Bengaluru to Bhuj 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 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

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

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

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 and 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 (Transportation)

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 Bhuj

The first thing that comes to your mind when you hear Bhuj is the Rann of Kutch. A lot of people stop at Bhuj to get to the White Desert. Bhuj became a popular name after the earthquake in 2001 that killed close to 20,000 people living there. The quake also destroyed most of the buildings and houses in the city. The city in Gujarat is also quite close to Maharashtra. The city saw significant destruction after the earthquake but was rebuilt quite impressively. The city is not a popular holiday destination but is quite close to one. You can also book a hotel in the city and stay here for at least two days before you leave for The Great Rann of Kutch if at all that's your plan. You'll find perfect hotel rooms in the city and very affordable prices. Taking a bus, train or taxi from Bhuj is a very popular route to get to the Rann Utsav.

Apart from the Rann Utsav, the city also boasts of two majestic palaces, the Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal. Both the palaces were partly destroyed after the earthquake, but you can visit what's left of it and admire the sheer royalty of the palace. The palaces are right next to each other, and you will be charged a nominal fee to enter it. While the Aina Mahal boasts of intricate mirror works inside, the Prag Mahal boasts of large pillars in the Darbar and huge chandeliers. It will make you wonder and wish that you had come to visit the palaces before the earthquake.

You can also visit the Kutch Museum, which is one of the oldest museums in Gujarat. You'll find artefacts from the first century, too, in the museum. You'll also find a collection of unique and old coins. Either hire a tour guide who will take you through the artefacts and collections with a narration of the story behind it, or take a tour along and figure things on your own. You can also chill by the Hamirsar lake in Bhuj and watch migratory birds like the Greater Flamingo, Pelicans and much more. You'll have to plan your trip in winter to witness this though. Take a nice long morning walk alongside the lake with a view of the birds. It is definitely a beautiful start to the day.

On the outskirts of Bhuj is the Bhujia Hills, a top-rated tourist attraction here. It is also an apt place to take some outstanding pictures. A scenic view of the city and nature from the hilltop will make you want to spend time over there in solitude, admiring the view around you. Shopping in Bhuj is also one thing that will not leave you disappointed. The city is famous for its jewellery and handicrafts. You can also buy a lot of home decor items.

Best Time to Visit

November to March is when Gujarat experiences winter, and it is one of the best times to visit the city. The Rann Utsav usually takes place in February every year, and the city is buzzing with travellers flocking over from around the country and world during this time. The temperature drops to 8 degree Celsius at night and is quite pleasant during the day. Since it is a desert, Bhuj's summers are quite hot, and it is not advisable to travel during this time. Summer lasts from March to May. The city witnesses monsoon from June to September. The heaviest rainfall occurs in July mostly, but the intensity reduces eventually. There are also chances of cyclones in Bhuj during monsoon so avoid travelling to Bhuj during monsoon.

Places to Visit 

The Rann Utsav in Kutch is one of the main reasons that people visit Bhuj. Though a lot of tourists mostly just see Bhuj as a pitstop and an easier way to reach Bhuj, it is definitely a city that you must spend at least two days in. The Rann Utsav is also a festival that you must attend at least once in your lifetime. The Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal are two major tourist attractions in the city. Though a major portion of the palaces was destroyed during the earthquake in 2001, the beauty and royalty of the palaces will take your breath away. The intricate mirror work in the Aina Mahal will leave you astonished.

Gujarat is popular for textile, handicrafts and you can visit the Bhujodi village for a fun shopping spree. Bhuj is also famous for silver jewellery, and that's something you can definitely pick up from here as gifts for yourself or your friends. The Bhujia Hill is one of the highlights of the city. You can literally capture a view of the entire city from up the hill, and it makes for a wonderful place to take pictures. You can take a walk along the Hamirsar lake, which has a very serene feel to it. If you are here during winters, you might even spot migratory birds hovering over the lake in the morning. The Mandvi beach must be on your list of places to visit when you are in Bhuj. The beach promises you a scenic sunset and lives up to that promise.

You can also visit the Kutch Museum that is not very far from the palaces. Not only is it one of the oldest museums in the country but it also has artefacts and coins that date back to the first century.

Things to do in the City

You can visit the animal sanctuaries if connecting with the animal lover in you is one of your motives for taking a trip. You can visit the palaces and the museums in the city to treat yourself to exciting facts and stories that the city has to tell. The city boasts of everything that you would want to do on your vacation. While there are usually accommodations available in the Rann Utsav, a lot of people prefer staying in Bhuj. Commuting within the city is quite easy.

If you are spending some time in Bhuj before you leave for the Rann Utsav, make sure you take a camel ride or a camping trip at Mandvi beach. They won't burn a hole in your pocket. You can also opt for boating at the Hamirsar lake if you get tired of walking around the lake and you want to be closer to the water. You can climb the Bhujia Hill fort instead of taking a different mode of transport if you are feeling very adventurous. You can also explore the local markets within the city to go on a shopping spree. The Bhujodi village is another popular place to shop for handicrafts and silver jewellery.

Foods and Restaurant

Shankar Vadapav has gained quite a popularity in Bhuj and is a very highly recommended eatery for everyone who is a fan of vada pavs and street food. Sankalp and Jesal and two other restaurants that are quite famous in the city. Sankalp's menu has a lot of South Indian dishes, but you'll also find Gujarati food if that's what you are craving for. Jesal is known for serving North Indian food along with Indo-Chinese and western dishes that a lot of people might prefer. You'll also get traditional Gujarati thalis at Green Rock restaurant along with other varieties of cuisines. You can also stop at Saffron if you are craving some good Mughlai food. The mix grill platter is a highly recommended dish if you do stop by Mughlai. It also has a variety of options for tandoor and paneer.

How to Reach the City (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest domestic airport is the Bhuj airport. The nearest international airport is Ahmedabad airport. The flight connectivity to and from Ahmedabad is quite frequent. Though the international routes do not connect to Bhuj airport directly, the domestic routes from Bhuj connect with major metropolitan cities. You can book flight tickets online and might even find really good flight deals and cheap flight tickets if you are lucky. You will easily find a cab or rickshaw to hire to reach the city from the airport. This is considered to be the most convenient way to travel since the other modes of transport can be a tad bit time-consuming.

By Rail

Bhuj railway station is only 1 km away from the city and is well-connected to most metropolitan neighbouring towns and cities. Trains to and from Ahmedabad to Bhuj are quite frequent, too. The train journey is also quite comfortable and hassle-free. Getting a taxi or a rickshaw from outside the station is not very difficult.

By Road

From government-run buses to air-conditioned Volvo buses, you'll find a lot of options to choose from if you opt to travel by road. The frequency is also quite good, and it's a convenient way to get to Bhuj or to leave from there. Popular bus routes are from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Vadodara, Indore and a couple of more cities.

  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.