Bangalore to Rajkot Air India 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 Rajkot

Rajkot, in Gujarat, does not have a lot of options for you to go sightseeing but you will certainly love shopping here. Be it traditional snacks or silverware, Rajkot is the perfect place for a one-day trip. The city is also popular since it is where late Mahatma Gandhi pursued his early education. It is also considered as one of the cleanest cities in India. While there aren't a lot of options to explore in the city, you can visit the Jubilee Garden, Watson Museum, Kaba Gandhi No Delo and Lang Library. Do also treat yourself to a delicious plate of Gujarati thali. The city also attracts a lot of tourists who are interested in history.

Best Time to Visit Rajkot

While Rajkot's weather is pleasant throughout the year, making it possible for you to plan a trip whenever you want to, it is advisable to visit the city during winter. Rajkot experiences winter from October to March, January and February being the coldest months. The temperature ranges between 22 to 10 degree Celsius. You will get great deals on flights to Rajkot during this time. Make sure you book a hotel in Rajkot in advance since this is also peak season for tourists in Rajkot.

Monsoon in Rajkot begins from June and lasts till September. While the rainfall is not too heavy in the city during these months, it does give tourists a much-needed break from the summer heat. The showers won't really affect your plans to go sightseeing a lot and since the climate will also be pleasant, planning a trip during monsoon will also not prove to be a bad idea. In fact, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Rajkot during the monsoon. It being monsoon and off season, hotel bookings in Rajkot will also get cheaper. The Tarnetar Fair happens in August and attracts a lot of tourists from all over the country. You will see people of different tribes come together to celebrate the fair.

March to June is when summer hits the city, and the scorching heat makes it an unfavourable time for you to plan a visit to Rajkot. The temperature can go up to 42 degree Celsius, and this might even affect your sightseeing plans or any other plan to venture out. The temperature decreases and heads towards pleasant weather towards June end, making way for the monsoon to hit the city.

Places to Visit in Rajkot

The Kaba Gandhi No Delo is one of the most important tourist spots in the city. This is where late Mahatma Gandhi spent his childhood since it was his paternal home. It has been converted into a museum for tourists. Rajkot has a lot of museums for history geeks. The Rotary Dolls Museum is another popular place for tourists to visit. The museum has about 1000 dolls on exhibition that give you a glimpse of cultures from across the world and history, too. The Watson Museum that is inside Jubilee Gardens is yet another place that is perfect for the history geeks. You will find artefacts here that date back to the Indus Valley civilisation. It will also help you understand the history of Gujarat.

After you are done with the museum tour, you can visit the Nyari Dam. This place is perfect for an intimate picnic with your family, and if you wait for some more time, you will be treated to the most enchanting sunset. The Khambhalida Caves must also be in your list of places to visit in Rajkot. The beautiful carvings and the caves date back to the 4th and 5th century. Lang Library is the right place for all you bookworms. You will have to pay an entry fee to enter the library, but you will surely have a great time. The Aji Dam and Lal Pari Lake are two other places in Rajkot you can go to with your family to enjoy the scenic view. Do not end your trip without visiting the Ranjit Vilas Palace and admire its architecture. The city also has quite a few temples that you can visit before ending your Rajkot trip. The temples here have a scenic view, and you'll also be stunned at the marvellous architecture.

Things to do in Rajkot

One thing you can't miss in Rajkot is a scrumptious Gujarati thali. The food in Rajkot is absolutely delectable, and you will enjoy each bite. If you are visiting in August or September, do visit the Tarnetar Fair. The fair takes place near Triniteshwar Mahadev, and you will love being a part of this three-day festival. The dances, songs, stalls and amusement rides will ensure that you have the best day. You will get to buy a lot of souvenirs for your friends and family back home. You will also take back home a lot of memories. Visit the Mayur Patola Art near Virani High School. The patola sarees with their unique weaving techniques and intricate designs will steal your heart right away. You can also buy a few patola sarees in a few other shops. If you feel a little adventurous, you can hike to Aji Dam in the evening right before sunset. Make sure you catch the sunset from the dam, and you can thank us later for it. You can also hike up to Osam Hill in the Patanvav village. It is believed that the Pandavas lived here during their exile and you will even find the spot where Bhima met his first wife, Hidimbi. The sunset only makes this place a million times better and spectacular.

To please the water baby in you, plan a picnic by the Lal Pari lake. It's not too far away from the city and the right spot for you to come across migratory birds like wigeons, purple moorhens and rosy pastors. If Rajkot is famous for anything, it is the handicrafts and the sarees. Make sure you visit the markets and find the best of everything the city has to offer to you. The Bangdi Bazaar and the Gujari Bazaar are two markets that are quite popular in the city. From jewellery to clothes to other artwork, you will find a lot of things at affordable prices.

Food and Restaurants in Rajkot

You can't go to Gujarat and not have the Dhokla or Handvo. They are the most popular Gujarati delicacies that are served with mint chutney and another chutney made of dates. It depends on whether you want to go for the spicy dip or the sweet one. Handvo is also another type of Dhokla that looks and tastes quite different. Thepla is yet another dish that is famous in Gujarat and the rest of the country. It is like paratha and is made of fenugreek leaves. It's best consumed with pickles or curd or any other dip that you prefer. It is also a very popular breakfast option in the city. Kadhi chawal is also something you must try here. And don't leave Rajkot without giving the Gujarati thali a try. The experience will stay with you for a very long time and will even make you want to take a trip back to Rajkot. Undhiyu, Rotlo, Sev Usal, Khandvi, Khakra, Khamman, Fafda are also some of the popular dishes that you must try when you are in Rajkot.

The Grand Thakar is famous for its thalis, and you must definitely try the Gujarati thali here. Waves is another restaurant that is known for its hospitality. Lords Banquet Restaurant is another place to go to if you want to give Gujarati food a try. You will also find other types of cuisines on the menu. Apple Bite Multicuisine Restaurant and Cafe is also a very popular place that has Punjabi, Chinese and Continental cuisines in their menu.

How to Reach Rajkot (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is the Rajkot Airport that is well-connected with other major cities. However, international routes to Rajkot are connected from other cities. A lot of tourists either take a different flight to Rajkot from Mumbai or stop at Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. You can even take a taxi or bus from the Ahmedabad airport. If you are travelling during the offseason, you will even get decent flight deals to Rajkot and if lucky, cheap flight tickets to Rajkot.

By Rail

The Rajkot Railway Junction connects with a lot of other cities. Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jodhpur are some of the popular routes to Rajkot by rail. The frequency of the trains is also excellent, and it will be advisable for you to book your tickets in advance.

By Road

The road connectivity from Rajkot to other cities in Gujarat is excellent. You will get a lot of buses and taxis from other cities to reach Rajkot. Though taking a flight to Rajkot will be a much more convenient option. Even though buses and trains are far cheaper than flights, reaching Rajkot by air is a much better option, and it also saves a lot of time.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.

  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.

  About Rajkot Airport

Gujarat's Rajkot Airport is the fourth busiest in the state, following Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. Rajkot Airport is a civilian airport that only caters to domestic flights. The airport is also called Civil Aerodrome Rajkot. Currently, the airport sees regular flight activities by Air India and SpiceJet. The airport has a parking apron reserved for Boeing 787 as well as one ATR 72. The terminal of Rajkot Airport accommodates barely 125 people at once. It is located about 3 km to the east of the city of Rajkot. Other airports that are in proximity with Rajkot Airport are Jamnagar, which is about 81 km and Ahmedabad International Airport, at 221 km. Rajkot Airport's flights mostly connect to major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Surat. The most popular routes of flights from Rajkot Airport are to Mumbai and Bangalore respectively.

About Rajkot Airport Terminals

At present, Rajkot Airport has only one functioning terminal with a capacity of 125 passengers in an hour at both, the departures and arrivals section of the airport. There is only one boarding gate that is located on the ground level, while other passenger-related procedures take place on the first level. In total, the airport has about six check-in counters along with two security checks and two X-ray baggage facilities also available. The terminal is under the management of the Airports Authority of India.

About airport authority

Rajkot Airport is wholly owned and operated by the government of India's statutory airport's body, Airports Authority of India. The governing body is responsible for all management and infrastructural expansion related duties of the airport. The airport has been taking care of Rajkot Airport's infrastructure. In terms of management too, the Airports Authority of India is responsible for handling the airport staff. Due to its small size, the airport did see some challenges with respect to their expansion plans. However, it is being taken care of by the officials responsible for the airport.

A plan to extend the Rajkot Airport is in the works. Rajkot Urban Development Authority and Rajkot Municipal Corporation have collectively designed and proposed a plan to extend the runway of Rajkot Airport from its current 5,400 ft to 6,000 ft. The plan is to accommodate larger aircraft and to enable string connectivity to major cities aside from Mumbai. As Rajkot is a city with extensive manufacturing companies, the airport needs to have good connectivity with more cities in the country. Currently, the airport suffers from lack of capacity to accommodate larger aircraft as well as passengers. Expanding the airport is quite challenging as it is located within the city in proximity to the residential area and commercial buildings. Due to lack of space, the Rajkot Airport is finding difficulty with its expansion projects. The current airstrip is also incapable of handling and serving larger aircraft. Hence, plans to construct a new airport altogether has been approved by the city. The new airport is located on the Ahmedabad - Rajkot national highway and is about 20 km away from the main city.

Facilities at Rajkot Airport

Special assistance - Rajkot Airport has limited facilities, but they have the basic ones to cater to the needs of the passengers. Travellers with mobility concerns can avail their special assistance services. The airport has trained staff to take care of travellers who need to be escorted within the airport premise. The same needs to be notified to the airlines as well. They will be able to speed up the process of reserving a staff to help the passenger.

Baggage - The airport is said to have the best baggage services in store for the passengers. They have free baggage services for passengers carrying heavy luggage too. Not just the trolleys but you can also opt for porter services where staff would help you take your baggage from one place to another at the airport. The security-check for the bags can also be done by the staff on your behalf. Wrapping services are another perk of Rajkot Airport.

Child care room - Designated child care rooms have been installed at the airport premise. Often passengers travel with infants who need special treatment. With feeding and changing diapers as some of the challenging acts that require privacy, Rajkot Airport has brought forth a clean and hygienic room specially designed to cater to their needs. The room has baby products along with a comfortable seating arrangement and even a changing table.

Medical services - Medical assistance and services are also available at the airport. The Airports Authority of India has made it mandatory to install medical services in case of emergencies at the airport. Hence, Rajkot Airport also has a dedicated medical service available at all times. You can also find pharmacies at the airport. Details of the same can be found at the airport's information desk.

Cafes and snack counters - Rajkot Airport doesn't have a proper restaurant or food court as such to cater to full-course meals for passengers. However, the airport has brought forth some food stalls and establishments. There are local entrepreneurs who have set up their stalls in the premise. You can find light snacks, tea, coffee and other beverages at the airport. Some of them are inspired by Gujarati cuisine, so the snacks are also much to the likes of their culture.

Lounges - There are a business lounge and a VIP lounge installed at the airport. Although these facilities are restricted to certain ticket holders or members of specific airlines, the services available are quite good. They have comfortable seating, TV and entertainment decks, mobile-charging points and even provisions of WiFi facilities to enable a comfortable experience.

Transportation services - Right outside the arrivals section, there are local taxi cabs and other such transport facilities available. You can book a ride within the city at the airport itself. Further, rentals can also be booked here. The airport also provides a travel guide for travellers who are visiting the city for the first time.

ATMs - ATM kiosks of State Bank of India have been installed at the airport premise. You can make cash withdrawals at the airport, in case you might have missed out on doing the same before your journey.

Smoking lounge - Dedicated smoking lounges are also available at Rajkot Airport's vicinity. The same can be found at the departure. Since smoking in public is an offence, the airport has ensured to dedicate a space specifically for smokers.

WiFi - WiFi services are also complimentary and available for free at the airport. It is only reserved for a few minutes post which the passenger will need to pay an extra fee if they need to get WiFi connectivity.

Top airlines flying from Rajkot Airport

Rajkot Airport caters to airlines such as East-West Airlines, Indian Airlines, Air Deccan and Gujarat Airways. The airlines are mostly all regional with more preference given to cargo flights. SpiceJet and Air India are the only two domestic airlines that operate from Rajkot Airport. The flight connectivity of Rajkot Airport is quite limited as it only caters to about a handful of cities. The major cities include Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Meanwhile, Rajkot Airport also has flights to Surat and is available for passengers. Out of the flights that function from Rajkot Airport, the most popular routes are the ones connecting to Mumbai and Bangalore. Majorly, the airport doesn't see a lot of flight action and has limited scheduled flights. Much of the air traffic is witnessed by other neighbouring airports such as Jamnagar, Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

How to reach Rajkot Airport

By Rail

The airport is also only 3 km away from the railway station. For travellers who are visiting the city from rural sections of Gujarat can easily get taxi cabs to reach Rajkot Airport from the railway station. The number of trains is limited and scheduled, so there are only specific destinations that it caters. You can get a taxi cab or rickshaw service from the railway station to reach Rajkot Airport. From the airport, you can get fixed rated taxi cabs too that will reach you to the railway station. Travellers often choose this as it is affordable and convenient too.

By Bus and taxi cabs

There is a bus stand located just 4 km away from Rajkot Airport. Hence, a majority of travellers opt for this mode of transport to reach Rajkot Airport. The bus stand sees scheduled buses reach from various parts of the city. In fact, some of the buses are interstate and have a good connection to neighbouring cities in Gujarat. You can travel from anywhere in Gujarat and be able to reach Rajkot Airport with the utmost ease. Along with buses, the city also has great taxi services. There are general taxi stands along with private taxi services available within the city. You can hail a cab from the bus stand and reach Rajkot Airport. Or you can directly take a cab to reach Rajkot Airport.