kannur to Madurai 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 Madurai

Touted to be one of the ancient cities in India, Madurai is especially recognised for its religious significance. The city has a lot of temples of which the Meenakshi Amman Temple is considered as the most important one. The temple also has a shrine for her consort, Sundareswarar. Madurai is also pretty close to hill stations like Kodaikanal, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumily and so on. Madurai is the perfect blend of natural beauty and heritage with a dash of urbanisation. It also plays a crucial role in preserving Tamil culture, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. People of Madurai are also known for celebrating all the key festivals with a lot of grandiose.

Best Time to Visit Madurai

Madurai is best visited during winters. The weather in Madurai is pleasant, and the city is buzzing with tourists and pilgrims. You can book a hotel room in Madurai closer to the Meenakshi Amman temple if that is your main purpose of the visit. Commuting in the city is not very difficult.

Winters in Madurai start from December and last till February. The temperature ranges from 20-29 degree Celsius. This is also when Pongal is celebrated across the city for three whole days. The harvest festival, that is celebrated across Tamil Nadu with a lot of grandeur, gets only better. However, since it is peak season, booking a hotel in Madurai can get a tad bit expensive. Do lookout for good flight deals to Madurai online. Since it is peak season, make sure you book your flight tickets to Madurai well in advance.

The city experiences monsoon from June to August and Madurai experiences very heavy rainfall. Though the rains add to all the beauty and charm of the city with the greenery, the climate is gloomy, and the rains stop you from venturing out.

March to May is summer in Madurai, and the temperature can rise up to 34 degree Celsius. Not only does it get hot, but the weather is quite dry, making it a less favourable time to visit the city. Since it is off-season, you will also find it easier to get cheap flight tickets to Madurai.

Places to Visit in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Madurai. A lot of tourists and pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year. The Amman temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to mythology, Lord Shiva came to Madurai to marry Goddess Parvati, who was residing in a human form here and was called Meenakshi. Madurai is considered sacred primarily because it is believed to be the birthplace of the Goddess. Not only is the temple huge, but the architecture will leave you stunned. Adding to this is the divine feeling that you experience in the temple. Do not miss the morning and evening aarti at the temple. You can also embrace your spiritual side at the Saint Mary's Cathedral in Madurai.

Another magnificent place to visit is the Thirumalai Nayak Palace which was built in the 17th century. It was built by King Tirumala Nayaka who was a King then. The Jain Caves is yet another top-rated tourist attraction in Madurai. You can also explore the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It's a beautiful temple and a masterpiece in every way. While you are in this part of the city, do also visit the Pazhamudhir Solai. This is easily one of the best places to spend with yourself in solitude.

Meghamalai and Samanar Hills are also two popular locations in the city. You can go hiking to one of these mountains and reach a spot from where the entire city looks absolutely breathtaking. It's the perfect getaway from all the city hustle-bustle. Make sure you go to these places during the right season. You'll even be able to take the best pictures of yourself and nature over here.

Things to do in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is a must-visit when you are in Madurai. The queue can be pretty long depending on what time you visit the temple. Not to mention, you will also have to adhere to a few rules like wearing traditional clothes and not carrying your phones, cameras or gadgets inside the temple. It is believed that the kumkum you get after offering your prayers here is auspicious and blesses your marital life. After visiting the temple, you can stop by Puthu Mandapam, which is right opposite the temple. It is a popular place to shop for clothes, accessories, handicrafts and different kinds of art work. Go for a hike at the Samanar Hills and make sure you also stop by the Jain Caves. You might come across the Keelakuilkudi village that is famous for its Jain sculptures and painted mud horse collection.

Madurai is pretty close to the Vaigai Dam, and a lot of tourists visit the dam when they go to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary since it is on the way. It is one of the architectural marvels in the city and a very popular picnic spot, too. The sunset here is simply mesmerising. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the Alagar Kovil, recognised for its exquisite beauty. It will make you want to spend at least 10 minutes in solitude to just admire it. If you are visiting Madurai during the Chithirai Festival, you must definitely attend it. The locals celebrate the festival for over a month, and you can also be a part of the ceremonies that take place to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped at Sundareswara here.

Food and Restaurants in Madurai

Even though Madurai is a city that has a lot of religious importance, you will find restaurants in the city that serve non-vegetarian food, a little away from the temples. Of course, you can blindly trust and have the traditional South Indian food like Idlis and Dosas here. But Madurai is known for delicacies like Paruthi Paal, Jigarthanda, Kuzhi Paniyaram and Appam. Jigarthanda is a very popular beverage here, and you'll find it almost everywhere. You can even try some outside the Meenakshi Amman temple. Just a few streets away from the Amman temple is Murugan Idli Shop. You'll get the fluffiest, most delicious idlis here with four different types of chutneys. You can also order the Onion Uttapam and Sweet Pongal here. You can also head to Kodaikanal from Madurai since it is not very far from here. Ooty is quite far by road, but you can make a trip to Ooty, too, if you have the time and if you are planning the trip during winter. Both the hill stations are worth visiting during the cold season. You'll get buses and taxis to Kodaikanal very easily from Madurai. You might have to negotiate the fare a little bit if you are taking a private taxi from Madurai.

The Burmah Idiyappa Kadai is a local eatery that serves Idiyappam only. There is no seating here, but the outlet sees a lot of customers on a regular basis. The Idiyappams are served with tomato chutney and sweetened coconut milk. Chandran Mess at the Alagar Kovil main road is another popular restaurant that you can visit. Its speciality is Kola Urundai or mutton balls. It is owned by a family that overlooks everything that goes into making the best dishes. Not only do they grind their masalas using a mortar pestle like the olden days, but the members of the family also supervise the kitchen at all times. You will also find a lot of restaurants that serve other Indian dishes, Chinese and Continental cuisines, too.

How to reach Madurai (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is about 10 km away from the city. The airport connects Madurai to domestic routes in the city like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. The flight connectivity from Madurai to these cities within the country is excellent. However, the nearest international airports are the Coimbatore International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport. You can either change flights from these airports or take a taxi from outside the airport. You will also get taxis from Madurai airport to your hotel or wherever you wish to go first.

By Rail

Trains run regularly to and from Madurai Junction. Trains run quite frequently from the city, and it is also well-connected to other major cities in the country. It is advisable that you make your ticket bookings done well in advance during summer since it is a holiday season and a lot of people travel to Madurai for the summer vacation with their families and kids. In any case, booking tickets in advance will help you find better coaches.

By Road

There are quite a few buses, both government-run and private, that are connected to Madurai. You will also get buses from Madurai to other major cities of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. Getting around the city and to the city by road is also quite convenient. The NH 44 is a popular route to Madurai.

  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.

  About Madurai Airport

The Madurai Airport is touted to be a customs airport that majorly serves the city and its neighbouring districts in Tamil Nadu. It is located close to State Highway 37, which is about 12 km from the Madurai railway station. The airport stands at the 32nd position as the busiest airport in India. This includes in terms of passenger handling as well as aircraft movement. Established in 1957, the airport was originally used as an airfield by the Royal Air Force of the British during the Second World War, back in 1942. Later after independence from the British, the airport chartered its first passenger flight which was a Fokker Friendship aircraft that followed the Madras - Madurai - Trivandrum - Madurai - Madras route. This took place in 1956. The airport soon found recognition for being one of the 35 non-metro airports chosen for modernisation. Much recently, the airport received a revamp from the government as a new integrated terminal building was constructed. Madurai airport also has international flights that fly to Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

About Madurai Airport Terminals

The Madurai Airport has two terminals placed in an adjacent direction to connect the old and the new unified terminal. The integrated terminal is presently being used for all domestic and international activities. Meanwhile, the old terminal has been reserved as a Cargo Terminal. The growth in the demand for flights to and from the Madurai International Airport, there are plans to separate the two terminals into individual domestic and international. The terminal with the area of 189,000 ft has the capacity to handle about 250 passengers on arrival and departure. The airport's parking bay can accommodate 375 cars and ten buses. The new terminal also includes features such as 16 check-in counters along with 12 immigration booths. There are two security counters, too, with five customs counters. The new terminal also entertains two lounges for passengers, a VIP lounge managed by AAI and a CIP lounge (Commercial Important Persons) handled by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are three aero-bridges too.

About airport authority

The Madurai Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The AAI is a statutory body that ensures to handle the infrastructural development, maintenance and management of various airports, including the Madurai Airport. Much recently, the airport proposed to create a new terminal building specifically for the Madurai International Airport, as the airport has been witnessing an increase in passenger traffic. The new building will also have a control tower and plans to erect seven new aprons at the Madurai Airport. This is due to the airport's current capacity to handle only 250 passengers at their arrival and departure halls at once. A proposed site is going to extend the runway to 12,500 ft, enabling the efficient functioning of overseas services. Work to extend the airport has already begun with plans to disconnect the Ring Road at the Mandela Junction and divert the route to Perungudi and Avaniapuram, which would eventually connect to the Tuticorin Road.

Top airlines flying from Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport is one of the small airports in the state of Tamil Nadu. As the airport does have two adjacent terminals, one is for the domestic, and the other is for international airlines. There are only two international airlines that fly from Madurai Airport. The Srilankan Airlines, which flies to Colombo–Bandaranaike and SpiceJet, which flies to Dubai-International, are both available at the Madurai airport. Air India Express also has a flight to Singapore, available at Madurai Airport. Aside from these three airlines with cities to international connections, the rest of the airlines are domestic. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, fly from the Madurai Airport. The airlines connectivity is a little limited as they only fly to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Tiruchirapalli and Hyderabad.

Facilities at Madurai Airport

Airport lounge – The airport has a few lounges including a retiring room for passengers who are waiting due to a layover. Madurai Airport also has a lounge called the Golden Chariot Lounge. It is essential for passengers to get access to hang out at the lounge space. The same can be availed through membership programs.

Foreign exchange – The foreign exchange counters are available at the arrivals of the international terminal. The counters have been placed to enable passengers travelling from abroad to exchange currencies and even make money transfers.

Restaurants and cafes – There are a few restaurants and cafes available in the premise of the airport. There is a dedicated food court present in the departure while the arrivals section has small food joints. These include some local food establishments which service tea, coffee and other beverages. Similarly, the airport also has restaurants and joints such as Subway, KFC, to name a few.

Baggage – Madurai Airport provides excellent baggage services. These include provisions of trolleys, baggage wrapping services and storage facilities. As Madurai Airport has flights connecting to domestic and international destinations, they have proper facilities to help ease the transit. You can get your bags wrapped in plastic. This would ensure that the luggage is not mishandled or the contents are affected. Trolleys are available at all intervals until the security check.

Smoking room - Smoking is prohibited in the airport, and hence, the airport has installed dedicated smoking lounges. The smoking room is available in the domestic terminal's Gate 6. Lighters and cigarettes can also be found at the terminal.

ATMs - ATM kiosk of Indian Bank has been placed in the airport's entrance. As the airport caters to domestic and international flights, the ATM kiosks would help withdraw money and exchange currencies.

Medical services - In order to help out with emergencies, the airport has installed medical rooms and services. There are first aid centres in the airport and details on the same can be received at the airport. The terminal manager would be the best to guide the passenger through the process. Pharmacies are also installed at Madurai Airport to help with last-minute medical purchases.

Special assistance - Madurai Airport provides special assistance for passengers who need the same. There are trolleys and wheelchairs available at the airport that the passenger can avail. In fact, it would be best to inform the airline beforehand to avail the services. The airport will provide staff to help passengers travel within the airport and even help them with the check-in and security check procedures.

How to reach Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport has excellent connectivity with buses operated under the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). There are many routes that directly connect to the Madurai airport. In fact, Madurai Airport is known to be one of the few airports in the country that has dedicated government transport services to enable connectivity. Within the city, you will find bus stops with regular buses to help reach Madurai Airport. You can find them at the Periyar Bus Stand, Thirupparankundram, Arappalayam, Krishnapuram Colony, Mattuthavani and Park Town. Plus, these buses have services at the most convenient timings. It is considered to be one of the best ways to reach Madurai Airport.

Another convenient way to reach Madurai Airport is by hailing a taxi. Prepaid taxis are available in the city. The city of Madurai has prominent call taxi services that operate within the city as well as to the airport. These taxis also have services that traverse to neighbouring cities from Madurai. Auto-rickshaws are also considered to be one of the easiest and affordable means of transport to reach Madurai airport. They are widely available within the city to the airport. However, the only concern here is to ensure that you can haggle with the rickshaw. The auto rickshaws do not function on the meter system, so a fixed price needs to be agreed upon with the drivers before you start the journey.

About Madurai

Formerly known as Madura, the city of Madurai is recognised as one of the major cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. In fact, it is actually known to be a cultural capital of the state and is the third largest city after Chennai and Coimbatore. Madurai is also known to be the hub for Tamil Sangam, a congregation of Tamil scholars which is held in the city on an annual basis. Madurai has seen some flourishing history with several big empires taking leadership. The city was ruled by Pandyas, Madurai Sultanate, Madurai Nayaks, Cholas, Vijaynagar Empire and British East India Company, to name a few.

The city's major highlight is the famous Meenakshi Temple as well as the Tirumalai Nayak Palace. These two historical monuments have played a vital role in shaping the cultural heritage of the city. Apart from the historical sites, Madurai also has essential educational institutes run by the government. Madurai Medical College, Madurai Law College, Homeopathic Medical College and Agricultural College and Research Institute are some of the important educational institutes.