Bhopal to Jaisalmer Flights

  About Bhopal

Also known as the City of Lakes, Bhopal is one of the greenest and cleanest cities in India. With a rich cultural heritage and rapid development, the capital of Madhya Pradesh has found itself in the top 20 list of India's largest cities. Bhopal has been ruled by many influential leaders in the past, ranging from the Maurya Dynasty to the Nawabs to the progressive Begums. It was initially a princely state and witnessed some significant women royalties, who reigned during the British era. Bhopal's rich history also comes with exquisite architecture and inspiring structures. From the stunning Sanchi Stupa to the marvellous Moti Masjid, the city has innumerable tourist attractions that continue to bring travellers from around the world.

The flight connectivity to Bhopal is also quite decent, allowing people to visit the city. If you book your flight tickets well in advance, you will be able to snag some cheap flight tickets. As for accommodations, the city has top-rated hotels and guest houses that you can check out. In fact, peruse through some options and book hotels in Bhopal before you travel.

Best time to visit Bhopal

Winters easily become the best time to visit the lovely city of Bhopal thanks to the chill weather. Starting from October and running till March, the mild winters are pleasant in Bhopal while the nights are chilly. They form the perfect kind of balance that one prefers with December and January being the coldest months. The temperatures usually drop to 5 degrees Celsius in Bhopal. This is also the perfect time to visit other tourist attractions in the city.

Monsoons are not the most sought-after choices to visit Bhopal as the heavy rains and thunderstorms could be a tad bit scary. The natural beauty and greenery is enhanced during the rains but owing to the other concerns it comes with, monsoon is not ideal for travel plans to Bhopal.

Summers in Bhopal are from March to June, and it is easily the hottest season. The heat often gets unbearable, especially during the peak months of May and June. Often the temperatures cross 40 degree Celsius which makes travelling outside difficult.

Places to see in Bhopal

Moti Masjid

Built back in 1862, the illustrious Moti Masjid has exceptional historical and socio-cultural value. The mosque is said to be made by Sikander Jahan Begum, touted to be the most progressive and free-spirited woman of the said era. The structure holds an uncanny resemblance to the Jama Masjid of Delhi with its use of white marble and architecture. Travellers enthused by history would find the mosque intriguing.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

Lakshmi Narayan Temple is yet another famous tourist attraction of Bhopal. The temple was built to honour Goddess Lakshmi and her consort Lord Vishnu. The temple premise also has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. The impeccable designs and well-kempt gardens of the temple complex help soothe the eyes as well as the heart.

Van Vihar National Park

Located in close proximity with the Upper Lake is the Van Vihar National Park, home to an array of wildlife including Sambar, Blackbuck, Blue Bull, Hyena, Porcupine and more. The park is well-maintained as it plays lungs to the city, which has seen some troubled times in terms of environmental hazards. The vast expanse of the national park has exotic flora as well to combine the joys of a wildlife and nature lover.

Sanchi Stupa

The Sanchi Stupa is a structure that dates back to 3rd century BCE and is said to be built by the great emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, King Ashoka. As the Mauryan King pursued the path of Buddhism and contributed to the spiritual movement, the Stupa's dome structure has been turned into a central vault to preserve the relics of Lord Buddha. The historical significance, as well as the Stupa's unmatched architecture, has made it a venerated tourist attraction in Bhopal. In the premise of the Sanchi Stupa, you will find some intricate designs on the walls of the structure which explain significant timelines of the Buddhism history. Moreover, visiting the Stupa would be an educational expedition that would certainly be quite enjoyable.

Upper Lake

Prominently known as Bhojtaal or Bada Talab, what makes the Upper Lake so famous is the fact that it is the oldest artificial lake in the country. The lake is believed to be built in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj. The lake has a scenic view and faces the royal garden, also known as Kamla Park. Either, you can sit by the banks of the lake to enjoy the sunset, or you can take up boating as an activity.

Taj-Ul-Masjid

Touted to be one of the most pristine mosques in Madhya Pradesh is the Taj-Ul-Masjid which translates to 'Crown of Mosques'. The name fits the image perfectly as the mosque is an architectural bliss with soothing blush walls while the domes are white. The premise of the mosque also has a grand courtyard with marble flooring and a pond. It would be best if you visited the mosque, especially for its architectural prowess.

Things to do in Bhopal

Entertainment at the Sair Sapata

One of the entertainment attractions of Bhopal has got to be the Sair Sapata. While the city's rich history and exquisite architecture could keep you on your toes, the Sair Sapata with its stimulating entertainment activities such as bike racing, boating, hiking, car dash and more must be visited. Irrespective of your age, the place is entertaining for everyone.

Boating at Bhojtal and Halali Dam

The city has quite a few lakes and rivers flowing, which makes boating a favoured activity. Often people take up boating on the Upper River or Bhojtal. You can engage in the same kind of activity at the Halali Dam too, which is approximately 40 km away from the city centre.

Trek to Raisen Fort

Located close to 23 km from the city centre is this mighty proud Raisen Fort. The Fort is actually atop a hill and is also surrounded by some quaint temples and reservoirs. The Raisen fort is famous for being a shrine to Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba, a venerated Muslim saint. Over the centuries, the Fort witnessed a slew of rulers since the 13th century. You can easily do a trek and explore more of the Fort, which also has a mosque and dome structures within the complex.

Explore Bhimbetka Caves

Bhimbetka Caves enjoys the stature of being a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site. The caves are more than 30,000 years but continue to offer aesthetic vibes with the aptly sculpted rock formations. The natural green surrounding further amplifies the beauty of the place. One can simply take a 20 Ltr hiking bag and stroll through the magnificent caves.

Food and Restaurants in Bhopal

With a rich Mughal influence, you will find some of the best Mughlai food in Bhopal. Zamzam is one such restaurant which is popular for its lip-smacking biryani. The menu is quite affordable and the food, certainly delectable. Another food paradise that you should visit for cuisines ranging from Awadhi to Bhopali is the Za-aiqa restaurant. It is located in Kohefiza, Bhopal and offers a compelling variety of delicacies that would make the foodie in you, a happy person. You will get to taste the taste of Awadhi food as well as can delve into the impeccable Mughlai spread.

Other popular food destinations in Bhopal are Kebabsville, Bhopal Express, Manohar, Da Pizzeria, La Kuchina and more. Since Bhopal is a metro city, the place has acquired many of the commercial foot joints. However, to get the true essence of Bhopali cuisine, one must definitely visit these places.

How to reach Bhopal

By Air

Bhopal airport is located on the northwestern side and is 13 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to and from Bhopal is excellent as it connects with major metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Gwalior. The Raja Bhoj Airport witnesses regular domestic flights as airlines Air India and SpiceJet have flight services to the city. The main city of Bhopal is easy to reach from the airport as the distance is not much and there are taxi cab and other transport facilities available.

By Rail

The Bhopal Railway Station is also well-connected with domestic routes and can reach the city from various parts of the country. There is a domestic route from Delhi to Mumbai that connects to Bhopal. A Delhi-Chennai main line also passes through Bhopal by train.

By Road

Bhopal's location makes it easy for bus services to reach the city. There is an abundance of public and private-owned bus services that can be found from all parts of the country, except for the Northeastern states. From Indore to Ratlam to Nagpur, the city can be reached from several parts of India. It is recommended that ahead of the travel, you book your hotels to avoid complications.

  About Jaisalmer

Located on the west of Rajasthan's capital Jaipur (Pink City), is the Golden City Jaisalmer. The palatial paradise found prominence as the Golden City owing to the use of yellow sandstones to erect mansions and monuments. The use of the yellow-hued sandstone constructs much of the city's architecture. Hence, the city is always shining. To reach the Great Indian Thar Desert, you will have to reach Jaisalmer as it is near located to the desert. The population of Jaisalmer is quite less, but tourism continues to keep many people on the streets of the city.

The city found its name as Jaisalmer after the Bhati ruler, Rawal Jaisal. He founded the city back in 1156 AD and brought forth a golden-hued revolution in the face of Rajasthani architecture. As you stroll through the city, you will notice various shades of yellow as most of the structures built in the city are variations of the hue. Blessed with numerous forts and temples, the city of Jaisalmer runs heavily on tourism.

Jaisalmer recently transformed one of its civil aviation centres into an airport. Up until 2017, the closest airport was Jodhpur and travellers often used road transport to reach the beautiful city. However, with great flight connectivity from Jaisalmer to the rest of the major cities in India, reaching the city has become easier.

Best time to visit Jaisalmer

Deserts can get pretty hot in summers and the evening temperatures are also just as hot and dry. However, come winter and the setting changes. From considerably hot days to extremely cold nights, the balance is maintained. With Jaisalmer too, the best time to visit is between November to March as the winter season constitutes cool climate which makes sightseeing, desert safari and camping in the That desert convenient. The day-time temperature during winters doesn't go beyond 24 degrees Celsius while the evening temperatures drop below 7 degree Celsius. The months of December and January are exceptionally cold but pleasant.

The summer months in Jaisalmer are between April to August, where the temperature dances between 25 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. The heat is unbearable and certainly not ideal for engaging in tourist activities. Sunscreens and light clothes can help you combat the heat, but you wouldn't be able to enjoy the desert. Since it is off-season, there are always numerous flight deals online where you can snag cheap flights tickets to Jaisalmer.

Places to visit in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort

The magnificent Jaisalmer Fort is also known as Golden Fort thanks to the golden reflection of the yellow sandstone. The fort was constructed by Raja Jaisal who incorporated the fine depiction of Rajasthani architecture on the structure. What adds more charm to the fort is how it lights up in the night.

Patwon Ki Haveli

Patwon ki haveli is an interesting structure that was built by Guman Chand, a recognised trader of the city. The haveli is basically a marketplace for local artisans to craftsmen to sell their products. You can take a stroll in the haveli and be charmed by the interesting architectural style.

Gadisar Lake

Gadisar Lake is actually an artificial lake that was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal who wanted to compensate for the grim water crisis of Jaisalmer. The lake is being well-maintained by the locals. Often they even come over to the lake to wash away all the stress and troubles of the day by delving in the tranquil space.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli

Salim Singh ki Haveli is a popular tourist attraction of Jaisalmer. The structure has a contemporary take on the Rajasthani-style architecture. You will notice that the designs are quite intricate with peacock-shaped artistry on the roof and balconies with sharp designs. You should definitely visit this structure as its architecture will amaze you.

Amar Sagar Lake

The little Amar Sagar Lake is more like an oasis in a desert that is located in the outskirts of the city of Jaisalmer. Built by Amar Singh, the lake also has a quaint Shiva temple on the side. In fact, many temples have been constructed. Visit the quaint lake and immerse yourself in the serene vibe of the oasis-like setting.

Sam Sand Dunes

A little in the outskirts of Jaisalmer, you'll find several sand dunes and expanses of the Thar desert. You can either opt for a camel safari to explore the dunes, or you can choose a jeep safari. Sam Sand Dunes is actually quite interesting as you can also set camp in the desert, light up a bonfire and stargaze.

Maharaja's Palace

The Maharaja's Palace is a colossal structure that is visible from every corner of Jaisalmer city. The massive palace is an architectural masterpiece. From the exquisite tapestry to the quintessential designs, everything about it is royal and regal.

Things to do in Jaisalmer

Explore the abandoned Kuldhara village

Here's an interesting place that you might want to explore. The Kuldhara village in Jaisalmer has a reputation for being a ghost town as the land remains untouched and inhabited for the past few centuries now. Legend states that the village was thriving and prosperous at one point in history. However, after some drastic incident, the Paliwal Brahmins decided to evacuate the village. The whole village turned into a haunted hamlet overnight and has been the same way since forever.

Camping at Khuri Sand Dune

Khuri is a small but famous village known in Jaisalmer. What adds to its popularity is the fact that the village is close to the sand dunes where one can camp and indulge in desert safaris. The route to reach the dunes is from the village. Badalji provides camel safaris for travellers and is recognised for the same. He organises desert safaris as well as camping in the desert as well.

Parasailing in Jaisalmer

Parasailing is possible in the majestic Thar Desert! On the outskirts of Jaisalmer city, there are adventure groups who organise parasailing, quad biking and many such outdoor activities that you can indulge in, as part of your trip. It would be quite an experience to parasail on top of a sand dune.

Food and restaurants

Rajasthani cuisine means indulging in heavy but wholesome food with dollops of ghee that will make you burp more than usual. Right from their thick kulchas and daal baati churma, the cuisine has some really intense use of ghee and oil that leaves your tummy begging for mercy. Jaisalmer will also pamper you with some lip-smacking dishes from their kitchen. While there are some signature dishes that you should try from their cuisine, these places are exquisite and honour the Rajasthani culture.

Suryagarh Restaurant, with its outdoor setting, is beautiful and has amazing food to serve. Plus, the hospitality further makes it a good experience. To indulge in barbecues in the desert, you should visit Angaara Restaurant. The rooftop dining experience of the Wyra restaurant with live cooking and drinks is one of a kind that you would surely enjoy. Other notable restaurants and food joints include Fotiya Restaurant, Gaji's Restaurant, Pleasant Haveli and Milan Restaurant.

How to reach Jaisalmer (Transportation)

By Air

Jaisalmer did deal with some trouble of not having a dedicated airport for quite some time. That was until they finally managed to transform their civil aviation hub into a dedicated domestic airport. After 2017, they converted the space secured for civil aviation and made it the brand new Jaisalmer airport. The airport has proper flights flying in and out from Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bikaner and Agra. Earlier, travellers opted to get down at the Jodhpur airport and reach Jaisalmer from there via roadways.

With better flight connectivity to Jaisalmer, three dedicated airlines are offering their flights, namely, Zoomair, Trijet and SpiceJet. Rumour has it that soon the airport plans to rope in IndiGo and other airlines too to provide services. While the extension plan continues, the ticket cost to and from Jaisalmer is pretty steep. Only if you're booking your flight tickets to Jaisalmer in advance, will you be able to get some good flight deals and cheap flight tickets.

By Rail

Jaisalmer has its own railway station and is perfectly connected with other cities too. You will find direct trains leaving from the golden city to other parts of India such as Jaipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur and more. Besides the regular trains run under the Indian Railways, the luxury carts, Palace of Wheels, also passes through Jaisalmer.

By Road

Travelling within Rajasthan through buses or rental cars is the best idea. The roads in the state might be narrow and tough to drive in, but they do bring about the rural charm of Rajasthan. Plus, they are actually quite affordable too. Some bus services go to Jaisalmer and are well-connected with the rest of the cities in the state. Even inter-state buses are available as there are buses that travel to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat and more. The roads might take some more time as opposed to a flight journey, but it certainly would be an excellent way to see more of the state.

  About Bhopal Airport

Raja Bhoj Airport, which is the fundamental airport serving, Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is known to be the second busiest in the state. The Bhopal Airport comes after Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport of Indore as an important airport in the state. It is 15 km away from the city centre and the Bhopal Junction railway station. The airport is perfectly located at the intersection of the National Highway 46 as well as State Highway 18. The State Highway connects the city of Bhopal to Indore. The airport also stands 20 km away from the Habibganj railway station, which is located in the south of Bhopal. The city does offer domestic and international flights which include the famous Hajj pilgrimage to Jeddah. It is flown by Saudia airlines, and the airport accommodated operations of the same from 2010, specifically for Hajj travellers. The flight has decent connectivity with the city centre as there are buses, trains and taxi cabs available from and to the Bhopal Airport.

About Bhopal Airport Terminals

For the longest time, the Raja Bhoj Airport had a domestic stance, but after accommodating the Saudia airlines as well as flight connectivity with Middle Eastern cities, the proposal to turn it international is being acknowledged. The airport is required to have immigration facilities to ensure that the international services that operate from the Raja Bhoj airport. The integrated terminal building at the Bhopal Airport has been built across an expanse of 289,940 sq ft with 14 check-in and four immigration counters for departure. For arrival, though, it has six immigration booths. There are about 22 customs desks also prevalent at the airport with 11 for departure and 11 for arrival. A dedicated X-ray machine for security is also present at the airport. Much recently, the terminal has also introduced a food establishment and some local stores. The whole initiative has been taken by the Airport Authority of India, as part of their development scheme. There are also two aerobridges connecting the terminal. Meanwhile, the third aerobridge's construction is to start soon.

About airport authority

The Raja Bhoj Airport is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The statutory body is responsible for the management, infrastructural expansion, upgradation and maintenance of the airport. The authority has worked to better the Bhopal Airport and done a pretty good job with it. In fact, Bhopal Airport has been developed extensively with a view to adding the international tag to the airport's status. The Bhopal airport does accommodate international flights that connect to cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh.

Top airlines flying from Bhopal Airport

Bhopal Airport is a domestic airport that only caters to flights and airlines flying in the country. The city has good connectivity to domestic cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, to name a few. These are the big cities in the country and have immaculate connectivity with the rest of the country. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo and Saudia operate from the Raja Bhoj Airport. While mostly the airlines flying from the Bhopal Airport are domestic, some of the Indian airlines also have flights to Jeddah and Riyadh. Air India has a dedicated flight to Jeddah. Meanwhile, Saudia is the only international airlines operating from Bhopal Airport. The airlines have flights flying to Jeddah and Riyadh from the city. The airlines cater to the Hajj pilgrimage and hence, fly from the city of Bhopal. While the Raja Bhoj Airport has a bare minimum of airlines flying international, the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, located in Indore, serves as a domestic and international airport. It caters to domestic airlines and international airlines.

Facilities at Bhopal Airport

WiFi - The airport caters to domestic and just one dedicated international flight that caters to Hajj pilgrims. Hence, they have reserved WiFi services. The WiFi connection can be availed for free and is available in all areas of Bhopal Airport. However, the free use can only last up to 200 Mb. Post this, the passenger might have to pay for the services. Details of the same can be acquired at the airport itself

ATMs and forex - Bhopal Airport also provides ATM kiosks located at convenient spots as well as forex centres. Currency exchange counters are usually located in the arrival sections of the international terminal. There is access to reach the forex counter and exchange currencies. You can take the help of any airport staff to reach the currency exchange counter.

Child care centres - With a view to helping out travellers with infants, Raja Bhoj Airport has reserved special facilities to cater to them. Dedicated child care rooms have been installed within the premise of the airport to help take care of the infant's needs. These could range from feeding to changing of diapers. The room can be utilized for free and is available on the first level of the airport. Further, you can find baby products also, in case you run out of them.

Post office - A post office has also been installed in the passenger concourse to cater to the passengers. In case there are any last-minute couriers that need to be sent. Or even if there are some baggage woes where you might need to courier some of the items from your bag, the same can be done without a hassle. You can ask details of the same at the airport itself. The staff are quite helpful.

Medical aid services - First aid centres and medical professionals are available at the airport. With a view to helping with medical emergencies at the Raja Bhoj Airport, they have installed medical rooms and other such services. There are pharmacies also available within the premise of the airport to help with last-minute medication purchases.

Smoking zone - Dedicated smoking lounges have also been created in the airport as smoking in public is prohibited. The smoking lounges are available on the ground as well as the first levels in both the terminals.

Lounges - A VIP lounge is available at the airport and can be used by all passengers. No specific cabin class tickets are required to hang out at the lounge. Raja Bhoj Airport has made the lounge free to use for all passengers. The lounge comes with relaxed seating and restaurants.

Restaurants and cafes – Food courts and restaurants are present at the airport. The food court has small joints as well as globalized fast food joints such as Subway, KFC, McDonald's and more. There are small coffee and tea establishments also available at the arrivals and departures.

How to reach Bhopal Airport

There are dedicated buses that are often opted to reach the Bhopal Airport. Two reserved buses service from the Raja Bhoj Airport to downtown Bhopal. The buses are air-conditioned and perfectly well-connected to reach the city centre. The routes chosen by the buses are also very convenient as they pass through the most important spots in Bhopal. There are stops at Habibganj Railway Station, New Market, Misrod and even Board Office. The bus tickets to reach the Bhopal airport is also quite minimal and affordable. There are specific schedules that need to be followed, and you can find them at the Bhopal Airport. Another comfortable mode of transport chosen to reach the Bhopal Airport are by prepaid taxis and car rentals. There are several of these available in the city centre as well as the Raja Bhoj Airport. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the Raja Bhoj airport from Bhopal's city centre. While a metro line is being constructed to connect the Bhopal Airport and the city centre, there are no direct railway lines connected otherwise. No railway station is connected directly or is even close to the Bhopal airport.

About Bhopal

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. The city is famous for its flourishing artificial lakes and for being one of the greenest and beautiful cities in the country. Bhopal's fame also comes from the princely regime that took place during the British rule. To this day, the city continues to celebrate its Nawabi culture and celebrate some of the cultural heritages from the Nawab period. These include places such as Taj-ul-Masajid and Taj Mahal palace, to name a few. Bhopal is also known worldwide for the tragic industrial disaster which resulted in the loss of lives and natural habitat.

Bhopal gas tragedy took place in 1984 following a gas leak from the Union Carbide India Limited's (UCIL) pesticide manufacturing plant. The disaster resulted in the loss of lives and also shed light on the socio-political challenges of people living in Bhopal. However, the city overcame the tragedy and now stands as one of the smart cities to be developed under the current prime minister's flagship project, Smart Cities Mission. Bhopal has been receiving the coveted title of the greenest cities in the country for consecutive years.