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About Gorakhpur
Nestled on the banks of river Rapti is this bustling city of Gorakhpur. Located in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, the city is an essential part of the state as it hosts the Indian Air Force station and is also the central administration to the North Eastern Railway Zone. The city's name comes from the spiritual significance of Saint Gorakhnath.
Another important reason that makes Gorakhpur an essential part of the state is how it directly connects to the neighbouring country, Nepal. Many tourists use the domestic route from Gorakhpur to reach Nepal, which is barely 100 km from the city. Gorakhpur has excellent flight connectivity as it does cater to international roadway routes with Nepal as a neighbour. The accommodation is quite adequate, but you can book good hotels in Gorakhpur.
Even though the domestic route to Gorakhpur is busy, it is ideal to book flight tickets in advance to avoid last-minute concerns. Not to mention how you will also be able to avail great flight deals if you make your flight bookings way ahead of schedule. The temple city has quite a few significant religious stories as well as political relevance.
Best time to visit Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur is known to have hot and dry summers with temperatures rising to 42 degree Celsius. Although the nights are comparatively cooler, the place still suffers from immense heat, which could put a damper on your plans if you wish to venture outside. The summers begin from March with May being the hottest month. Stepping out in summer is also not advised as it could lead to health concerns for some people.
Monsoons are pretty decent compared to summers as the rains make the atmosphere cooler. The air and temperature see a change with rains. However, the dull weather and mucky streets inhibit engaging in tourist activities. Sightseeing and venturing out in the city becomes problematic and is hence, avoided.
Winters bring about a pleasant temperature, making it the best season to visit the city. The months from October to February are cold and beautiful to the senses. The city experiences cool breeze and quaint ambience that also make travelling and indulging in tourist activities more convenient. The cosy vibes further add to the charm of Gorakhpur that can best be experienced during winters.
Places to see in Gorakhpur
Gorakhnath Temple
The Gorakhnath Temple was built in honour of Guru Gorakhnath. The venerated guru's teachings have since been followed diligently by his followers. The temple holds religious significance in Gorakhpur. Visit the temple to know more about the guru and how the religious premise came into existence.
Gita Press
As the name goes, the Gita Press was founded in 1923 to propagate the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita. The history of Gita press is quite interesting. Even though the press house was inaugurated in 1955, works on the press began way before it. Take a tour around the press house and learn more about the press and its relevance to society.
Archaeological Museum
Gorakhpur's prime tourist attraction is the archaeological museum which was founded in 1957. With intriguing stamps, photographs, sculptures and coins that give a peek into the past and cultural history of Gorakhpur, the museum has preserved it perfectly well. Interestingly, the museum also hosts a plethora of events such as pottery classes, how to make tools out of stones and past-life therapy for individuals to look back into their past-life. The museum is maintained by the Department of Ancient Indian History, Archaeology & Culture of the Gorakhpur University.
Arogya Mandir
The Arogya Mandir is the main highlight of the city of Gorakhpur. The premise is actually a wellness centre where you can enhance your health and further rejuvenate your mind and soul. The mandir also has accommodation setting introduced much recently to make it easy for patients to stay back for a complete cure before they can return. There are life lessons and healing endeavours that take place in the vicinity. You can enrol for their 10-day program to work on your health. The complex was acquired by Dr Vithal Das Modi in 1940, to help better people's lives with simple lessons.
The Arogya Mandir offers numerous therapies such as mud-therapy, hydrotherapy, yoga and Pranayam (meditation), steam bath and particular emphasis on diet. Specific pathological checkups are also done to learn the cause of the patient's health concern. Going in the lines of Vipassana, taught by Gautama Buddha, the health setup follows a similar pattern to work on the health of the patient. This is not something you can plan after reaching Gorakhpur. Plan for the health camp ahead of the visit to ensure that you have enrolled for it.
Things to do in Gorakhpur
Cool off at the Neernikunj Water Park
The Neernikunj Water Park is one of the few tourist attractions in Gorakhpur. You can take a day out of your schedule and head straight to the water park—bid farewell to the hot climate that envelopes the city otherwise. The water park would be a fun activity to pick, especially if you plan to unwind from your hectic schedule.
Explore the beautiful Vidyavasini Park
Although there is not much that you can do at Vidyavasini Park, one of the best things to do would be to pack a nice picnic lunch and take your family to the lush green park. The setting is quite beautiful as the open space would allow your kids to run around in the park.
Take your kids to the Railway Museum.
The Railway Museum is yet another tourist attraction that is majorly themed to cater to the families with little kids. It would be an educational expedition for them as they will get to learn more about the origin of the rail system.
Food and Restaurants in Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur's cuisine is to die for. The place has marvellous Mughlai cuisine that ranges from mild to extremely spicy. From kebabs to koftas, biryanis to pulao's, indulge in some of the best Mughlai food that you will find in India. The city is actually touted to make some of the best dishes from the said cuisine. Head to Tandoor Food, located near Golghar, to get the best of Mughlai food experience. The food joint only opens for dinner and does not have any seating arrangement or dine-out facilities.
Aside from mouth-watering Mughlai food, the second-best food to indulge in would definitely be their kakori kebabs. The flavoured meat grilled to perfections spells magic and certainly worth the penny.
Mirch Masala, Choudhry Hotel and Bobi's restaurant offer lip-smacking cuisine that would make you a fan of the place and their food. However, if street food is what you wish to explore then head straight to the Gorakhpur Railway Station as the area around it have a slew of hawkers and street food artists who make memorable kebabs and other dishes.
How to reach Gorakhpur (Transportation)
By Air
Located only 6 km away from the city centre, the Gorakhpur Airport sees great flight connectivity, owing to many tourists using this domestic route to cross the border and reach Nepal. There are daily flights available to and from Gorakhpur from a majority of metropolitan cities. Urban cities such as Mumbai Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Delhi have daily flights dedicated to flying in and out of Gorakhpur. Booking flight tickets to Gorakhpur well in advance is not necessary as the flight tickets are cheap and affordable.
However, it is recommended that you book hotels in Gorakhpur before departing. It would be less cumbersome to find transport from the airport if you already have a hotel shuttle service to pick you up. The government actually converted the Air Force Station in 2003 to make the airport open for commercial use. Although no direct international routes taken by flights from Gorakhpur, there are buses available to take travellers to Nepal.
By Rail
Known to be one of the most important cities in Uttar Pradesh, the Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station is excellently connected to different parts of the country. Daily, trains from Bangalore Mumbai Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, Kolkata and more have dedicated trains going to and from Gorakhpur. Getting a train ticket could be quite challenging as the trains to Gorakhpur are always on demand. Another attribute that makes the city's railway an asset to the country is the fact that it is the headquarters to North Eastern Railway Zone.
By Road
State-owned Uttar Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) have bus services from Lucknow, Delhi, Azamgarh, Bareilly and more cities. Gorakhpur also has intercity and interstate bus services as well as cross-border transport facilities. Since the city is only 100 km away from Nepal, there are buses that take international routes to and from Gorakhpur. From deluxe to non-AC, there is a wide range of luxury buses that you can book. Although Gorakhpur is brilliantly connected across various cities in India, the sheer duration of time makes it a cumbersome mode of transport. Flights to Gorakhpur are a favourable option, as are railways.
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 SpiceJet
SpiceJet is one of the most popular airlines in India and quite affordable, too. Lowest airfares and high customer value is what the airline aims to deliver to its passengers. The airline has 630 daily flights operating to 64 destinations, of which 15 are international destinations. It has hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. One of the specialities of the airlines is its dynamic fares. It makes sure that the fares are affordable to every citizen of the country. Spicejet is practical and yet stylish, and there is no denying it. The airline also has a very efficient and helpful crew who make sure that you have had a safe and comfortable flight. It was founded in 2004 as Royal Airways and commenced operations in 2005 as SpiceJet. The first flight was operated between Mumbai and Delhi after which it soon became the third-largest low-cost carrier in the share market after Air Deccan and Indigo. Media magnate Kalanidhi Maran also acquired a major stake in the airline through Sun Group. The company was originally acquired by entrepreneur Ajay Singh who is the Managing Director of the airline.
SpiceJet initially leased two Boeing 737-800 aircraft when it started operations and had planned to order ten new crafts to expand. By 2010, the airline ordered 30 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and 15 Bombardier Q4 Dash. Though the airline suffered a lot of loss in 2012 due to the increase in global crude prices, it recovered and returned to profits later that year. SpiceJetrecently added the B737 - Max 8 aircraft to its fleet, which is a state-of-the-art aircraft. Most SpiceJet flights can seat from 150 to 200 passengers, except the Bombardier Q400 that only seats between 78 to 90 passengers.
The airline also has an elite SpiceClub, a membership program for passengers that offers a lot of privileges and benefits. You can earn frequent flyer points for every Rs. 100/- spent on the flights, along with the add-ons. If you have enough points, you might even get a chance to fly for free. The airline now also offers premium services to passengers who fly under the SpiceMax program. It allows passengers to choose their seats well in advance along with priority check-in and boarding, priority baggage handling but at a higher price. SpiceJet also has a cargo airline called SpiceXpress which was launched in 2018. It became the first airline that operated freight services between Southeast Asia and North East India after it began its services in 2019 between Guwahati and Hong Kong.
Fleet Size of SpiceJet
With increasing popularity, the airline kept adding more aircraft to increase efficiency. The maximum number of passengers that a SpiceJet flight can seat is up to 212, depending on the aircraft, of course. Boeing 737-900 ER is one of the largest economy passenger flights that can accommodate 212 passengers. Boeing 737-900 can seat 139 economy class passengers and 28 business class passengers. SpiceJet has 4 Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft and only one Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Boeing 737 Max 8 is an upgrade from the previous aircraft and has a narrow body. It can seat 189 economy class passengers. However, due to two fatal accidents of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, the aircraft was grounded worldwide. Approximately 346 people lost their lives in these plane crashes, which is one of the primary reasons for the aircraft to get grounded worldwide. The Civil Aviation Administration of China was the first one to ground the aircraft nationwide, and other countries followed suit. The aircraft is expected to start flying after some major changes to its flight control system. There are a total 54 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts in service of which 18 also cater to a few business class passengers.
Boeing 737-700 has seven aircraft of which four can accommodate business class passengers. The total capacity of these aircraft is between 134 to 149. SpiceJet also has 2 Airbus A320-200 aircraft that can accommodate up to 180 passengers. The Bombardier Q400 is a comparatively smaller aircraft that accommodates fewer passengers as compared to the Boeing aircraft. SpiceJet has about 32 of these that can accommodate 78 to 90 passengers. SpiceJet has announced that it will induct 16 Boeing 737-800 and 5 more Bombardier Q400, owing to the demand. Since SpiceJet also caters to business class and premium passengers who are willing to pay extra for comfort and exclusive offers, you will find a lot of flights that have sections reserved for these passengers in the aircraft. The best part about the Bombardier Q400 is that there are two people on either side of the aircraft, which makes more room for you to have a relaxing journey. However, it only flies to shorter distances as compared to the other aircraft.
Baggage Allowance
Like most airlines, SpiceJet also has a specific set of rules adhering to the baggage that you can and cannot carry. There are a certain set of rules for domestic passengers and other sets of rules for passengers travelling internationally. Spicejet has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger must follow. Currently, domestic passengers are allowed only one check-in baggage that does not exceed 20 kgs. Passengers who are carrying more than the baggage allowance will have to bear extra costs and will need to be booked at least 6 hours before the flight departure. Make sure you are not carrying any radioactive or explosive items in your baggage. You also have to steer clear of corrosives like acids, alkalis, mercury and compressed flammable or combustible gases. There are also certain rules with carrying your phone charger and power banks that you must follow. You can only carry these in your hand luggage and not your check-in luggage.
It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you won't have to spend a lot of time at the counter. You can just collect your boarding pass, hand over your luggage and head to the gate. SpiceJet allows the Free Baggage Allowance of the International sector if you are travelling from domestic to international or vice versa on a connecting flight within 24 hours. If you have a connecting flight and have to change to another airline, you are allowed Free Baggage Allowance of one check-in bag weighing 20 kg or less. Again, you need to ensure that you are not carrying anything that you are not allowed to carry. It is also advisable that you do not pack your valuables like jewellery, money or electronics in your check-in luggage. Make sure you add those to your hand luggage since the airline is not responsible for any damage to property. It is also a piece of thoughtful advice to protect your assets.
In-flight Services
Though SpiceJet used to function on economy class-only seating when it commenced operations, it introduced premium in-flight services to SpiceJet passengers under the title SpiceMax. Passengers are offered additional benefits like pre-assigned seats with extra legroom, priority check-in and boarding, meals onboard and so on at a higher price. You are also eligible for a complimentary upgrade and free cancellation. The airline does not offer or provide complimentary meals to passengers flying by economy class. Though it has a frequent flyer programme, it does not provide in-flight entertainment options. With the airline evolving and introducing new offers and services to keep its customers happy, don't be surprised if they introduce in-flight entertainment services for the premium passengers.
Popular Routes and Top Cities for SpiceJet
SpiceJet connects to various domestic and international routes on a daily basis. It connects to 54 Indian destinations and 15 international destinations with 630 flights operating on a regular basis. It has its hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad so don't be surprised if your flights have layovers at these cities whether you travel domestically or internationally. The staff is quite accommodating and helpful. They will help you out with any query that you have regarding your layovers or other flight details. Do make sure you are allowed to step out of the airport and explore the surrounding area before you board the flight again after your layover.
Why Travel by SpiceJet?
SpiceJet is not only one of the most affordable airlines in India, but it is also an efficient one. The airline ensures that its passengers are informed about the flight status more than just once along with the SpiceJet flight schedule. Even if your flight witnesses the slightest delay, the authorities make sure they keep you informed about it so you can plan your commute to the airport according to that. Web check-in is also made easy through your phone or using a kiosk at the airport. Booking a SpiceJet ticket is also quite easy and anything but complicated. It aims to attract passengers with low fares and quality service. It also manages to live up to its mission. The staff is also quite friendly and helpful.
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 Gorakhpur
Nestled on the banks of river Rapti is this bustling city of Gorakhpur. Located in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, the city is an essential part of the state as it hosts the Indian Air Force station and is also the central administration to the North Eastern Railway Zone. The city's name comes from the spiritual significance of Saint Gorakhnath.
Another important reason that makes Gorakhpur an essential part of the state is how it directly connects to the neighbouring country, Nepal. Many tourists use the domestic route from Gorakhpur to reach Nepal, which is barely 100 km from the city. Gorakhpur has excellent flight connectivity as it does cater to international roadway routes with Nepal as a neighbour. The accommodation is quite adequate, but you can book good hotels in Gorakhpur.
Even though the domestic route to Gorakhpur is busy, it is ideal to book flight tickets in advance to avoid last-minute concerns. Not to mention how you will also be able to avail great flight deals if you make your flight bookings way ahead of schedule. The temple city has quite a few significant religious stories as well as political relevance.
Best time to visit Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur is known to have hot and dry summers with temperatures rising to 42 degree Celsius. Although the nights are comparatively cooler, the place still suffers from immense heat, which could put a damper on your plans if you wish to venture outside. The summers begin from March with May being the hottest month. Stepping out in summer is also not advised as it could lead to health concerns for some people.
Monsoons are pretty decent compared to summers as the rains make the atmosphere cooler. The air and temperature see a change with rains. However, the dull weather and mucky streets inhibit engaging in tourist activities. Sightseeing and venturing out in the city becomes problematic and is hence, avoided.
Winters bring about a pleasant temperature, making it the best season to visit the city. The months from October to February are cold and beautiful to the senses. The city experiences cool breeze and quaint ambience that also make travelling and indulging in tourist activities more convenient. The cosy vibes further add to the charm of Gorakhpur that can best be experienced during winters.
Places to see in Gorakhpur
Gorakhnath Temple
The Gorakhnath Temple was built in honour of Guru Gorakhnath. The venerated guru's teachings have since been followed diligently by his followers. The temple holds religious significance in Gorakhpur. Visit the temple to know more about the guru and how the religious premise came into existence.
Gita Press
As the name goes, the Gita Press was founded in 1923 to propagate the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita. The history of Gita press is quite interesting. Even though the press house was inaugurated in 1955, works on the press began way before it. Take a tour around the press house and learn more about the press and its relevance to society.
Archaeological Museum
Gorakhpur's prime tourist attraction is the archaeological museum which was founded in 1957. With intriguing stamps, photographs, sculptures and coins that give a peek into the past and cultural history of Gorakhpur, the museum has preserved it perfectly well. Interestingly, the museum also hosts a plethora of events such as pottery classes, how to make tools out of stones and past-life therapy for individuals to look back into their past-life. The museum is maintained by the Department of Ancient Indian History, Archaeology & Culture of the Gorakhpur University.
Arogya Mandir
The Arogya Mandir is the main highlight of the city of Gorakhpur. The premise is actually a wellness centre where you can enhance your health and further rejuvenate your mind and soul. The mandir also has accommodation setting introduced much recently to make it easy for patients to stay back for a complete cure before they can return. There are life lessons and healing endeavours that take place in the vicinity. You can enrol for their 10-day program to work on your health. The complex was acquired by Dr Vithal Das Modi in 1940, to help better people's lives with simple lessons.
The Arogya Mandir offers numerous therapies such as mud-therapy, hydrotherapy, yoga and Pranayam (meditation), steam bath and particular emphasis on diet. Specific pathological checkups are also done to learn the cause of the patient's health concern. Going in the lines of Vipassana, taught by Gautama Buddha, the health setup follows a similar pattern to work on the health of the patient. This is not something you can plan after reaching Gorakhpur. Plan for the health camp ahead of the visit to ensure that you have enrolled for it.
Things to do in Gorakhpur
Cool off at the Neernikunj Water Park
The Neernikunj Water Park is one of the few tourist attractions in Gorakhpur. You can take a day out of your schedule and head straight to the water park—bid farewell to the hot climate that envelopes the city otherwise. The water park would be a fun activity to pick, especially if you plan to unwind from your hectic schedule.
Explore the beautiful Vidyavasini Park
Although there is not much that you can do at Vidyavasini Park, one of the best things to do would be to pack a nice picnic lunch and take your family to the lush green park. The setting is quite beautiful as the open space would allow your kids to run around in the park.
Take your kids to the Railway Museum.
The Railway Museum is yet another tourist attraction that is majorly themed to cater to the families with little kids. It would be an educational expedition for them as they will get to learn more about the origin of the rail system.
Food and Restaurants in Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur's cuisine is to die for. The place has marvellous Mughlai cuisine that ranges from mild to extremely spicy. From kebabs to koftas, biryanis to pulao's, indulge in some of the best Mughlai food that you will find in India. The city is actually touted to make some of the best dishes from the said cuisine. Head to Tandoor Food, located near Golghar, to get the best of Mughlai food experience. The food joint only opens for dinner and does not have any seating arrangement or dine-out facilities.
Aside from mouth-watering Mughlai food, the second-best food to indulge in would definitely be their kakori kebabs. The flavoured meat grilled to perfections spells magic and certainly worth the penny.
Mirch Masala, Choudhry Hotel and Bobi's restaurant offer lip-smacking cuisine that would make you a fan of the place and their food. However, if street food is what you wish to explore then head straight to the Gorakhpur Railway Station as the area around it have a slew of hawkers and street food artists who make memorable kebabs and other dishes.
How to reach Gorakhpur (Transportation)
By Air
Located only 6 km away from the city centre, the Gorakhpur Airport sees great flight connectivity, owing to many tourists using this domestic route to cross the border and reach Nepal. There are daily flights available to and from Gorakhpur from a majority of metropolitan cities. Urban cities such as Mumbai Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Delhi have daily flights dedicated to flying in and out of Gorakhpur. Booking flight tickets to Gorakhpur well in advance is not necessary as the flight tickets are cheap and affordable.
However, it is recommended that you book hotels in Gorakhpur before departing. It would be less cumbersome to find transport from the airport if you already have a hotel shuttle service to pick you up. The government actually converted the Air Force Station in 2003 to make the airport open for commercial use. Although no direct international routes taken by flights from Gorakhpur, there are buses available to take travellers to Nepal.
By Rail
Known to be one of the most important cities in Uttar Pradesh, the Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station is excellently connected to different parts of the country. Daily, trains from Bangalore Mumbai Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, Kolkata and more have dedicated trains going to and from Gorakhpur. Getting a train ticket could be quite challenging as the trains to Gorakhpur are always on demand. Another attribute that makes the city's railway an asset to the country is the fact that it is the headquarters to North Eastern Railway Zone.
By Road
State-owned Uttar Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) have bus services from Lucknow, Delhi, Azamgarh, Bareilly and more cities. Gorakhpur also has intercity and interstate bus services as well as cross-border transport facilities. Since the city is only 100 km away from Nepal, there are buses that take international routes to and from Gorakhpur. From deluxe to non-AC, there is a wide range of luxury buses that you can book. Although Gorakhpur is brilliantly connected across various cities in India, the sheer duration of time makes it a cumbersome mode of transport. Flights to Gorakhpur are a favourable option, as are railways.
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 SpiceJet
SpiceJet is one of the most popular airlines in India and quite affordable, too. Lowest airfares and high customer value is what the airline aims to deliver to its passengers. The airline has 630 daily flights operating to 64 destinations, of which 15 are international destinations. It has hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. One of the specialities of the airlines is its dynamic fares. It makes sure that the fares are affordable to every citizen of the country. Spicejet is practical and yet stylish, and there is no denying it. The airline also has a very efficient and helpful crew who make sure that you have had a safe and comfortable flight. It was founded in 2004 as Royal Airways and commenced operations in 2005 as SpiceJet. The first flight was operated between Mumbai and Delhi after which it soon became the third-largest low-cost carrier in the share market after Air Deccan and Indigo. Media magnate Kalanidhi Maran also acquired a major stake in the airline through Sun Group. The company was originally acquired by entrepreneur Ajay Singh who is the Managing Director of the airline.
SpiceJet initially leased two Boeing 737-800 aircraft when it started operations and had planned to order ten new crafts to expand. By 2010, the airline ordered 30 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and 15 Bombardier Q4 Dash. Though the airline suffered a lot of loss in 2012 due to the increase in global crude prices, it recovered and returned to profits later that year. SpiceJetrecently added the B737 - Max 8 aircraft to its fleet, which is a state-of-the-art aircraft. Most SpiceJet flights can seat from 150 to 200 passengers, except the Bombardier Q400 that only seats between 78 to 90 passengers.
The airline also has an elite SpiceClub, a membership program for passengers that offers a lot of privileges and benefits. You can earn frequent flyer points for every Rs. 100/- spent on the flights, along with the add-ons. If you have enough points, you might even get a chance to fly for free. The airline now also offers premium services to passengers who fly under the SpiceMax program. It allows passengers to choose their seats well in advance along with priority check-in and boarding, priority baggage handling but at a higher price. SpiceJet also has a cargo airline called SpiceXpress which was launched in 2018. It became the first airline that operated freight services between Southeast Asia and North East India after it began its services in 2019 between Guwahati and Hong Kong.
Fleet Size of SpiceJet
With increasing popularity, the airline kept adding more aircraft to increase efficiency. The maximum number of passengers that a SpiceJet flight can seat is up to 212, depending on the aircraft, of course. Boeing 737-900 ER is one of the largest economy passenger flights that can accommodate 212 passengers. Boeing 737-900 can seat 139 economy class passengers and 28 business class passengers. SpiceJet has 4 Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft and only one Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Boeing 737 Max 8 is an upgrade from the previous aircraft and has a narrow body. It can seat 189 economy class passengers. However, due to two fatal accidents of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, the aircraft was grounded worldwide. Approximately 346 people lost their lives in these plane crashes, which is one of the primary reasons for the aircraft to get grounded worldwide. The Civil Aviation Administration of China was the first one to ground the aircraft nationwide, and other countries followed suit. The aircraft is expected to start flying after some major changes to its flight control system. There are a total 54 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts in service of which 18 also cater to a few business class passengers.
Boeing 737-700 has seven aircraft of which four can accommodate business class passengers. The total capacity of these aircraft is between 134 to 149. SpiceJet also has 2 Airbus A320-200 aircraft that can accommodate up to 180 passengers. The Bombardier Q400 is a comparatively smaller aircraft that accommodates fewer passengers as compared to the Boeing aircraft. SpiceJet has about 32 of these that can accommodate 78 to 90 passengers. SpiceJet has announced that it will induct 16 Boeing 737-800 and 5 more Bombardier Q400, owing to the demand. Since SpiceJet also caters to business class and premium passengers who are willing to pay extra for comfort and exclusive offers, you will find a lot of flights that have sections reserved for these passengers in the aircraft. The best part about the Bombardier Q400 is that there are two people on either side of the aircraft, which makes more room for you to have a relaxing journey. However, it only flies to shorter distances as compared to the other aircraft.
Baggage Allowance
Like most airlines, SpiceJet also has a specific set of rules adhering to the baggage that you can and cannot carry. There are a certain set of rules for domestic passengers and other sets of rules for passengers travelling internationally. Spicejet has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger must follow. Currently, domestic passengers are allowed only one check-in baggage that does not exceed 20 kgs. Passengers who are carrying more than the baggage allowance will have to bear extra costs and will need to be booked at least 6 hours before the flight departure. Make sure you are not carrying any radioactive or explosive items in your baggage. You also have to steer clear of corrosives like acids, alkalis, mercury and compressed flammable or combustible gases. There are also certain rules with carrying your phone charger and power banks that you must follow. You can only carry these in your hand luggage and not your check-in luggage.
It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you won't have to spend a lot of time at the counter. You can just collect your boarding pass, hand over your luggage and head to the gate. SpiceJet allows the Free Baggage Allowance of the International sector if you are travelling from domestic to international or vice versa on a connecting flight within 24 hours. If you have a connecting flight and have to change to another airline, you are allowed Free Baggage Allowance of one check-in bag weighing 20 kg or less. Again, you need to ensure that you are not carrying anything that you are not allowed to carry. It is also advisable that you do not pack your valuables like jewellery, money or electronics in your check-in luggage. Make sure you add those to your hand luggage since the airline is not responsible for any damage to property. It is also a piece of thoughtful advice to protect your assets.
In-flight Services
Though SpiceJet used to function on economy class-only seating when it commenced operations, it introduced premium in-flight services to SpiceJet passengers under the title SpiceMax. Passengers are offered additional benefits like pre-assigned seats with extra legroom, priority check-in and boarding, meals onboard and so on at a higher price. You are also eligible for a complimentary upgrade and free cancellation. The airline does not offer or provide complimentary meals to passengers flying by economy class. Though it has a frequent flyer programme, it does not provide in-flight entertainment options. With the airline evolving and introducing new offers and services to keep its customers happy, don't be surprised if they introduce in-flight entertainment services for the premium passengers.
Popular Routes and Top Cities for SpiceJet
SpiceJet connects to various domestic and international routes on a daily basis. It connects to 54 Indian destinations and 15 international destinations with 630 flights operating on a regular basis. It has its hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad so don't be surprised if your flights have layovers at these cities whether you travel domestically or internationally. The staff is quite accommodating and helpful. They will help you out with any query that you have regarding your layovers or other flight details. Do make sure you are allowed to step out of the airport and explore the surrounding area before you board the flight again after your layover.
Why Travel by SpiceJet?
SpiceJet is not only one of the most affordable airlines in India, but it is also an efficient one. The airline ensures that its passengers are informed about the flight status more than just once along with the SpiceJet flight schedule. Even if your flight witnesses the slightest delay, the authorities make sure they keep you informed about it so you can plan your commute to the airport according to that. Web check-in is also made easy through your phone or using a kiosk at the airport. Booking a SpiceJet ticket is also quite easy and anything but complicated. It aims to attract passengers with low fares and quality service. It also manages to live up to its mission. The staff is also quite friendly and helpful.
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.
