kannur to Bagdogra Flights

  About Kannur

God's Own Country, Kerala might be known for its beaches and for being evergreen. On the Malabar Coast of the state of Kerala is yet another quaint paradise going by the name Kannur. It's one of the most stunning places to explore in the state. The gorgeous city is a blend of cultures and architecture from the Portuguese, British, Dutch and Mysore Sultanate. St Angelo Fort, Kannur Lighthouse and the varied beaches make this a major tourist attraction. Not just beaches but you will also find spectacular hill stations in the city. It is also popular for hosting the Theyyam festival every year. The city has pristine beaches, backwaters and scenic hill stations. You have a lot of options to choose from depending on the kind of vacation you want.

Booking a flight to Kannur ahead of time will be convenient for you. The city does witness a lot of footfall, especially from passengers who have left for the Middle East and are returning to meet their families. Based on which locale you choose, you can also book a nice hotel room in Kannur. Despite being excessively developed, most of the cities in Kerala continue to stay true to their roots and nature. Hence, the city will have more green expanse and fewer tall buildings. You might not see the most extravagant hotels in Kannur. However, you will definitely find some decent rooms with great views.

Best Time to Visit Kannur

Kannur is a coastal city and has a tropical climate. October to February is considered to be the most ideal time to visit Kannur. Though a lot of tourists prefer to visit the city during winter, monsoon promises lush green hills and a panoramic overview of the city from a hilltop. You might want to carry umbrellas and mosquito repellents with you.

October to February is winter in Kannur and is also one of the best times to visit the city. Take a walk on the secluded beaches and soak in the view. The temperature ranges from 14 to 25 degree Celsius, which is neither too hot nor too cold. Since this is peak season, you might get decent flight deals to Kannur. Make sure you book a hotel in Kannur that is either close to the beach or near the backwaters. You will be amazed at the view from your rooms.

Monsoon starts from June and lasts till August. While other beach towns in Kerala are not visited a lot during these months, Kannur still sees tourists during this season. Since it is also off-season, getting cheap flight tickets to Kannur will be easier. Not to mention, you won't see a lot of tourists on the streets. You will enjoy the solitude that you desire on vacations.

While monsoon is still bearable, summer is not the best time to visit Kannur. The temperature rises to 36 degree Celsius in May and makes you want to spend all your day indoors. March to May is when the city experiences summer. While the evenings are quite pleasant and you can enjoy your time at the beach, afternoons can be rough.

Places to Visit in Kannur

When in Kannur, who have got to check out the Payyambalam Beach, which is one of the five beaches that form the Kannur beach. The secluded beach is apt for you to just relax with your family and soak in the view of the waves. You can also indulge in water sports that are offered at this beach. The Muzhappilangad beach is one of the longest drive-in beaches in Asia. If you visit the beach in April, you might even get to celebrate the beach festival here. It is also known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Kannur. The Baby Beach is a tiny beach on the shore of the Arabian sea. Its fame comes from the fact that it is ideal for a fun family picnic by the sea.

St Angelo's Fort is a popular destination in Kannur for all the right reasons. The fort was built right by the Arabian Sea, and the view of the sea from up here will leave you awestruck. Don't forget to visit Kannur Lighthouse. It is Kerala's first-ever lighthouse, and you'll certainly enjoy the view from here. It's one of the best places for all you water babies to be. Palakkayam Thattu is a hill station in Kannur that you must visit. The view is breathtaking, and it is also one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala. The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is another place you must visit in Kannur. You will find a lot of exotic animals in the sanctuary, and it is also one of the best places to take pictures. You will also learn a lot about exotic animals.

Things to do in Kannur

Attend the Theyyam festival. Theyyam is a dance festival that is celebrated with a lot of grandiose in Kannur, along with other parts of Kerala. Artists perform Kaliyattam, and it's a treat to the eyes and ears. Indulge in water sports if you are a beach baby. Winter and summer evenings are the best times to indulge in water sports. You can either opt for the Banana Boat ride at Payyambalam beach or go surfing.

Go on a trek to Paithalmala; a hill station with a view that takes your breath away. You will find a lot of trekking packages, you can choose whichever is convenient for you. In fact, since there are a lot of hill stations in Kannur, you can either pick an easy trek or a challenging one. Trekking during monsoon can be quite challenging but make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Trekking up the hills in Kannur is surely a rewarding experience. Go shopping for local handicrafts or sarees. Invest your time in buying souvenirs for your loved ones. If you love seafood, Kerala is the right place for you to be. Of course, you cannot make a trip to the South of India and not have payasam. Indulge in the special delicacies that the city has to offer, too.

You can also spend an evening boating at the backwaters and soak in the beautiful view. Book a hotel in Kannur overlooking the backwaters, and you can wake up to the scenic view of the water. Go beach hopping over the weekend, and you will not regret it one bit. Pick the right season to visit Kannur and beach hopping will rejuvenate you for sure. If you are not a water baby, you can choose the hill stations. Looking at the city from the up top will be quite overwhelming and enchanting.

Food and Restaurants in Kannur

There are a lot of food joints in Kannur, and you'll find all sorts of food joints since it is a popular tourist destination. Do also try and take back home Kerala's famous banana chips. Idli, Vada, mango-lemon chutney, papaddam are just a few specialities of Kerala. Wheat House is a popular restaurant where you will find authentic Keralan food and the right ambience. Baker Boys is yet another restaurant that offers the best snacks with refreshing chai.

Hotel Odhens is popular for its fish curry and a very popular joint in Kannur, too. Sahib's Grill Kitchen is yet another place that will satiate your hunger pangs. It is known for its non-vegetarian food and friendly staff. Head over to Indian Coffee House for authentic filter coffee and some delicious dosas. Cool Land is a restaurant that serves the best biryanis in Kannur. It is quite popular among locals, too.

How to reach Kannur (Transportation)

By Air

Kannur International Airport, which is approximately 25 km away from the main city, became functional a couple of years back. Calicut International Airport in Kozhikode is also the next nearest airport to reach Kannur, approximately 128 km away. The flight connectivity to Kannur from Kozhikode is excellent. Flights from Kannur to other major cities in the country run quite frequently. You can book your flight tickets to Kannur depending on whatever is a convenient way for you to travel once you land. You will easily get taxis and buses from the airport that will drop you to the station.

By Rail

Kannur is well-connected with the other states in the country. Domestic routes from Kannur connect to Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Mangalore and a lot of other places. Trains like Nizamuddin Express, Madgaon Express, New Delhi AC Express and a couple of other trains pass through Kannur.

By Road

There are a lot of buses that run from major cities to Kannur. Though road travel can be quite time consuming, it is one of the best ways to travel since the view is magical. However, if it is a long journey that you have to cover, make sure you pick between trains and flights. Getting a train ticket at the last moment can be quite the task so book your tickets in advance.

  About Bagdogra

North-East India and the Himalayas are a trendy tourist destination in India, for all the right reasons. Bagdogra is a hill station near the foothills of Himalayas and in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Bagdogra is considered as the gateway to the North-East and the Himalayas. This small hill station is so beautiful; you'll love being here even if it is for a couple of hours. It's the perfect place for all you nature lovers out there. You can either laze around and admire the scenery or take a walk around the town to explore it.

The hill station is a perfect holiday spot. It's also like paradise for tea lovers since tea gardens surround it. River Teesta also flows through the town, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in river rafting. Or you can sit by the river and embrace solitude for a while. You pass through Bagdogra to get to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri and Bhutan. Bagdogra will make you fall in love with it. Apart from sightseeing and river rafting, there are quite a few activities that you can opt for in Bagdogra. It's not the most popular vacation destination, but you will surely not regret spending time in this town.

Bagdogra is connected to all major cities in the country. It is pretty easy to reach Bagdogra by flights, trains and road, too. The Bagdogra Airport connects to domestic routes from Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Guwahati. You can also quickly get a bus or taxi from the neighbouring cities to Bagdogra.

Make sure you do add Bagdogra to your itinerary when you plan a trip to the North-East. You will love this small town for its lush green surroundings and the beautiful weather. The people, too, are quite friendly and helpful. Even though there is very little that you can do in Bagdogra, it is worth stopping by. If you have a long layover at Bagdogra airport, you can make the most of it by going sightseeing somewhere near the airport. Since it is a small town, you won't have to worry about making it back on time for your flight. But if you are going to Darjeeling, Bhutan or Shillong and the town falls on your way, make sure that you do visit this town.

Best Time to Visit Bagdogra

July to February is the best time to visit Bagdogra. While the hill station witnesses monsoon from July to October, the winter sets in from November to February. This is the ideal time for you to witness the beautiful, scenic hill station. The temperature can fall to as low as 5 degree Celsius. You can see the snowy mountains that surround the town and be mesmerized by the beauty of it. The summer is also quite pleasant in the City, and the maximum temperature touches 38 degree Celsius.

Places to Visit in Bagdogra

Check out the Coronation Bridge that is 37 km from Bagdogra. It is on the way to Gangtok from Bagdogra, and the view is just beautiful. The Surya Sen Park in Siliguri, which is close to Bagdogra, is a bright picnic spot. The park sees quite a few families on vacation spending quality time with each other while enjoying the view. Madhuban Park, which is 24 km ahead of Bagdogra in Siliguri, was established by the Indian Army. This is yet another picnic spot that tourists love. You'll even spot deers, peacocks and rabbits in the park, along with butterflies.

The Umrao Singh Boat Club in Siliguri has a lot of activities in store for you, including boating. They have a huge variety and different shapes of boats for tourists. You can get in touch with your spiritual side at the ISKCON temple in Siliguri and at Kali Mandir in Binnaguri which is also quite close to River Teesta. You can visit the temple and combine it with river rafting at the river. You can also visit Salugara Monastery while you are here.

Bagdogra has no hotels since it's only a pitstop to get to the other neighbouring cities and Bhutan. You can, however, book a hotel room in Siliguri or Darjeeling or any of the nearby towns. The bus services to Bagdogra are widespread, so you won't have to worry about travelling to and from the City.

Things to do in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is the gateway to reaching Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and everything North-East. You can take a cab or a bus to visit Siliguri, which is the nearest City to this hill station. If you have a couple of hours left to catch another flight, you can get around the town in less time. Since Bagdogra is just a pitstop, you will find fewer tourist things to do, but the hill station is entirely worth it. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bagdogra has the most beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

If you do have time on your hands, make sure you go river rafting at River Teesta. Or you can admire the river and meditate by the river for a while. You can also visit the Coronation Bridge that is quite close to the river stream. Whether you are with your friends or family, be assured that you will have a great time here. You can also visit the Salugara Monastery and the Kali Mandir to offer your prayers and to enjoy your solitude.

Even if you don't feel like indulging in any activities, grab your favourite book and get engrossed in the stories amid the best of what nature has to offer to you. You can also put on your headphones, play your favourite music and get lost in the tranquillity of the hill station. If you are on a solo trip, you will love spending time here in Bagdogra, even if it is for a little while. Bagdogra is quite accessible to most cities in the North-East, and travelling will not prove to be troublesome for you.

Food and Restaurants in Bagdogra

If you are travelling via plane, you have to try the restaurant that is inside the Bagdogra airport. It is run by the Bagdogra Airport Restaurant Workers Co-operative Society Ltd, and it serves a unique dish that grabbed headlines for all the right reasons. The airport serves you chicken cutlets that are made in Bagdogra style and are a one-of-its-kind dish. All foodies must try this out at least once. The restaurant can seat up to 150 people, and you'll be treated to a runway view as you finish your meal. It won't even burn a hole in your pocket.

Marina's Motel is one of the best restaurants near the airport if you are craving for Chinese or Continental cuisines. The staff is quite friendly, and the restaurant has a very cosy ambience. Bagdogra also has a solution to your biryani cravings. Naz Biryani House is known for serving and cooking the most delicious biryani, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. For a quick bite, you can head over to Hunger Stop restaurant near the airport. You can even try the dessert here.

The Gourmet Central Family Restaurant and Bar is approximately 11 km away from the airport. It has a charming decor with cosy seating and friendly staff. It is also one of the best restaurants in the town. Do make sure that you try the food at the airport restaurant though. You can also opt for street food or the local chai, which will be available quite easily. Don't hesitate to try out the local street food, too.

How to reach Bagdogra (Transportation)

By Air

The Bagdogra Airport is well-connected to major domestic routes from Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Chennai. The flight connectivity is quite functional, and getting to Bagdogra is not very difficult. You can get pretty good flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, too.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is in Siliguri, which is 5 km away from Bagdogra. There are no direct trains or buses to Bagdogra, and you will have to change a taxi or bus from Siliguri to reach the hill station.

By Road

There are lots of transport options and services are available to reach the town. You can opt for whichever suits your convenience. The transport is quite affordable, too. The roads are also quite smooth and won't be uncomfortable for you. You will also find a lot of convenient options to go to other neighbouring cities of the North-East and the Himalayas. Travelling by road is also one of the best options. The journey will surely be a treat for the eyes and the soul.

  About Kannur Airport

Kannur International Airport is an international airport that caters to the district of Kannur in the northern regions of the state of Kerala. The area of the airport is about 2,300 acres and is situated 28 km at the east of Kannur town. The airport came into existence in 2018 and has already managed to accommodate enough domestic and international airline operations. It has been speculated by the airport authorities that the airport's passenger traffic would increase five-fold by the year 2025. Originally, Kannur just had an airstrip that was predominantly used for commercial aviation purposes in 1935. There was just one weekly operation of flights between Bombay and Trivandrum chartered by TATA airlines with stops at Goa and Cannanore.

In 1997, under the authority of the then union minister of civil aviation CM Ibrahim, the blueprints for an airport was conceptualized along with a proposal for an airport in the Kannur district. However, the project was stalled as the land sanctions took about a decade. Not to mention once the sanction was accorded in 2008, the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation announced that the land chosen for the airport wasn't feasible. Eventually, the original plots were dropped, and two new sites were proposed for the airport's construction. Eventually, land acquisition commenced as the compensation for the land were fixed in 2008. The foundation stone was laid in 2010 and construction for the new airport was followed soon. Flight operations at Kannur International Airport finally kickstarted in 2018 with the first flight being an Air India Express IX 715 (Boeing 737-800 aircraft) to Abu Dhabi.

About Kannur Airport Terminal

The airport plans to accommodate an integrated passenger terminal that would cater to both domestic and international travellers. The floor area of the terminal is spread across 1,040,000 sq ft for departure and arrival, respectively. The terminal is set to accommodate about 2,000 passengers at peak hours thanks to its unique swing facility. The integrated terminal also features a plethora of modern facilities such as six aerobridges along with 46 check-in counters, 16 customs counters, 32 immigration counters and four conveyor belts for baggage. The airport plans to utilize the international gates for domestic operations during times of no international flights. The terminal building has been constructed with a double skin aluminium roofing system and also has efficient LED lighting, which makes it a building that follows environmental perks.

Kannur International Airport has only one runway which permits an obstacle-free approach for flights and cargo activities. The runway is set to have simple lightings installed soon. Full-length parallel taxiway and apron to accommodate 20 wide-body aircraft to park are also set to be installed as part of their expansion plans. A 300 metres long and 90 metres wide runway end safety area is being installed at both ends of the runway. The idea behind constructing the same is to avoid and alleviate the risk of casualties that could crop up to the aircraft due to undershooting, excursion or overshoot from the runway. A plethora of ground support equipment is also being made available to cater to the aircraft amid flights. Some of the services include chocks, dollies, aircraft refuelers, catering vehicles, belt loaders and aircraft service stairs.

Kannur International Airport also accommodates a fuel farm as well as an MRO facility (maintenance, repair and overhaul). A special air enclave is also being reserved for the Indian Navy. It would cater to the Ezhimala Naval Academy, which is about 60 kilometres away from the Kannur International Airport.

About airport authority

The state owns Kannur International Airport while a public, private partnership platform undertakes the operations. A public-private consortium owns it. After Cochin International Airport, Kannur International Airport is second greenfield airport in the state of Kerala that follows a public, private partnership. In terms of operations, the airport is currently managed by Kannur International Airport Ltd. (KIAL) which is a public company. Former chief of Air India, V Thulasidas IAS, is the present Managing Director of Kannur International Airport Ltd. Pinarayi Vijayan, the current chief minister of Kerala, also plays a pivotal role in the management structure of the airport as he holds the position of chairman.

The government of Kerala also holds a stake in the airport as it is the principal investor with a whopping 32.86 per cent of shares in the venture. Other shareholders in KIAL include 22.54 per cent invested by State and Central Public Sector Undertakings, 9.39 per cent shares owned by Airports Authority of India and a whopping 35.21 per cent by others (individuals, cooperatives, societies, banks, companies, basically all legal entities that have been approved by the Board of Directors.

Facilities at the Kannur Airport

Medical room – Every airport is required to have medical rooms and professionals to deal with medical emergencies. Kannur International Airport has also installed a medical room to cater to the same needs. There are medical professionals present in the airport vicinity at all times.

Baby care rooms – For travellers who are travelling with infants, the airport has reserved specific rooms that pertain to baby care. These rooms have immaculate facilities and are baby-proofed too. The rooms offer privacy to the mother and the infant for breastfeeding and changing of diapers. Plus, there are baby products also available in the room.

Foreign exchange counters – The airport witnesses a lot of activities from international flights as it caters to several Middle Eastern cities. Hence, there are specific foreign exchange counters that have been installed in the arrivals section of the international terminal. One can easily get the currencies exchanged, that too at a decent rate. In case you are not able to find the currency exchange booths, you can ask for help from any of the professionals at the airport premise. Also, money transfers can be done at the exchange counters.

Baggage – As an international airport, there are various top-notch baggage facilities made available. They have baggage wrapping services for passengers who are carrying fragile items or are travelling to an international destination. The baggage is wrapped in plastic to avoid mishandling and theft of the contents of the luggage. Trolleys are also made available at the departures and arrivals section of its terminal.

ATMs – The airport offers ATM kiosks at specific junctions for passengers to make cash withdrawals. In case you have trouble finding the same, you can approach the information desk or any airport personnel to help you out.

Lounge - Kannur International Airport has two lounges, one in the domestic and international terminals, respectively. Called the Pearl Lounge, the two lounge services can be availed by all passengers. While the pass holders need not spend any money to avail services of the lounge, others will be required to be a specific tariff to hang out at the lounge. Details of the same can be found on the official website of the airport as well as the information desk at the airport premise.

WiFi - In three easy steps, you can connect to the WiFi network of Kannur International Airport. The system would require your name and local mobile number to grant access. Once the OTP has been shared, the passenger can avail free WiFi services for the first 15 minutes. Following the 15 minutes, though, they will need to decide whether they wish to pay for a temporary top-up plan or if they are done with the services.

Top airlines flying from the Kannur Airport

As the airport had only opened in 2018, there are only a handful of airlines that operate from Kannur International Airport. Domestic airlines such as Air India, GoAir and IndiGo operate from the airport. Kannur International Airport also caters to international destinations, mainly the Middle East cities. International airline Air India Express also operates from Kannur International Airport. Major cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa, Hubli and Chennai, are well-connected with the airport. Some of the big Middle-Eastern cities connected to Kannur International Airport include Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Riyadh and Dubai, to name a few.

How to reach Kannur Airport

Kannur International Airport is well-connected with various districts in the state. The nearest city to the airport is Mattannur which is only 5 km away. The small town has bus services that will reach you to the Kannur International Airport. KSRTC offers services to districts such as Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram. Pre-paid taxi cabs are also available that can be found within the city to reach Kannur International Airport. The fares are usually decided ahead of the journey to ensure that the passengers are not overcharged. You can opt for autorickshaw services also at the airport from Mattanur and other districts. Again, the best way to reach the Kannur International Airport by rickshaw would be to fix a fare beforehand. The closest railway stations to Kannur International Airport are Thalassery and Kannur which are at 25 km and 27 km away, respectively. You can take rickshaws or taxi cabs to reach Kannur International Airport from the railway stations.