Belgaum to Nagpur Flights

  About Belgaum

Belgaum is a small city located in the borders of the state of Karnataka. The city, also known by the name Belgavi, rests comfortably in the northern regions of the Western Ghats. A proposal to make Belgaum the second capital of Karnataka after Bangalore is in the works. A replica of the state administrative structure Suvarna Vidhana Soudha has also been constructed in the city's outskirts. The city of Belgaum has been selected to be developed into a smart city under the flagship project of PM Narendra Modi, also called Smart Cities Mission.

Best time to visit Belgaum

Winter is considered to be the ideal season to visit Belgaum. As mountains and vast expanses of greenery surround the city, the weather is charming and cool between November to February. The city's cool ambience and serene atmosphere would make you feel calm and relaxed.

The monsoons are also not all that bad as Belgaum turns into a nature-lover's paradise, come monsoon. The clouds enveloping the city while the rains add more life to the green panorama is an image that would stay with you forever. The roads might not be all that friendly to your vehicle or back, but the air and atmosphere would certainly be lovely. You can book a hotel in Belgaum and check out the bliss that the monsoon brings.

Summers are not the best time to visit the city as the temperatures take a hike. The scorching heat would put a damper on your travel plans as the weather is known to see a spike during summers.

Places to visit in Belgaum

Belgaum specifically doesn't have exemplary tourist attractions, but the areas around the city have some fun highlights that you can explore. From sitting under the Gokak Falls to taking a stroll through the Belgaum Fort, here are some places that you can visit when in Belgaum.

Gokak Falls

The Gokak Falls is close to 60 km away from the city centre and worth a visit. The blissful scenery of the falls located on the green Ghataprabha river forms quite a visual spectacle. Not to mention how the white waters cascading through the mountains offers a beautiful feel. There is an old temple of Lord Mahalingeshwara close to the falls so you can also visit the shrine.

Shri Ramakrishna Mission Ashram

Located in the city, Shri Ramkrishna Mission Ashram has spiritual significance and hence, is a tourist attraction. It has been stated that Swami Vivekananda took solace in the ashram and resided there for a few days. The ashram's look is quite interesting as there are decked up prayer halls, a Sarada mandap and elegant appeal to the structure. It is the best spot for people who wish to seek a retreat and break from their busy lives.

Navila TirthaNavila Tirtha is originally a village nestled in the Savadatti taluk of Belgaum district. While it is away from the central city, what makes this rocky village so special is the fact that it has a majestic dam. With several names such as Renuka Sagar, Navilteerth Dam and even Malaprabha Dam, the structure has been built across the Malaprabha river. Another highlight of the dam is the size and the fact that it is the shortest dam to be found in Karnataka.

Kittur Fort

The Kittur Fort and Palace is believed to be the works of Rani Chennamma. The complex now holds not just an aesthetically pleasing architecture but also has an archaeological museum within the palace. The collection is also quite exciting as the weapons, jewellery, historical sculptures, armour, costumes and more are displayed. The site would be a good place for you to learn a little more of Belgaum's history.

Belgaum Fort

It is said that the Belgaum Fort is the architecture of the rulers from the Ratt Dynasty and was constructed back in 1204 AD. While it is popularly known as Belgavi Fort, this is easily one of the tourist attractions that you can find when in Belgaum. The structure boasts some impeccable architecture with Indo-Saracenic features and an intriguing amalgamation of Deccan and Chalukyan designs. Within the fort, you will find a handful of temples including shrines of Ganpati and Goddess Durga. As you further explore the fort, you will see some beautiful mosques as well as Jain and Hindu temples.

Vajrapoha Falls

A little away from the small town of Belgaum is this pristine Vajrapoha Falls that overlooks the towering Sahayadri mountains. The scenic beauty of the place has often brought several travellers to its lap. The beauty of the falls is further amplified during monsoon. To be close to nature, one couldn't ask for a better getaway.

Things to do in Belgaum

The city has some beautiful forts and structures that can be explored. However, for outdoor activities, the best way to go about is to step out of the main city. Belgaum has several fun adventure activities that you can indulge in. From trekking at the Jamboti and Amboli ghats to picking white water rafting at the Kali river, these are some noteworthy activities that one can select when in Belgaum. As you go to the Jamboti ghat, you can also sit under the Vajrapoha falls and soak in the marvellous scenery at your perusal.

Similarly, you can also pick more trekking and hiking options and head to the Gokak and Godchinmalki waterfalls. Although the locations are a little away from the city centre, it would be an excellent way to unwind. Here's another exciting activity that you can take up when in Belgaum. The city actually has paragliding activities that you can pick up. Although the Himalayan terrains are known to offer the best of views and landscapes for paragliding, the one in Belgaum will give you a bird's eye view of the gorgeous Sahayadri mountains.

Food and Restaurants in Belgaum

The quaint city of Belgaum has an interesting melange of taste when it comes to food. Their history with Maharashtra has further led them to incorporate the same in their cuisine as well. You will find hear people speak Marathi and Kannada with a twang as they are at the border of the state. Even the cuisine is heavily inspired by Marathi culture as well as some flavours of North Indian delicacies. Not to mention how South Indian food such as the classic idli, vada, dosa and more are part of their staple food.

Over the years, thanks to impeccable development, Belgaum is seen quite a cultural twist with several big city joints such as Domino's, McDonald's, KFC and more making their way to the city. You can enjoy delicious Puri bhaji at Ajanta cafe and probably head to Belgo for some dessert. For all the tea lovers, Appolo tea bar is the place to be at to get the best tea in the city. As for those who wish to delve into scrumptious seafood, Hotel Aadinarayan is famous for their dishes.

How to reach Belgaum (Transportation)

By Air

Belgaum has decent flight connectivity from Bangalore as two dedicated airlines fly to and from Belgaum. SpiceJet and Star Air Airlines are the two services providers who have flights reserved for the city. The Belgaum airport is located in Sambra is touted to be the oldest airport in North Karnataka. Stretching across 10 kilometres, the airport is a little away from the city and close to State Highway 20. The government has included the airport in the UDAN 3 scheme which is why the city has regular flights flying in and out of Belgaum. Works to add more planes to fly from Belgaum to domestic routes of Mumbai, Pune and Mysore have also been planned out. These links will soon be added to the list of flights flying in and out of Belgaum.

By Rail

The Belgaum railway station is in the city centre and also part of the Indian Railways grid. The rail is perfectly connected with several major cities which make travelling to the city easier. Some trains go via Hubli to major metropolitan destinations such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Pune and even Delhi. The connectivity is quite good as there are not many transit changes required when travelling by train.

By Road

Belgaum is connected to major states thanks to National Highway 4. The national highway makes it easier for passengers travelling from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. This domestic route from Belgaum allows the city to connect with a majority of Southern states in India directly. Another route connecting Belgaum to Karnataka and Goa is the 4A route. Several government buses run on these routes. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and KSRTC have dedicated set numbers to connect all the places within the state.

Various private bus services have also been reaching the city thanks to the national and State highway. Many travellers also take up the Belgaum route for road trips as the roads are beautiful. Travellers heading to Goa are especially piqued by Belgaum’s beauty and often use the city as a stop-over. Overall, the city has great connectivity, making it easy for people to venture in and out of Belgaum.

  About Nagpur

Nagpur, popularly known to the country as the 'City of Oranges' is the second capital of the state of Maharashtra. With booming markets and extensive development, the city has played a vital role in contributing to the state as well as the country's economy. Nagpur also has an international airport which directly connects to Middle Eastern countries. The city is considered to be a winter capital for Maharashtra because of the pleasant drop in the temperature. With its unceasing development, the city's tourism is also seeing a tremendous ascent. Many hoteliers are coming up with accommodation options for travellers. You can book a hotel in Nagpur with a range of facilities for a comfortable stay.

Best time to visit Nagpur

Nagpur's climate is mildly humid and dry as it is away from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Being smack down in the middle of the country does come with some good perks in terms of the pleasant climate. The winters in Nagpur between October to March is considered perfect for travellers to visit the city. In fact, December and January have the best tropical winters that you can experience in the city. Sadly though, the summers are just as bad with temperatures shooting up to a fearsome 49 degrees Celsius during the day. Even though flight tickets to Nagpur during summer is cheap and affordable, it certainly would be a health risk and not ideal for a travel rendezvous.

Places to visit in Nagpur

Nagpur has been working towards improving its tourism and has done quite an excellent job with it. They built the Deeksha Bhoomi stupa in 2001, which is considered to be the largest stupa in Asia. The Buddhist monument is a place you should visit in Nagpur because of the calming vibe and energy that the site holds. Nagpur has quite a few tiger reserves with Pench Tiger Reserve being one of the well-maintained ones. It is easily one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the city thanks to the accommodation options it serves. You can actually book a hotel in Nagpur's Tiger Reserve and spend the night, possibly hearing growls of the big cats.

On the outskirts of Nagpur, there are a bunch of places that would pique a tourist's interest. Ramtek Fort and Temple are some of the iconic places. The fort and even the temple are known to be one of the spots where Lord Rama rested before commemorating his voyage to bring back wife Sita and defeating Ravana. The view from the fort though, is splendid. With its connection to the Hindu mythology, the place captures interests of a lot of devotees, who make sure to take the trip and check out the place.

Within the city of Nagpur, there is the famed Raman Science Centre, an educational complex with entertaining activities at your service. If it is a family trip, then you should definitely check out the science centre which explores secrets of the universe. It is in the city centre so travelling shouldn't be a concern. Usually, the Raman Science Centre hosts a lot of exhibitions and such events to attract enthusiasts to mingle.

It is interesting to note that Nagpur has quite a lot of Buddhist monuments and attractions. The Dragon Palace Buddhist Temple, located about 20 km away from the main city, sees Buddhists from around the world, come over to visit the temple. The setting of the temple complex is serene and soothing. There are areas reserved for meditation practices and gardens too, in the vicinity. The place certainly has a charm which makes it one of the best escapes from the city's hustle-bustle. You will be awestruck by the sheer beauty and serenity of the vicinity at the Buddhist temple.

Things to do in Nagpur

Nagpur's food culture might make you want to explore more of that space. Something we also recommend because you'll be amazed by the plethora multitudes of cuisines ready to blow your mind. However, the city's many lakes are also waiting for you to visit. You can take up camping at Ambnazari Lake as an option. The pristine lake with its serene surrounding would help you feel calm and composed. If camping is not possible, then you can always head to the Futala Lake and Gorewada Lake for a day picnic. The lakes see many tourists flock over regularly.

An interesting addition of things to do in Nagpur would be to visit the Japanese rose garden. The garden has been constructed and preserved by using techniques propagated by the Japanese natives, making it quite the place for cultural exchange. You can actually learn a few things and even purchase saplings from the place, if allowed. A designated tour guide would take you through the garden.

Food and Restaurants in Nagpur

Nagpur's fame might come from its vibrant variety of oranges, but food culture is quite incredible. You would expect the city to promote a certain speciality cuisine like many usually do. However, Nagpur is simply here to show you that they've got a taste for a global platter. From Moroccan to American, you'll find yourself amazed by their tasteful choices. The city does have quaint restaurants that offer the classic Maharashtrian delicacies that many enjoy. However, more than that, they have food joints and line of restaurants that offer more than just Indian cuisine. This growth has come about in the last few years.

If you're craving an English Breakfast in the middle of the afternoon, then you don't have to wait for the next day to explore options! Nagpur's The Breakfast Story caters to such cravings as it is an all-day breakfast setting. Interestingly, the restaurant changes its menu regularly with the classic breakfast dishes still intact on the menu. Nanking Mayfair's 3-decade long presence in Nagpur's food industry has given it quite the cult status among people. The Asian food served at Nanking is marvellous. Do check out their kung pao chicken when you visit the city! The city's best though is Zuree, a classy restaurant with fine dining scenes. From the plush location to the chic interiors to the plethora of dishes influenced by European, Italian, Moroccan and Indian cuisines, Zuree is certainly one place you shouldn't miss.

For some more fine dining setting, you can check out The Creative Kitchen by Radisson Hotels, Fountain Sizzlers & Bistro and Barbeque. As for those who want a simple yet sublime ambience, check out Thaat Baat, Veeraswami and Naivedhyam which proudly flaunt South Indian dishes.

How to reach Nagpur (Transportation)

By Air

Nagpur's Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport serves as a domestic as well as an international airport. The Nagpur airport has quite some historical significance for partaking in the Second World and also commissioning an intriguing "Night Air Mail Service". The service mainly focuses on four planes leaving prominent cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata with mail load in the night to exchange them at Nagpur. Flight connectivity to and from Nagpur is exceptional as it caters to several domestic as well as international cities. The domestic routes from Nagpur connect with cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore and more.

Connecting flights from these cities to and from Nagpur are also available, making travelling to the city favourable. The city's airport caters to Middle Eastern cities by charting international flights from Nagpur to Sharjah and Doha. The domestic airlines serving from Nagpur airport include IndiGo, GoAir, Air India and TruJet. As for international airlines, the city has Air Arabia and Qatar Airways serving flights to and from Nagpur. The city certainly sees a good number of travellers travelling from flights. Airport shuttles are available if you book a hotel in Nagpur before arrival.

By Rail

Nagpur has quite the reputation for having one of the best-connected railways in India. The construction of the railway tracks overlapping each other to form a diamond cross-connects the city to every direction in India. There are myriad express trains that connect Nagpur to cities such as Bangalore, Trivandrum, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai and more. Travelling by trains is also considered to be suitable for travellers as the travel duration is also accommodating. The railway station is also well-connected to the city centre, making transit within the city easier. You can book a hotel in Nagpur, close to the station as there are bountiful provisions for the same.

By Road

The road connectivity of Nagpur to other cities is also excellent. The city is linked to some well-maintained national highways that help with the connectivity. There are intercity, interstate and intrastate bus services available to make transport convenient for people residing in Nagpur and for the ones visiting. From AC deluxe to ordinary non-AC, there are many options also that one can choose from to travel. Private bus providers have services reserved for Nagpur from cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Indore, Surat and more. Plus, tickets to Nagpur come at a reasonable price. The Nagpur Bus Sthanak and Mor Bhawan are the two bus terminals where all buses halt as a final stop.

  About Nagpur Airport

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport or better known as Nagpur Airport is an international airport that serves the city of Nagpur in the state of Maharashtra. Situated about 8 km south-west of Nagpur in the town of Sonegaon, the airport was originally founded during the First World War as part of the Royal Air Force. The airport underwent renovation during World War II when it was utilised as a staging airfield by the Royal Air Force. Eventually, as the Britishers left the country following independence, the airport's management was transferred to the Indian Government. The new management expanded the terminal buildings and constructed a new building to install better facilities ranging from refreshments to restrooms. It covers an area of close to 1355 acres. Nagpur Airport was named after the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, BR Ambedkar. It handles about 7,500 passengers in a day and accommodates five domestic airlines and two international airlines. The airport is sprawled across 1,460 acres of land and is also the home of AFS Nagpur, which is part of the Indian Air Force. The growth in passenger congestion is a result of travellers who visit the city from the state capital, Mumbai.

About Nagpur Airport terminals

Nagpur Airport has only one new integrated terminal building that came into existence in 2008. The new integrated terminal building has the capacity to accommodate 550 arriving and departure passengers at peak hours. Further, as part of the terminal's upgradation, 20 check-in counters and 20 immigration counters have been installed by the airport authority. They have installed several modern amenities and facilities including passenger bridges with a visual docking guidance system, accommodation for 600 cars in the parking garage, eight parking bays for flights and newer baggage conveyor belts. An approach road has also been constructed to connect the new integrated terminal building with the main highway to enhance the city-side network. The domestic terminal is located on the gro9und level and has two boarding gates with an additional one that can be used during emergencies. The airport also has the capacity to hold about 325 aircraft operations for both departures and arrivals. A Hajj terminal is also present at the airport which is used seasonally when the airport hosts pilgrims to Jeddah.

About Airport Authority

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India while its operations are handled by Mihan India Private Limited (MIPL). The airport authority has made some significant changes in the upgradation and modification of Nagpur Airport for the better. The existing building has witnessed a massive change in terms of upgradation of amenities and expansion of facilities to cater to the passengers. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport received its new integrated terminal building in 2008, thanks to the works of the Airports Authority of India as well as MIPL. The Airports Authority of India also plans to construct a whole new control tower along with the technical block to help enhance the navigation facilities that are currently present at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport.

The airport authority, Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), has been working towards introducing a massive economic project. It is recognised as one of the biggest economic development projects, in terms of investments, that is currently underway in the country. The project is divided into two parts, an international airport that would function as a cargo hub and a special economic zone (SEZ) inclusive of residential zones that would cover about 40.25 km² are in the southern end of the city. Multiple banks are financing the project as it has raked in a whopping INR 30,000 crore of investment. The target of the project is to serve 14 million passengers and handle a cargo of 0.87 million tonnes. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2035 and is estimated to generate revenues worth INR 5280 crores. The project kicked off in 2005 and since then, has seen a significant rise in property rates in Nagpur.

Facilities at the Nagpur Airport

WiFi - Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport offers unlimited free WiFi services to its passengers. The process to connect with the airport's WiFi network is quite simple and can be done in a jiffy. Not to mention how the internet speed is also quite decent.

Special assistance – Nagpur Airport has facilities to cater to the needs of senior citizens and disabled passengers. The airport has a set of trained staff who can provide special assistance such as escorting the passenger to the airport terminal, helping them with the baggage services, taking them through the procedures of check-in and security checks and much more. The staff stays close to the passenger until they board the flight.

ATMs – There are ATM kiosks that have been installed at the domestic and international airport terminals. You can make cash withdrawals and also get money exchange done at another counter.

First aid rooms – Medical services and first aid rooms have also been installed at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. The main idea behind adding medical services in the list of facilities is to ensure that any medical emergencies are taken care of immediately. Along with first aid rooms, the airport also has pharmacies placed in both the terminals. In case you need some specific medication, you can visit the medical stores and purchase the same.

Child care room – The airport has also made provisions for passengers travelling with infants. There are child care rooms that can be utilised for feeding and changing for the infants. The space offers privacy and is a healthy environment too. The parent can relax and help out the baby with the cleaning and feeding activities.

Baggage – Some of the baggage services that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport provides include baggage wrapping services, free trolleys, baggage storage booths, porter services and much more. The airport also has baggage reclaim conveyor belts and other such facilities that help to enhance the experience of the passenger.

Currency exchange – Considering how the airport also caters to international flight activities, there are currency exchange counters also added to the list of facilities. Nagpur Airport also provides decent exchange rates and also has provisions of money transfers.

Smoking areas – Dedicated smoking zones have been installed at the airport. Both the terminals have a smoking lounge to ensure that passengers do not light up a smoke in the public lounge space. The smoking zones are regularly cleaned and maintained perfectly well.

Duty-free shops – There are duty-free shops also available in the airport premise. You can purchase imported items at a very low and reasonable price. These can be taken back as souvenirs too.

Lounges - The airport has three lounge facilities available. Out of the three, two of them are located in the domestic terminal while the third one is located in the international terminal. Two of the lounges are recognised as Travel Club lounge, which basically enables many travellers to come over and enjoy the hospitality and services rendered by the facility. As for the third lounge, it is called Cinnamon Lounge. The perks of all the lounge are that they have a slew of facilities ranging from free WiFi to entertainment content that can be availed. There are fabulous restaurants that are part of the lounge facility. The food is phenomenal while the hospitality is exquisite. The seating is also quite comfortable, and the experience as a whole is comforting.

Top airlines flying from Nagpur Airport

Nagpur Airport is the second most important airport in the state of Maharashtra. Along with many domestic cities that the airline connects to, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport also caters to a few international destinations. Some of the important airlines that operate from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport include Air Arabia, Air Asia, AirAsia India, GoAir, IndiGo and Qatar Airways. These airlines connect to cities such as Sharjah, Delhi, Mumbai, Raipur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Pune, Indore and Doha. With the expansion plans commencing, the idea is to add more airlines and cities in their list of connections.

How to reach Nagpur Airport

By Rail

The current Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport terminal is connected perfectly well with the Airport Metro Station of Nagpur Metro. The airport is one of the city airports in India to have a metro link connection. Located on the Orange Line of Nagpur Metro, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport can be best reached by metro. The metro has scheduled trains to reach Nagpur Airport and has a frequency of 15 minutes. The city and the airport's metro connections make traversing within the city of Nagpur far more convenient.

By Road

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is right on the National Highway 44 and is connected by a six-lane highway. As a metropolitan city, Nagpur has local transport facilities such as taxi cabs and private rentals that can be availed from within the city to reach Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. You can hail cabs from the city to reach Nagpur Airport.