Coimbatore to Gaya IndiGo Flights

About Coimbatore

After Chennai, Coimbatore is known to be the second-largest city in Tamil Nadu. The city also goes by the name Kovai and has the perfect blend of nature's abode meeting modernised city. Coimbatore is surrounded by the lush green expanses of the Western Ghats and hence, sees a considerably decent climate. In the past, the Coimbatore region was ruled by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century which was later taken over by the Nayaks. Centuries later in the 18th century, Mysore's Tipu Sultan ruled Coimbatore, which eventually went under the British Raj as the East India Company defeated the King of Mysore.

The city has excellent flight connectivity to and from Coimbatore airport and fancy hotels. You can book your hotels in Coimbatore by choosing from a variety of options. BnBs and homestays are not a concept accepted here yet.

Best time to visit Coimbatore

Although Coimbatore does not have a coastal touch, it still has a hot and humid climate which makes summer and monsoon season hotter than hot. The summer months in Coimbatore are generally hot with temperatures fluctuating between 25 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. Considering how hot the months from April to July get, it certainly isn't the best time to visit.

Monsoons are quite pleasant as the verdant greenery of Coimbatore escalates to make you feel happy. The heavy rains between July to September drench the city with green hues that further amplify its beauty. The trekking trails and hills close to the city become a trekker and hiker's favourite spot. The temperature doesn't drop much but certainly doesn't rise as much as summers either.

Winter is the perfect season to visit Coimbatore as the lush green surroundings envelop the city with misty cold climate. Coimbatore experiences pleasant cold weather which is quite the relief after months of excess heat. The months from October to March are an ideal time for you to plan your trip down South.

Places to see in Coimbatore

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary

Located a little away from the city hub, is this lush expanse of land that offers wildlife safaris. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Anamalai mountain foothills and holds some intriguing flora and fauna. With the variety of species, it has in captivity, and you would get to see some exotic beings that you never knew existed.

Valankulam Lake

The fact that Coimbatore is perfectly surrounded by the beauty and serenity of the Nilgiri range makes it a nature lover's haven. However, there are some gorgeous water bodies too that flow and add more enchantment to the place. The Valankulam Lake is one such addition which only amplifies the beauty of Coimbatore. The lake is exquisite with a varied species of birds such as purple moorhen, little grebes, etc., flying around the lake.

Gass Forest Museum

Since Coimbatore has the Nilgiri range on both sides, the city plays a pivotal role in the preservation of the forests that surround it. There are dedicated colleges that teach about agriculture and studies on forest preservation. The Gass Forest Museum is one such authority that doesn't just exhibit the history of Coimbatore but is also located in the campus premise of Forest College.

The cities in Tamil Nadu have numerous temples with an illustrious historical significance which make them worth visiting. Even Coimbatore has some temples that should be visited when in the city.

Temples in Coimbatore

Coimbatore has far too many temples, but considering how they are all so diverse and hold exciting stories, they become a place worth visiting. While you're in the city, do visit the Anjeneyar Kovil, which is to venerate Lord Hanuman. Also visit the Eachanaari Vinayaga Temple, the Perur Pateeshwarar Temple, Anubhavi Subramaniar temple, Marudhamalai Hill The.ole and more. They might seem like a handful, but there is a certain thrill of visiting these temples and turning the trip into a pilgrimage.

Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple

The Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple is a famous tourist attraction in Coimbatore. The Rene's popularity comes from the excessive number of steps that leads to the summit. It is a sort of test that all devotees must fulfil to reach Devi's temple. There is no mechanical help that one can receive and must do the narrow steps on their own. Another interesting fact about the temple is how it has a natural flow of water from the mountains, which has formed a pond. The pond is considered to be sacred and immersing oneself in it is said to be a divine experience.

Things to do in Coimbatore

Coimbatore has some interesting options that one can pick from. The range is quite awesome as you can engage in touristy things or you can pack your adventure bags and head out to the forests.

Trekking

Interestingly, the city of Coimbatore also has some intriguing trekking trails and camping spots that one can explore. Places such as Vellari MalaThalaiyar Falls, Dhoni Hills and Perumal Peak give you the chance to explore their dense green forests and the excitement that comes with trekking. The view from the top of these hills are gorgeous and something that would uplift your spirits.

Black Thunder Amusement Park

The city has a vast amusement park set with more than 49 rides that cater to all age groups. The Black Thunder Amusement Park would undoubtedly give you the adrenaline thrills that you've been longing for as the rides are quite fun. Not to mention how they are sprawled across 75 acres of land and surrounded by the intoxicating Nilgiris. The adventure park is ideal for adults as well as kids.

Shopping

As Coimbatore is one of the developed cities in Tamil Nadu, it has all the modern amenities and structures that would match to the ones prevalent in metro cities. Besides, shopping is an urge that simply cannot be controlled, especially if you're on vacation and have promised your friends to bring back souvenirs. Brookefields Mall in Coimbatore is a place where you can unleash the shopaholic in you. For a budget-friendly shopping spree, you can visit Cross-Cut Road.

Meditate at a centre

If cities and their hustle-bustle are making you anxious, then a good session of meditation is what you need. As part of your retreat, you can undertake a meditation course in Coimbatore's Isha Yoga Centre. The calm surrounding and serene vibe of the place would help you rejuvenate.

Witness a car race

The city is a haven for automobile-enthusiasts and even has a 2.1 kilometres long Formula 3 race track. There are national championships held on the track as well as bike races and formula racing events which brings forth quite the exhilarating experience one seeks for. In fact, while you're are enjoying one of the races, you might even get to cross paths with Tamil cinema's superstar Ajith Kumar, who is a recognised Formula 3 race driver.

Food and Restaurants in Coimbatore

Even though it is a developed city, Coimbatore does not have a flourishing palette when it comes to incorporating world-class cuisine. Much of the city continues to relish the South Indian cuisine with a handful of experimental western cuisine. You can visit restaurants such as Bird on Tree, Shree Anandhaas, Harbhavanam and Yari to taste some interesting melange of flavours.

How to reach Coimbatore

By Air

The Coimbatore Airport has excellent flight connectivity to and from other major cities in India. Some flights also fly international routes from Coimbatore. The airport is located just 7 km away from the main city and can be reached rather easily. The domestic, as well as international terminals, are in the same stretch. However, a new segment has been constructed to divide the two terminals. Much recently, they built the arrivals building too, to help streamline the airport. Domestic airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, to name a few, have regular direct flights to Coimbatore from Mumbai Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and more.

In terms of international flights, Coimbatore Airport sees a regular flight service to Sharjah and Singapore. Air Arabia and Silk Air have been given space in the international terminal. It has been stated that Air Asia, Malindo Air have both expressed to introduce international routes from Coimbatore to Kuala Lumpur. With Coimbatore’s brilliant flight connectivity, travelling to the city is quite convenient from flights. For cheap flight tickets to Coimbatore, it is ideal for you to book tickets in advance.

By Rail

Coimbatore's railway connections are also very convenient and cater to the needs of travellers. The city's Coimbatore Junction station is connected to various metropolitan cities in India, including Bangalore, Chennai, Jammu, Delhi, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and more. You do not have to make any transit changes during your travel and can easily reach the city. However, it is best to make prior ticket bookings as there are chances that you might not get a confirmed ticket if you opt for last-minute bookings.

By Bus

Coimbatore also has buses entering and leaving the city to major South cities such as Madurai, Tirunelveli, Chennai, Bangalore, Munnar, etc. The Karnataka State-run buses KSRTC are also available and do travel in and out of Coimbatore. The location of Coimbatore makes it easy for various cities in the South to connect. Different domestic routes to Coimbatore are taken to reach the city centre.

  About Gaya

Located in the state of Bihar is Gaya, popularly known as Bodh Gaya, for its spiritual significance. The city of Gaya is a popular pilgrimage in the state and attracts Hindus and Buddhists from around the world.

One of the key reasons behind Hindus visiting the Gaya is to make funeral offerings to give the deceased's soul solace. Known as Pind Daan, the puja is only performed here in Gaya and is said to have strong religious values. The Pind Daan puja is conducted by the family of the deceased to bring their ancestor's souls to peace. The rituals are said to help the ancestors and their wandering souls find some peace and harmony in the nether worlds, after death. To perform this puja, people come from around the world as the beliefs are strong.

Hills surround the city of Gaya as the Himalayan range continues to sprawl across the expanses of Bihar as well. The Vishnupad temple, located at the heart of the Gaya city, holds tremendous religious significance. It is believed that the temple was originally built by Maratha princess Ahliyabai, back in the 18th century. Much like the city, even the hills that surround Gaya are known to be sacred and places of sanctity. The temple city has important shrines located in different directions from the centre of the city.

Gaya is also of spiritual significance to Buddhists as it is believed that Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment in this small town of Bihar. Bodhgaya has a vast expanse of Buddhist temple constructed with various spiritual significance. The city of Gaya holds importance for the Hindus and Buddhists for two impactful incidences are related to the place.

With the demand the city of Gaya has, the flight connectivity for domestic routes as well as international routes is quite high. There are numerous flights available from within the country and international destinations. The spiritual haven attracts Buddhists and Hindus every year to perform prayers and seek blessings. Ensure to book hotels well in advance during peak season as you might have trouble finding accommodation.

Best time to visit Gaya

Pitrapaksh month, also known as the period of ancestors in Hinduism, is considered to be the ideal time to visit Gaya. During this time, pilgrim activities are performed by families to help the souls of their ancestors to attain salvation. The Pitripaksh month falls in the monsoon season. The months September and October are observed as Pithru months, and during this season, various pilgrims arrive to seek blessings and help their ancestors. Another favoured month is during Buddha Purnima, which falls in the summer months of April-May. Buddhist monks and followers arrive at the Gaya to observe the teachings of Gautama Buddha and to seek his blessings. In terms of weather, Bodhgaya sees a spike in temperatures during summer, especially May. However, since the month is observed as Buddha Purnima, tourists don't mind the excess heat.

Places to see in Gaya

Mahabodhi Temple complex

South from the Brahmayoni hill is the temple of Bodh Gaya. The site is said to be a pilgrimage to the Buddhists and has the Mahabodhi Temple Complex. The site is often visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as it is the land where their guru, Gautama Buddha, attained Enlightenment. Not just Buddhists but even Hindus flock over to the temple complex as it has a calm and serene vibe that helps people find peace. Buddhists, as well as Hindus, venerate Bodh Gaya.

Vishnupad Temple

The ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located beautifully along the banks of the Falgu river. Legend states that Lord Vishnu observed Gaya as the place of attainment of salvation for wandering souls. Whoever wishes to seek moksham on behalf of them and their ancestors, should make Pind Daan and perform some rituals for the same.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar is believed to be a civilisation built by Lord Rama's son King Kush with Kushvati as the capital. Although many Hindus believe that the pilgrimage town is the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, which was led by King Kush, the Buddhists think otherwise. According to their traditional beliefs, Kushvati was a name given to the land even before the Ramayana happened. In this village, you will find some important structures that are pivotal to Buddhism.

Some of the incredibly beautiful structures in Kushinagar involve the Parinirvana Stupa, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine. The entire complex is actually believed to be the shrine of Gautama Buddha after he attained Enlightenment. The Parinirvana Stupa is a fancy structure that represents the 'dying Buddha' as the statue is in a reclining position. The statue is placed on top of a large brick with pedestals. The temple is sacred and pious and what drives Buddhists to the city of Gaya.

The Matha Kuar Shrine is yet again a huge statue of Lord Buddha which has been carved out of one block, to represent the Buddha being seated under the Bodhi tree in a 'bhumi sparsh mudra'. Every attribute about these structures hold a deeper meaning and should be explored.

Bakraur

Bakraur or Bakrour is another village located closely towards the east of Bodh Gaya. It is believed that Sujata, residing in this village, offered Guatam Buddha milk and rice before he reached Enlightenment. A statue has been erected to honour Sujata for catering to the Buddha.

Deo Surya Mandir

The Hindu temple of Deo Surya Mandir is a shrine of the Sun God. Located in the small town of Deo, the temple is often decorated for Chhath Puja, and devotees who visit the temple during the same are blessed.

Things to do in Gaya

You can take this as an opportunity to trek up the Bragmayoni. The highest hill, called Brahmayoni, is at the height of 450 ft above the Gaya plains. It is said that on this very hill, Buddha preached the Adittapariyaya Sutta (fire sermon) to a thousand ascetics. Enlightened by Buddha's teachings, the former fire-worshipping monks accepted the new discourse set by him. The hill has spiritual relevance in Buddhism and is often visited by Buddhist monks and believers.

Food and Restaurants in Gaya

Even though the place is a spiritual haven for pilgrims, there are some quaint cafes and fusion food joints that cater to all kinds of travellers. While you are in Bodh Gaya, you can spend a day relishing the simple but sublime food provided by the temples. There are various restaurants close to the temples which have basic but soul-satisfying food. Other restaurants and cafes that you can explore in Bodhgaya are Be Happy cafe, Zera Coffee Company, Fusion Food Factory, Taj Darbar Restaurant, Gautam Lassi Corner, Rose Apple Cafe, Tirupathi South Cafe, Mohammed's restaurant and more. These places offer appetising food that isn't necessarily void of flavour. Plus, the ambience of the joints is also quite good and definitely memorable. You can also spend some time investing in street food as there are a plethora of options in that department.

How to reach Gaya (Transportation)

By Air

Gaya is a spiritual centre and hence is well-connected to domestic as well as international cities. The Gaya Airport has regular flight connectivity from Yangon, Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi. While you can opt for these domestic routes to reach Gaya, for travellers from Mumbai, Chennai and other metropolitan cities in the West and South, Delhi and Kolkata are the best choices. As for tourists from abroad, there are international routes from Thailand, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam and many more countries, that are directly connected to the Bodhgaya airport. Travellers often go to Gaya for Pind Daan and hence, book flights in advance. Not to mention, the international crowd often heads to the city to seek Enlightenment at the Buddhist monastery.

The city does not have luxury stays as such. However, there are some decent hotels in Gaya that you can book ahead of your visit. Another alternative for travellers opting flight is to book flight tickets to Patna and transit from there. Often this domestic route is considered as it is easier to reach Patna from different parts of the country.

By Rail

Many trains from metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Patna have regular trains passing through Bihar. You can book your tickets to Gaya and opt for the railway as an option. The connectivity within Gaya is also quite good as there are rickshaw and buses available. Taxi cabs and tuk-tuk rides are also prevalent, making the intercity travelling a tad bit easier. If you book your hotels in Gaya before travelling to the city, you will receive shuttle services from the accommodation.

By Road

The bus services to Gaya are aplenty from significant cities in Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh and more states. In fact, there are daily transport facilities from cities such as Patna, Hazaribag, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, etc. You can book AC or non-AC buses that will take you to the city. The travel service providers ensure to offer services to Gaya for its spiritual significance and demand.

  About Indigo Airlines

Indigo is the largest passenger airline in India and the oldest one, too, in terms of passengers that it carries and its fleet size. It operates about 1500 flights every day to 87 destinations, of which 63 are domestic, and 24 are international destinations. Its primary hub is at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Indigo commenced operations in 2006 and went on to become the largest India carrier by passenger market share in 2012. It connects to all major Indian cities and small cities like Aizawl, Agra and so on. Internationally, it connects to Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Malta, Paris, Dublin, Copenhagen, Zurich, Prague, Amsterdam, London, London Heathrow and Gatwick among others. Not only is it a low-cost operator in India, but it is also a low-cost airline globally. Indigo is also India's most preferred airline and for the right reasons. It offers great service at low fares and does not disappoint its passengers. It has grown to become one of the most trusted airlines in the country.

Indigo has a fleet size of more than 260 and has also been getting the 'Great Place to Work for in India' title for eight years in a row now. It was also given Aon's Best Employer in 2016 and 2017. It has been running profitable operations for ten consecutive years. It is considered as the most valuable and strongest airline brand in the country. In 2010, Indigo had replaced Air India as the third largest airline in India. In 2013, it became the second fastest-growing low-cost carrier in Asia after Lion Air, an Indonesian airline.

One of the specialities of Indigo is that it is customer-oriented, efficient and offers great services. It also offers low fares, which makes it one of the preferred airlines in the country. It is also one of the only airlines that connect to so many cities across the country. It operates to cities like Agartala, Aizawl, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Belagavi, Aurangabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Dimapur and the list goes on. Since Indigo is a low-cost carrier, it only offers economy class seating. However, you get to choose a seat of your preference in advance if you pay a little extra. There is no in-flight entertainment or pre-booked meals. You can buy your in-flight meals after the take-off, and you will be dependent on your own electronics and headsets to keep yourself entertained during the flight.

Fleet Size of Indigo

Indigo has one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the country, which enables it to run 1500 flights daily. It has 123 Airbus A320-200 in service that can accommodate 180 passengers. It also has 100 Airbus A320neo in service and ordered for 232 more, making it the largest operator. In addition to this, it has 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft in service that can accommodate 222 passengers each and has placed an order for 135 more aircraft of the same category. It also has 25 ATR 72-600 which can seat 74 passengers per flight.

In 2005, Indigo had placed an order for 100 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and commenced operations in 2006. In 2011, it placed an order for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft. It was a great year for the airline since it also got the permission to launch international flights that year. In 2015, it placed an order for 250 Airbus A320neo, which was the largest single order in Airbus' history. It made headlines quickly. In 2019, it placed another order for 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft and broke its own record. Later that year, it became the first Indian airline to operate 1500 flights daily. It also became the first airline to have a fleet size of 250+ aircraft. The Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320-200 have non-reclining seats, but there are a few seats that give you extra legroom. The ATR 72-600 has a twin-seat setting which not only gives you extra space but also gives you a lot of privacy. You won't have to sit next to a third stranger or sit uncomfortably.

Baggage Allowance

Indigo has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger is expected to follow. You can carry cabin baggage that weighs up to 7 kg and check-in luggage up to 20 kg. However, for certain international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo, Kuwait and so on, the maximum limit on check-in luggage is 30 kg. If your luggage exceeds the maximum limit, you will have to pay a certain fee depending on the weight. You will also need to inform the airline staff a couple of hours before boarding the flight about the excess luggage so they can make the necessary arrangements. You can do so through the website or get in touch with the call centre. An executive will help you complete the process without any hindrance or complications. It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you can sail through all the formalities at the airport smoothly.

If you are carrying bigger bags with you that have golf clubs or surfboard bags, you will have to pay approximately Rs. 1200 /- for domestic and Rs. 2500/- for international trips to accommodate it in the check-in luggage. Please ensure that you carry important things like medicines, electronics or perishable items in your cabin luggage. Portable chargers and power banks go in your hand luggage and not the check-in luggage. You will not have to check-in again to collect your bags if you have to board a connecting flight. The airline makes sure that you receive your baggage at your final destination. Please ensure that you are not carrying anything that has been prohibited by the airline like explosives, hazardous or flammable objects, sharp objects and electronics. You will also have to reach the airport a couple of hours before your flight so you can get through the security formalities well in advance.

In-flight Services

Indigo's in-flight services are quite limited. In fact, the airline does not have any in-flight entertainment services. Since it operates on low fares, it does not provide complimentary meals on any of its flights. However, you can buy meals on board. The airline does offer premium services like pre-booking seats, priority check-in and multiple cancellations at a higher price. You can also get your hands on Indigo's magazine called Hello 6E. With the increasing competition and passenger's will to pay extra for comfort and convenience, the airline is also bringing in new offers and services for its passengers. The airline had also announced its tie-up with SonyLiv in 2019 that it will provide to its passengers as in-flight entertainment. You can also check out their website to find out more services that are offered by the airline.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Indigo

Indigo connects to various domestic and international routes regularly. Indigo connects to 63 domestic destinations and 24 international ones. It got the permission to expand its operations internationally in 2011. The domestic cities that Indigo is connected to are Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Agra, Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Coimbatore and so on. The international destinations include Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Dhaka, Hanoi, Istanbul, London and so on. The airline is quite particular about punctuality, and there are rarely any delays in flights unless there is an emergency or bad climatic conditions. You can also lookup offers and services on their website to make sure you make the most of your trip. Since the airline has already ordered more aircraft, there are high chances that they will add more cities to the list. Indigo will definitely go on to breaking more records and even making some in the next few years.

Why Travel by Indigo?

Indigo is one of the most prestigious and low fare airlines in the country. It made its way to the top airlines in the country quite quickly and made sure that passengers experienced the best services at a minimal price. It is also one of the largest airlines in the country that operates 1500 flights to domestic and international routes daily. It connects 24 international and 63 domestic destinations. It has its major hubs at Chennai International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. You can check the Indigo flight schedule and your flight status on their website. The airline also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The airline has also won several awards and accolades for its service over the years. Customers rarely have a disappointing experience flying with Indigo. If you are a frequent flyer, you might even get discounts and other offers while booking your next flight. Make sure you go through the offers on the airline's website. You can also get in touch with an executive at the call centre to know more about the offers.

  About Coimbatore Airport

The Coimbatore International Airport is situated 10 km away from the city of Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu. Located within the range of the city Peelamedu, the airport is perfectly connected with the city centre and has transport facilities at the arrival gates. The airport is recognised as the 18th busiest in the country in terms of passenger handling and aircraft movement. However, in terms of cargo handling, the Coimbatore International Airport stands at the 15th spot. The airport's fame also comes from the fact that it is the second-largest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu. This comes right after the state's capital, Chennai's International Airport. It serves five Indian carriers while three foreign ones. The Coimbatore International Airport connects to 12 domestic destinations and three international ones.

About Coimbatore Airport Terminals

The Coimbatore International Airport is known to host domestic and international flights and airlines. The airport not just caters to the domestic cities but also charters flight services to Sharjah, Singapore and even Jeddah for Hajj pilgrimage. The airport has a single terminal where all the services take place. The single passenger terminal caters to all the facilities including the arrivals, gates, departures, check-in and concessions. The terminal also has a Black Berry Lounge which provides impeccable services until the boarding takes place. The airport has aerobridges, parking bays and also accommodates the instrument landing system. In the existing terminal, the airport has divided the domestic and international gates. The Coimbatore International Airport's runway extends to 12,500 ft and accommodates colossal aircraft too, for instance, the Boeing 787. The airport also serves to the Coimbatore Flying Club and hence, has two hangars within the airport.

About airport authority

The Coimbatore International Airport serves under the Government of India and is operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body was created back in 1994 after a merger between International Airports Authority of India and National Airports Authority, which served as individual bodies in 1972 and 1986 respectively. AAI caters to working on the upgradation, maintenance and management of the airports that fall under its wing. The body has about 126 airports under its wing, including the Coimbatore International Airport. All the decisions and management concerning the infrastructure and functioning of the Coimbatore International Airport falls under the responsibilities of the Airports Authority of India. They also work on the development and expansion of the airport to make it more accessible and efficient.

Top airlines flying from Coimbatore Airport

Coimbatore Airport has decent connectivity to various major cities in the country. The airport caters to airlines such as Air Arabia, Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Scoot, SpiceJet and Srilankan Airlines. There are four international airlines with flights that fly from the Coimbatore Airport. Air Arabia flies to Sharjah, Air India Express and Scoot to Singapore and Srilankan Airlines to Colombo–Bandaranaike. The airport does see good connectivity with Singapore as the demand for the said Malay city is quite high. As for domestic airlines operating from the Coimbatore Airport, they fly to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune. The domestic airlines flights flying from Coimbatore Airport are limited and a handful as they only fly to fewer cities in the country. The Coimbatore airport caters to an equal number of domestic and international airlines.

Facilities at the Coimbatore Airport

WiFi - There are WiFi services that are available at the airport. The WiFi at the airport is free. However, it can only be availed for about 15 minutes. Post the timeline, you will have to pay for a premium service.

ATM and forex - The Coimbatore Airport has a handful of ATM kiosks at the departure and arrival gates. There are foreign exchange booths at the arrival gates as well. It gets easier for international travellers to get hold of some domestic currency to enable traversing within the city easier. You might be able to get good rates at the airport forex counter too.

Smoking zone - The airport has dedicated smoking zones. To keep a smoke-free environment in the airport, the authorities have come up with a smoking lounge. Some booths even sell cigarette boxes at standard airport rates. The smoking lounge is present in the departure zone of the terminal.

Medical services - A specific medical centre is also available at the airport. It is essential to have a designated medical centre in the airport premise to deal with any medical emergency that might crop up. Often, it is necessary to have medical aid in the airport since the chances of emergencies are quite high. Not to mention how the demand for the medical stores is also necessary, in case any last-minute purchases need to be made.

Child care room - The Coimbatore Airport has a child care centre for new mothers and infants. The child care rooms and perfectly maintained and kept clean to ensure the mother and infant are in a safe environment. There are proper baby products also available at the child care rooms and are present at the arrival and departure zones of the airport.

Restaurants and cafe - The airport has a few restaurants and food establishments in the departure as well as arrival gates. You can find some famous food joints such as McDonald's, Subway and KFC. There are small coffee joints and establishments also present at the airport terminals.

Baggage - The Coimbatore Airport also caters to baggage-related services. There are counters where you can get to keep your luggage. Trolleys for luggage are also available at every nook and corner of the airport terminals. If you need to get luggage wrapping done, that can also be arranged. This will help safeguard the luggage from being mishandled or from theft.

Special assistance - For any special services and assistance required such as buggy services and portage, you can avail the same at the Coimbatore Airport. Since it caters to international airlines and flights too, the services and assistance are of top-notch quality.

How to reach Coimbatore Airport

Coimbatore Airport is about 10 km away from the city centre. Located on the Avinashi Road, the airport sees frequent buses serviced from the central bus station. The bus services to Coimbatore Airport can be found at the Gandhipuram central bus station. Bus stations located at Singanallur and Ukkadam also have bus services that will reach you to the Coimbatore Airport. The Gandhipuram central bus station is also close to the Coimbatore Junction. It is considered to be the nearest rail station to the Coimbatore Airport. If you are travelling from another city to Coimbatore, the best way to reach from the station would be to pick up the bus shuttle that directly reaches Coimbatore Airport.

Taxi cabs are considered to be the ideal and best way to reach Coimbatore Airport. You can make your bookings online on apps or find prepaid cabs at the railway station and bus stand to get hold of them. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Coimbatore Airport from the city centre. If taxi cabs are unavailable and cannot be found at the Coimbatore Junction or the Gandhipuram Central Bus Station, you can also take rickshaws. There are auto rickshaws available in the city. You will have to fix a price with the rickshaw driver before you take up the ride to the Coimbatore Airport. Ensure to haggle a little as the drivers tend to spike the price exorbitantly, especially if you are a traveller who cannot speak the language.

About Coimbatore

Coimbatore also referred to as Kovai, is one of the major cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is perched on the banks of the Noyyal River and is surrounded by the gorgeous Western Ghats. The city is known to be the second-largest in the state after its capital, Chennai. It is also the 16th largest city in India with respect to urban agglomeration. Coimbatore is known to be one of the largest exporters of poultry, jewellery, auto components and wet grinders. It is also recognised as geographical indications for Coimbatore Wet grinder as well as Kovai Cora Cotton, by the government of India. The city's dynasty comes from the rulers of Cheras, which reigned Coimbatore from the 1st through the 4th centuries CE.

It also served as the principal trade route for Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Part of its history sees strong connections with rulers from the Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, Nayaks and the Kingdom of Mysore. The city was also ruled by the British East India Company, before finally becoming a free city. The city turned into a textile hub in the south, especially in the cotton industry, post the decline of the cotton industry in 19th century Mumbai. Much recently, in 2014, the city received the top rank for being one of the best emerging cities in the country, by India Today. Coimbatore is also recorded to be one of the safest cities in the country for women, according to a report shared by the National Crime Records Bureau in 2015.