Dehra Dun to Kanpur Flights

  About Dehradun

Nestled perfectly on the lap of the Doon Valley is the beautiful hill station Dehradun. The city is actually the capital of Uttarakhand as we and resides on the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. The hill station sees a mild climate thanks to its geographical location. The rivers Gangs and Yamuna also flow on either side of Dehradun. Bring the capital of the state, Dehradun has impeccable flight connectivity to and from other metropolitan cities. Not to mention, the city transport also allows travellers to explore other Himalayan destinations such as Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Auli, to name a few. Dehradun also boasts quaint accommodations. You can book hotels in Dehradun as a wide range of options are available.

Best time to visit Fehradun

The summers in Dehradun are pleasant as the sky is clear, and the air is refreshing. The months between March to June are ideal as the summers of Dehradun allow you to venture out exploring and don't put a damper on your travel plans. The maximum the temperature rises to is 35 degrees Celsius while it can drop ho to 17 degrees Celsius.

Interestingly, the monsoons are just as pleasant. The lush green expanses of Dehradun turn into pristine hues and worth visiting. The city looks lively with the nature springing to life during monsoon. The months between July to September are also a good bet for those who wish to enjoy piping hot kullad chais and exquisite views.

Although Dehradun doesn't experience snow as the maximum temperature drop is close to 3 degrees Celsius, it still offers a beautiful sight. The cold winds blowing across the city while the winter sun teases the landscape is yet again a picturesque sight. Besides, one can easily take this time to venture out and see more of what the hill station has to offer.

The concept of the best season to visit Dehradun does not exist as it caters to all kinds of audience and is open all-year-round.

Places to see in Dehradun

The leisure town of Dehradun perfectly connects with several beautiful places such as Mussoorie and Rishikesh, to name a few. While a majority of crowd chooses to head straight to these places instead, you should know about some of the highlights that make Dehradun touristy.

Tapkeshwar Temple

Uttarakhand has numerous temples and shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the famous temples in the State is the Tapkeshwar Temple. What makes this temple extraordinary is the fact that the Shivlinga has been sacredly placed within a cave. To visit the temple, you will have to go through thick forests and enter a cave as the deity's idol is placed within. The way the temple is constructed makes the setting quite the visual spectacle. The location is barely 6 km from the city centre and can be covered easily. The caves are especially lit during Shivratri as devotees from all corners of the world flock over to offer their prayers.

Malsi Deer Park

Malsi Deer Park is a zoological setting curated by the wildlife department of the State. It's a smaller version of the Rajaji National Park with more expansive areas to explore and excursions to be conducted. Aside from the natural beauty and the abundant flora and fauna that the park inhabits, the place also offers joyrides to engage kids. There are spaces of rides and games to entertain kids within the park. Deer Park is on the Mussoorie road and just 10 km away from the city.

Robber's Cave

Another favourite picnic spot in Dehradun is the Robber's cave. Well, technically, it is more of a romantic escapade for newlyweds or couples in love. These natural caves in Dehradun have unusual cold springs within that make it an attraction. Along with some eccentric attributes, there are quite a few waterfalls within the caves too which make for a refreshing experience. The beauty of the caves makes travellers visit the place more than once. Plus, it also gives people a chance to trek a little.

Aside from these highlights, there are various temples and monasteries within the city that should be explored. Places such as Shiv Mandir, Fun Valley, Maldevta, Tapovan are some tourist attractions in the town of Dehradun.

Things to do in Dehradun

Chopta Tungnath Trek

Doon Valley plays an excellent host to adventure junkies who wish to explore more of the valley's natural beauty and serenity. Chopta Tungnath trek is one such trek that you can pick as the summit is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. The trekking trails through Tungnath is rich in biodiversity and makes for a fun expedition. On your journey, you will witness some gorgeous tall deodar and pine trees interspersed with coloured rhododendrons and silver oaks. As you reach the Chandrashila peak, you'll be met with the views of the snowcapped Himalayas with sunrays escaping through the gaps. The breath-taking sights would undoubtedly be worth all the trek. The locals would also tell you tales and folklore that connects Tungnath to Lord Shiva.

Har Ki Dun Trek

One of the popular treks often chosen by travellers is the Har Ki Dun Trek which leads to a combined view of Babdarpoonch, Ruinsara and Black peak mountain tops, also known as Swargarohini. A little away from the city of Dehradun, this trek is quite spiritually driven as the valley is tied to stories of Duryodhana from Mahabharata. The villagers believe and worship him and have some intriguing accounts to explain what makes him such a venerated personality.

You can take this trek in all seasons as it is not risky. The Himalayan trails will acquaint you with some exotic alpine trees, Rhododendron flowers, expanses of green grass, glaciers, quaint temples, Tamsa river and more.

Paltan Bazaar

For the shopaholic in you, Paltan Bazaar with it's happening vibe is the best place to indulge in Dehradun after a long day. Starting from Clock Tower, the bazaar stretches up to the Dehradun railway station. From exciting and inexpensive handicrafts, clothes, bags, shoes, etc., street food binge, the Paltan Bazaar will keep you entertained.

Food and Restaurants in Dehradun

Dehradun's cuisine is a mix of Indian teamed with Tibetan, Chinese and South Indian too! From Chetan Poori Wala's lip-smacking platter to Kalsang's Momo magic, the hill station houses some of the best street food that you should definitely check out. The sheer variety of delicious food is wholesome and perfect for pleasant weather.

Kalsang has quite a few branches across the State where you'll be served some of the best authentic Tibetan and Chinese cuisine. The must-have dishes include thupka, thenthuk and chilli momos which come with spicey gravy made out of bell peppers and shallots. Plus, do not forget to try the Tibetan buns along with fruit beers.

Chetan Puri Wala is another major highlight of Dehradun's street food. Located at main Hanuman Chowk, the quaint shop gives wholesome meal plates comprising of chole, aloo, methi sabzi and more along with hot fluffy pooris. The shop has been covered by NDTV Good Times too by the foodie duo Rocky and Mayur's food show.

Besides these three famous shops, you should also visit Maggi Points, Kumar Sweet, Gaylord Ice cream Parlour, Bobby Fast Food Corner, Buffet Snacks Shop and Ellora Bakery, to name a few. You'll be thoroughly amazed by the variety and taste.

How to reach Dehradun

By Air

Dehradun's prominence as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India has made its travel connectivity strong. The Jolly Grant Airport, located 22km away from the city of Dehradun, has excellent flight connectivity to and from major cities. There are direct flights from metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and more. Airlines such as SpiceJet, GoAir have regular flights flying to and from Dehradun, making it perfect for travel. You can book cheap flight tickets to Dehradun in advance to avoid the expensive costs. Simultaneously, you can also book hotel rooms in Dehradun, who can send vehicles to pick you up from the airport. The distance is not a lot, and there are transport services available at Dehradun airport too.

By Rail

As an established tourist destination in India, the train connectivity to and from Dehradun is also commendable. There are trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and Varanasi that are directly connected to Dehradun Railway Station. The railway station is located within the city, so transport from the station becomes easier. Although the duration spent to reach Dehradun by train is more than one would want to pay. There are taxi cabs and vehicles that you can rent from the station during your stay in the popular hill station.

By Road

Bus facilities to Dehradun are also available and can be found from New Delhi's Kashmere Gate. Since the trip can be completed overnight, a majority of buses heading to Dehradun from Delhi depart from the city in the evenings. You can find a plethora of bus services from Kashmere Gate ranging from Deluxe AC buses to seater Volvo buses. In fact, the State-owned Uttarakhand transport service also has buses that depart and arrive in the city of Dehradun regularly. Many tourists even consider road trips to Dehradun from Delhi and can choose the domestic route via NH 72 for the same.

  About Kanpur

Kanpur, nestled on the banks of river Ganga, is one of the biggest cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is not only known as the industrial capital of the state, but it also has historical and mythological importance. It is the perfect combination of architecture, commerce, culture and history. Of course, it is also majorly known for its prestigious educational hub, IIT-Kanpur. Since it is situated on the banks of the Ganges, it is also a popular pilgrimage destination for devotees. According to beliefs, the city was founded on Lord Krishna's birthday, which is why it was named Kanhapur. Other beliefs are that it has been named after Mahabharata's legendary character, Karna, and was initially called Karnapur.

Best Time to Visit Kanpur

Winter is an ideal time to visit Kanpur if you want to go sightseeing. The city experiences winter from October to March. The temperature ranges from 7 to 20 degree Celsius. You might want to pack your winter clothes for the trip, too. All tourist attractions and outdoor activities remain open during this season. Since it is also peak season, you might get interesting flight deals to Kanpur during this time. Booking a hotel in Kanpur can get a tad bit expensive since it is peak season. If you want to go to a luxurious hotel, you might have to shell out some extra money for it.

The temperature is always too high during the summer, and it becomes quite difficult to travel during this time. In fact, it will be a task to even commute within the city during these months. Planning a trip during summer will only prove to be more troubling and might lead to dehydration and exhaustion. It will be a waste of time since it does not make sense to visit Kanpur if you have to stay in your hotel room throughout the trip.

Monsoon is in June and July in Kanpur. While the rains do add a touch of relaxation to the otherwise hot climate during the summers, rainfall comes with its own sets of disadvantages, too. Do carry your umbrellas and raincoats. Now all rides or activities will be open during this time so you can pick which kind of weapon makes you happy.

Places to Visit in Kanpur

The Kanpur Zoological also called the Allen Forest Zoo is the main tourist attraction in Kanpur. The speciality about the Zoo is that the animals are not exactly caged. They are kept in open enclosures so they can live in their natural habitat. You will also find botanical gardens, lakes, aquariums and life-sized dinosaur sculptures. You will also spot animals like leopards, deer, zebra, hippopotamus and so on. The Shri Radhakrishna temple, also called the Juggilal Kamlapat (JK) temple, is another popular place that people go to in Kanpur. It has been constructed with carved white marble and reflects the brilliant neo-Hindu architecture. You will find five shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ardhanarishvara, Lord Narmadeshwar and Lord Hanuman inside the temple. Janmashtami and Diwali are celebrated with a lot of grandiose here at the temple.

Moti Jheel is a lake that is also a reservoir that provides the people of Kanpur with drinking water. The lake is surrounded with parks for children and picnic spots. You can even take romantic walks around the lake. It was established during the British era and has become a very popular place for people to go relax, especially on weekends. You can even go boating here. If you want to spend the day learning more about Kanpur's history, do visit the Kanpur Museum at Pool Bagh Ground. The museum houses artefacts from the colonial period, and it was ideally called King Edward Memorial Hall. The museum also has an in-house library that is open for public. The Brahmavart Ghat in Bithoor town of Kanpur is considered as one of the holiest ghats in the city. Dedicated to Lord Brahma, the ghat sees a lot of devotees taking a dip in the waters here before they offer their prayers inside the temple. Kanpur also has quite a lot of temples with beautiful architecture and a prominent story behind its inception. The Jain Glass Temple, also called the Kanch Ka Mandir is dedicated to Lord Mahavir and the other 23 Jain Tirthankaras.

Things to do in Kanpur

You can start your Kanpur trip by visiting the Kanpur Zoological Park or the Kanpur Museum. Kanpur has a lot of sites that are of archaeological and historical importance. Kanpur also has quite a lot of theme parks for you to spend a fun day with your family. The Blue World Theme Park is one of them. Not only will you be treated to adventure rides, water pools and fountains, but you will also get to witness sound and light shows, laser shows and a lot more. You will, of course, have to pay a nominal fee according to your height to enter the theme park but you will certainly make a day of it.

Go boating at the Moti Jheel. This is one of the most celebrated and popular recreational spots in the city. You can take a romantic walk around the lake or go boating to soak in the beautiful sunset. If you are in the mood to indulge in some fun shopping, Kanpur has several markets that will please the shopaholic in you. The Naveen Market, also called Khazana Mart, is your go-to place for high-end clothes, accessories and perfumes. The Parade Market on Shiwala Road is not only great for clothes and shoes, but it's also a popular location to try out street food in the city. The Sisamau Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in the city and is known for selling products from utensils to clothes. You can also visit the Valmiki Ashram in Bithoor. According to beliefs, this is where Maharishi Valmiki wrote the Ramayana.

Food and Restaurants in Kanpur

Whether you are craving for some chicken biryani or chaat, Kanpur has a place for all your moods. Baba Biryani in Swaroop Nagar is popular for serving Awadhi style biryani. Even the locals will approve of this place. Rakesh Chicken Biryani in Parade is yet another place that you must go to for some mouth-watering biryani. A lot of restaurants that serve biryani are open till 2 am so your midnight cravings are certainly taken care of in Kanpur. Makhan Singh Biryani is one of the most popular joints and make sure you order a plate of kebabs. Do not miss the mutton ishtew at the New Ajmeri Hotel.

You cannot go to a city in Uttar Pradesh and not try the chaat over there. There is an entire street in Kanpur that is dedicated to serving you all sorts of delicious chaats. The puchka or golgappa at Birhana Road is quite popular, and you will remember it for a very long time. Do try the dahi vadas here and tikkis that are made of green peas. Hanuman Chaat Bhandar in Kakadeo is yet another favourite among locals. If spending intimate time with your family that you have in mind, head over to Little Chef at Civil Lines. You must also try the desserts that Kanpur has to offer to you. Thaggu Ke Laddu is known for its Badnam kulfi and the different types of laddus. Make sure you pack some for your folks back home, too. The pedas at Ram Misthan Bhandar are also quite popular. Mithas Sweets is another sweet shop in Kanpur that is really popular for its confectionaries. The samosas, lassis and paneer tikkas are worth trying here. Terrazza 9 is a popular place for you to hangout with your friends and experience fine dining at its finest.

How to reach Kanpur (Transportation)

By Air

Kanpur is connected really well to all major cities by road, rail and air, since it is one of the important cities of Uttar Pradesh. Even though the city has its own airport, the flight connectivity from Kanpur airport is quite limited. It only connects flights to Delhi from Kanpur. To get to the other cities by air, you will have to head to the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow. If you are travelling off-season, you might get cheap flight tickets. You will come across great flight deals online.

By Rail

The Kanpur Railway Station is connected really well with other cities in the country. It is also one of the five major stations in the country. The Lucknow Swarn Shatabdi, Prayagraj Express, Howrah Rajdhani, etc. run to and from Kanpur quite frequently. However, you might want to book your tickets well in advance to avoid an uncomfortable journey to and from Kanpur.

By Road

Buses and private taxis are quite easy to find to reach Kanpur. The NH2, NH86, NH91 and the NH25 are popular routes to Kanpur. It is also easier to commute within the city. You can also book a cab for an entire day to go sightseeing within the city.

  About Dehradun Airport

Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport is located about 25 km away from the main city of Dehradun. The airport's commercial operations kicked off in 2008 after the runway was extended with a view to accommodating larger aircraft. Later in 2009, Dehradun Airport introduced the new terminal building and opened operations for the same. Jolly Grant Airport is only 20 km away from Rishikesh and about 35 km away from Haridwar. The airport access from these towns in Uttarakhand is quite strong. You can drive down to the airport from Rishikesh and Haridwar in approximately 30 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. Dehradun Airport is known to be the 37th busiest airport in the country with annual passenger traffic of 1,240,173. The airport is also called the Air Gateway of Garhwal and plays a pivotal role in contributing to the tourism of Uttarakhand. Jolly Grant is actually the name of the place in Dehradun district where the airport has been established. It is close to 27 km away from the main city. In the initial years of the airport's genesis, a regional airline called Vayudoot was operated to connect to cities such as New Delhi, Pantnagar and Lucknow.

Vayudoot operated services from 1982 to 1995. Later in 2004, Air Deccan started flight operations between Dehradun and New Delhi. The flights were operated on a daily basis and eventually, in 2006, a second flight was also added. As the Airport Authority of India toom charge, they eventually suspended all flight operations from 2007 and ordered to execute a renewed airport modernization plan. The airport authority also extended the runway of Dehradun Airport from 3,500 ft to 7,000 ft. Simultaneously, they also broadened the runway from 23 metres to 45 metres. With this, they have managed to enable accommodation of narrow-body jets such as Boeing 737 as well as Airbus 320. The airport also started a night landing system with a new terminal building as well as an Air Traffic Control tower was developed. By 2010, Air India also launched its flight connection from Dehradun to Delhi, followed by SpiceJet in 2012.

About Dehradun Airport Terminals

Jolly Grant Airport has one domestic terminal that was refurbished to bring forth the New Domestic Terminal Building. The terminal is sprawled across 4,200 square metres made of glass and steel. The structure has central air conditioning, and heating facilities are available. A specific Flight Information Displace System (FIDS) is also present within the premise of the airport. Not to mention a CCTV surveillance system that ensures strong security. The airport is known to have a capacity of handling close to 150 passengers per hour. It has been recorded that the airport can handle about 122,000 passengers annually. Currently, the new domestic terminal has 11 check-in counters, three security booths in the departure section, an X-ray baggage scanner and two conveyor belts for baggage claim. Meanwhile, the airport apron that is adjoined to the terminal has two category 'C' type of aircraft. With respect to the expansion plans as proposed by the Airport Authority of India, they will be constructing a new integrated terminal along with allied facilities to make travel efficient for passengers.

About airport authority

Dehradun Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India, a statutory body that functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of India. The statutory body is basically responsible for management, upgradation and maintenance of the infrastructure of Dehradun Airport. Along with Dehradun Airport, the Airports Authority of India manages a total of about 126 airports in India. These include 11 international airports and 11 customs airports with 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves located on military airfields. After its initial installation, AAI has been working on the expansion of the airport. Their plan is to expand the runway to accommodate more aircraft and passenger traffic. They also wish to get more airlines to fly in and out of Dehradun Airport. The new integrated terminal building that the airport is building right now is worth INR 3448 million.

Facilities at Dehradun Airport

Lounge - The airport has a dedicated waiting lounge for the passengers. The waiting lounge has a clean and hygienic restrooms and comfortable seating for passengers. The airport's lounge also provides WiFi services as well as good food. Travellers can relax in the lounge while they wait for boarding. The lounge also has modern amenities to cater to the needs of the passengers.

Baggage - The airport's baggage facilities include trolleys, wrapping services and more. The baggage services can be access at the Pantnagar terminal. The airport's terminal also has trolleys available to help passengers. The airport also has baggage claim conveyor belts to get hold of the checked luggage.

Food joints - Although Dehradun Airport doesn't have a proper restaurant facility, it does have enough food stalls and snacks joints. One can get coffee, tea and other hot beverages at the airport's departures and arrivals section of the terminal. You can avail some light refreshments while you wait at the airport for boarding.

ATMs - There are ATM kiosks also available at the airport. To help passengers withdraw money and avail some snacks or keep money in hand, the airport has installed ATM kiosks of domestic banks. The kiosk accepts all kinds of cards so the passenger would not have to worry about it.

Special assistance - Special assistance for passengers with mobility issues or other health concerns are also available. One might need to inform the airlines beforehand to get hold of special assistance from the airport. The staff is helpful and would provide wheelchairs and other assistance required.

Smoking zone - Smoking is not allowed in the premise of the airport. The airport has installed a dedicated room for smoking. Individuals can make use of the room to smoke. Purchases of cigarettes are also available at the airport, in case the passenger cannot get hold of them.

Duty-free shops - To kill time at the airport while you wait to board the flight, the airport has also installed some duty-free shops where you can get some authentic goods and items that are famous in Uttarakhand. These include perishable goods such as sweets and dry fruits as well.

Top airlines flying from Dehradun Airport

The top three airlines that are currently operating from Jolly Grant Airport are IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet. While IndiGo has three dedicated flights flying in and out of Dehradun Airport daily, both, Air India and SpiceJet have two flights respectively. Earlier, Jet Airways also operated from Jolly Grant Airport and had the highest number of flights functioning from the airport. They have six daily flights flying to and from Dehradun Airport. However, following the airline's shut down, the airport now witnesses only three airlines functioning from their airport premise. The airlines have been given slots for functioning. Since the airport's runway is small and the terminal cannot accommodate a big crowd, the schedules of the flights of the airlines have been shared on the respective airline's websites. It is essential that you go through the timings ahead of the travel. In case there are any changes in the schedules of the flights, following a weather condition, the airlines and the airport would intimate passengers about the same.

How to reach Dehradun Airport

By Bus

Dehradun's primary mode of transportation is the bus. The state also promotes its bus services. These interstate buses are available at all times during the day and have an exemplary connection. In fact, to reach Dehradun Airport, taking a bus is the best and most viable option. The buses will directly reach you to Jolly Grant Airport as they have a dedicated bus stand right outside the airport. These buses can be taken from anywhere within the state, including Rishikesh and Haridwar. Along with buses, you can also avail the services of taxi cabs and private vehicles that are present at the hill station. It might cost you more than the bus fare, but you will have a comfortable journey as you reach Dehradun Airport. It is recommended that you haggle with the private cab or taxi before you start your journey. They might charge exorbitant amounts for smaller distance. Taxicab services to reach Jolly Grant Airport can be availed from within anywhere in the state. Reaching Dehradun Airport by road is quite convenient and comfortable.

By Train

The train is another viable and cheap option to reach Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations to reach Jolly Grant Airport. The railways are also well-connected to the airport and see scheduled trains coming in from other parts of Uttarakhand. If you plan to save some money, it is advised that you take up the train as the mode of transport to reach Jolly Grant Airport. In case you are trying to reach Dehradun Airport from places in the Garhwal region such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Mussoorie then you can find cabs to reach the nearest railway station.