Jodhpur to Diu Flights

  About Jodhpur

The second-largest city in Rajasthan after the capital Jaipur is historically rich Jodhpur. The city is often a haven for travellers seeking to learn more about the history and delve into the cultural heritage. From magnificent forts flaunting the architectural prowess to the luxurious escapades offered, Jodhpur easily becomes one of the best cities to head for a vacation.

Due to its stature as a big city, Jodhpur's flight connectivity to other major cities is excellent. Not to mention how the range of accommodations ranges from lavish to affordable. Ahead of your big trip, make sure to book your hotels in Jodhpur and let the city pamper you with its richness.

Best time to visit Jodhpur

The winters in Jodhpur have a comforting vibe that would make anyone extend their trip. The city faces beautiful and serene winters as the temperature drops to 10 degree Celsius while it only rises to 24 degree Celsius during the day. The winter season starts from October and lasts till March. These five months in Jodhpur are blissful as the sun isn't too hot and scorching. If you plan to book flight tickets to Jodhpur, then opt for one of the winter months. Newlyweds who are planning a honeymoon should give Jodhpur a thought for their destination. The place is historically and culturally rich, not to mention romantic.

The months from March to June are observed as summer season. Since it is a desert state, the summers are lethal as the temperatures soar up to 42 degree Celsius. While the evenings can be considerably pleasant if you do visit Jodhpur, you will be too tired by the data's heat to enjoy the evenings. Engaging in sightseeing will especially be tough considering how the temperatures would suck the life out of you. Flight tickets to Jodhpur are exceptionally cheap during summer. You might even crack some flight deals online for booking Jodhpur tickets.

Jodhpur receives scanty rainfall since it is in a dry state. While the temperatures do drop come monsoon, the humidity also skyrockets. The season is definitely not the best time to visit Jodhpur. However, to ensure that travellers continue to visit them, the hotels come up with flash sales and interesting deals. With a view to attracting travellers, crazy accommodation deals are offered by hoteliers. If the weather can't bring down your spirit, then go ahead, book a hotel room in Jodhpur and have an off-season vacation.

Places to see in Jodhpur

One of the biggest highlights of Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. Built by Rao Jodha back in 1460 AD, it is one of the most exquisite hill forts that you will find in Rajasthan. Not to mention the flawless construction and architecture matched with the grandiose of red sandstone make it a sight for sore eyes. The experience will be one of a kind. Well, when you're in Jodhpur, wouldn't you want to check out the place where Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas tied the knot? The palatial wedding took place at the Umaid Bhavan Palace, another major attraction in the city. Perhaps you too can plan out your fairytale wedding as Taj Group of Hotels partly operates the palace.

Jodhpur has far too many forts that must be explored. Owing to their illustrious history and the Raja-Maharaja heritage, places like Jaswant Thada, Chand Baori, Raas Haveli, Umaid Heritage Art School, Masuriya Hill Garden, etc., should definitely be in your itinerary as you explore Jodhpur. Plus, there are many temples in the city such as Osian temple, Mahamandir, Om Banna Temple, Chamunda Mata temple and more that you can visit.

Things to do in Jodhpur

Tripolia market

No trip is complete without a little indulgence in splurging at shopping complexes. At Jodhpur, you can find some exquisite Jodhpuri style footwear, accessories and clothes. From pretty batik sarees to chunky metal accessories, the market will cater to your shopping needs.

Party at the Trophy Bar

Jodhpur is for the royals, and those who enjoy extravagant experiences should go to the city's Trophy Bar. Located in the Umaid Bhavan Palace, party like a royal at this sports-themed place while downing rich Rajasthani cuisine.

Photography at the Machia Biological Park

If you are a photography enthusiast, then the Machia Biological Park would give you the best models to cover. Visit the biological park along with your professional cameras. At the park, you will get to spot animals such as lions, wolves, tigers, jackals, gharial, leopards, sloths, porcupines and deer. The park also hosts bird-watching tours so if you wish to enhance your experience further, you can enrol for the expedition.

Camel safari followed by dinner

Camel safaris are a rage in Rajasthan and Jodhpur is no different to this fervour. A little away from the main city, there are many campsites that conduct adventure activities in the desert. You can indulge in camel safari followed by sublime food and camping. The perks of Jodhpur is the extravagance it comes with. You can opt for luxurious camping amid sand dunes and let the tranquillity of the desert coddle you.

Food and Restaurants in Jodhpur

When it comes to food, Rajasthani cuisine is wholesome and too good for words. The vegetarian spread of a thali with bajra roti, gatta curry, Dal paneer, Dal baati churma, Marwari pulao and more form quite the harmony of taste in the mouth. No matter how much you try, the delicious spread with dollops of ghee tempt you to eat till your stomach can't take it. And even if you do manage to finish what has been served to you, they come with more variety and food that you've never heard of. They believe in great hospitality and ensure that you return with a satiated smile.

When you visit Jodhpur, be prepared for a feast because their restaurants with lengthy food menu will entice you to order platter after platter of dishes. Speaking of which, when you're in the city, do visit Shandar Sweet Home and immerse yourself in the traditional desserts of the Rajasthanis. From Dahi vada to gulab jamun ki sabzi, you will be amazed and intrigued by their dishes. Ghost's fame comes from its traditional thali that comprises of 29 dishes. The appetizing good with myriad scents and flavours will leave you in a trance.

Hanwant Mahal, Indique and Janta Sweet Home are some more restaurants and food joints that have found fame in Jodhpur for their delicious spread of ingenious cuisine.

How to reach Jodhpur (Transportation)

By Air

Jodhpur might share its airside with the Indian Air Force, but the city does have a dedicated runway that helps connect with other big cities in India. Flights to and from Jodhpur are connected to cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The duration of travel is quite less, so expect flight tickets to Jodhpur to be on the cheaper side. However, depending on whether it is a peak or off-season, you might not be able to get your hands on cheap flight tickets to Jodhpur. As winter brings various festivals with it, the peak season sees an abundance of travellers flocking over from international cities. The domestic routes between Jodhpur and Delhi are always busy as consistent flights are flying to and from Jodhpur. Similarly, Mumbai and Jodhpur also have regular flights flying to the city.

Airlines such as Air India and SpiceJet have dedicated flights to Jodhpur. The airport is only 3 km away from the main city, which makes travelling easier. You can get rentals or taxi cabs at the airport. While you're making your flight bookings to Jodhpur, you should also book a hotel in the city. Peak season will see a surge in prices for everything ranging from transport to accommodation. Hence, make sure to book a hotel room in Jodhpur before your trip commences.

By Train

Train travelling is ideal, and the cheapest option one can look for. The ticket prices to Jodhpur via train is also cheap and quite affordable. Jodhpur takes popular rail routes to connect to Mumbai, Delhi Chennai and Kolkata. There are a bunch of express trains travelling from different parts of the world that use this domestic route to reach Jodhpur. From Chennai Jodhpur Expressed to Jaisalmer Delhi Express, there are several express trains that pass through the city. Details about the train timings and other such inputs are shared on the website of the Indian Railways. Depending on whether the train's timing fits your schedule, you can book tickets to Jodhpur.

By Road

The roadways are connected brilliantly in Rajasthan so you can literally reach Jodhpur from any domestic route you pick. All the major cities in Rajasthan are well connected with each other. It'll take you approximately four hours to reach Jodhpur from Udaipur, close to five hours from Jaisalmer, five hours again from Bikaner and five hours and 30 minutes from Jaipur. One of the main reasons why it is recommended that travellers opt for road trips when in Rajasthan is because of how close the main cities are and how you can reach in less duration of time.

  About Diu

Diu is a quaint coastal town located in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The town lies on the eastern side of the Diu Island which is primarily famous for its majestic fortress and turquoise blue waters. Often people choose Diu as a place to unwind as the lifestyle is chill and the cuisine is perfect for a seafood lover. Diu is a proper fishing town and receives a majority of its income from the same. Many travellers from Gujarat and Maharashtra visit Diu as it close to them and has a good vacation vibe to it. Diu actually has a few interesting structures with historical significance that would pique your interest.

The flight connectivity from Diu to various big cities is exemplary. Many often get confused and wonder how to reach the city. Flights to Diu are quite cheap and affordable, making weekend travel plans happen. The city might not have lavish staycation options, but you can book a decent hotel room in Diu without worrying about the quality of hospitality. Since there are barely many places to check out, the trip can be wound up in a single weekend.

Best time to visit Diu

As a coastal city, the best time for you to explore the best that Diu has to offer is during winter. Starting from October and staying till February, the quaint town witnesses intermittent showers that come from the northeast monsoon. However, it doesn't affect the vibe of the place with its temperature ranging from 10 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius. Locals of Diu welcome winters with their arms open as it does bring several festivities along with it. From Nariyal Poornima to Christmas, there are quite a few festivals observed by Diu, which adds more charm to the town's winters. To be part of the festivities, you should also opt for a winter excursion at Diu. The festivals observed bring together the locals as they decorate the streets with dazzling decor, share rum cakes and wine and also, dance away to rejoice the city's spirits. It is quite an experience that would do you good.

The summers in Diu are also no short of a celebration. The weather is just as pleasant with little changes in the temperature, which ranges from 25 degree Celsius to 37 degree Celsius. Despite the high temperatures, the calm and cool sea breeze brings comfort.

The vast beaches of Nagoa and Ghoghla look their bluest blue as they reflect the sun's rays. Even though it is not typically a peak-season for Diu, the crowd does arrive to dive into the Arabian sea. It is also a good time to enjoy water sports. The flight tickets to Diu are also quite cheap and affordable during this season.

The monsoons of Diu are not the best messengers of hope, though. They fall on two separate occasions, one between June to September and the other between October and November. Due to the intermittent rainfall, the weather is not clear for sightseeing, and even the beaches don't look at their turquoise blue. Not to mention how the sudden rains could hamper your plans to sightsee within the city or maybe dig a hole in one of the Diu beaches. Plus, during rains, you cannot indulge in water sports, which wraps up half the activities that you could've done during your trip to Diu.

Places to visit in Diu

Diu might have a beach as the primary attraction, but it also boasts some impressive structures, including the Naida Caves. The labyrinths of the exquisite caves would keep you interested. The town has a cute Sea Shell Museum that you should check out. The interesting shells and their stories might surprise you. Vankabara Jetty is one of the busiest and most important places in Diu as a majority of import and export of fish, and other commodities take place through this space. You should walk around it and learn about its history from the locals. One of the biggest highlights of Diu is undoubtedly St Paul's Church. Located just a few meters from the Diu Fort, the church boasts neoclassical appearance. It is well-maintained and definitely has quite the intriguing architecture that one can expect from a Portuguese-style display. It might also make you feel like you've landed in Goa.

Things to do in Diu

While on the beach, you simply cannot miss indulging in some water sports. Depending on which beach you're in, some organisers will help you out with water sports activities. The Portuguese did quite a good job with building water-facing fortresses to protect the town from any unprecedented attacks. The colonial rule may have ended, but the lovely forts continue to stand tall as the waves lash at the rocks. Plus, you get the best view of the Arabian Sea from the top of the fort so do trek up the little trail and be marvelled by the architecture. Speaking of architecture, taking a stroll to explore the city lanes of Diu is another activity that you can take up. The streets are decked up with interesting houses that have Portuguese-inspired architecture.

Food and Restaurants in Diu

Diu's cuisine comes with some Portuguese influence as it was once a colony of the Europeans. You will find a brilliant blend of flavours in their cuisine as it sustains the Indianness in the food despite its Portuguese elements. This is something you'll primarily notice in the way they cook their fish and seafood. Since Portugal is also a country surrounded by water on one side, they share the same enthusiasm when it comes to seafood. From lobsters to crustaceans, you will find all kinds of seafood here made with a European touch that will transport you to a different world.

You will find Silver Pomfret in Diu. It is said that the fish is actually the largest of its kind that you won't find anywhere else in India. Some of the famous dishes include Penn de calamari, which is basically pasta with squid. You should also taste Cozido de peixe, a fish stew which has distinct flavours. The shrimp soup, also known as Caldinho de Camarao, is another speciality of Diu that you should try out when you're in the city. While the city might have heavy Portuguese cuisine to rave about, they also relish Parsi food and have Dhansak available.

For exquisite seafood with Portuguese blend, you should check out Cats Eye Restaurant, O'Coqueiro Restaurant, Rivera Restaurant and Bar and Night Heron Restaurant. For vegetarians, Apana Foodland is probably the only place in Diu that serves lip-smacking dishes. You should also visit Ram Vijay, which is an ice cream parlour.

How to reach Diu (Transportation)

By Air

Despite being in the airports league, Diu is often misunderstood not to have a runway or a dedicated airport. However, this is not true because the Union Territory does have an airport going by the name Diu airport. Before the colonial rule ended, Diu was part of India colonised by the Portuguese. The flight connectivity to Diu from various metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad are quite good. Air Deccan and SpiceJet have reserved dedicated flights to Diu, which travels to and from the city regularly. The airport is located only 5 km away from the main city, making travelling extremely convenient. It is also closer to Nagoa Beach, which assures that the take-off and landing views would be a visual spectacle.

The airport is not spacious and can only accommodate a handful. However, it is always on demand, making flying to Diu a little difficult. As long as you book your tickets to Diu in advance, you will be able to avail some good flight deals. In fact, if you book at the right time, you might find some cheap tickets to Diu too.

By Rail

Diu does not have a dedicated railway station. In fact, for railway services, travellers will have to go to Veraval or Somnath. These two cities are actually quite far from Diu. While Somnath is 63 km away, Veraval is at 67 km. Hence, trains are the last resort that travellers consider.

By Road

Diu has excellent roadway connectivity. Several domestic routes through NH 8 connect Diu to some of the big cities in India. Although cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Rajkot are over 200 km away from Diu, the road network is so amazing that the travel time is reduced from these cities. Not to mention how the roads are well-maintained, adding to the convenience of the driver. There are some state-run buses between Diu and Ahmedabad that run regularly. Aside from the government-owned buses, there are private serviced buses available too. Even though some buses traverse inter-city, many big cities do not have a dedicated series of buses to Diu. Most people travel to either Ahmedabad or Mumbai to take a road trip to Diu. It is a viable option and easily doable as the roads are well-connected.

  About Jodhpur Airport

Jodhpur Airport is a joint-use civil enclave airport located in the city of Jodhpur in the state of Rajasthan. The airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India. The airport was originally set up by Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur in the 1920s to accommodate the Jodhpur Flying Club. A small airfield was constructed right next to the Chittar Palace. The airfield witnessed a consistent expansion and growth in the following three decades as it was also acquired by the Royal Air Force to cater to fighter planes during World War II. Eventually, after independence and the exit of the Britishers from India, the airfield was upgraded in 1950 which became part of the Indian Air Force. Until 1965, the airfield was majorly used by the Indian Air Force's Air Force Flying College. This continued until the 1965 war. Eventually, the operations were shifted to creating an airport out of the already existing airfield. Jodhpur Airport is about 3.2 km away from the city centre of Jodhpur. Even though it is operated for passenger flights, the airport continues to see parts of its premise being used by the Jodhpur Air Base which is connected to the Indian Air Force.

About Jodhpur Airport Terminal

Jodhpur Airport has only one domestic terminal which caters to almost three gates. The interiors of the airport terminal are well-equipped with essential facilities ranging from check-in counters to baggage conveyor belts. Overall, the terminal has seven check-in counters, three boarding gates, both located in the domestic terminal premises. The airport also has an apron measuring 140 x 100 metres which are made of concrete and consists of three parking pays for aircraft such as two A320 and one ATR. The runway is also extended to around 2743 metres in length and 45 metres in width. Further, the airport has also facilitated night landing. It has installed an instrument landing system (ILS) along with navigation equipment such as DVOR/DME (Very High-Frequency Omni-Directional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment) and a non-directional radio beacon (NBD). As for the squadrons present in the airport vicinity, HAL Dhruv, Mikoyan MiG-27, Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Mil Mi-17 aircraft are present. These aircraft are operated under the Indian Air Force from the shared airfield.

About airport authority

Jodhpur Airport is owned and operated under the Airports Authority. Although it shares the airside with the Jodhpur Air Base of the Indian Air Force, the air force does not have any management or operational role in the functioning of Jodhpur Airport. In 2017, the government of Rajasthan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Air Force to enable expansion plans that the airport's authority has for the civil enclave. The Indian Air Force agreed to hand over 37 acres of their land to the Airports Authority of India so they can commence expansion and upgradation projects. Over the years, the airport has witnessed a tremendous surge in its passenger traffic, owing to the massive tourism activities that take place in the city. Besides, since Jodhpur's grand palaces have become the ideal spot for wedding destinations, the demand for the airport has also increased. Not to mention how it has even become the 44th busiest airports in the country. Airports Authority of India is yet to reveal expansion designs and plans on what they aim to add to the facilities of Jodhpur Airport. However, they have shown promise to accommodate better equipment and essential modern upgrades to add more charm to the airport's vibe.

Facilities at the Jodhpur Airport

Baggage – Baggage facilities at the airport include free trolleys, porter services and security checks of the checked and hand baggage.

Restaurants – The cafeteria of Jodhpur Airport has a bunch of famous food joints as well as local restaurants that promote Rajasthani cuisine.

Duty-free shops – The airport has a few duty-free shops located in comfortable locations, within the departure hall. The shops majorly have Rajasthani-inspired handicrafts, clothes, shoes, artefacts and more. Ethnic jewellery can also be found at these shops, along with affordable food items.

Special assistance – To cater to the needs of physically disabled, Jodhpur Airport also has special assistance facilities. The passenger can request for wheelchairs and even ask the staff to help escort the passenger. It is essential to inform the airlines about the same in advance so that they can inform the airport to reserve services.

ATMs – ATM kiosks have been facilitated at specific points in the airport's vicinity. Passengers who need to withdraw cash at the airport to travel to the city or to make purchases within the airport can use the ATMs.

First aid stations – Jodhpur Airport has reserved specific first aid stations within its premise to cater to medical emergencies. There are dedicated rooms where the patient can rest. These rooms are equipped with essential medical facilities too. Further, the airport has pharmacies also present to help passengers with their medication needs.

Smoking zones – The airport prohibits smoking in public. They have instead installed smoking lounges that passengers can use to smoke. These zones are well-maintained and are at a distance from the main public lounge. They can be found at the airport's departures and arrivals halls.

Top airlines flying from the Jodhpur Airport

Jodhpur Airport has found a lot of fame in recent years with a surge in the wedding market as couples are opting for palatial nuptials and wedding destinations. Currently, there are only three airlines that operate from Jodhpur Airport. These include Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet. The airport only caters to four Indian destinations, namely, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Indore. Jodhpur Airport doesn't have a single flight even to the state's capital, Jaipur. However, with the expansion plans commencing, the airport's authority aims at attracting more airlines to operate from the airport premise. Now defunct airlines such as Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines operated from Jodhpur Airport and had far more connectivity with various major cities in India.

How to reach Jodhpur Airport

By Bus

Jodhpur Bus Stand is located near the airport as it stands at a distance of 8.7 kilometres. Often, a majority of the crowd opts for bus services to travel within the state. Hence, if you have to reach Jodhpur Airport from the main city, you can first get to the bus stand and take a taxi cab service from here. The perks of Jodhpur are that there are taxi cabs available at all intervals. You can hail a cab from anywhere within the city. Since it is a tourist haven, there are rickshaw services also available that would reach you to Jodhpur Airport. However, with rickshaws, you will need to fix a fare ahead of the journey. Chances of the rickshaw driver upscaling the fare to reach Jodhpur Airport is quite high. Hence, to avoid being swindled, the best way to go about a rickshaw ride would be by fixing a fare ahead of the journey. The same applies to prepaid taxi services in the city. You can avail these services, or you can also book a vehicle to travel through the city and reach Jodhpur Airport, by signing up with a travel agent.

By Rail

Jodhpur Airport is about 5 km away from Jodhpur Railway Station. Located in the south of the city, the railway station is well-equipped with transport services such as buses, taxi cabs and other such modes of transport. For travellers who are reaching the city by train from other parts of Rajasthan, can hail a taxi cab or a car rental to reach Jodhpur Airport. The services are exemplary and available at all times.

About Jodhpur

Jodhpur is recorded as the second largest metropolitan city in Rajasthan, following its capital, Jaipur. It is also recognised as the former seat of a princely state going by the same name. Jodhpur's historical relevance comes from the Kingdom of Marwar. The city was the historic capital of the kingdom. In present times though, Marwar is part of the state and is an independent city. Thanks to the exquisite palaces, first and temples along with the stark landscape expanse of the Great Indian Desert, Thar Desert, makes Jodhpur a tourist's paradise. It is easily one of the top tourist destinations in India. The city is also popularly referred to as the Blue City and Sun City for its clear skies and gorgeous locales. A major part of the old city lies within the borders of the Mehrangarh Fort, which is bounded by a wall and has several gates. Over time though, the city has expanded its wings to acquire more spaces neighbouring the wall. Geographically, Jodhpur is at the epicentre of the state of Rajasthan. Hence, it is convenient with respect to travel options for travellers to reach other parts of the state.

The city of Jodhpur is also known for hosting numerous educational institutions with the most prominent ones being IIT Jodhpur, AIIMS Jodhpur, DSRRAU Jodhpur, NIFT Jodhpur, SNMC Jodhpur and NLU Jodhpur. Research institutes such as Indian Space research Organisations (ISRO), Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Desert Medicine Research Centre (DMRC), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), to name a few, are also present in Jodhpur.