Bagdogra to Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry 

Officially known as Puducherry, Pondicherry is the capital of the Indian Union Territory of Puducherry. The city is on the coastal side and touches the Bay of Bengal. Known to have heavy Dutch, Portuguese, British and French influence, the city is also known as India's Little French City. Much of Pondicherry's lifestyle, culture, infrastructure, architecture and more, have tremendous influence of the French. In fact, you will feel like you're walking around a little French town when you visit the city.

Pondicherry has its own airport with decent flight connectivity. There are flights from Bangalore that fly to Pondicherry. The city majorly runs on tourism and hence, has some of the best accommodations and travel highlights. You can book your hotel in Pondicherry and probably opt for a sea-facing room.

Best time to visit Pondicherry

Pondicherry does see a spike in temperature during summers and hence, should be avoided at all cost. Even the lovely beaches and water will not be able to help you feel cool as the temperatures rise to 40 degree Celsius. The best time to visit Pondicherry is undoubtedly during winters as there are several perks that it comes with the season. The city witnesses winter from October to March. During winters, Pondicherry actually sees the temperatures drop to 15 degree Celsius sometimes, making it pleasant for tourists. The ambience of the place is certainly vibrant and peaceful.

Places to visit in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a city of pristine beaches. As part of your Pondicherry diaries, you can start with beach hopping when you're in the city, much like what you would do in Goa. However, while you're on a beach expedition, do visit the Paradise beach. It is considered to be one of the best beaches in the city. From checking out the Karaikal Beach to visiting the Mahe beach, you will find some interesting attribute about all of them. Not to mention the amazing food that it follows.

The most famous establishment in Pondicherry is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Shri Aurobindo, a spiritual philosopher who carved a niche for himself in the world as a phenomenal personality. The ashram sees the highest number of tourists as his story is intriguing and quite inspirational. The ashram has exhibitions of his life and works.

Established by Shri Aurobindo's spiritual endowment is a posh settlement in Pondicherry. The complex is basically a way of harmonious living among people from different backgrounds, cultures, race, etc. It can be called a modern village for the astounding cultural fusion the people bring along with them. There are eclectic cafes, gorgeous boutiques, a bookshop and a bunch of restaurants serving global cuisine. The village comes with a sea view too as the Auroville Beach is located within the village premise.

Things to do in Pondicherry

With Pondicherry being a coastal city, water activities easily top the list of things to do. From natural coral reefs to acquainting with manta rays, kingfish, crustaceans, lionfish and more, scuba diving is a must-do activity in Pondicherry. You will be amazed by the beauty of marine life that resides in Pondicherry's coast. Add snorkelling, swimming, boat rides, surfing to the list of things to do, and you've got yourself a perfect itinerary for Pondicherry. Better known as Osudu Lake, at the Ousteri Lake you can actually go for a ferry ride and birdwatch. This is originally a human-made lake which comprises of mudflats and marshy lands. If you manage to wake up early then, you can also watch the sunrise while you're chilling around the lake. It is quite the experience.

One fun activity that many tourists opt for is to take a bicycle and explore the city with its gorgeous architecture and vibe. It is so quaint and stunning that you'll have a good time coming across new cafes and beaches. You should also catch the sunrise or sunset at the Promenade Beach.

Food and Restaurants in Pondicherry

Being called the Little France of India puts Pondicherry's food culture in the limelight. Well, the French do believe that they are the best artists of culinary in the world. So when people do visit Pondicherry, it is with the hopes to be surrounded by the sparkling Bay of Bengal on one side and French cuisine on the other. Interestingly, the city doesn't just acquire the French cuisine but also influences from other colonial powers such as Portugal, England and Netherlands. The blend of international flavour in the quaint city of Pondicherry is exciting and will be memorable. From whimsical cafes to eclectic cuisine, the city will acquaint you with some of the finest food for which, you wouldn't have to travel to Europe.

To experience the best of French culinary in India, Le Dupleix is the place for you. Right from the white walls and European setting to the aroma of onion soup and baked croissants, the restaurant will take your senses through a French rendezvous. Its location is a little away from the city centre's hustle bustle but close to the shores. For Italian cuisine, head straight to Tanto Pizzeria which is on Auroville main road. The restaurant's highlights are Mediterranean pizza, Romana, Funghi and multitudes of dishes that you'll have trouble choosing from. Cafe Xtasi's wood-fire pizzas give Tanto quite the competition. Xtasi also has over 25 types of pizzas along with the special house pizza called Xtasi. If Mediterranean food is not something you relish then don't worry, the city also has Asian restaurants for your gastronomical delights.

Bay of Buddha is one of the best as it combines Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisines with the advantage of facing the bay. The setting is romantic and beautiful for an evening of fine wine and dine. Lighthouse Rooftop Grill is yet another favourite of the city with a seaside setting and lip-smacking food. Satsanga's organic menu teamed with a refreshing vibe, makes it one of the best restaurants in the city. They grow their own vegetables and serve fresh catch of the day to their customers. Run by an all-female crew of cooks is Kasha Ki Asha, a restaurant known for its creative setting, menu and best breakfast. Everything about the restaurant, including the fusion food, will leave a smile on your face.

How to reach Pondicherry

By Air

Pondicherry does have its airport called Pondicherry Airport in Lawspet. The airport is located over 8 km away from the city centre (exact distance measured is from the Aurbindo Ashram). The flight connectivity to Pondicherry from other cities is not up to mark. In fact, Bangalore is the only airport from where you can find direct flights to Pondicherry. Airlines Air Pegasus has stationed flights to Pondicherry from Bangalore. This means for your trip you will have to board a connecting flight to Pondicherry from Bangalore. This is the only option by air that you can pick to travel to Pondicherry. Earlier, SpiceJet had dedicated flights to Pondicherry from Bangalore and Hyderabad. But the services have stopped and instead Bangalore is the only airport that connects flights to Pondicherry. There are airport shuttles from Pondicherry Airport to the city centre so traversing within the city is comfortable.

By Rail

Although flights might reach at a quicker duration in comparison to trains, the connectivity of Pondicherry to other big cities in India is exceptional. The Puducherry Railway Station has excellent network of trains connecting to cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Mangalore, Bangalore, etc. There are numerous express trains that halt at Pondicherry, making travel convenient. Flight tickets to Pondicherry are usually on the expensive side as you are expected to change flights from Bangalore. Compared to this, trains, especially express trains such as Auroville Express, Delhi Superfast Express, Mangaluru Express, Kanyakumari Express and more, will reach you without much hassle. Another alternative that many opt for is to take a flight to Chennai and then catch a train from the Chennai Central or Egmore station. Chennai is the closest city to Pondicherry and has phenomenal flight connectivity, making travelling to the Union Territory easier.

By Road

Chennai city has excellent roadway connections to Pondicherry from the popular East Coast Road route. The domestic route to Pondicherry passes through Mahabalipuram and is the most preferred route. There are regular buses from Chennai serviced by the Tamil Nadu State Transportation (TSRTC) which connects the city to Pondicherry. This route is further connected to other cities and small towns in Tamil Nadu namely, Cuddalore, Velankanni, Tiruvannamalai, to name a few. Even cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mysore are connected to Pondicherry via road and several national highways.

The state, as well as private companies, offer bus services for Pondicherry as many travellers opt for the Chennai route to Pondicherry. You can find AC, Non-AC, Deluxe, Semi-Deluxe and many such options of buses heading to and returning from Pondicherry. If you're an avid rider, then you can also get your motorcycle out and reach Pondicherry. The roads are not as well-maintained as one would hope. But they will reach you to the beautiful city.