Kandla to Gwalior SpiceJet Flights

  About Kandla

Gujarat is a state with major tourist attractions like the Gir National Park, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Somnath temple, Bhuj, the Rann of Kutch and so on. Kandla is another popular destination, also known as Kandla Port. It is situated on the Gulf of Kutch and is the largest port of India in terms of the volume of cargo it handles. It might not be an ideal tourist destination, but it is one that you must visit. Since it is the largest port in India, you can head over to catch all the action. You can look at all the heavy cargo being moved and large ships that help with the transport. However, you will need a certain set of approved permissions to get closer to the ships that are parked at the port. If you are travelling with your kids, this is one of the best places to visit. It will be quite the learning experience for them and for you, too. You can also check out the huge hydraulic cranes that take out the massive containers.

Best Time to Visit Kandla

Kandla is the hub of commercial activity in Gujarat, and it is busy all year round. While there are barely any tourist attractions in the port city, there are a lot of attractions near Kandla that you can visit. Bhuj, Rann of Kutch, Mandvi Beach are some of the popular attractions. If you are planning to visit all of these attractions in addition to Kandla, it is best to plan your trip anywhere between October to February. The state witnesses winter, and it is the ideal time to head to Kandla. The temperature ranges from 12 to 35 degree Celsius during October to February. The weather is favourable and pleasant for you to plan a trip to the port. You can also enjoy a mesmerizing sunset by the Gulf of Kutch while you watch the cargo being boarded on the huge ships. The famous Rann of Kutch also takes place during February, which attracts a lot of tourists to the port also during this time.

March to May is summer in Gujarat, and the temperature reaches up to a maximum of 40 degree Celsius. May is the hottest month in Gujarat, and taking a trip to the state during this time can be quite exhausting. It is best to avoid travelling to any place in Gujarat during the summer. Even if you are planning a summer trip, make sure you stay hydrated and carry sunblock with you. June to September is monsoon in Gujarat, and the city doesn't receive very heavy rainfall. The humidity does increase during monsoon, and it might kill any plan that you have to venture out. Heavy rains or not, travelling during monsoon can become quite painful. If you don't like getting drenched, you might have to spend the day sitting in your hotel rooms waiting for the rain to stop. However, since this is the off-season, it will be easier to get cheap flight tickets to Kandla.

Places to Visit in Kandla

Kandla Port is one of the major attractions that is located on Kandla Creek. It was established in 1952 and inaugurated by then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Kandla Port is also the commercial hub of Gujarat and is the centre for importing oil and exporting grains from India. There are quite a few tourist attractions that are near Kandla and are destinations you cannot miss. Gandhidham is a very popular and beautiful town that is 13 km away from Kandla. The town was made for all the people who were left homeless during the India-Pakistan partition. Kandla creek is also where late Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were submerged, which makes it a special place for people to visit. The Rann of Kutch takes place in February and is a very popular event in the country. You get to experience the best of the culture, artwork, tradition, performance arts, music and more. A lot of people club their trips to Kutch with a few hours to spare to visit Kandla Port.

Kandla is also quite close to Bhuj. You can add Kandla to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to Bhuj. The Ashapura Mata temple in Bhuj sees a lot of devotees during Ashwin Navratri and Chaitra Navratri. Dholavira is one of the largest excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization. You can also visit the Mandvi Beach for an evening stroll after you are done soaking in the mesmerizing view at Kandla Port. Bhadreshwar Jain Temple is yet another place that sees a lot of tourists. It is an ancient temple and a highly recommended tourist spot, too. You will also find approximately 52 monuments and tombs surrounding the central temple. The nearby cities of Kandla are worth a visit and will not burn a hole in your pocket at all.

Things to do in Kandla

You will need a certain set of permissions to enter the Kandla Port and look around. If you are with your family, it will certainly be quite an educational trip for your kids. Kandla Port is an important commercial hub, and it will also be quite an experience for you. You can take a look at the massive ships up close and get to know exactly how things work at the port. You can also interact with the workers in their spare time to get to know more about their work culture. Enjoy a beautiful sunset at the port. Kandla Port is also where the ashes of late Mahatma Gandhi were immersed, which also makes it an important historical destination. The port is also near important tourist cities like Bhuj, Rajkot, Mandvi, Ram Leela Maidan, Gandhidham and Kutch. You can head over to the Rann of Kutch if you are visiting the state in February. Gandhidham is also a city of historical significance. It was founded after the partition of India for the refugees. Dholavira is a great place to visit for all the archaeology lovers. Mandvi Beach is also near Kandla Port and is known for its beautiful sunsets. If you are in the mood to do something adventurous, you can go for a hike to the Bhujia Hills, which is also pretty close to Kandla.

Food and Restaurants in Kandla

Gujarat is known for its lip-smacking delicacies like Dhokla, Fafda, Khandvi and so on. The Gujarati thali is also highly recommended for tourists who want a complete dining experience of the state. Wave is a popular restaurant in Gandhidham's Radisson Hotel near Kandla. Not only is the food delicious, but the service is also top-notch. You will not leave disappointed from here. The Cafe Irani is another recommended restaurant for a refreshing chai and bun maska. You must also try the Akuri and other dishes made of eggs at the restaurant. If you are a fan of Iranian and Parsi food, you will love it here. Head over to Rangoli Restaurant at Zanda Chowk in Gandhidham to try some authentic and yummy Gujarati thali. The restaurant is known for its service and for serving the best Gujarati food in the vicinity. You can also try Big Bite Restaurant and Rasoi Restaurant for a variety of Indian cuisines offered on their menu. The food is delicious, affordable and comes with service that you cannot complain about at all. Rajwadi Rasoi in Anjar serves both Indian and Chinese cuisines but is known for its delectable Rajasthani thali. The Chocolate Room, which is about 2 km away from Radisson Hotel in Gandhidham, is also worth a try if you are not in the mood to try traditional Indian desserts. It is also a popular franchise in the country, and you will love it here.

How to reach Kandla (Transportation)

By Air

Kandla Airport is called Gandhidham Airport, which was constructed in the 1950s. The flight connectivity to Kandla is quite limited. It is also a small airport in comparison to other airports and can only accommodate over 100 passengers at a time in the terminal building. Only domestic routes from Kandla airport can be accessed, and the destinations are limited. International routes from Kandla can be accessed through connecting flights from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Another nearest airport to Kandla is Bhuj Airport. It is also difficult to find flights to Kandla from most major or small cities in the country since it only flies to and from limited destinations. It is not very difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Kandla since the fares are quite low.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is at Gandhidham, and it is connected to other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. You will get a taxi or an auto outside the station to Kandla Port. Do make sure that you have the necessary permissions in place before you head to the port.

By Road

Reaching Kandla by road is one of the best and most convenient options. You will get buses and taxis from Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Vadodara and Ahmedabad.

  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 SpiceJet

SpiceJet is one of the most popular airlines in India and quite affordable, too. Lowest airfares and high customer value is what the airline aims to deliver to its passengers. The airline has 630 daily flights operating to 64 destinations, of which 15 are international destinations. It has hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. One of the specialities of the airlines is its dynamic fares. It makes sure that the fares are affordable to every citizen of the country. Spicejet is practical and yet stylish, and there is no denying it. The airline also has a very efficient and helpful crew who make sure that you have had a safe and comfortable flight. It was founded in 2004 as Royal Airways and commenced operations in 2005 as SpiceJet. The first flight was operated between Mumbai and Delhi after which it soon became the third-largest low-cost carrier in the share market after Air Deccan and Indigo. Media magnate Kalanidhi Maran also acquired a major stake in the airline through Sun Group. The company was originally acquired by entrepreneur Ajay Singh who is the Managing Director of the airline.

SpiceJet initially leased two Boeing 737-800 aircraft when it started operations and had planned to order ten new crafts to expand. By 2010, the airline ordered 30 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and 15 Bombardier Q4 Dash. Though the airline suffered a lot of loss in 2012 due to the increase in global crude prices, it recovered and returned to profits later that year. SpiceJetrecently added the B737 - Max 8 aircraft to its fleet, which is a state-of-the-art aircraft. Most SpiceJet flights can seat from 150 to 200 passengers, except the Bombardier Q400 that only seats between 78 to 90 passengers.

The airline also has an elite SpiceClub, a membership program for passengers that offers a lot of privileges and benefits. You can earn frequent flyer points for every Rs. 100/- spent on the flights, along with the add-ons. If you have enough points, you might even get a chance to fly for free. The airline now also offers premium services to passengers who fly under the SpiceMax program. It allows passengers to choose their seats well in advance along with priority check-in and boarding, priority baggage handling but at a higher price. SpiceJet also has a cargo airline called SpiceXpress which was launched in 2018. It became the first airline that operated freight services between Southeast Asia and North East India after it began its services in 2019 between Guwahati and Hong Kong.

Fleet Size of SpiceJet

With increasing popularity, the airline kept adding more aircraft to increase efficiency. The maximum number of passengers that a SpiceJet flight can seat is up to 212, depending on the aircraft, of course. Boeing 737-900 ER is one of the largest economy passenger flights that can accommodate 212 passengers. Boeing 737-900 can seat 139 economy class passengers and 28 business class passengers. SpiceJet has 4 Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft and only one Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Boeing 737 Max 8 is an upgrade from the previous aircraft and has a narrow body. It can seat 189 economy class passengers. However, due to two fatal accidents of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, the aircraft was grounded worldwide. Approximately 346 people lost their lives in these plane crashes, which is one of the primary reasons for the aircraft to get grounded worldwide. The Civil Aviation Administration of China was the first one to ground the aircraft nationwide, and other countries followed suit. The aircraft is expected to start flying after some major changes to its flight control system. There are a total 54 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts in service of which 18 also cater to a few business class passengers.

Boeing 737-700 has seven aircraft of which four can accommodate business class passengers. The total capacity of these aircraft is between 134 to 149. SpiceJet also has 2 Airbus A320-200 aircraft that can accommodate up to 180 passengers. The Bombardier Q400 is a comparatively smaller aircraft that accommodates fewer passengers as compared to the Boeing aircraft. SpiceJet has about 32 of these that can accommodate 78 to 90 passengers. SpiceJet has announced that it will induct 16 Boeing 737-800 and 5 more Bombardier Q400, owing to the demand. Since SpiceJet also caters to business class and premium passengers who are willing to pay extra for comfort and exclusive offers, you will find a lot of flights that have sections reserved for these passengers in the aircraft. The best part about the Bombardier Q400 is that there are two people on either side of the aircraft, which makes more room for you to have a relaxing journey. However, it only flies to shorter distances as compared to the other aircraft.

Baggage Allowance

Like most airlines, SpiceJet also has a specific set of rules adhering to the baggage that you can and cannot carry. There are a certain set of rules for domestic passengers and other sets of rules for passengers travelling internationally. Spicejet has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger must follow. Currently, domestic passengers are allowed only one check-in baggage that does not exceed 20 kgs. Passengers who are carrying more than the baggage allowance will have to bear extra costs and will need to be booked at least 6 hours before the flight departure. Make sure you are not carrying any radioactive or explosive items in your baggage. You also have to steer clear of corrosives like acids, alkalis, mercury and compressed flammable or combustible gases. There are also certain rules with carrying your phone charger and power banks that you must follow. You can only carry these in your hand luggage and not your check-in luggage.

It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you won't have to spend a lot of time at the counter. You can just collect your boarding pass, hand over your luggage and head to the gate. SpiceJet allows the Free Baggage Allowance of the International sector if you are travelling from domestic to international or vice versa on a connecting flight within 24 hours. If you have a connecting flight and have to change to another airline, you are allowed Free Baggage Allowance of one check-in bag weighing 20 kg or less. Again, you need to ensure that you are not carrying anything that you are not allowed to carry. It is also advisable that you do not pack your valuables like jewellery, money or electronics in your check-in luggage. Make sure you add those to your hand luggage since the airline is not responsible for any damage to property. It is also a piece of thoughtful advice to protect your assets.

In-flight Services

Though SpiceJet used to function on economy class-only seating when it commenced operations, it introduced premium in-flight services to SpiceJet passengers under the title SpiceMax. Passengers are offered additional benefits like pre-assigned seats with extra legroom, priority check-in and boarding, meals onboard and so on at a higher price. You are also eligible for a complimentary upgrade and free cancellation. The airline does not offer or provide complimentary meals to passengers flying by economy class. Though it has a frequent flyer programme, it does not provide in-flight entertainment options. With the airline evolving and introducing new offers and services to keep its customers happy, don't be surprised if they introduce in-flight entertainment services for the premium passengers.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for SpiceJet

SpiceJet connects to various domestic and international routes on a daily basis. It connects to 54 Indian destinations and 15 international destinations with 630 flights operating on a regular basis. It has its hubs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad so don't be surprised if your flights have layovers at these cities whether you travel domestically or internationally. The staff is quite accommodating and helpful. They will help you out with any query that you have regarding your layovers or other flight details. Do make sure you are allowed to step out of the airport and explore the surrounding area before you board the flight again after your layover.

Why Travel by SpiceJet?

SpiceJet is not only one of the most affordable airlines in India, but it is also an efficient one. The airline ensures that its passengers are informed about the flight status more than just once along with the SpiceJet flight schedule. Even if your flight witnesses the slightest delay, the authorities make sure they keep you informed about it so you can plan your commute to the airport according to that. Web check-in is also made easy through your phone or using a kiosk at the airport. Booking a SpiceJet ticket is also quite easy and anything but complicated. It aims to attract passengers with low fares and quality service. It also manages to live up to its mission. The staff is also quite friendly and helpful.