Jaisalmer to Ahmedabad Flights

  About Jaisalmer

Located on the west of Rajasthan's capital Jaipur (Pink City), is the Golden City Jaisalmer. The palatial paradise found prominence as the Golden City owing to the use of yellow sandstones to erect mansions and monuments. The use of the yellow-hued sandstone constructs much of the city's architecture. Hence, the city is always shining. To reach the Great Indian Thar Desert, you will have to reach Jaisalmer as it is near located to the desert. The population of Jaisalmer is quite less, but tourism continues to keep many people on the streets of the city.

The city found its name as Jaisalmer after the Bhati ruler, Rawal Jaisal. He founded the city back in 1156 AD and brought forth a golden-hued revolution in the face of Rajasthani architecture. As you stroll through the city, you will notice various shades of yellow as most of the structures built in the city are variations of the hue. Blessed with numerous forts and temples, the city of Jaisalmer runs heavily on tourism.

Jaisalmer recently transformed one of its civil aviation centres into an airport. Up until 2017, the closest airport was Jodhpur and travellers often used road transport to reach the beautiful city. However, with great flight connectivity from Jaisalmer to the rest of the major cities in India, reaching the city has become easier.

Best time to visit Jaisalmer

Deserts can get pretty hot in summers and the evening temperatures are also just as hot and dry. However, come winter and the setting changes. From considerably hot days to extremely cold nights, the balance is maintained. With Jaisalmer too, the best time to visit is between November to March as the winter season constitutes cool climate which makes sightseeing, desert safari and camping in the That desert convenient. The day-time temperature during winters doesn't go beyond 24 degrees Celsius while the evening temperatures drop below 7 degree Celsius. The months of December and January are exceptionally cold but pleasant.

The summer months in Jaisalmer are between April to August, where the temperature dances between 25 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. The heat is unbearable and certainly not ideal for engaging in tourist activities. Sunscreens and light clothes can help you combat the heat, but you wouldn't be able to enjoy the desert. Since it is off-season, there are always numerous flight deals online where you can snag cheap flights tickets to Jaisalmer.

Places to visit in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort

The magnificent Jaisalmer Fort is also known as Golden Fort thanks to the golden reflection of the yellow sandstone. The fort was constructed by Raja Jaisal who incorporated the fine depiction of Rajasthani architecture on the structure. What adds more charm to the fort is how it lights up in the night.

Patwon Ki Haveli

Patwon ki haveli is an interesting structure that was built by Guman Chand, a recognised trader of the city. The haveli is basically a marketplace for local artisans to craftsmen to sell their products. You can take a stroll in the haveli and be charmed by the interesting architectural style.

Gadisar Lake

Gadisar Lake is actually an artificial lake that was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal who wanted to compensate for the grim water crisis of Jaisalmer. The lake is being well-maintained by the locals. Often they even come over to the lake to wash away all the stress and troubles of the day by delving in the tranquil space.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli

Salim Singh ki Haveli is a popular tourist attraction of Jaisalmer. The structure has a contemporary take on the Rajasthani-style architecture. You will notice that the designs are quite intricate with peacock-shaped artistry on the roof and balconies with sharp designs. You should definitely visit this structure as its architecture will amaze you.

Amar Sagar Lake

The little Amar Sagar Lake is more like an oasis in a desert that is located in the outskirts of the city of Jaisalmer. Built by Amar Singh, the lake also has a quaint Shiva temple on the side. In fact, many temples have been constructed. Visit the quaint lake and immerse yourself in the serene vibe of the oasis-like setting.

Sam Sand Dunes

A little in the outskirts of Jaisalmer, you'll find several sand dunes and expanses of the Thar desert. You can either opt for a camel safari to explore the dunes, or you can choose a jeep safari. Sam Sand Dunes is actually quite interesting as you can also set camp in the desert, light up a bonfire and stargaze.

Maharaja's Palace

The Maharaja's Palace is a colossal structure that is visible from every corner of Jaisalmer city. The massive palace is an architectural masterpiece. From the exquisite tapestry to the quintessential designs, everything about it is royal and regal.

Things to do in Jaisalmer

Explore the abandoned Kuldhara village

Here's an interesting place that you might want to explore. The Kuldhara village in Jaisalmer has a reputation for being a ghost town as the land remains untouched and inhabited for the past few centuries now. Legend states that the village was thriving and prosperous at one point in history. However, after some drastic incident, the Paliwal Brahmins decided to evacuate the village. The whole village turned into a haunted hamlet overnight and has been the same way since forever.

Camping at Khuri Sand Dune

Khuri is a small but famous village known in Jaisalmer. What adds to its popularity is the fact that the village is close to the sand dunes where one can camp and indulge in desert safaris. The route to reach the dunes is from the village. Badalji provides camel safaris for travellers and is recognised for the same. He organises desert safaris as well as camping in the desert as well.

Parasailing in Jaisalmer

Parasailing is possible in the majestic Thar Desert! On the outskirts of Jaisalmer city, there are adventure groups who organise parasailing, quad biking and many such outdoor activities that you can indulge in, as part of your trip. It would be quite an experience to parasail on top of a sand dune.

Food and restaurants

Rajasthani cuisine means indulging in heavy but wholesome food with dollops of ghee that will make you burp more than usual. Right from their thick kulchas and daal baati churma, the cuisine has some really intense use of ghee and oil that leaves your tummy begging for mercy. Jaisalmer will also pamper you with some lip-smacking dishes from their kitchen. While there are some signature dishes that you should try from their cuisine, these places are exquisite and honour the Rajasthani culture.

Suryagarh Restaurant, with its outdoor setting, is beautiful and has amazing food to serve. Plus, the hospitality further makes it a good experience. To indulge in barbecues in the desert, you should visit Angaara Restaurant. The rooftop dining experience of the Wyra restaurant with live cooking and drinks is one of a kind that you would surely enjoy. Other notable restaurants and food joints include Fotiya Restaurant, Gaji's Restaurant, Pleasant Haveli and Milan Restaurant.

How to reach Jaisalmer (Transportation)

By Air

Jaisalmer did deal with some trouble of not having a dedicated airport for quite some time. That was until they finally managed to transform their civil aviation hub into a dedicated domestic airport. After 2017, they converted the space secured for civil aviation and made it the brand new Jaisalmer airport. The airport has proper flights flying in and out from Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bikaner and Agra. Earlier, travellers opted to get down at the Jodhpur airport and reach Jaisalmer from there via roadways.

With better flight connectivity to Jaisalmer, three dedicated airlines are offering their flights, namely, Zoomair, Trijet and SpiceJet. Rumour has it that soon the airport plans to rope in IndiGo and other airlines too to provide services. While the extension plan continues, the ticket cost to and from Jaisalmer is pretty steep. Only if you're booking your flight tickets to Jaisalmer in advance, will you be able to get some good flight deals and cheap flight tickets.

By Rail

Jaisalmer has its own railway station and is perfectly connected with other cities too. You will find direct trains leaving from the golden city to other parts of India such as Jaipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur and more. Besides the regular trains run under the Indian Railways, the luxury carts, Palace of Wheels, also passes through Jaisalmer.

By Road

Travelling within Rajasthan through buses or rental cars is the best idea. The roads in the state might be narrow and tough to drive in, but they do bring about the rural charm of Rajasthan. Plus, they are actually quite affordable too. Some bus services go to Jaisalmer and are well-connected with the rest of the cities in the state. Even inter-state buses are available as there are buses that travel to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat and more. The roads might take some more time as opposed to a flight journey, but it certainly would be an excellent way to see more of the state.

  About Ahmedabad

The city of Ahmedabad is known to be the fifth largest in India and is quite the commercial hub of the state. It is easily one of the fastest-growing cities in India, which also plays a centre for education and various industries. Even though it is not the capital of the state, Ahmedabad has immense scope for development and has been rapidly growing. The city plays an excellent host to a traveller who wishes to experience more of the city's history, development and spirituality. While the development sphere continues to expand in the city, the authorities are further following the Swachcha Bharat campaigns to maintain a neat town.

Ahmedabad is impeccably connected with the rest of the major cities in India. Besides, the international flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is excellent. Reaching the city is easy from all means of transport. As for accommodations, abundant options are ranging from luxury hotels to hostels for all kinds of travellers. You can opt for a fun staycation by booking your hotels in Ahmedabad and make the most of your time in the city. The city also has some great educational institutions that one can consider. In fact, the student crowd in Ahmedabad is rising as the opportunities are immense.

Best time to visit Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad's summers can get pretty rough and hot, but the monsoon and winter are equally pleasant. Interestingly, the Gujaratis actually have specific dishes for every season. For summer, aam ras and dishes made from mango. As for winter, their famous undiyo takes over the kitchens and streets! The monsoon also has some cool street food that one can indulge in, when in the city.

Monsoons are typically dedicated to fun street snacks such as roasted corn, boiled corn and some essential roasted dishes. You can primarily find these on the streets as several vendors indulge in selling smokey flavoured street snacks. During this time, the city also welcomes festivals such as Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami, which are celebrated with gusto.

Undoubtedly though, winter becomes the best season to visit Ahmedabad as it comes with a plethora of cultural relevance as well as sublime atmosphere. The temperature actually drops down to 5-20 degree Celsius, so do pack thermal wear for your trip. Not to mention how festivals such as Navratri, Diwali also take place during the winter months. This means you can actually indulge in some fun Garba as well as dress up for the occasion. Navratri food is another reason why you would want to take a trip to Ahmedabad during the winters.

Places to see in Ahmedabad

Gandhi Ashram

The Sabarmati Ashram, popularly known as the Gandhi Ashram is the place founded by Mahatma Gandhi. What makes this one of the major tourist attractions of Ahmedabad is the rich historical relevance it holds. The premise of the ashram has teachings of Gandhiji etched on the walls. Interestingly, the ashram continues to work with the principles set by the freedom fighter as the premise also contributes to the handicrafts market with their handmade products. In fact, the ashram also has a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory located within the premise.

ISKCON

The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama is prevalent in many parts of the country and even the world. The inspiring stories of the two deities as well as their teachings resonate with many followers. The temple is beautiful and has a festive air which will soothe your soul.

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum

Established by Muni Shri Punyavijayi and Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the museum is a haven for a bibliograph as it is an abode to priceless book collections, manuscripts and text materials from a long time ago. From Vedic scriptures of Jainism to poetic verses written in ancient India, the manuscripts and published literary work would be of interest to you if you're an avid reader or someone interested in history.

Auto World Vintage Car Museum

At the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, you will find yourself in awe of some of the swanky rides owned by Shri Pranlal Bhogilal, who opted to convert his private collection to public viewing. Not only will you get to see some fancy rides such as Maybach, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Chrysler, Lincoln, etc. but will also get to take one for a spin! Of course, you'll have to pay a token to take one of the cars out for a drive.

Bhadra Fort

The Bhadra Fort was once a pristine palace with lush gardens and gorgeous sights. Built back in 1411, the fort vicinity also has a temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. The fort has some historical significance as well as some spiritual relevance. One can take up a stroll around the Bhadra Fort and learn more about the rich backstory.

Calico Museum of Textiles

Ahmedabad or rather Gujarat, in general, is known for their contribution to the textile industry. In fact, they are the frontrunners in the textile industry. Many might assume that credit goes to Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, which enabled them to opt for handwoven khadi garments and produce the same. However, Ahmedabad's history with textiles dates back to the 1700s! Please take a tour through the Calico Museum of Textiles to learn more about their history and more.

Things to do in Ahmedabad

Drive-in theatres are a big hit here. You can probably rent a vehicle and head straight to Drive-In Road in the city but ensure to check the show timings before making a plan to watch a movie. Law Gardens is a bustling capital for the shopaholic in you. As long as you can handle some impeccable haggling, Law Gardens is the best place to shop Gujarati ensembles and clothes representing their culture. From glasswork on the fabric to shimmery outfits, you will have a lot of options to pick from at this shopping street.

A heritage walk is usually conducted in the city where you are taken through a tour of some of the historical streets of the town. The walk is organised by Ahmedabad's municipal corporation and happens daily. The walk starts at Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur and stretches up to the Jama Masjid. You can choose a day of leisure by hanging out at the Victoria Garden. It is close to the Bhadra Fort.

Food and Restaurants in Ahmedabad

Gujaratis fondness towards food is no big secret. They love food and are always game to explore the variety. In fact, much recently, a man found fame for selling pineapple and rabdi sandwiches! Speaking of which, if you do wish to check out this melange of flavours then you should head to Manek Sandwich in the city's Manek Chowk. For lip-smacking Gujarati thalis, you should check out Vishala. Tadka Punjabi, Sankalp is also some famous food joints in Ahmedabad with impeccable cuisines. While you're here, you should undoubtedly visit Havmor ice cream parlours and get some of that action.

There is something known as Kathiyawadi Food which is an Ahmedabad speciality. In case you're in the mood for some adventure, this is an excellent way to go about your gastronomical journey. Visit Bardi at CG Road for the same. There are more options available at CG Road such as Choice Snacks, Mirch Masala, to name a few that you can check out.

How to reach Ahmedabad (Transportation)

By Air

Ahmedabad has impeccable flight connectivity as various domestic as well as international airlines have flights in and out of the city. The main airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located approximately 15 km from the city centre. The airport is looking at some significant expansion plans to bring in more space for international airlines. Some of the global flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is with cities such as Kuwait, London, Doha, Singapore and Muscat, to name a few. As for domestic destinations, the flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is brilliant as a majority of the domestic airlines have flights in the city. You can fly to a majority of the metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Surat, Goa, Kolkata and more.

By Rail

The Ahmedabad Central Railway Station is also well-connected in terms of daily availability of transport. There are dedicated trains from Mumbai heading to Ahmedabad regularly with multiple connections to other major cities such as Rajkot, Pune , Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, etc. Other important junctions include the Sabarmati Junction and Maninagar Railway Station which connect to the central railway station.

By Road

Driving up to Ahmedabad is actually a fun ride as the roads are exciting and the highways are not risky. You can either book a bus ticket for yourself or rent a car or even drive yourself. People travelling from Maharashtra, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh often opt for buses as the best option if railway tickets aren't confirmed. The buses are comfortable too as you have options such as semi seater and sleeper to choose from. You can easily reach Ahmedabad from any corner of the country.

  About Ahmedabad Airport

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves as an international airport to the city of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in the state of Gujarat. The airport is about 9 km to the north of central Ahmedabad. The airport has been named after the First Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It falls in the top ten list of busiest airports in India with respect to passenger traffic. In fact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport stands at the seventh spot for being one of the busiest airports in India. According to reports received in 2018-19, the airport recorded a whopping passenger capacity of 11.17 million in a year. Ahmedabad Airport also serves as the focus city for GoAir airline.

The airport was originally set up in 1937 for domestic operations. However, the airport eventually received its international operations stature in 1991. In 2000, Ahmedabad Airport was added in the category of international airports in India. In the same decade, works to create a new terminal also commenced. In 2010, the airport's new terminal 2 came into existence, and it was inaugurated to handle international passengers.

Further, a towering 18 foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was also erected at the airport. The airport has been recognised internationally for its world-class facilities and modern amenities. In fact, it also received an award in 2017 for being the 'Most Improved Airport' in Asia-Pacific, by the Airports Council International.

About Ahmedabad Airport terminals

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 caters to domestic operations and comprises of two floors. The design and layout of the terminal are exquisite and is capable of handling 1400 passengers during peak hours. The terminal has also reserved spaces for parking cars which can accommodate 250 at one go. It comes with various facilities, including WiFi services and several food establishments. There are about 32 check-in counters as the terminal is sprawled over 480,000 square feet. Just recently in 2018, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport opened a new Plaza Premium lounge in the domestic terminal 1. The lounge is located right next to Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal building. The lounge has world-class facilities and caters to Priority Pass. You can also use other select bank cards to get access to the lounge. Business-class passengers depending on the airlines that they fly from will also get access to the lounge.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2, also known as T2, was inaugurated in 2010 and commenced operations the same year. Thanks to the exquisite Steel Structure built by the management, the terminal won accolades for the same at the 2009 edition of National Structural Steel Design and Construction Awards. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport's Terminal 2 accommodates four aerobridges with 32 check-in counters. The terminal's floor area sprawls across 41,000 square meters approximately.

With this, the terminal has the potential to accommodate over 1,600 passengers at all times. Similar to the terminal 1 lounge, terminal 2 also has a new Plaza Premium, which was opened in 2018. The new lounge at the terminal has been reserved for business class and first-class passengers. In fact, passengers who have special Priority Pass and other bank card are also given access to the terminal 2's lounge. Along with great facilities, the terminal also accommodates a 51,975 square metre long apron that enables parking bays for nine A-321 and four ATR-72 types of aircraft.

Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is located next to terminal 1 and is used for domestic flight activities. The terminal is yet to start functioning, but as of 2019, the airport has managed to lay the foundation. Construction work has already commenced for the new terminal. The terminal building is set to accommodate a parking facility of 200 cars and will predominantly be used for Hajj season.

Terminal 4 - Terminal 4 is reserved for cargo activities. The airport has the capacity to accommodate about 51,637 tonnes of cargo, this includes gold and silver. Sixty per cent of the cargo is derived from various domestic sources. Presently, cargo airlines such as Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo operate from Terminal 4 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

About Airport Authority

Airports Authority of India is the owner and played as the operator of the Ahmedabad Airport. However, in 2015, they announced to privatise the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Until 2015, much of the airport's management and operations were handled by the Airports Authority of India. Following a bid to transfer the ownership or rather operations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Adani Group has become the management now. Plans of expansion and upgradation under the operations of Adani Group have not been revealed yet.

Facilities at the Ahmedabad Airport

Lounge – The international and domestic terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have dedicated lounge services. Called the Plaza premium lounge, the two lounges have great hospitality and comfortable facilities.

Medical services – With a view to handle medical emergency cases, the airport has installed medical services and first aid rooms too. These are present in the domestic as well as international terminals.

WiFi – The airport offers free WiFi facilities for passengers. One can avail the free internet services without having to pay an extra tariff of any sort. Also, the internet connection is strong and can be utilised from various spots in the airport premise.

Currency exchange - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is an international airport and hence has a foreign exchange counter available in the terminal. You can get your currencies exchanged for a decent rate and also get money transfers done.

Child care rooms – There are provisions for parents travelling with kids to relax at the child care room. These rooms have been installed specifically to help parents calm their kids and to cater to their needs. The rooms are private in nature and have facilities such as changing tables, comfortable chairs and more. They also have baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent runs out of these essentials.

Spa – Ever since the airport has undergone upgradation, they have installed some interesting new features. One of them is a spa service. You can avail the spa services at the airport's terminals and relax ahead of the flight. They are mostly present in the international terminal.

Restaurants – There are dedicated food courts available at both the terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. You can find famous restaurants and food joints from around the world at the airport. Famous establishments such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC, to name a few, are also part of the airport terminals. Affordable food joints and beverage points are present at the airport as well. You can pick from the most upscale establishments to the cheap and affordable ones at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

ATMs – The airport facilitates various ATM kiosks of local banks at selected spots in the international and domestic terminals.

Top airlines flying from Ahmedabad Airport

As one of the most important airports in India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport accommodates several domestic and international airlines. The domestic airlines that operate from Ahmedabad Airport include Air India, AirAsia India, Air Deccan, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines connect to major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pune, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Kozhikode, Kochi, Bagdogra, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Dehradun, to name a few. Meanwhile, the international airlines that operate from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia X, Druk Air, Emirates, flydubai, Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. These airlines connect to international destinations such as Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Paro, London, Baghdad, Kuwait, Doha Singapore, Jeddah, Dubai, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, to name a few.

How to reach Ahmedabad Airport

By Bus

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is approximately 8n km away from the bus stand. From the bus stand, you can easily find taxis and private buses that will directly reach you to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. There are several prepaid taxi booths also available near the bus stand for you to reach Ahmedabad Airport. Reaching Ahmedabad Airport from the bus stand is quite convenient and comfortable. You can also find transportation facilities on Ola and Uber to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It would take approximately 20 minutes to reach Ahmedabad Airport. However, depending on the city traffic, the duration can vary.

By Rail

The railway station is also located about 8 km from the airport. If you have a flight to catch from Ahmedabad Airport and if you are travelling to Ahmedabad from other parts of Gujarat, it would be a comfortable journey. You can get various taxi cabs and other such vehicle services at the railway station to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Private cabs are available at the station and would take you around 20 to 25 minutes to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.