Chennai to New Delhi AirAsia Flights

  About Chennai

Chennai falls in the top 10 cities of India with an illustrious history and thriving heritage. The 369-year-old city is one of the most developed cities in India and stands proudly as the capital of Tamil Nadu. Formerly known as Madras, the city of Chennai is known for its glorious history, arts and culture and its ardent enthusiasm towards automobiles. The city is also known as India's health capital as attracts the highest number of foreign tourists with 45 percent catering to health. The thriving city's melange of a modern vibe and traditional roots makes it one of the best urban cities in the world. The airport has excellent flight connectivity to and from Chennai and other domestic and international cities. You can make your flight bookings to Chennai as well as find a range of hotels to book from in the city.

Best time to visit Chennai

As Chennai is a tropical city located by the coast, the temperatures are incredibly high. Even the seasons are binary. The summers in Chennai are between April to June but is hot for the rest of the year too. The monsoon season in Chennai takes place twice in a year. While it receives scanty rainfall between June to September (as opposed to the rest of the country, which receives bountiful rain), the months from October to December see heavy rain in the city, owing to the north-east monsoon. The climate is hot and humid all-round the year, but December is the most pleasant time in the year to visit Chennai.

Places to visit in Chennai

Beaches

As Chennai rests comfortably on the coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, the city has some pristine beaches to check out. Touted to be the second-largest urban beach in the entire world, the Marina Beach is the jewel of Chennai with a shoreline of 12 km long. The sandy shores of the beach teamed with the exquisite Colonial buildings on the street-side make for quite a spectacle.

While Marina Beach is more on the populous side, to enjoy the serenity of a quieter beach, you can visit Edward Elliot's beach and Breezy Beach, to name a few. These beaches are quaint and attract individuals who need to step away from the city's bustle. The peaceful ambience of these beaches has turned into quite the tourist attractions in Chennai.

Temples

The temples in Chennai are centuries old and found aplenty. Every corner of the street has at least one temple. These temples have fascinating stories and exquisite architecture. The temples are known to have a specific structure in South India with detailed gopurams, enormous water tanks in the back of the temple, domestic animals such as cows and dogs, hawkers selling toys and snacks, quaint ponds and shrines of several deities. Some of the famous temples in the city that you can visit are the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the Parthasarathy Temple, Sri Ramakrishna Math-Universal Temple, Kumaran Kundram and Karaneeswarar temple.

The city is also home to a bunch of churches and mosques. In fact, the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Thomas can be found in Chennai. The shrine is believed to be built over the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle, who had visited India in 52 AD. After his death, the saint's body is said to have been buried under the same spot where the Basilica now stands. Other notable churches and mosques include St. Thomas Mount, St. Mary's Church, Big Mosque (Wallajah Mosque) and more.

Museums and Monuments

Chennai's rich culture is reflected not just from the slew of temples and coastal delights but also the monuments and museums in the city. Since the city was also under the direct influence of the British East India Company, much of the architecture, culture and infrastructure have an English vibe. Visit the National Government Museum to learn more about the city's history. You can further go on an artistic voyage by visiting the National Art Gallery, which is more than 100 years old.

Ecological parks

Another major highlight of the city is the number of ecological parks and gardens that can be explored. The city runs a crocodile preservation park as well as a snake park called the Guindy Snake Park. Sprawled across 280 hectares of land is the Guindy National Park which is known to be the smallest national park in India. While the national park is inhabited by very few flora and fauna, it does hold a dedicated space to preserve reptiles and other amphibian species. Besides these two, one can opt to visit the Arinjar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, which is located in the outskirts of the city.

Things to do in Chennai

Chennai is heavily invested not just in the automobiles but also the literary, arts and culture fields. To them, dance and music play a significant role in their daily lives. In fact, the city also observes a bunch of festivals such as Madras Music Season, Madras Day, The Hindu Lit for Life and Chennai Book Fair to commemorate some of their indulgences. These events are a rage and definitely worth attending. You can visit some of the music and dance functions held by the Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust, The Music Academy in TTK Road, Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha and Indian Institute of Music and Arts to name a few.

Another fun activity to take up would be to watch a movie of a South star at one of the single-screen or even a multiplex. The fervour of fandom during the release of their favourite celebrity's movie release is euphoric and definitely worth experiencing. As for bibliography enthusiasts, you can visit the Theosophical Society to explore the library set by Anne Besant. There are various malls with high-end fashion brands that you could check out. Or you can always go to Pondy Bazaar in T Nagar to shop silk ensembles and golden accessories.

Food and Restaurants in Chennai

T Nagar and Anna Nagar in Chennai are known market places with many food and restaurant options too. In fact, some of the best joints in the city can be found here. One of the most popular restaurants, Saravana Bhavan, is a must-visit to get the best of South Indian vegetarian food. Sri Anandam Hotel, Geetha Cafe in Pondy Bazaar, Rathna Cafe in Triplicane and Karpagambal Mess in Mylapore are some of the best restaurants that will you give quite the experience of the delicious South Indian cuisine. Dakshin and Southern Spice also offer tasty food.

However, if you do wish to explore a little more, Mansuk's shop in T Nagar is known to emulate Mumbai-chaat and Gujarati Thali. For sweets and desserts, you must let your tastebuds acquaint with Mysore Paks, Tarti Paal and other such sweets, which you will find at Sri Krishna Sweets and Aavin corners. DOJO Kulfis is also a famous hub for traditional ice creams such as kulfi, faloodas and smoothies.

How to reach Chennai

By Air

After Delhi airport and Mumbai airport, the Chennai airport is the third most active airport in India for domestic as well as international departures and arrivals. The airport is divided into two terminals, the Anna Terminal reserved for international flights and the Kamraj Terminal for domestic flights. Located in the same long stretched airport, the flight connectivity to and from Chennai is excellent.

Not just domestic but even international cities are well-connected with Chennai. Major international flight routes from Chennai to cities such as London, Frankfurt, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, New York, Hong Kong, etc. can be reached as flights are available from Chennai Airport. Since Chennai is one of the busiest cities in India, the flight demands are also quite high. Make your flight bookings to Chennai months in advance to avoid high ticket costs.

Another perk of the Chennai airport is how it is well-connected with the city too. While it is located in the outskirts, the airport has a Metro which directly connects with the main city, making travelling far more convenient.

By Rail

There are two central stations which connect Chennai to other major cities in the country. Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore are the two central stations with regular trains entering and exiting the city from different parts of India. While Chennai Central is known to connect the city to other cities, Chennai Egmore has intercity trains that run regularly. Interestingly, both the stations are well-connected with the Chennai airport.

Chennai Central sees trains coming in from cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Madurai, Ahmedabad and Coimbatore daily. Since the rail connectivity is so good, it is often considered by travellers. You must book your rail tickets well in advance as the demand is always high to travel to Chennai.

By Road

The city's bus station is touted to be one of the largest in Asia. Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) is a state-owned property and provides transport services to a plethora of destinations in the South of India. Located in the main city, there are several direct buses to the airport as well as the Egmore station. Considered to be a cheap and affordable means of travelling, you can visit Chennai as long as your location is in the neighbouring states. The travel time to Pondicherry, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Trivandrum, etc. is considerably low.

  About New Delhi

New Delhi, which is also the capital of India, is one of the major tourist attractions in the country. It has historical importance and is also a pitstop for everyone who wants to go for a backpacking trip to the North or the North-East. Connaught Place in New Delhi is a favourite spot for youngsters. It has a lot of cafes, pubs and hangouts for the younger crowd and is quite happening, too. As a tourist destination, New Delhi is known for the India Gate, Qutub Minar, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Chandni Chowk and a lot more. Not to mention, the street food in Delhi is quite famous in the country. Chole Bhature, Parathas, Gol Gappa and the list goes on.

Delhi also boasts of a few forts that constructed in the Mughal era. Another highlight of New Delhi is that you find transport to other cities and states like Himachal Pradesh, Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Jaipur, Kolkata, Sikkim and so on quite easily. Be it a government-run bus or an AC, Volvo bus; there are myriad options for you to choose from here. Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk are two most popular destinations in New Delhi for all you shopaholics out there. If you bargain well, you'll manage to find the best stuff at a reasonable price. It's honestly easier to get around in Delhi, and some Metros connect you to other parts of the City. You'll also find a lot of cabs, and you should book a taxi online.

You can find and book a hotel in Delhi as per your convenience and budget. You'll find a decent one that fits your budget quite easily. The City also has hostels, in case you are looking forward to meeting more people and making friends. Delhi to Agra is another popular route that people add to their itinerary. It's something that you must do. You can also visit the Chhatarpur temple, which is the second-biggest temple in India. It is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani and has been made of marble. Heritage Walks are a trend that has caught on in Delhi over the last couple of years. Since the City has so many monuments and pieces of history to flaunt, tour guides organise Heritage Walks for tourists on weekends, and it is a prevalent activity in the City.

Delhi experiences the coldest winters and the hottest summers. The weather is quite extreme, so much that it gets foggy during the cold seasons. It is also one of the most polluted cities in the world, which means you must wear a mask to protect yourself when you are in the City. Catch a play in a theatre or opt for a street play. Delhi's theatre culture is quite strong, and you'll be amazed at what you see for sure. Don't forget to take a stroll at Lodhi Gardens in Central Delhi and you'll come across monuments and structures constructed during the Mughal Era.

Best Time to Visit Delhi

October through March is a pleasant season to visit New Delhi. The temperature drops to as low as 2 degree Celsius in January. It's the perfect weather to plan a day out and make the most of all the sightseeing. Do carry all of your warm clothes. You can also visit the City during festivals. The Delhites do know how to celebrate festivals with lots of pompous and grandeur. April to June is when the City experiences summer. May and June are the hottest months and while it's not the worst time to visit the City if you don't mind the heat, but you will find good flight deals and discounts on hotels. The city witnesses monsoon from July to September. Monsoon is quite pleasant in Delhi, but it is highly recommended that you visit New Delhi during winter.

Places to Visit in Delhi

New Delhi has a lot of monuments and places of historical importance that you can visit. You can start by visiting the India Gate. It is a war memorial that was constructed in 1971 after the First World War as a tribute to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the war. It was built by a famous architect called Edwin Lutyens. You'll also find tour guides if you need one, who will remind you of everything that you have read in school already.

The Qutub Minar is a world-renowned UNESCO Heritage Site and surely worth the visit. The tower stands 240 feet tall and was constructed by the first-ever ruler of Delhi called Qutb al-Din Aibak. Though you could climb the 370 odd steps to get to the top of the tower earlier, it has been closed to the public for a long time now. It is one of the most beautiful monuments and is buzzing with tourists almost all the time. Visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is yet another popular tourist destination in Delhi. Tour guides usually arrange for a visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan. You can also find tickets on the government website for whenever you plan to visit.

You can also visit the Tomb of Humayun. It was built in the 16th century for Mughal emperor Humayun and like the Qutub Minar, is a UNESCO Heritage Site. New Delhi is also famous for Jantar Mantar, which is in Central Delhi. It is a popular and significant tourist attraction in Delhi. If you want to take a break from all the sightseeing and party, Connaught Place is where you go. You can also go to Hauz Khas. Both of these places are popular for youngsters to chill and hangout. It has a lot of hip and happening places.

Things to do in Delhi

After having covered most of the heritage sites and favourite tourist places, you can take a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk. It is one of the oldest places in Delhi and quite popular, too. You'll hear praises of restaurants and street food here for a long time. It's also a popular shopping destination. You can also visit the Khan Market, yet another favourite place to go on a shopping spree, along with Sarojini Nagar. Do stop by the Nizamuddin Dargah to listen to music that will touch your soul and how! It's also a trendy location to shoot for a lot of Bollywood filmmakers.

Make the poet in you happy by visiting the Ghalib Ki Haveli. It's not very easy to locate, but it is where Ghalib penned all of his poems in Urdu and Persian. You'll love the aura of the place and might even get all poetic if you aren't already.

Food and Restaurants in Delhi

There are a lot of cafes, restaurants and pubs at Hauz Khas and Connaught Place. The decor, ambience and food at these places will not disappoint you. Kunzum Travel Cafe in Hauz Khas is one of a kind cafes in the area. It's also the only travel cafe around, and you'll surely meet a few like-minded people over there. You cannot go to Delhi and not give the street food a try over there. The Chole Bhatures near Delhi University, the parathas and Gol Gappa, just the thought makes you hungry. Chache Di Hatti is an old food joint near Delhi University and is famous for serving the most delicious chole bhatures. Lajpat Nagar is yet another place prominent for its samosas, chaats, Gol Gappas and mouth-watering food. Roshan Ki Kulfi at Karol Bagh is a must-try, and you can stop by for some delicious lunch. As the name suggests, it also serves kulfi and one of the best in Delhi. Moolchand Parathewala under the Moolchand Flyover will serve you the best, lip-smacking parathas with lots of butter on it.

How to reach Delhi

By Air

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest to New Delhi, and the flight connectivity is pretty good, be it domestic or international. Flights from Delhi run quite frequently to all major cities in the country, and it is also reasonably easy to find a flight to Delhi from whichever city it is that you are travelling from to Delhi. You can get a good flight deals to Delhi online and cheap flight tickets from certain cities in the country.

By Rail

The Nizamuddin Railway Station, Anand Vihar station, New Delhi railway station and Sarai Rohilla station are some of the major railway junctions in the City. Nizamuddin station and New Delhi railway station connect to major metropolitan cities and other big cities. New Delhi also has metro services to commute within the City.

By Road

There are frequent bus services that connect you to Delhi. Be it a Delhi Transport Corporation bus or a private AC bus, you'll find what you need quite easily. Some of the popular domestic routes from Delhi by road are to Shimla, Hrishikesh, Manali and other tourist destinations that are near the City.

  About Air Asia

AirAsia, a Malaysian airline with headquarters near Kuala Lumpur, is the largest airline in Malaysia destinations and fleet size. It has domestic and international flights operating to more than 65 destinations across 25 countries. It also has its affiliate airlines like the Thai AirAsia, AirAsia India, Philippines AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia and AirAsia Japan with hubs at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia and Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan. AirAsia began operations back in 1996 and was established in 1993 by a government-owned company called DRB-HICOM. However, it was later bought by Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun's company Tune Air Sdn Bhd. The two not only made the company successful and profitable but also launched new routes from Kuala Lumpur, which is its hub. AirAsia launched its first international flight to Bangkok in 2003 along with a second hub at Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Later on, it started flights to other countries and cities like Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and so on.

AirAsia operates majorly through its affiliate airlines which only makes expansion easier for the company. While AirAsia did team up with the Henan Working Group in China, things did not work out in their favour. They signed a non-binding agreement for about 12 months, and neither party renewed the contract when it expired. However, AirAsia flights do fly to different cities in China. AirAsia showed a keen interest in joining hands with India to begin their operations here since it fits their low-cost airline plans perfectly. Tata Sons holds a 49% stake in the airline. AirAsia was also the first foreign airline that set up an affiliate in India. Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru serves as the main hub of the airline. AirAsia Japan's first flight took off in 2012. AirAsia X, Indonesia AirAsia and Philippines AirAsia and Thai AirAsia and took off eventually.

AirAsia has won several accolades and awards over the years for its service and efficiency. It has been consistently earning the title 'World's Best Low-Cost Carrier' by Skytrax for 11 years in a row. It also won the World's Best Low-Cost Airline award at the World Airline awards in 2012. The airline recently launched its frequent flyer programme, and it has a ton of services for you to choose from on its website. You can also upgrade to a seat that converts into a flatbed or choose seats that are comfortable with extra legroom. Apart from that, the airline also offers hotel accommodation and other events that you can sign up for in the destination that you are visiting. Make sure you look up their website to know more about all the offers and services that AirAsia has to offer. The airline does make it a point to impress you and not leave the passengers disappointed at all.

Fleet Size of AirAsia

AirAsia operates at least 165 flights to more than 25 countries in the world. The airline has 97 aircraft that are in service at the moment and has also ordered 364 more to increase efficiency and frequency. Though it was previously operating the Boeing 737-300, it moved to Airbus A320 entirely. It has approximately 66 Airbus A320-200 aircraft in service that can accommodate 180 passengers. It also has 29 Airbus A320neo aircraft that accommodates 186 passengers and has ordered 11 more. While it has only 2 Airbus A321neo aircraft, it ordered for 353 more. It is one of the biggest aircraft that can accommodate up to 236 passengers. Every aircraft has something special about it. The A330 aircraft has a quiet zone for everyone who wants to enjoy a calm and peaceful journey. Meals are also served faster here. It also has a Twin seat facility where you will not have a stranger sitting next to you and can enjoy extra privacy. You can also upgrade to a Premium Flatbed if you are eligible for it. The seat reclines to become a flatbed, and you also get a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Additionally, you get free baggage allowance up to 40 kg, priority boarding, complimentary meals, pillow with duvet, access to the premium Red Lounge and ample in-flight entertainment. The airline is looking forward to expanding its services to a lot of other countries as well. It is also extending services to Ahmedabad and Croatia.

Air Asia Baggage Allowance

AirAsia has certain baggage allowance restrictions that you must follow. Unless you are eligible for a premium upgrade or you are willing to pay a nominal fee in addition to your flight fare, you will have to stick to 20 kg of check-in luggage and one cabin baggage that does not exceed 7 kg. However, if you are eligible for a premium upgrade, you get to carry check-in luggage up to 40 kg. Your baggage is pretty safe with the airline, and there have barely been any complaints from customers about losing their baggage. However, make sure you are not carrying anything that has been prohibited by the airline like explosives, flammable substances, toxic chemicals or drugs. You are also asked not to carry any sharp or blunt objects. A lot of passengers also tend to get confused as to whether they can pack their electronics in their check-in luggage or not. The airline advises you to carry your electronics, portable chargers and power banks in your cabin luggage. You will get priority baggage allowance if you are a premium passenger or if you want to use any of the deals that you have come across on their website. The airline also offers to deliver your luggage at your doorstep if you are a premium passenger.

In-flight Services

AirAsia's in-flight services are top-notch, and you will love the experience. You can either pre-book your meals, or you can choose from the menu during your flight. The menu is quite impressive, and the food is delicious. The in-flight entertainment services are only available in the AirAsia X (D7) flights, except for when you are flying to and from Bali, Saudi Arabia, Taipei, Okinawa or Singapore. You will have to book your Excite tab in advance since the units are limited. You will get headsets with your tab, and you can also opt for a snack combo with your tab. AirAsia X is the only flight that serves alcohol and wine onboard.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for AirAsia

AirAsia connects to various domestic and international routes daily. AirAsia India connects to most major cities in the country like Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa and so on. The international airline operates to and from Bali, Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines among other destinations. It connects to more than 25 countries, and since it has affiliated airlines in several countries, it only becomes easier for it to cover the cities in all of those countries as well. AirAsia also makes layovers pretty easy for you and makes sure that you are not bored. The airline also offers accommodation services, and you can go through it on their website. You might even get great discounts on your hotels if you book through the website. You can also make the most of AirAsia's boarding pass. All you have to do is show your boarding pass at your hotel or hostel to avail the offer but do this in advance. Make sure you also go through all the terms and conditions of the offer that you want to avail. AirAsia has a Premium Red Lounge at all of its hubs that you can use if you are a premium passenger.

Why Travel by AirAsia?

AirAsia has proven time and again that it can offer the best, convenient services at an affordable price. The flight connectivity is also excellent to/from most domestic and international destinations. The airline lures you in with stunning offers and a comfortable journey, too. Some of the aircraft also have a quiet zone for passengers who want to travel peacefully. AirAsia is also known for its punctuality, and there are barely any delays or inconveniences to passengers. If you are on vacation, you can also check out their services that include accommodation, car rentals, activities in the city and luggage delivery. Web check-in is the best way to avoid long queues at the airport, and it can be done easily through the website. You can check your flight status and AirAsia's flight schedules on your phone on their website. You can make the most of AirAsia's in-flight services. The staff does not give you a reason to complain at all. Booking an AirAsia flight ticket is also quite easy. You can either log in to the website to book it, or you can get your travel agent to do so. Please make sure you check their flight deals, too, while you book the ticket. If there are any ongoing offers on tickets and accommodation, you can opt for those to make your journey even better.

  About Chennai Airport

Chennai International Airport serves as the international airport to the city of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. The airport is situated in Tirusulam, which is about 21 km away from the city centre. It has been recognised as the third busiest airport in the country in terms of international traffic as well as cargo capacity. The airport falls behind New Delhi and Mumbai to be on the list of the busiest airport. The Chennai International Airport is also the fourth busiest in India, with respect to passenger traffic and follows New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. In India, the airport falls in the top five list of busiest international and domestic airports. The Chennai International Airport has also been acknowledged as the 49th busiest on the Asia level, becoming one of the four top cities to be on the top 50 Asia list. The airport is perfectly connected with Chennai Metro as well as Tirusulam railway station, which falls in the Chennai Suburban Railway line.

About Chennai Airport Terminals

The airport has two terminals which have been named after the state's former chief ministers. The domestic terminal is also known as K. Kamaraj while the international terminal is named C. N. Annadurai. They are interconnected by a building. The building now serves as an older international block that deals with administrative offices, along with a restaurant. The whole stretch is one linear structure that was built additionally as Anna terminal (T3) was brought about in 1988 to align with the Kamaraj terminal (T1). The first domestic terminal that was built at the Chennai airport had two aero-bridges. This was considered a milestone as the Chennai airport became the first one in the country to have aerobridges in the domestic terminal. Terminal 1 and 2 are not used for passenger traffic any more. They have been reserved for cargo. Meanwhile, the newly built Terminals 3 and 4 serve the international departures and arrivals. Annadurai terminal deals with international passengers. The terminal has about 45 check-in counters, 38 immigration booths with 16 at the departure terminal and 22 at the arrivals and 18 customs counters which are at the departure as well as arrival terminal.

About airport authority

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Department handled the Chennai Airport in 1952. However, the operations were later taken over by the Airports Authority of India in 1972. Since then, there have been extensive infrastructural development plans and schemes that have been conducted. Much recently, the airport underwent some extensive construction to modernise the amenities prevalent in the airport. The new international terminal (T4), was built just while ago. Simultaneously, the existing international terminal (T3) was renovated, and a second runway was extended. The parallel runway also includes new taxiways, parking bays as well as a cargo terminal. The Airports Authority of India is responsible for working on the designs, maintenance and management of the airport. Not to mention how AAI brings forth funds to expand the development projects and schemes for the airport. The statutory body has also introduced two sustainable gardens which have been installed within the airport premises. Along with this, they have worked towards many other expansions.

Facilities at the Chennai Airport

Child care rooms: The Chennai airport has reserved specific rooms for mothers with infants. The space is perfect for feeding, changing table and other such activities to take care of the kids. The room is perfectly maintained and is regularly sanitised.

Wheelchair services: The airport also has wheelchair services that have been reserved for senior citizens, expectant mothers and passengers with medical ailments. You can find these services at the departure and arrival gates of both the terminals.

WiFi: WiFi services have also been provided at the airport. There is free WiFi that is available for close to 45 minutes in the premise. You can also find paid services of WiFi for better connectivity and longer duration of access. You will need an Indian phone number to get hold of the services.

Medical aid: The airport also has special medical kits and rooms available for emergencies. To ensure that emergency cases are tended to with prompt medical assistance, there are kits and services available at close intervals. There are health scan facilities also available at the airport to get a better understanding of the medical concern if need be.

Prayer rooms: Multi faith rooms have been reserved for passengers. The prayer rooms are open for people of all faith as there are religious books also present in the hall. These rooms can also be used as meditation halls.

Lost and found: Lost and found facilities are also available at the airport premise. Details of the same can be received at the information desk. A few dedicated spaces have been allotted at close intervals for lost and found desks.

ATMs and Forex: The airport has a slew of ATM kiosks and foreign exchange counters at regular intervals to help passengers. In case you are running short of cash or need to exchange some currency, you can find counters at the airport.

Post Office: One of the cool facilities that the airport has is postal services. There are courier services and post offices in the airport vicinity. You can find them at both the terminals. This can be ideal for last-minute mails and documents that need to be sent out.

Restaurants and cafes:

Chennai airport has a bunch of hotels and famous food establishments. The airport cafeteria has many options to choose from for food. From Indian cuisine to dishes from the international kitchen, there are many choices that can be made for food while you wait to board the flight.

Smoking zone: The airport has dedicated smoking rooms too. The rooms also have provisions for cigarette boxes, in case passengers run out of them or need to purchase them.

Baggage wrapping: The luggage facilities at Chennai airport are also good. Aside from trolley services and luggage counters to store them, the airport also has baggage wrap services. The airport is equipped with professional staff that package the bags with plastic to avoid various concerns ranging from baggage mishandling to thefts.

VIP lounge: Chennai airport has reserved halls for VIP lounges. Individuals with first-class flight tickets and premium memberships with specific airlines will have access to the VIP Lounge. The lounge services are quite good and upscaled.

Top airlines flying from the Chennai Airport

Domestic flights flying from Chennai Airport are from Terminal 1. The Chennai International Airport is touted to be the HQ of the Airports Authority of India, with states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Lakshadweep and Puducherry under its wing. The Chennai airport has immaculate connectivity with most of the Southern cities and hence, has various domestic airlines catering to the same. Airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Air Asia India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara, operate from the Chennai International Airport. These airlines have flights connecting to specific small towns within the Southern belt and hence, make the airport an important hub.

Along with the domestic airlines that operate from the city, there are a plethora of international airlines that also function from the airport. A majority of flights connecting to Australia and New Zealand have airlines available. The most important international airlines that operate from Chennai Airport are Air Arabia, Air Austral, Air Canada, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, Air Asia, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Batik Air, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, flydubai, Flynas, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Maldivian, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Air Asia, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines and Virgin Australia. Terminal 3 and 4 are reserved for international airlines as departures and arrivals take place from them.

How to reach the Chennai Airport

The Chennai International Airport is located on the National Highway 32, also recognised as the Grand Southern trunk Road. The highway is known to be a famous link that connects the city to other important cities in Tamil Nadu. The best way to reach the Chennai International Airport is by opting for its closest railway station, the Tirusulam railway station. The station falls on the Suburban railway network. Often this route is considered as it directly connects with the city centre. Another famous route connecting the city centre to the airport is via the metro station. The airport metro station falls in the Chennai Metro line. The metro line is also considered to be the ideal way to reach the Chennai Airport. Aside from the Tirusulam railway station, the Metro station is favoured more. It is also acknowledged to be the second metro station which connects with an airport in India.

There are expansion plans that are in the making to make the connectivity to Chennai airport better from the city centre. It has been announced that a direct tube will be constructed to bridge the distance from the metro station to the Chennai airport. Flyovers are also being erected to connect the metro station directly to the departure and airport terminals. Simultaneously, the government is also planning on facilitating a connection between the Tirusulam train station with the metro station.

  About New Delhi Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the country's top international and domestic airport hub, located in the capital, New Delhi. The exquisite Delhi Airport is sprawled over 5,106 acres of land and is settled in Palam, which is about 15 km away from the New Delhi railway station and about 16 km away from the city centre. The New Delhi airport has been named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The airport is easily the busiest in the country with respect to passenger traffic and cargo traffic too. On a global scale, the airport is recognised as the 12th busiest airport in the world and 6th in Asia. The New Delhi airport is also the busiest for the Airbus A320 aircraft. The Delhi Airport, along with the Mumbai Airport, has arbitrated "World's Best Airport" at an awards function.

About New Delhi Airport Terminals

Indira Gandhi International Airport is a hub to various domestic and international airlines. The airport serves about 80 airlines and hence, has three active passenger terminals. Special Hajj terminal, as well as a cargo terminal, is also present at the airport. Terminal 1 is presently being used for low-cost carriers such as IndiGo and SpiceJet. However, DIAL plans to expand the terminal and augment the passenger handling capacity. Terminal 1C is dedicated to domestic arrivals. The terminal has been upgraded with an extensive area for greeting, and better luggage reclaims area. There are eight belts here.

Terminal 1D has been built for domestic departure and can accommodate 15 million passengers per year. The terminal also has 72 Common Use Terminal Equipment (better known as CUTE), 16 self-check-in kiosks and 16 security counters. Terminal 2 is dedicated to GoAir and IndiGo airlines for their regular flight operations. Terminal 3 is dedicated to international flights and airlines. There are about 168 check-in counters, 78 aerobridges, 95 immigration counters, 15 X-ray screening zones and many more features.

About New Delhi authority

The airport was originally operated by the Indian Air Force. However, the management was then transferred to the Airports Authority of India. Eventually, a consortium was formed, DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), led by GMR Group along with the AAI. Since then, the airport has seen quite a lot of expansion and development. The authority has been working on expanding the airport's capacity to accommodate around 100 million passengers by the year 2030.

Facilities at the New Delhi Airport

Baggage Services: The airport has specific guidelines to follow when it comes to their baggage services. Much like other airports, it is best to avoid hazardous objects such as firearms and pointy objects with you in the cabin baggage. The airport provides baggage wrapping services too where basically, they wrap several layers of plastic around the baggage to ensure that the contents are protected from damage, theft, alteration and mishandling. The airport also has services of trolleys and available at the terminal.

Travelling with kids: The New Delhi airport also has special rooms for child care as often many new mothers with infants commuting require special facilities and privacy to take care of the kids. Hence, the airport has arranged for special rooms and child care centres to bring about a comfortable environment. The well-sanitised baby rooms have provisions of baby products as well as comfortable chairs for mothers to feed their babies. There are nursing stations and changing tables also available. The airport also offers complimentary strollers, which is available at the information desk. A small children's area has also been reserved at the airport to keep the kids entertained.

Restaurants and cafes: You can find a plethora of food establishments and restaurants that you can check out at the airport. You will be in luck to find a lot of famous food establishments such as KFC, Subway, McDonald's, Burger King and more. You can also find cafes and establishments that serve liquor.

Lost and found room: There is a specific room reserved for lost and found. In case you have misplaced something, perhaps the boarding pass, your mobile phone or wallets, you can visit the efficient lost and found room. The information desk will guide you to the lost and found station.

Medical services: The airport has 24/7 medical services. Often airports have some medical emergencies, especially if the passengers already suffer from some conditions. Hence, the airport has reserved special medical services that are always available. The centre is prevalent at all the airport terminals.

Prayer room: The New Delhi airport also has multi-faith prayer rooms available. While you are waiting to board flights, you can also spend some time meditating and chanting religious verses.

Smoking zone: To keep a smoke-free environment in the airport terminal, special provisions to maintain smoking zones have been initiated by the New Delhi airport. There are a handful of smoking rooms that are at a convenient distance. Plus, if you need, you can also purchase boxes of cigarettes at the airport.

Porter service: Porter services are ones where you can simply get someone to escort your luggage on your behalf. You can get these services at the departure and arrival terminals with a specific nominal fee. An experienced staff would be available to escort your baggage from gate to gate.

Parking facilities: The airport also has parking and valet facilities. As long as you pay some amount to hold your parking spot, you wouldn't have to worry about your vehicle. The facility is secure and is perfectly connected to both the terminal buildings of the airport.

VIP lounge: The airport also has a VIP lounge and other experiential services. If your flight ticket has premium services available or if you are a member of the elite club to avail VIP services, you can spend time at the lounge while you wait for your flights. The services at the lounge are quite upscale and fancy.

ATMs and foreign exchange: For foreign nationals, there are foreign exchange counters available. You can make your currency exchanges done at the airport and maybe even avail some good forex rates. Plus, various ATM kiosks are also available at the terminals.

Top airlines flying from the Delhi Airport

As the capital of the country, the Indira Gandhi International Airport sees tremendous flight activity. In terms of domestic connectivity, New Delhi is responsible for connecting various metropolis as well as small towns. Specific cities that cannot be reached by many other airports require connectivity from New Delhi. For example, the Kullu Manali airport in Himachal Pradesh can only accommodate fewer flights. In such cases, the connectivity is narrowed with Delhi being the centre for all connections. A majority of the airlines that fly within the domestic cities has a base at the New Delhi airport. The top domestic airlines that fly from Delhi Airport are Air India, AirAsia, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara.

New Delhi's flight connectivity with other major international cities is also excellent. Many prominent airlines fly from New Delhi airport. Considering it is the capital of India, many famous international airlines connect with New Delhi airport. Some of them include Air Arabia, Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, KLM Royal Air. Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Thai Airways and Srilankan Airlines, to name a few. Some of the domestic airlines from New Delhi airport also fly internationally. Airlines such as AirAsia, Air India, SpiceJet, GoAir and IndiGo have provisions for international flights as well. These airlines fly to cities such as Dubai, Phuket, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Istanbul, Dhaka and more.

How to reach the Delhi Airport

By Rail

The closest railway station to the New Delhi Airport is the Palam railway station. It is about 4.8 km away from terminal 1 and close to 12 km from Terminal 3. Trains are considered to be an easy route to reach the airport. Another good way to reach the New Delhi airport is by the Airport metro station. The metro station is located close to Terminal 2 and 3. The Airport metro station lies on the lines of Delhi Airport Metro Express. The station sees a lot of action with many passengers using this mode to reach the airport. The frequency of the trains reaching the Airport metro station is also quite good as there is one train every 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the Airport metro station which lies on the Magenta Line reaches New Delhi airport's Terminal 1. The train is considered to be the best way to reach the New Delhi airport as it is faster and does not deal with any of the road traffic.

By Road

There are regular buses that traverse from the main city to the New Delhi airport. The fastest way to reach by road would be to take up the 8-lane of Delhi Gurgaon Expressway. Buses serviced by the Delhi Transport Corporation operates regular air-conditioned buses that reach the airport. There are Uber and Ola taxi cab services also available to reach the Indira Gandhi International airport. You can also make prior bookings on the app. You can find metered taxis at the Terminal T3 and T1C.