Bagdogra to Vijayawada IndiGo 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 Vijayawada

Situated on the banks of Krishna River is the city of Vijayawada in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Surrounded by dense greenery of the Eastern ghats, the city has exquisite scenery to cherish. The industrial city is known to have the second-largest rail junction connectivity, making it an important city in India. It is the hub of transport connection to South India. The city enjoys a beautiful melange of cultures and heritages, making it a good tourist place. Flight connectivity to Vijayawada from other major cities further enhances its importance.

Best time to visit Vijayawada

Vijayawada's climate is usually moderate all-round the year. However, winter months make it the best time to visit. Winters arrive in October and stay till February, giving people ample time to plan a trip to Vijayawada for a small excursion. The November and December months are especially favourable for travelling as the sun is pleasant, as is the vibe of the place. Thanks to the favourable weather, it manages to attract a lot of tourists to Vijayawada city. Even the flight tickets to Vijayawada see a spike during the peak-season, being winter. You will have a good time during winter in Vijayawada as the streets are lit with many hawkers selling some of the finest street food. Plus, it would be easier to visit tourist attractions in and around the city.

While the winters are inviting and beautiful, the summers are equally scorching and terrible. The temperatures often spike up to 43 degree Celsius, which can be tough for some people to deal with. The weather is extremely hot and humid. It definitely would not allow you to traverse within the city as the pesky heat and humidity would come in the way of your mood. Not to mention how it could have some have implications such as heat strokes and dehydration too. Best thing to do would be to avoid summers in Vijayawada for one's own safety. Besides, if travel and leisure is your purpose of visiting Vijayawada, then it is all the more important that you do not opt for Vijayawada for vacation. It certainly wouldn't be a good trip, and you might end up feeling more worked up than before.

Interestingly, the monsoons are not good but not as bad as summers. The city witnesses torrential rains between the months of July and September. Due to the extreme downpour, the travel plans that you may have had might need alteration. The erratic nature of the rain will have an effect on the temperature of the city. It could be favourable, or it could be bad. Hence, the best way to go about it would be to only pick winter as the time to visit Vijayawada. It is ideal, and the city also has more life to it that would do well with your vacation mood.

Places to visit in Vijayawada

Vijayawada has a plethora of beautiful tourist attractions that would make for a good itinerary. Bhavani Island is one such place where the Krishna river would surround you while you enjoy fine dining. It is the perfect leisure setting that one can ask for. Aside from it, you can further explore some of the temples and pilgrimage that is situated in the city. Places such as Kanaka Durga Temple, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Hinkar Tirtha, ISKCON Temple, to name a few, are places that would transport you to a serene environment. Exploring ruins at the Kondapalli Fort is also a good way to spend time in Vijayawada. As is visiting the Victoria Museum to learn more about the Vijayawada empire and the historical significance of the city.

Things to do in Vijayawada

Not just food and tourist attractions but the city also cater to one's recreational needs with a slew of things to do. Shopping being the primary attraction for many, tourists often flock over to the Besant Road for some street shopping. Getting souvenirs for your peers could be something fun to engage in. For those who are interested in flexing calf muscles and engaging in some adventure activities, you can pick trekking to the Mangalagiri Hills or Gandhi Hill as an option. Further to rest easy, packing a picnic basket and heading to the Kolleru Lake is also a comfortable idea that you can undertake.

Food and Restaurants in Vijayawada

Vijayawada's food culture would be agreeable to all. The city brings together some of the finer shades of Indian cuisine in one platter. Although the city is predominantly South Indian and would cater to the said cuisine, they do come with variations. Vijayawada accommodates Udupi-style restaurants, exquisite fine dining experiences with global fusion and more. You will thoroughly be overjoyed by the plethora of food options that the city has for you. Traditional food joints have also been transformed into fine dining experiences that cannot be missed. The foodie in you would certainly agree with some of the food that the city offers. It is a known fact that people in Andhra Pradesh hold a special spot for rice and pickles. Do make a note that the food quantity is abundant, so prepare your stomach for an adventure.

The city has a bunch of mess and caterer services where you can eat to your heart's content. Sr Ramayya Mess and Caterers is one such place which would give you some delicious authentic South Indian spread. It is purely vegetarian and one of the famous places in Vijayawada. Make sure you taste their bread halwa and gongura pachadi, you will not be disappointed. Babai Hotel in Vijaywada is not just prominent for being a breakfast joint since 1942 but also for serving food to bigtime celebrities such as Sri N.T.Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Chandra Mohan, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, to name a few.

For impeccable non-vegetarian dishes, you should head to GAD Restaurant, Sweet Magic, TFL and RR Durbar. These places serve the best non-vegetarian spin that is Andhra Pradesh's speciality. Much of their menu has kebabs and biryanis for food enthusiasts. You should not miss out the street food that also defines Vijayawada's food culture. At Kit-Kat Bakery, relish their masala burgers and bread omelettes. Visit Shahana's juice point to get some refreshing fruit juice.

How to reach Vijayawada (Transportation)

By Air

Vijayawada is an international airport and entertains international flights along with domestic ones. Located in the Gannavaram area, Vijayawada International Airport was originally built as an army base to serve during the Second World War. Since the airport's location is right on NH 5, it connects with various cities in the South such as Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati, to name a few. Major airlines such as TruJet, Air India, SpiceJet and Air Costa function from the Vijayawada airport. Flights from Vijayawada fly to prominent cities in India, including Bangalore, Goa, Patna, Chennai, Varanasi, Kochi, Kolkata and more. Direct flights to Mumbai from Vijayawada are also available and are serviced by Air India.

Despite being an international airport, there are no flights from international routes that connect to Vijayawada. In fact, to book an international flight, you will have to check for connecting flights from Hyderabad. Flight tickets to Vijayawada are not extremely pricey. You can easily book your flight ticket to Vijayawada and get some fantastic flight deals. Better accommodations are available in the city centre, but it would be best to book your hotel room in Vijayawada before your journey.

By Rail

Vijayawada's railway connectivity is legendary. In fact, the city's railway junction is known to be the second biggest in India. Vijayawada railway station is an important station in India as a majority of the train connections from North to South of India pass through the city. The rail is actually a hub that enables connecting all the cities in South of India more convenient. The station is abundantly crowded with trains coming from all corners of India. While there is a Howrah-Chennai mainline that passes through Vijayawada, there are other lines like Delhi-Chennai, Mumbai-Chennai, too that pass through this. Vijayawada is a popular rail route that has excellent network.

Express trains such as Chennai Express, Shatabdi Express, Coromandal Express, Guwahati Express and Jaipur Express, to name a few, take a halt at Vijayawada. The station's location is in the city centre, making travelling within the city comfortable. Due to the fantastic connectivity of trains, the rail is considered over flights to Vijayawada by tourists.

By Road

The roads are just as brilliantly connected as the air and rail to Vijayawada. National highways such as NH 5, NH 9, NH 30 and more passes through Vijayawada, making it a popular route for road transport. A state-run bus facility for inter-state travelling is also available. As for intra-city and inter-state buses, private services to connect cities via AC/Non-AC buses. While traffic congestion can be expected on the highways, the road conditions are favourable, making travelling by road a lot easier. As a developed city, Vijayawada's transportation is quite immaculate. Traffic and other concerns do erupt owing to the crowd.

  About Indigo Airlines

Indigo is the largest passenger airline in India and the oldest one, too, in terms of passengers that it carries and its fleet size. It operates about 1500 flights every day to 87 destinations, of which 63 are domestic, and 24 are international destinations. Its primary hub is at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Indigo commenced operations in 2006 and went on to become the largest India carrier by passenger market share in 2012. It connects to all major Indian cities and small cities like Aizawl, Agra and so on. Internationally, it connects to Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Malta, Paris, Dublin, Copenhagen, Zurich, Prague, Amsterdam, London, London Heathrow and Gatwick among others. Not only is it a low-cost operator in India, but it is also a low-cost airline globally. Indigo is also India's most preferred airline and for the right reasons. It offers great service at low fares and does not disappoint its passengers. It has grown to become one of the most trusted airlines in the country.

Indigo has a fleet size of more than 260 and has also been getting the 'Great Place to Work for in India' title for eight years in a row now. It was also given Aon's Best Employer in 2016 and 2017. It has been running profitable operations for ten consecutive years. It is considered as the most valuable and strongest airline brand in the country. In 2010, Indigo had replaced Air India as the third largest airline in India. In 2013, it became the second fastest-growing low-cost carrier in Asia after Lion Air, an Indonesian airline.

One of the specialities of Indigo is that it is customer-oriented, efficient and offers great services. It also offers low fares, which makes it one of the preferred airlines in the country. It is also one of the only airlines that connect to so many cities across the country. It operates to cities like Agartala, Aizawl, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Belagavi, Aurangabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Dimapur and the list goes on. Since Indigo is a low-cost carrier, it only offers economy class seating. However, you get to choose a seat of your preference in advance if you pay a little extra. There is no in-flight entertainment or pre-booked meals. You can buy your in-flight meals after the take-off, and you will be dependent on your own electronics and headsets to keep yourself entertained during the flight.

Fleet Size of Indigo

Indigo has one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the country, which enables it to run 1500 flights daily. It has 123 Airbus A320-200 in service that can accommodate 180 passengers. It also has 100 Airbus A320neo in service and ordered for 232 more, making it the largest operator. In addition to this, it has 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft in service that can accommodate 222 passengers each and has placed an order for 135 more aircraft of the same category. It also has 25 ATR 72-600 which can seat 74 passengers per flight.

In 2005, Indigo had placed an order for 100 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and commenced operations in 2006. In 2011, it placed an order for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft. It was a great year for the airline since it also got the permission to launch international flights that year. In 2015, it placed an order for 250 Airbus A320neo, which was the largest single order in Airbus' history. It made headlines quickly. In 2019, it placed another order for 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft and broke its own record. Later that year, it became the first Indian airline to operate 1500 flights daily. It also became the first airline to have a fleet size of 250+ aircraft. The Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320-200 have non-reclining seats, but there are a few seats that give you extra legroom. The ATR 72-600 has a twin-seat setting which not only gives you extra space but also gives you a lot of privacy. You won't have to sit next to a third stranger or sit uncomfortably.

Baggage Allowance

Indigo has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger is expected to follow. You can carry cabin baggage that weighs up to 7 kg and check-in luggage up to 20 kg. However, for certain international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo, Kuwait and so on, the maximum limit on check-in luggage is 30 kg. If your luggage exceeds the maximum limit, you will have to pay a certain fee depending on the weight. You will also need to inform the airline staff a couple of hours before boarding the flight about the excess luggage so they can make the necessary arrangements. You can do so through the website or get in touch with the call centre. An executive will help you complete the process without any hindrance or complications. It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you can sail through all the formalities at the airport smoothly.

If you are carrying bigger bags with you that have golf clubs or surfboard bags, you will have to pay approximately Rs. 1200 /- for domestic and Rs. 2500/- for international trips to accommodate it in the check-in luggage. Please ensure that you carry important things like medicines, electronics or perishable items in your cabin luggage. Portable chargers and power banks go in your hand luggage and not the check-in luggage. You will not have to check-in again to collect your bags if you have to board a connecting flight. The airline makes sure that you receive your baggage at your final destination. Please ensure that you are not carrying anything that has been prohibited by the airline like explosives, hazardous or flammable objects, sharp objects and electronics. You will also have to reach the airport a couple of hours before your flight so you can get through the security formalities well in advance.

In-flight Services

Indigo's in-flight services are quite limited. In fact, the airline does not have any in-flight entertainment services. Since it operates on low fares, it does not provide complimentary meals on any of its flights. However, you can buy meals on board. The airline does offer premium services like pre-booking seats, priority check-in and multiple cancellations at a higher price. You can also get your hands on Indigo's magazine called Hello 6E. With the increasing competition and passenger's will to pay extra for comfort and convenience, the airline is also bringing in new offers and services for its passengers. The airline had also announced its tie-up with SonyLiv in 2019 that it will provide to its passengers as in-flight entertainment. You can also check out their website to find out more services that are offered by the airline.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Indigo

Indigo connects to various domestic and international routes regularly. Indigo connects to 63 domestic destinations and 24 international ones. It got the permission to expand its operations internationally in 2011. The domestic cities that Indigo is connected to are Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Agra, Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Coimbatore and so on. The international destinations include Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Dhaka, Hanoi, Istanbul, London and so on. The airline is quite particular about punctuality, and there are rarely any delays in flights unless there is an emergency or bad climatic conditions. You can also lookup offers and services on their website to make sure you make the most of your trip. Since the airline has already ordered more aircraft, there are high chances that they will add more cities to the list. Indigo will definitely go on to breaking more records and even making some in the next few years.

Why Travel by Indigo?

Indigo is one of the most prestigious and low fare airlines in the country. It made its way to the top airlines in the country quite quickly and made sure that passengers experienced the best services at a minimal price. It is also one of the largest airlines in the country that operates 1500 flights to domestic and international routes daily. It connects 24 international and 63 domestic destinations. It has its major hubs at Chennai International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. You can check the Indigo flight schedule and your flight status on their website. The airline also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The airline has also won several awards and accolades for its service over the years. Customers rarely have a disappointing experience flying with Indigo. If you are a frequent flyer, you might even get discounts and other offers while booking your next flight. Make sure you go through the offers on the airline's website. You can also get in touch with an executive at the call centre to know more about the offers.