Bangalore to Pondicherry Flights

  About Bangalore

India's very own IT hub, Bangalore, is the centre for the high-tech industry. The city is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in India thanks to the innumerable employment opportunities and development scope. Already known to be one of the biggest cities in India, Bangalore's charm also comes from the crazy nightlife and grand architectural structures. The flight connectivity from Bangalore to the other metro cities in India as well as international locations is top-notch. Although the traffic might be the biggest concerns for residents or even individuals travelling to Bangalore, the city's vibrant spirit continues to attract more and more crowd. Not to mention how pleasant weather further adds more charm to the city.

Best time to visit Bangalore

Bangalore enjoys the most pleasant weather in the whole country. Considering how the city is in the Southern regions of India, which is usually hot in summers, Bangalore doesn't face the pesky heat. Rather it continues to relish a moderate temperature, making it ideal for every season. The summers in the city are between February to May with April and May experiencing peak temperatures. The max the temperatures soar up to is 36 degree Celsius. Luckily though, since the city does not face humidity, it is mostly got and dry during summers.

Monsoons begin early in Bangalore from late May or early June. The city experiences heavy rains, especially between June to August. However, rains bring about a scenic charm to the city as the greenery is amplified.

Winters can get super cold with the temperatures dropping down to 12 degrees Celsius. The peak winter months in Bangalore are from November to January. December is easily the coldest month in the city. In fact, winter mornings can be pretty chilly but romantic at the same time. Interestingly, Bangalore does face erratic weather which could either be a spike or a drop in the temperature. Nevertheless, you can enjoy the city's vibrant atmosphere all-round the year.

Places to see in Bangalore

Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha - The two structures are government properties with impeccable modern construction and intriguing architecture. Although the Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha are separated to handle different legislative avenues of the city, the place brings about a rich charm, making it a must-visit place in the city.

Seshadari Iyer Memorial - The distinctive red sandstone used to construct this building in Cubbon Park easily stands tall as a tourist attraction. It's basically a public library as well as the Bangalore High Court. Aside from the lawful activities that take place, the complex is also given a recreational touch with toy trains and theatres to entertain kids.

Bangalore Palace - Constructed by the illustrious Maharajas of Mysore, the Bangalore Palace has yet again found prominence as a tourist attraction and is open to tourists. The place has had to undergo a string of renovations following which, they have been able to bring forth an eclectic palace with interesting historical artefacts. The location is definitely interesting, especially since it sheds light in the life of Tipu Sultan. Not to mention how the embellished walls and archways further give it a royal feel that would only add to your merriment.

The Bull Temple - Nestled in Basavanagudi is this typical Dravidian-styled temple that is famous for the colossal bull statue. What makes the statue so special is the fact that it has been carved out of a single boulder, making the temple just as legendary as the statue. Every year, local farmers flock over to the temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings for a fruitful harvest.

Maha Bodhi Society Temple - This temple is relatively new in the city and is basically a replica of the historic structure at Bodh Gaya. The Buddhist stupa is famous for its spiritual teachings, training and peaceful ambience. The same can be experienced at this temple too. The temple grounds reverberate a serene tone of comfort while the quaint setting makes for a tranquil experience.

Bannerghatta National Park - A little away from the city centre, the Bannerghatta National Park is the perfect escape you can ask for from the city's excessive traffic. The national park plays home to tigers, bears, elephants, lions and many more wild animals. You can actually sign up for a safari, and the tour guides would take you through the various segments of the national park. The park also comes with a zoo where some beautiful birds, leopards, jackals, etc. reside.

The city of Bangalore is surprisingly filled with a tremendous number of temples and spiritual setting. Aside from the ones mentioned above, there are many more artful temples, churches and structures that will blow your mind. Plus, the national park, zoos, gardens and other such expanses of green spaces would further leave you spellbound.

Things to do in Bangalore

Adventure sports - Bangalore's young crowd with a thirst for adrenaline rush makes is a prime hub for adventure sports. Right from cruising through the highway roads on a motorcycle to taking up camping and dirt bike riding, there is a massive market for such outdoor activities which you will definitely enjoy. Kayaking, rock climbing, go-karting, even hiking, are all things that you can do when in Bangalore.

Cave exploration - From the city, you can meet up a bunch of fellow cave explorers and head to Savandurga, Anthargange or Siddarabetta. These caves are not too far from the city and definitely worth the wanderlust.

Hiking and trekking - Bangalore is surrounded by some pristine hills with gorgeous waterfalls. You can probably take a day from your trip to spend on trekking up one of the peaks. Nandi Hills is the closest to the city and can easily be completed in a day. Perhaps you can also set camp and enjoy the cool mountain breeze.

Brewery hopping - One of the best things about the city is the plethora of breweries and clubs. Bangalore certainly has a nightlife that can well be on par with that of Mumbai or Delhi. Toit is one of the famous breweries that seems to be expanding its roots from the IT city to other metropolitan cities.

Food and Restaurants in Bangalore

Just head straight to Indira Nagar and go exploring! Delve into the hip vibe of Indira Nagar as the street with its impeccable dining and dynamic nightlife serenades you. All you've got to do is just walk up 100 Feet Road and let the fancy pubs anAd food hubs entice you with their popularity. Some important names to know though, Arbor, Toit, Windmills, Brewklyn Brewery, while you're in Bangalore.

How to reach Bangalore

By Air

One of the major challenges of Bangalore is the transportation. More like, the excessive traffic that makes travelling to the city and within the city a tad bit difficult. By air, you can reach Kempegowda International Airport, which is located in Devanahalli. The airport is 40 km away from the central city (MG Road); however, due to their terrible traffic, reaching the city from the airport gets challenging. The airport has close to 10 domestic airlines and about 21 international airlines with flights coming in and leaving the city. This has enabled Bangalore's flight connectivity ideal with the rest of the cities in India and the world. Bangalore covers close to 50 destinations, within India as well as internationally. Further, the airport also serves as a focus city for three major domestic airlines , namely, SpiceJet, GoAir and IndiGo.

From the airport, there are numerous ways of transport options that one can choose from. There are regular government-affiliated bus services as well as AC Volvo buses to the city. Plus, cab services De also prevalent, so travelling to the city is not an issue.

By Rail

There are two central railway terminals in Bangalore namely Bangalore City Railway Station and Yeshwantpur Junction. The two railway stations are well-connected with the rest of the country's major cities. Although the travel time by train is a little more as compared to flights, the railway is usually the last resort considered by people. A traveller from Mumbai will spend 24 hours on the train to reach Bangalore whereas if the individual will spend only 18-20 hours if travelling from a bus. You must find out which railway station would be ideal for your trip and accordingly book your tickets to Bangalore on the Indian Railways' website. You can also make your bookings on other platforms or visit the railway station to purchase it from the counter.

By Road

Travelling to Bangalore by road might actually be a fun trip. You can either get your own vehicle out to drive down to the city, or you can opt for public transport such as private or public buses. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore, Madgaon have sleeper buses available that could take less of your travel time as opposed to trains. The last stop is the Kempegowda Bus Station, popularly known as KSRTC or Majestic Bus Stand. The vast bus stand has intercity buses as well as transport facilities for interstate travel.

  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.

  About Bangalore Airport

The Bangalore Airport, popularly known as the Kempegowda International Airport, is the international airport that serves the city of Bangalore, which is the capital of the state of Karnataka. It has completely replaced the HAL airport which previously served the city of Bangalore. The airport is spread across 4,000 acres and is about 40 km from the Bangalore city centre. In fact, it is close to the Devanahalli village. The airport has been christened after the person who founded the city of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda I. The Kempegowda International Airport is the country's first fully solar-powered airport, which is serviced by CleanMax Solar. The Bangalore Airport is known to be the third busiest airport in India, with respect to passenger traffic. It stands behind Delhi and Mumbai in the race. The Kempegowda International Airport is also the 29th busiest airport, as recorded by Asia. The airport has recorded to accommodate approximately 33 million passengers. There are two runways and a passenger terminal that the Bangalore Airport harbours. The domestic and international services and operations take place at T1 while T2 (second terminal) is in the works for expansion.

About Bangalore Airport Terminals

The airport has an integrated terminal which connects both domestic and international passenger operations. The single integrated terminal can accommodate 20 million passengers on a yearly basis. While the check-in counters and baggage claims are on the ground level, the departure gates are all located on the first level. The gates have been segregated in such a way that one side of the segment is dedicated to domestic departures while the other side is reserved for international departures. The gates 41 and 42 accommodate to serve the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. The ground level also has Plaza Premium Lounge and VIP rooms available. The airport also has facilities of a day hotel, in case there are flights or layovers that will take more than 10 hours. Currently, the airport is undergoing expansions for the second phase. They are working to build Terminal 2. The project has been undertaken by a renowned architectural firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The construction of the second phase is being undertaken by Larsen & Toubro. The plan is to extend the airport's capacity to accommodate an additional 20 million passengers in a year.

About airport authority

The Bangalore Airport is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), which is a public limited company. BIAL has been granted permission to operate the airport for 30 years by the Government of India. The airport does have the option to work for 30 additional years depending on whether the venture wishes to take it forward. The consortium is co-owned by private and public ventures where the Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (government entity) owns 13 per cent. At the same time, the Airports Authority of India has 13 per cent. Meanwhile, the 74 per cent is taken over by private entities, Fairfax Financial holding 54 per cent and Siemens Projects Ventures with 20 per cent.

Facilities at the Bangalore Airport

WiFi services: The Bangalore airport has good WiFi connectivity, which you can avail from all terminals. The WiFi service is available for 45 minutes, and the procedure to acquire it is quite simple too. There are paid WiFis as well, which you can avail at the airport.

Sleeping lounge: The good thing about the Bangalore airport is how it has a special sleeping lounge. The airport has made sleep pods available which is located close to the arrival check-in hall. If you have flight delays or a lot of time to kill before boarding, you can head to the sleeping lounge and take a power nap. The information desk can guide you to the pods.

Multi-faith rooms: The airport also provisions multi-faith rooms for prayers. You can ask the information desk to direct you to the prayer rooms. They have been strategically located within the terminals to make connectivity easy for passengers.

Smoking zone: There are a few smoking zones in the airport. To keep the terminals smoke-free, the airport has reserved some rooms for smoking. You can also find shops selling cigarette boxes.

Buggy services: The airport has special buggy services to traverse within the terminals. The buggy services are usually for senior citizens, passengers with mobility issues, expectant mothers and more. You might even get to receive some complimentary buggy service which you can find at the departure gates and security check area.

Baby care rooms: For people travelling with children and infants, there are baby care rooms also available. For women who need to tend to their baby's needs and require some privacy for the same, you can visit the child care centre. The place has been maintained perfectly. Not to mention, the services also include a changing table and products to help with infants.

Wheelchair assistance: Aside from buggy services, you can also find wheelchair assistance. These can be found at the gates of all the terminals. A dedicated drop-off zone is also available at specific points in the departure and arrival gates.

Restaurants and cafes: Bangalore airport has many food establishments and joints. From the famous ones such as KFC, Burger King, Subway, Domino's, McDonald's to local restaurants with impeccable food, you can find them at the airport.

Local connectivity: If you are a passenger of foreign descent, you can get hold of local SIM cards and burner phones. The positive of getting hold of a temporary Indian SIM is that you can avail the WiFi services at the airport too. Plus, it would be easy to connect with the required contacts outside of the city as well.

Baggage Services: The airport offers baggage services too ranging from trolleys, luggage porter services and baggage wrapping services. Basically, you wouldn't have to worry about your luggage at Bangalore airport.

VIP lounge: Bangalore airport has reservations for VIP lounges and upscale lounge services. VIP lounges are usually reserved for passengers who have a specific premium membership with airlines. You can get access to some of the other upscale lounge and areas where one can wait and relax. The services in these places are quite top-notch, and the experience is mostly extravagant. VIP rooms and a Plaza Premium lounge is available at the airport. It is reserved for premium travellers with first-class and business class flight tickets.

Top airlines flying from the Bangalore Airport

After New Delhi and Mumbai, Bangalore's Kempegowda airport is the third busiest airport in India, in terms of passenger traffic. Over the year, the airport actually witnesses over 33 million passengers, which explains why the demand is so high. Not to mention how the aircraft movement is close to 658, with domestic and international airlines flying in and out of the city. The airport is divided into two terminals and has domestic and international airlines operating from the airport. The Bangalore airport serves as a pivotal space for domestic airlines such as AirAsia India, Alliance Air and IndiGo operating from the city. The airport also witnesses strong connectivity with airlines such as Air India and SpiceJet, flying in and out of the city. It is their focus city. Cities such as Agatti Island, Gulbarga, Bagdogra, Port Blair, to name a few, have direct flights flying from the Bangalore airport with dedicated airlines. The top domestic airlines operating from the city are Air India, Air Asia, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, TruJet and Vistara.

The city also favours as a hub to various international airlines. There are many airlines that fly in and out of Bangalore airport. The international airlines such as Air Arabia, Air France, Air India Express, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Cathay Dragon, Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Air Asia Thai and Thai Airways, operate from the Kempegowda International Airport.

How to reach the Bangalore Airport

Kempegowda International Airport lacks a connection with the main city as it is approximately 40 km away from the city centre. In fact, due to immense traffic on the road, it is quite challenging to reach the airport from the city. Hence, it is essential to book a vehicle or use some of the domestic modes of transport to reach the city. Currently, the road is the only way to reach the Bangalore airport. The government had planned to bring forth a link between the city and the airport with metro stations. Called Namma Metro, the link was supposed to cut down the travel time tremendously and avoid the road traffic. However, the project never took off and was eventually scrapped.

By Road

To reach the Bangalore airport, the city's National Highway 44 is the route to pick. A few years ago, a six-lane flyover was built, which enhanced the connectivity and reduced the travel time too. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), as well as the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), have reserved buses operating from the city to reach the Kempegowda International airport.