Indore to Gwalior 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 Gwalior

Gwalior is known to be one of the major cities in Madhya Pradesh with pivotal cultural and political significance. The city is illustrious concerning the history, culture and royal appeal. The city has seen rulers from the 13th-century Tomars to the Mughal Empire to the Marathas to the 18th-century Scindias. Although the Scindias do not rule the city of Gwalior anymore, the descendants of the royal family continue to stay in the palace built by their ancestors. Gwalior easily becomes one of the most important as well as developed cities in India.

Best time to visit Gwalior

Gwalior sees cool winters as the temperatures range around 25 degrees Celsius but can even go to subzero levels. Thanks to such temperatures, the air is cool, and the vibe is quite pleasant. This makes it one of the best seasons to visit the city. Pick any months from October to March, and you'll have a good time in Gwalior. Between November and December, there is a lovely Tandem Music Festival that takes place to celebrate classical music. If you are a music enthusiast who would enjoy some classical tunes, then you should opt for these months.

Gwalior has a reputation for enjoying a subtropical climate. This means the atmosphere is hot and mildly humid as well. It does increase during monsoon, though. As the heavy rains take over the streets of Gwalior, the humidity in the air also escalates to an unbearable level. The temperatures too see an erratic change as it ranges between 25 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius. If you can handle the humidity then going to Gwalior would be fun.

Summers are the worst in Gwalior as the temperatures skyrocket to 48 degrees Celsius, which is pretty bad. People have often succumbed to heat strokes and other such health hazards. Even though the flight tickets are cheap as it is off-season, avoid going to Gwalior during this time unless you have some professional commitment that needs to be addressed. For tourism, summers aren't the best.

Places to visit in Gwalior

Gwalior Fort

One of the most impressive attractions in Gwalior is the Gwalior Fort. The structure is visible from all corners of the city, much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Perched over a high cliff, the impenetrable fortress stares down at the beautiful city of Gwalior. It'll take you an entire day to complete a tour of the fort but the time will undoubtedly be worth it.

Jai Vilas Palace

Built by Jayaji Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior, the Jai Vilas Palace came into existence to flaunt the opulent culture and heritage of Madhya Pradesh. While the descendants of the royal family continue to live in the majestic palace, there is a segment that is open for tourism. The state has also installed a museum within the palace premise which sheds light on the history and British influence as well.

Man Mandir Palace

Man Mandir Palace is built within the vicinity of Jai Vilas Palace, by Man Singh Tomar. Although, some segments of the palace have turned into ruins, nevertheless, there are some relics of the royal Tomars, who lived in the palace. The structure should definitely be explored as it offers a glimpse at some fun history.

Teli Ka Mandir

Teli Ka Mandir is another important tourist attraction that should be visited in Gwalior. The Hindu temple has some illustrious architecture with an amalgam of inspirations from North as well as South. The temple is built for Lord Vishnu. It is said that the temple grounds were used to process oil, which is how the temple got its name.

Sun Temple

The famed Sun Temple is located in the city of Gwalior. The temple was constructed by industrialist GD Birla in 1988 and has since been a tourist place that attracts many devotees. Be it the architectural bliss and the tranquil environment that the temple possesses, it manages to see a lot of ardent followers of Sun God, who visit the place to seek blessings.

Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus

Mohammad Ghaus was a 26th-century Sufi saint who played an advisor to King Babur as well as helped train Tansen, who went ahead to become a music prodigy. The tomb has been built in honour of the Saint who played a pivotal role during King Babur's rule. Hence, the architectural style of the tomb is very Mughal-inspired and continues to see tremendous visitors.

Things to do in Gwalior

Explore the Scindia Museum

Take a tour through the quaint European-style Scindia Museum to learn more about the Gwalior history. There are glass furniture's, model trains and exhibitions of intriguing artefacts from the Scindia Dynasty that you'll find in the museum. Take this time to delve into the history and learn and the cultural heritage of the royal family.

Langar at the Gurdwara Bandi Chor Sahib

Aside from being a spiritual expedition, the biggest highlight of gurdwaras is the lovely langars that the authorities host to ensure that no person leaves the premise hungry. While you learn about the sixth guru of the Sikhs at the Gurdwara, you can further enjoy the delicious Langar food too.

Shopping spree at Sarafa Bazaar

Gwalior's famous market place, Sarafa Bazaar, beckons all shopaholics to come over and peruse through the authentic collection of souvenirs, collectibles, clothes and other such commodities. What makes the shopping experience engaging is how you can also indulge in some street food while you're purchasing beautiful things from the marketplace.

Stroll around Phool Bagh

The garden was originally built by Madho Rao Scindia and later inaugurated by the Prince of Wales during his visit in 1922, the vicinity has a sacred space dedicated to prayers. While the premise of the Phool Bagh is beautiful owing to the plants and flowers, it will also put you in a state of happy trance as it also boasts tranquillity.

Food and Restaurants in Gwalior

Gwalior's restaurants have managed to find fame in some of the big metropolitan cities. For an exquisite thali venerating the cuisine of MP, visit Panchvati Gaurav. They only serve thalis with unlimited refills. You will ask for more as the thali has some of the finest dishes from the laps of Madhya Pradesh. Moti Mahal Deluxe is another famous restaurant in Gwalior that offers some of the best delicacies in the city. Similar to Panchvati Gaurav is the Rajasthani Bhojanalaya, where you will get the authentic cuisine of the desert state of India.

Stuff yourself with the lip-smacking daal bhati churma, various flavours of daal, jalebi with rabdi and many such flavourful dishes. Other venerated restaurants with a strong legacy in Gwalior include The Mansingh, Alfanzo and Volga Restaurant that had consistently kept customers happy.

How to reach Gwalior

By Air

Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, or better known as Gwalior Airport, is actually an Indian Air Force Base which was later converted into a commercial airport. Intending to enhance the connectivity of the state of Madhya Pradesh, the state government transformed the essential Air Force Base station into an airport. This has actually helped better the flight connectivity to and from Gwalior. Although an Air Force Base stationing Mirage fighters is also prevalent in the area, the bigger expanse has been given to the airport.

Various domestic airlines fly via domestic routes connect Gwalior to big cities in India. While Air India has flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai and Indore, SpiceJet has dedicated flights flying to and from Bangalore, Jammu, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Overall, exceptional flight connectivity makes it easier to travel to Gwalior. One can book flight tickets to Gwalior for a cheap and affordable rate. Peruse a little more, and you will be able to snag some online flight deals for your flight tickets to Gwalior.

By Rail

Just like the flight connectivity, Gwalior' railway is also well-connected across the country. There are dedicated direct trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jammu Amritsar, Kanyakumari, Patna, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Nagpur, Dehradun, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and more major cities. The Gwalior Railway station falls under the jurisdiction of Jhansi Rail Division and is one of the major railway stations in Madhya Pradesh.

Getting ticket reservations is a little tough as the line is busy and always on demand. Nevertheless, trains are an easy way to reach Gwalior, and they are comfortable as well. From the railway station, you can easily venture into the city as there are auto-rickshaws, auto tempos, prepaid taxi cabs and more available. The city is entirely developed with fancy hotels to book. Make your hotel bookings ahead of the travel though.

By Road

The big city of Gwalior has impeccable roadway network too. The National Express Highway as well as the National Highway 3 (famously known as the Agra-Mumbai road) help connect Gwalior to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Indore and Agra. There are many bus services, both state-owned and private, that run within the city. However, the roadway could get time-consuming and hence isn't always the first option.

  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.