airport plans to rope in IndiGo and other airlines too to provide services. While the extension plan continues, the ticket cost to and from Jaisalmer is pretty steep. Only if you're booking your flight tickets to Jaisalmer in advance, will you be able to get some good flight deals and cheap flight tickets.

By Rail

Jaisalmer has its own railway station and is perfectly connected with other cities too. You will find direct trains leaving from the golden city to other parts of India such as Jaipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur and more. Besides the regular trains run under the Indian Railways, the luxury carts, Palace of Wheels, also passes through Jaisalmer.

By Road

Travelling within Rajasthan through buses or rental cars is the best idea. The roads in the state might be narrow and tough to drive in, but they do bring about the rural charm of Rajasthan. Plus, they are actually quite affordable too. Some bus services go to Jaisalmer and are well-connected with the rest of the cities in the state. Even inter-state buses are available as there are buses that travel to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat and more. The roads might take some more time as opposed to a flight journey, but it certainly would be an excellent way to see more of the state.

  About SpiceJet

SpiceJet is one of the most popular airlines in India and quite affordable, too. Lowest airfares and high customer value is what the airline aims to deliver to its passengers. The airline has 630 daily flights operating to 64 destinations, of which 15 are international destinations. It has hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. One of the specialities of the airlines is its dynamic fares. It makes sure that the fares are affordable to every citizen of the country. Spicejet is practical and yet stylish, and there is no denying it. The airline also has a very efficient and helpful crew who make sure that you have had a safe and comfortable flight. It was founded in 2004 as Royal Airways and commenced operations in 2005 as SpiceJet. The first flight was operated between Mumbai and Delhi after which it soon became the third-largest low-cost carrier in the share market after Air Deccan and Indigo. Media magnate Kalanidhi Maran also acquired a major stake in the airline through Sun Group. The company was originally acquired by entrepreneur Ajay Singh who is the Managing Director of the airline.

SpiceJet initially leased two Boeing 737-800 aircraft when it started operations and had planned to order ten new crafts to expand. By 2010, the airline ordered 30 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and 15 Bombardier Q4 Dash. Though the airline suffered a lot of loss in 2012 due to the increase in global crude prices, it recovered and returned to profits later that year. SpiceJetrecently added the B737 - Max 8 aircraft to its fleet, which is a state-of-the-art aircraft. Most SpiceJet flights can seat from 150 to 200 passengers, except the Bombardier Q400 that only seats between 78 to 90 passengers.

The airline also has an elite SpiceClub, a membership program for passengers that offers a lot of privileges and benefits. You can earn frequent flyer points for every Rs. 100/- spent on the flights, along with the add-ons. If you have enough points, you might even get a chance to fly for free. The airline now also offers premium services to passengers who fly under the SpiceMax program. It allows passengers to choose their seats well in advance along with priority check-in and boarding, priority baggage handling but at a higher price. SpiceJet also has a cargo airline called SpiceXpress which was launched in 2018. It became the first airline that operated freight services between Southeast Asia and North East India after it began its services in 2019 between Guwahati and Hong Kong.

Fleet Size of SpiceJet

With increasing popularity, the airline kept adding more aircraft to increase efficiency. The maximum number of passengers that a SpiceJet flight can seat is up to 212, depending on the aircraft, of course. Boeing 737-900 ER is one of the largest economy passenger flights that can accommodate 212 passengers. Boeing 737-900 can seat 139 economy class passengers and 28 business class passengers. SpiceJet has 4 Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft and only one Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Boeing 737 Max 8 is an upgrade from the previous aircraft and has a narrow body. It can seat 189 economy class passengers. However, due to two fatal accidents of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, the aircraft was grounded worldwide. Approximately 346 people lost their lives in these plane crashes, which is one of the primary reasons for the aircraft to get grounded worldwide. The Civil Aviation Administration of China was the first one to ground the aircraft nationwide, and other countries followed suit. The aircraft is expected to start flying after some major changes to its flight control system. There are a total 54 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts in service of which 18 also cater to a few business class passengers.

Boeing 737-700 has seven aircraft of which four can accommodate business class passengers. The total capacity of these aircraft is between 134 to 149. SpiceJet also has 2 Airbus A320-200 aircraft that can accommodate up to 180 passengers. The Bombardier Q400 is a comparatively smaller aircraft that accommodates fewer passengers as compared to the Boeing aircraft. SpiceJet has about 32 of these that can accommodate 78 to 90 passengers. SpiceJet has announced that it will induct 16 Boeing 737-800 and 5 more Bombardier Q400, owing to the demand. Since SpiceJet also caters to business class and premium passengers who are willing to pay extra for comfort and exclusive offers, you will find a lot of flights that have sections reserved for these passengers in the aircraft. The best part about the Bombardier Q400 is that there are two people on either side of the aircraft, which makes more room for you to have a relaxing journey. However, it only flies to shorter distances as compared to the other aircraft.

Baggage Allowance

Like most airlines, SpiceJet also has a specific set of rules adhering to the baggage that you can and cannot carry. There are a certain set of rules for domestic passengers and other sets of rules for passengers travelling internationally. Spicejet has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger must follow. Currently, domestic passengers are allowed only one check-in baggage that does not exceed 20 kgs. Passengers who are carrying more than the baggage allowance will have to bear extra costs and will need to be booked at least 6 hours before the flight departure. Make sure you are not carrying any radioactive or explosive items in your baggage. You also have to steer clear of corrosives like acids, alkalis, mercury and compressed flammable or combustible gases. There are also certain rules with carrying your phone charger and power banks that you must follow. You can only carry these in your hand luggage and not your check-in luggage.

It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you won't have to spend a lot of time at the counter. You can just collect your boarding pass, hand over your luggage and head to the gate. SpiceJet allows the Free Baggage Allowance of the International sector if you are travelling from domestic to international or vice versa on a connecting flight within 24 hours. If you have a connecting flight and have to change to another airline, you are allowed Free Baggage Allowance of one check-in bag weighing 20 kg or less. Again, you need to ensure that you are not carrying anything that you are not allowed to carry. It is also advisable that you do not pack your valuables like jewellery, money or electronics in your check-in luggage. Make sure you add those to your hand luggage since the airline is not responsible for any damage to property. It is also a piece of thoughtful advice to protect your assets.

In-flight Services

Though SpiceJet used to function on economy class-only seating when it commenced operations, it introduced premium in-flight services to SpiceJet passengers under the title SpiceMax. Passengers are offered additional benefits like pre-assigned seats with extra legroom, priority check-in and boarding, meals onboard and so on at a higher price. You are also eligible for a complimentary upgrade and free cancellation. The airline does not offer or provide complimentary meals to passengers flying by economy class. Though it has a frequent flyer programme, it does not provide in-flight entertainment options. With the airline evolving and introducing new offers and services to keep its customers happy, don't be surprised if they introduce in-flight entertainment services for the premium passengers.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for SpiceJet

SpiceJet connects to various domestic and international routes on a daily basis. It connects to 54 Indian destinations and 15 international destinations with 630 flights operating on a regular basis. It has its hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad so don't be surprised if your flights have layovers at these cities whether you travel domestically or internationally. The staff is quite accommodating and helpful. They will help you out with any query that you have regarding your layovers or other flight details. Do make sure you are allowed to step out of the airport and explore the surrounding area before you board the flight again after your layover.

Why Travel by SpiceJet?

SpiceJet is not only one of the most affordable airlines in India, but it is also an efficient one. The airline ensures that its passengers are informed about the flight status more than just once along with the SpiceJet flight schedule. Even if your flight witnesses the slightest delay, the authorities make sure they keep you informed about it so you can plan your commute to the airport according to that. Web check-in is also made easy through your phone or using a kiosk at the airport. Booking a SpiceJet ticket is also quite easy and anything but complicated. It aims to attract passengers with low fares and quality service. It also manages to live up to its mission. The staff is also quite friendly and helpful.