Indore to Agra Flights

  About Indore

Indore, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the largest cities in the state. The city's rich culture and history are what makes this city special. It is also one of the education hubs in the country. It has an IIT as well as an IIM college. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is a popular tourist attraction here. According to beliefs, Lord Indra meditated hereafter which Swami Indrapuri established the temple. This is also one of the pivotal reasons why the city was named Indore. It is also voted as one of the cleanest cities in India.

Best Time to Visit Indore

October to March is considered to be ideal for planning a trip to Indore, so from July to September. Summers can get pretty hot here and is not the best time to plan a trip to Indore. The city experiences winter from October to March and the climate is quite pleasant. This is also the peak season, so make sure you keep an eye out for good flight deals to Indore. You can explore the city during the day and night, too, in winter. You can also book a hotel in Indore that has a scenic view and with good offers.

Monsoon begins from July and lasts till September. The city experiences moderate to heavy rainfalls but very frequently. The climate is humid, and while you can enjoy sightseeing at certain locations in the city, other activities might come to a standstill because of the rains. Since this is off-season in the city, you might get cheap flight tickets to Indore.

Summers are from March till June. The temperature goes up to 45 degree Celsius, and the weather is also quite humid, which makes it the worst time to visit the city. Even though evenings and nights can be quite pleasant, getting out of your hotel room during the day can drain you, thanks to the humidity.

Places to Visit in Indore

Indore's Lal Bagh Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city for all the right reasons. The rulers of the Holkar dynasty used to reside in the palace, and the palace reflects the grand lifestyle of the rulers. The European style of architecture, the exquisite Persian and the magnificent chandeliers add to the royalty of the palace. Kanch Mandir, which is close to Rajwada Palace, is also known for its architecture. It is made of Belgian stained glass and mirrors. The Rajwada Palace, built-in 1747 AD by Malhar Rao Holkar is another palace that will leave you impressed. The 200-year-old palace is a blend of Maratha, Mughal and French styles of architecture. You can also book a hotel in Indore that is closer to the Rajwada Palace. The city has a lot of palaces and structures that were built by and during the Holkar dynasty.

If you are visiting Indore during monsoon, make sure you check out the Patalpani waterfall that is about 30 km away from the city. Soak in this picturesque view with a few snacks that you can buy from the stalls near the waterfall. The Annapurna temple sees a lot of tourists and devotees every year. Dedicated to the Goddess of food, this temple looks grand with four life-sized elephant sculptures at the entrance. You can embrace your spiritual side at the temple. Sarafa Market is one of the most popular places for you to try the mouth-watering delicacies that Indore has to offer.

For all the animal lovers out there and budding wildlife photographers, head to the Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary. River Ganga, one of the holiest rivers in India, also flows through the forest. The Bamniya Kund is yet another waterfall that nature lovers will find peaceful. You can also tour through any one of the famous malls in the city to get your hands on some Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees. If you are good at haggling, you might even get more than what you planned to buy. After spending a day shopping for clothes, jewellery and accessories, you can spend the evening trying out the local street food in Indore.

Things to do in Indore

Visit the Rajwada Palace and be amazed by the beautiful architecture that is a blend of Mughal, Maratha and French styles. In fact, there are quite a few palaces in the city that you can visit and be amazed by their architecture. You can also go to the Central Museum to know more about Indian history, especially all the facts and stories related to Madhya Pradesh. You will also find a lot of medieval Hindu and Jain sculptures in the museum. Visit the Patalpani waterfalls to be amazed by nature. You can even look for treks and hikes that happen around the city. If you are looking for an outdoor or adventurous activity to do, you can do trekking to one of the hills or waterfalls. The wildlife sanctuaries that you visit will also be quite the experience, and you can even take stunning pictures here.

Sarafa Bazaar is a famous area in Indore. While you can go shopping for gold and silver during the day, the market becomes a place for all foodies to gather. You will find a lot of stalls and food carts selling lip-smacking food here. Go for a walk around the Choral Dam and lose yourself in the serenity of the environment as it is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Janapav Kuti is a mountain that is also the highest peak in the Vindhyachal range and the best spot for nature lovers. There are quite a lot of waterfalls that you can go to in Indore. There are also quite a few museums in the city you can visit to get to know more about the history of the state. You will also find a lot of temples where you can embrace your spiritual side or even sit and meditate for a while.

Food and Restaurants in Indore

Indore is known for its delicious Poha, Bhutte ki kees, Sabudana Khichdi, Dahi Vade, Malpuas, Jalebis and the list goes on. In fact, you even get different flavours of pani puri in the city. The Joshi Dahi Bada House at Sarafa Bazaar serves the best Dahi Vadas in the city. Garadu is a special Aloo chaat dish that is a speciality in Indore. People in Indore add a special spice mix to it, which is what makes it special. You'll find a lot of shops at Sarafa Bazaar that serve them. It might sound like a weird combination but Poha Jalebi is a very popular dish served in Indore. Do stop at Young Tarang in Chhapan Dukaan to try the Poha Jalebi.

Bhutte Ki Kees is a very special corn recipe that you must have in Indore. You won't get this elsewhere. Try out this snack at Joshi Dahi Bada House. The Khopra Patties at Vijay Chaat House in Chhapan Dukaan is also quite popular. If you want to take a break from street food, you can opt for On The House, a popular restaurant that has party rooms with themes and lip-smacking food, too. Delhi Grill is yet another restaurant that you can go to if you want to have good food on a budget. Shreemaya Celebrity, a bakery that is next to the Shreemaya Restaurant at AB Road, is another popular place in the city. It's quite affordable and an apt place to hang out with your friends or family. If it is Rajasthani food that you are craving, make sure that you stop by Nakhrali Dhani. It is one of the most excellent restaurants to have authentic Rajasthani cuisine in the city.

How to reach Indore (Transportation)

By Air

Since Indore is a popular tourist destination and capital of the state, too, it is well-connected to other cities. Not only is it an important tourism hub, but it is also a commercial hub. The flight connectivity from Indore to other cities is excellent. The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is only 8 km away from the city centre. The domestic routes from Indore to other cities are to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhopal, Delhi and so on. There aren't a lot of international flights from Indore to other countries, but you can take connecting flights to other cities from here.

By Rail

You will get direct trains to Indore from cities like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Even though the rails are well-connected to other cities, it is a long journey depending on where you board the train from. You will easily get a taxi or cab from outside the station to reach your hotel or any other part of the city.

By Road

Indore is connected to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Agra and Pune by road. The NH3, NH 59 and NH 59A highways are some of the popular routes to Indore by road. There are government-run buses and private AC buses, too, that you can opt for to reach Indore from neighbouring cities. It is not one of the most preferred modes of transport, but it is not the most tedious one, too.

  About Agra

House to UNESCO's three World Heritage sites namely, the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the Fatehpur Sikri, Agra to tourists is what flame is to moths. The illustrious history and culture of the city topped with tourist attractions make Agra fascinating. Located in Uttar Pradesh, the city is close to 200 km away from Delhi. However, thanks to the Yamuna Expressway and excellent domestic routes to Agra, the connectivity is excellent.

While the famous attractions of Agra do tell a fascinating tale, the architecture and cultural relevance further make the city alluring. From towering tombs to gorgeous mausoleums, the city of Agra places a perfect host to travellers who would like to indulge in their rich history. Not to mention how the legacy of the Mughal empire further adds more charm to the city's structures and backstory.

Places to see in Agra

The Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort easily become the two main tourist attractions in Agra . People flock over from various parts of the country and even the world to marvel at the sight of the gorgeous marble grave. At the same time, watching the Yamuna river flow in the backdrop of the red Agra Fort is another visual treat.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is the main highlight of Agra and has a humongous footfall of travellers daily. The crowd can get pretty tricky to handle sometimes, and hence, it is best to either book a tour in advance or to reach the ticketing booth early. The monument is closed on Fridays so best not to make a travel plan on the said day.

The structure is basically a mausoleum built with pristine white marble back in the 17th century. Originally a grave made in the loving memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan went ahead to bless Agra with the Taj Mahal. The architectural masterpiece with its well-maintained tombs and Indo-Islamic relevance has given it a world heritage stature. There are several stories of the Taj Mahal that make it one of the most intriguing structures in the country.

It is believed that the Mughal emperor ordered to cut away the arms of all the labourers who worked to erect the monument. Fearing that someone might emulate the beautiful structure and betray the emperor himself led Shah Jahan to take up this step.

Not just the mausoleum but even the surrounding gardens and complex altogether, are ornamental to the luxe of the Taj Mahal. The grounds of Taj Mahal certainly are charming and soothing to the eyes of a tourist. However, there are some strict rules and regulations that tourists need to follow to enter the monument, though. Since it is one of the major attractions of the city and the country, governmental interference is prevalent as phones, and other such devices are not allowed in the vicinity.

Agra Fort

Another pristine structure on the lands of Agra is the famous Agra Fort. Even though the layout of the fort is quite similar to the Red Fort in Delhi, the way it has been maintained sets the two structures apart. Constructed out of red sandstones, the Agra Fort is a landmark and the other tourist attraction of the city. Originally built by Emperor Akbar, the structure is more than 500 years old. Thanks to its historical value and the impeccable designs, the Agra Fort has gained quite a lot of momentum in the travel industry.

Tourists love to visit the Agra Fort and get a view of the white mausoleum of the Taj Mahal from the direction. The fort also has a veranda and lush gardens that have been maintained well by the authorities. Usually, tour packages come with the Taj Mahal as well as Agra Fort as tourists often head to both the monuments. However, if you wish to visit one of the structures, the cost of the ticket will change accordingly.

Things to do in Agra

The Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort might be the highlights of the city, but there is an abundance of lovely gardens and temples that you can pay a visit to. Mehtab Bagh, located bang opposite the Taj Mahal, gives a serene view of the monument sans the crowd. Plus, the Yamuna river adds a certain charm to the botanical garden's setting. You can explore more of this garden and even head to Ram Bagh and Soami Bagh to relish the landscapes. Perhaps pack a picnic for yourself and your family while you're in Agra.

There are a plethora of historical structures that have been erected in the city of Agra which you should certainly not miss. Right from Mariam's tomb to Jama Masjid, the innumerable contribution the city's structures have towards architecture makes it worth exploring. Since Agra was the capital of India during the Mughal era, much of the city's charm is actually very Indo-Islam.

During the months of February-March, a carnival takes place called Taj Mahotsav. Basically, the 10-day cultural festival celebrates art with enthusiasts flicking over from various parts of the country and even the world. If you do plan your trip around this time, you should engage one of your days to attend the festival. A special Taj Nature's Walk also takes place where you are taken through a tour of the Eastern-wing of the Taj Mahal. The garden with small waterworks makes for a delightful expedition.

Food and restaurants in Agra

Chaat lovers would be in for a treat, and Agra is a haven for those who can't get enough of street Chaat. You will find various kinds of eccentric and delicious Chaat variety at some of the restaurants and even streets. Typical items such as Aloo Tikki, Paneer Tikka, Gol Gappa, samosas, kachori, etc. can be found in all the food joints in Agra. In fact, sweet jalebis and spicy berahis are also part of the Agra food palette that you should explore.

Agra also has varied cuisine ranging from Chinese to Mughlai. Some of the best restaurants are Gulshan Highest, Joney's Place, Silk Route Restaurant and Nice Point Restaurant. These food joints are located in the prime spaces of Agra, making it easy for tourists to pick them for their gastronomical desires.

How to reach Agra (Transportation)

By Air

The closest airport to Agra is the Delhi airport. From the Indira Gandhi International Airport located in Delhi, you can head straight to the railway station or the national highway connecting Agra and Delhi. Here you will find a variety of options to travel to the city of Taj Mahal. You can either make prior bookings to tour Agra, or you can reach the city and then make bookings too. Prior hotel bookings in Agra would be helpful to you.

By Rail

Thanks to the Taj Mahal and other historic structures erected in the lovely city of Agra, the connectivity is also top-notch. Agra falls on the mainline for railways with routes such as Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai connecting with the city. In fact, there are dedicated trains stopping at Agra from significant cities with close to 20 trains coming from Delhi. All the trains usually stop at Agra Cantt and Agra Fort Station.

From Delhi aside from the usual trains, a special Taj Mahal express also departs and is promoted explicitly for tourism. This express train stops at Raja Ki Mandi station. Usually, the station is rather simple and quiet with hardly any bustling. However, come Taj Mahal express and the station springs to life with tourists making their way out to see the monument. There's a luxury train arriving from Rajasthan which has a stop at Agra. Going by the name Palace on Wheels, the train stops at Agra as part of its 8-day itinerary to cover fancy destinations in Rajasthan and Agra.

The good thing about Agra is you will find organized tours at the station itself. It is essential to make your bookings in advance if you are travelling during peak season. Travellers from Delhi can complete their Agra trip within a day. There are provisions of tours that begin from the capital so you can head out early in the morning and return by sunset. Since many domestic routes are connecting Agra to metro cities, travelling here is extremely relaxed.

By Road

Travellers picking bus as their mode of transport should get down either at Idgah Bus Stand or ISBT. The two stops mentioned are 8 km and 12 km away from the Taj Mahal, respectively. Buses are considered to be ideal options as the travel time is not tremendous. You'll spend close to 5 hours on the bus before reaching Agra.

If you're travelling from Delhi by private vehicle, you should take up the Yamuna Expressway as it connects the capital to Agra. Thanks to the brilliance of the expressway, you will actually be able to reach Agra in a decent two-hour transit. There is a toll to enter Agra, so ensure to keep some change handy. An Agra-Lucknow Expressway has also been built to reduce the travel time for travellers and enable a smooth transit. This drive would take approximately 3 hours.

  About Indore Airport

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport or popularly referred to as Indore Airport is the principal international airport that caters to the city of Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is easily one of the busiest airports in Central India and is about 8 km away from the main city. Indore Airport is known to be the 21st busiest airport in the country, as of 2020. Initially called as plain Indore Airport, the decision to name it after Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar was introduced to glorify the Holkar Dynasty of the Maratha Empire that reigned the city. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is known to accommodate about 2 million passengers annually. The airport has also been recognised by The World Book of Records with the World Standardization Certification for maintaining a spotless airport service quality. Much recently, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport started a 24*7 operation with flights taking off and landing in the night as well.

Indore Airport came into existence in 1935. However, civilian operations commenced in 1948 between Indore, Delhi, Gwalior and Mumbai. An approval to operate international flight activities was also commenced. With this, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport became the first airport in Madhya Pradesh to enable international flights and connectivity.

About Indore Airport Terminals

The airport has two terminals, one for domestic and the other for cargo operations. The domestic terminal has been developed to match international standards. All the facilities and services have been installed with modern structures. This includes escalators, high-tech baggage handling systems and various other amenities that can be availed. The terminal cargo is also perfectly maintained. The cargo's warehouses are huge, and the facilities are top-notch and better. The security to guard the cargo is also exemplary. The safety protocols have been maintained regularly. Indore Airport integrated its new terminal building and inaugurated the same in 2012. The new terminal was built by the Airports Authority of India at a whopping price of INR 1.35 billion. The airport is now capable of accommodating 700 passengers in an hour. Currently, the runway can cater to 96 flight movement daily. The international airport contains 16 check-in counters, 16 immigration booths and four customs counters. Indore Airport currently has about three aerobridges with one lift and a conveyor belt for luggage.

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport sprawls across 729 acres with the current terminal that is spread over 18,000 square metres. The airport has also reserved the south end of the runway to the MPFC Flying Club. The sole runway is about 2750 metres long and 45 metres wide.

About airport authority

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport was owned by the Holkar Dynasty when it first came into existence in 1935. However, the ownership and operations were handed over to the Airports Authority of India. AAI is a government statutory body that caters to the maintenance, upgradation and management of the civil aviation infrastructures that are being governed by them. Currently, the Airports Authority of India has a total of 126 airports under its wing. They have helped change the face of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport as well. By introducing renewed technology and modern equipment, the airport's landscape has seen some significant changes. Plus, they have also built a renewed terminal building to accommodate domestic and international carriers. There are many flights flying from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport that connect to various major and small Indian cities. Under its expansion plans, the airport body is also planning to install an airport hotel within the current integrated terminal along with a convention centre. The land is also said to be expanded to accommodate more flights.

Facilities at Indore Airport

Lounge - Indore Airport has a designated lounge called Saptagiri. The lounge is a perfect place to unwind and wait for boarding. Saptagiri has a TV installed along with a restaurant. The passenger can avail the food at reasonable prices. Simultaneously, they can be entertained by the content played on TV. The seats and meals are quite comfortable, tasty and affordable.

Restaurants and food joints - Aside from the airport's lounge, you can further avail restaurant services within the food court as well. There are designated food courts with establishments and local joints available. You can relish some of the classic Nawabi food at the airport. They also have some cafes and quaint eateries at the airport. Some of the small stores also have food and beverages sold at reasonable prices.

Shopping - Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport also has small shops set in the premise. You can find the local handicrafts and other items that reflect the culture and traditions of Indore at these shops. They are perfect for souvenir shopping for your friends and family. The shops also sell magazines, newspapers and other such entertainment content that can keep you company while you wait for boarding.

Baggage - The airport has high-tech equipment with respect to baggage. They have strict security bag checks with top-class scanners. Plus, the airline also accommodates slew of baggage services that cater to some of the needs of the passenger. These include baggage wrapping services, porter services and more. Although a dedicated storage system hasn't been installed yet, the airport does have facilities for baggage reclaim.

Travel agents - At the airport's arrivals section, you will find travel agent booths. They will help you out with all travel-related concerns. Right from booking accommodation to planning travel itineraries, the travel agents will help you with your trip to the city. Not to mention, you can also book your transportation at the travel agent's desk. You can pre-book a vehicle to take you around during your time in the city.

Smoking zones - Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has reserved special smoking lounges for travellers. They have prohibited smoking in public spaces. Hence, travellers would need to use the smoking lounge spaces. They are available at the departure and arrivals sections of the terminals.

ATMs - There are ATM kiosks present at the airport to help travellers withdraw money for their trip. In case you might have missed out on withdrawing money for the trip, the ATMs would be right there in the airport premise to help you with your cash woes.

Special assistance - For travellers who have mobility issues or need to be accompanied within the airport premise, there are provisions for the same. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has dedicated staff to cater to the special assistance and needs of the passengers. The airline must be intimated on the same beforehand to make things smoother for the passenger. You can submit a list of requirements to the airline, and the airport will take care of the rest.

Medical services - Airports must have reserved medical services. The same can be found at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport as well. They have dedicated staff to help with medical emergencies that might take place within the premise. They also have specific rooms and pharmacies to cater to the same.

Top airlines flying from Indore Airport

There are only flight services from two airlines operating from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Air India and IndiGo are the two airlines that have flights flying to and from Indore airport. The connectivity of the airport to other cities is quite limited as it is not the primary airport of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Some of the top cities that are connected to Indore Airport include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Allahabad.

How to reach Indore Airport

By Road

Although a dedicated bus stand right outside Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has not been installed yet, it does have one nearby. About 13 km away from the airport, a bus stand has been set to help passengers reach various parts of the city. You can reach the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport by getting down at the bus stand and hailing a cab or a rickshaw. There are taxis available at all times at the bus stand. Many budget travellers often use this as an option. However, if you do not want to go through the bus crowd, you can directly hail cabs from the city to reach Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. It is recommended that you fix a price with the cab driver to ensure that you are not swindled. Travelling within the city is quite easy and affordable. Often travellers take a cab from the airport to the bus stand and from here, continue their journey to other parts of Indore. Buses are usually considered as ideal modes of transport in Indore as they are affordable and connect to several parts of the city.

By Rail

The railway station is located at a distance of approximately 11 km from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Passengers who are trying to reach Indore Airport from other parts of the state can find taxi cabs at the railway station. Since the distance is not too much, travellers often consider this as the second most viable option. From the railway station, there are many taxi services to reach Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. The prices set by the cab drivers to reach Indore Airport are also quite reasonable considering the distance.