Kochi to Nagpur Vistara Flights

  About Kochi

Kochi is one of the most dynamic cities and the commercial capital of Kerala. The city is constantly bustling while its surrounding remains true to its agricultural roots. Kochi, as a city, plays an essential port to the South-west coast of India. The ports are connected to the Maldives, Lakshadweep Island and many important coastal cities.

Despite having a blend of various seasons, the heat and humidity in the air continue to remain constant. However, that only makes travellers fly to Kochi instead. Not to mention how the gorgeous setting of the city and its impeccable connectivity that allows a traveller to traverse through various terrains.

Best time to visit Kochi

Kochi sees multitudes of seasons and climate all-year-long. Throughout the year, even know specific seasons are set and have been followed, every year, sudden twists in the western forecasts leave the locals in peril. The tropical setting of Kochi and even Kerala it ideal for summers and even winters. In fact, the months from October to February are actually enchanting and the best. The temperatures dawdle between 17 degree Celsius and 33 degree Celsius. Not only is the winter season perfect for backpackers and solo travellers but also couples and newlyweds who wish to go to honeymoon in Mumbai itself.

The months from March to June marks the start of summer in Kochi. The temperatures in Kochi during summer continues to escalate up to 37 degree Celsius. Although it is considered to be a good season to visit the city, it is only because there is less crowd. On off-seasons, tourists avoid visiting places as they fear unpleasant experiences. However, flying to Kochi on off-season might be helpful as people wouldn't have to deal with the excess tourist crowd. Plus, flight tickets to Kochi see some massive price drop. Many airlines also have flight deals to bring down the cost of a ticket to Kochi.

Monsoons in Kochi are exceptional. Even though it is not a peak season for the city as a rain-washed city would not be favourable for tourist activities, many travellers opt for monsoons. The main reason behind choosing monsoon as the best time to catch a flight to Kochi is that the city's lush greenery turns emerald as the backwaters dance under the torrent rains. Booking a hotel in Kochi during this season is also affordable as it is an off-season for hoteliers. The whole sight of the place is enchanting and definitely an unmemorable experience. Kochi experienced monsoon between July to September.

Places to see in Kochi

The gorgeous Arabian sea might border Kochi on one side, and the towering Western Ghats on the other but the melange of the two varied geographies only makes the city alluring. When in Kochi, you should definitely check out some of its famous beaches namely, Veeranpuzha Beach, Cherai Beach, Munambam Beach, Fort Kochi Beach and more. The city also has many pristine churches that should be visited. These are St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilican and the Paradesi Synagogue.

Besides these attractions, Kochi also has museums like Indo-Portuguese Museum, Ginger House Museum Hotel, Folklore Museum, and more than would enlighten you about their cultural heritage, their history and more. Not just the beaches but you should also check out what the lush green valleys close to Kochi have to offer. You can witness the Athirapally Falls and the Areekkal Falls. More than anything, you can visit the famous Lulu Shopping Mall too, which is right there in the city centre. You can further continue the pilgrimage by visiting temples such as Shiva Temple, Gowreeswara Temple Cherai, Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple, Thrikkakara Temple and more.

Things to do in Kochi

Elephant Training Centre

A little away from the city of Kochi is an adorable retreat for elephants. An Elephant Training centre has been established by the Ernakulam district where the animals are brought together to live in harmony. At the centre, these elephants are bathed and fed properly. The centre takes good care of the elephants and even allows visitors to come over and play with the giant animals. Visit this beautiful place and feel happy in the company of playful elephants who would keep you entertained with their goofiness.

Fort Ayurveda Spa

Kerala's Ayurvedic spas are world-renowned and for all the right reasons. The therapeutic massages and spa treatments actually help rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. Kochi has the Fort Ayurveda Spa, which lives up to the reputation of providing the customers with excellent services. Book an appointment here and let your troubles be washed away by the gentle touch of a masseuse. The experience will be beautiful and certainly have a lasting effect on you.

Kathakali Centre

The classical dance form of Kathakali is enchanting and compelling. The performances usually have a backstory and a theme based on which the whole show is presented. The art would keep you engaged as the eyes of the dancers would hypnotise you. Often these performances express a certain Hindu mythological story.

Snorkelling at Thiruvankullam

Compared to other parts of coastal India, Kochi has extremely beautiful and clean beaches. The shores are just as bright and spotless as is the Arabian sea that touches the coasts. The clean and clear waters of Kochi have enabled snorkelling in the area. You can head to Thiruvankullam and take up the water activity. You will be surprised to see some exquisite marine life that's prevalent just miles away from the city of Kochi.

Backwater tour

Kochi connects to Alleppey, which is the hub of backwaters in Kerala. Although it is a few kilometres far from the main city, Alleppey has a harbour from where you can either choose a houseboat or a shikhara ride to explore the gorgeous backwaters lined by rice paddies.

Food and restaurants

Kochi's lifestyle is heavily inspired or rather influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and English. This is easily reflected in their way of living, lifestyle and more importantly, their cuisine as well. While they still have their special curry and parotha as the highlight of the state, the landscape of Kerala cuisine has seen quite a lot of transformations. As a coastal city, the cuisine mainly centres around exquisite seafood and Malabari food. As a developed city of India, Kochi manages to sustain the traditional cuisine as it also embraces other cuisines such as Asian, North Indian, Continental and more.

Sky Grill Lounge and Bar, Fort House, Asian Kitchen, The Rice Boat, Dhe Puttu, Fusion Bay are some of the finest restaurants that you will find in Kochi. You might not know this, but Kochi actually has a lot of quaint cafes to cater to the backpacking audience. In the city and close to the coastal area, you will find small joints and ventures that have a hipster vibe and attract the young crowd. It is a known fact that the seafood in Kerala is a delight to the taste buds. The city centre will acquaint you with not just exciting dishes but also taste and flavour that will be unforgettable.

How to reach Kochi (Transportation)

By Air

The Cochin International Airport, located 29 km away from the city centre sees excellent flight connectivity from Kochi to other major cities in India. In fact, the airport also has flights taking international routes from Kochi to Middle Eastern countries. Kochi airport is known to be one of the busiest and crowded airports thanks to the excellent connectivity it has with the other cities in the country as well as internationally. A plethora of flights fly from Kochi to cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and more. The city is always on demand and hence, getting good flight deals for Kochi becomes quite challenging. However, with good planning and timing, you might be able to get cheap flight tickets to Kochi and even decent flight deals.

By Rail

Just like the flight connectivity of Kochi with the rest of the major cities in India, even the railway network is strong. There are two railway stations, namely Kochi Railway Station and Ernakulam Junction Station that connect the city with the rest of the country. There are express trains too that travel to Kochi from Mumbai, Delhi and other big cities. Train tickets to Kochi can be booked online as well as physically at the railway station. The city is well-connected within the state too and has bus and railway services to ensure that the city's stature as one of the economically strong and developed places sustains.

By Road

Kochi has impeccable roadway network as well owing to the city being a commercial hub. The city doesn't just contribute to the state's economy but also to the country's and hence, is blessed with strong roadways network. Several buses enter and leave the city from various parts of the country. The neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, even Goa, have bus facilities that provide services to the city. The Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) travels through several cities, including Kochi. There are options for AC and Non-AC buses that you can choose from for your travel needs.

  About Nagpur

Nagpur, popularly known to the country as the 'City of Oranges' is the second capital of the state of Maharashtra. With booming markets and extensive development, the city has played a vital role in contributing to the state as well as the country's economy. Nagpur also has an international airport which directly connects to Middle Eastern countries. The city is considered to be a winter capital for Maharashtra because of the pleasant drop in the temperature. With its unceasing development, the city's tourism is also seeing a tremendous ascent. Many hoteliers are coming up with accommodation options for travellers. You can book a hotel in Nagpur with a range of facilities for a comfortable stay.

Best time to visit Nagpur

Nagpur's climate is mildly humid and dry as it is away from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Being smack down in the middle of the country does come with some good perks in terms of the pleasant climate. The winters in Nagpur between October to March is considered perfect for travellers to visit the city. In fact, December and January have the best tropical winters that you can experience in the city. Sadly though, the summers are just as bad with temperatures shooting up to a fearsome 49 degrees Celsius during the day. Even though flight tickets to Nagpur during summer is cheap and affordable, it certainly would be a health risk and not ideal for a travel rendezvous.

Places to visit in Nagpur

Nagpur has been working towards improving its tourism and has done quite an excellent job with it. They built the Deeksha Bhoomi stupa in 2001, which is considered to be the largest stupa in Asia. The Buddhist monument is a place you should visit in Nagpur because of the calming vibe and energy that the site holds. Nagpur has quite a few tiger reserves with Pench Tiger Reserve being one of the well-maintained ones. It is easily one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the city thanks to the accommodation options it serves. You can actually book a hotel in Nagpur's Tiger Reserve and spend the night, possibly hearing growls of the big cats.

On the outskirts of Nagpur, there are a bunch of places that would pique a tourist's interest. Ramtek Fort and Temple are some of the iconic places. The fort and even the temple are known to be one of the spots where Lord Rama rested before commemorating his voyage to bring back wife Sita and defeating Ravana. The view from the fort though, is splendid. With its connection to the Hindu mythology, the place captures interests of a lot of devotees, who make sure to take the trip and check out the place.

Within the city of Nagpur, there is the famed Raman Science Centre, an educational complex with entertaining activities at your service. If it is a family trip, then you should definitely check out the science centre which explores secrets of the universe. It is in the city centre so travelling shouldn't be a concern. Usually, the Raman Science Centre hosts a lot of exhibitions and such events to attract enthusiasts to mingle.

It is interesting to note that Nagpur has quite a lot of Buddhist monuments and attractions. The Dragon Palace Buddhist Temple, located about 20 km away from the main city, sees Buddhists from around the world, come over to visit the temple. The setting of the temple complex is serene and soothing. There are areas reserved for meditation practices and gardens too, in the vicinity. The place certainly has a charm which makes it one of the best escapes from the city's hustle-bustle. You will be awestruck by the sheer beauty and serenity of the vicinity at the Buddhist temple.

Things to do in Nagpur

Nagpur's food culture might make you want to explore more of that space. Something we also recommend because you'll be amazed by the plethora multitudes of cuisines ready to blow your mind. However, the city's many lakes are also waiting for you to visit. You can take up camping at Ambnazari Lake as an option. The pristine lake with its serene surrounding would help you feel calm and composed. If camping is not possible, then you can always head to the Futala Lake and Gorewada Lake for a day picnic. The lakes see many tourists flock over regularly.

An interesting addition of things to do in Nagpur would be to visit the Japanese rose garden. The garden has been constructed and preserved by using techniques propagated by the Japanese natives, making it quite the place for cultural exchange. You can actually learn a few things and even purchase saplings from the place, if allowed. A designated tour guide would take you through the garden.

Food and Restaurants in Nagpur

Nagpur's fame might come from its vibrant variety of oranges, but food culture is quite incredible. You would expect the city to promote a certain speciality cuisine like many usually do. However, Nagpur is simply here to show you that they've got a taste for a global platter. From Moroccan to American, you'll find yourself amazed by their tasteful choices. The city does have quaint restaurants that offer the classic Maharashtrian delicacies that many enjoy. However, more than that, they have food joints and line of restaurants that offer more than just Indian cuisine. This growth has come about in the last few years.

If you're craving an English Breakfast in the middle of the afternoon, then you don't have to wait for the next day to explore options! Nagpur's The Breakfast Story caters to such cravings as it is an all-day breakfast setting. Interestingly, the restaurant changes its menu regularly with the classic breakfast dishes still intact on the menu. Nanking Mayfair's 3-decade long presence in Nagpur's food industry has given it quite the cult status among people. The Asian food served at Nanking is marvellous. Do check out their kung pao chicken when you visit the city! The city's best though is Zuree, a classy restaurant with fine dining scenes. From the plush location to the chic interiors to the plethora of dishes influenced by European, Italian, Moroccan and Indian cuisines, Zuree is certainly one place you shouldn't miss.

For some more fine dining setting, you can check out The Creative Kitchen by Radisson Hotels, Fountain Sizzlers & Bistro and Barbeque. As for those who want a simple yet sublime ambience, check out Thaat Baat, Veeraswami and Naivedhyam which proudly flaunt South Indian dishes.

How to reach Nagpur (Transportation)

By Air

Nagpur's Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport serves as a domestic as well as an international airport. The Nagpur airport has quite some historical significance for partaking in the Second World and also commissioning an intriguing "Night Air Mail Service". The service mainly focuses on four planes leaving prominent cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata with mail load in the night to exchange them at Nagpur. Flight connectivity to and from Nagpur is exceptional as it caters to several domestic as well as international cities. The domestic routes from Nagpur connect with cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore and more.

Connecting flights from these cities to and from Nagpur are also available, making travelling to the city favourable. The city's airport caters to Middle Eastern cities by charting international flights from Nagpur to Sharjah and Doha. The domestic airlines serving from Nagpur airport include IndiGo, GoAir, Air India and TruJet. As for international airlines, the city has Air Arabia and Qatar Airways serving flights to and from Nagpur. The city certainly sees a good number of travellers travelling from flights. Airport shuttles are available if you book a hotel in Nagpur before arrival.

By Rail

Nagpur has quite the reputation for having one of the best-connected railways in India. The construction of the railway tracks overlapping each other to form a diamond cross-connects the city to every direction in India. There are myriad express trains that connect Nagpur to cities such as Bangalore, Trivandrum, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai and more. Travelling by trains is also considered to be suitable for travellers as the travel duration is also accommodating. The railway station is also well-connected to the city centre, making transit within the city easier. You can book a hotel in Nagpur, close to the station as there are bountiful provisions for the same.

By Road

The road connectivity of Nagpur to other cities is also excellent. The city is linked to some well-maintained national highways that help with the connectivity. There are intercity, interstate and intrastate bus services available to make transport convenient for people residing in Nagpur and for the ones visiting. From AC deluxe to ordinary non-AC, there are many options also that one can choose from to travel. Private bus providers have services reserved for Nagpur from cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Indore, Surat and more. Plus, tickets to Nagpur come at a reasonable price. The Nagpur Bus Sthanak and Mor Bhawan are the two bus terminals where all buses halt as a final stop.

  About Vistara Airlines

Vistara is a fairly new airline that is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. Tata Sons owns 51% stake in the airline, and Singapore Airlines has 49% stake. This was Tata Sons' reentry in the world of Airlines since Air India was nationalised. Tata's still has minority stakes in AirAsia India. However, getting Vistara started was no less of a struggle for both parties involved. The companies had made a bid in the 1990s to launch the full-service carrier in India, but it was not successful and was denied approval by the Indian government. The airline was founded finally in 2013 after India opened up its airline for 49% foreign direct investment. Vistara airlines commenced operations in 2015 with its main hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. It serves up to 36 destinations domestically and internationally. It operates approximately 200 flights daily and has flown over 20 million passengers already. It has grown quite popular and is slowly becoming one of the most preferred airlines by passengers. While low-cost carriers mostly dominate other airlines, Vistara caters to the high-end business travellers in the country. It also aims to make sure that the passengers have a luxurious and comfortable journey.

Vistara is a Sanskrit word that translates to the limitless expanse, and the airline sure does live up to its name. Vistara carried about half a million passengers in just seven months of commencing operations. It is also one of the few airlines that has the International Air Transport Association (IATA) membership. It flew its first international flight to Singapore in 2019 from Mumbai and Delhi. The airline used its Boeing 737-800NG. Vistara codeshares with British Airways, SilkAir, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines Japan Airlines and Lufthansa. It also has interline agreements with a couple of airlines that include Aeroflot, Air France, Air Mauritius, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Asiana Airlines, Gulf Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, flydubai, Finnair, Kenya Airways, Japan Airlines and KLM. The airline currently has 40 aircraft in service and is awaiting 52 more that it has ordered. The aircraft has business class, premium economy and economy class for its passengers. Fun fact: Vistara was the first airline to introduce the Premium Economy class.

Not only do the Business Class and Premium Economy Class passengers get special treatment, but so do the economy class passengers. The premium economy class allows you to choose seats that have extra legroom and far more comfortable as compared to the economy class ones. It has eight business class seats that are the most comfortable ones in the aircraft. You can also use Vistara's frequent-flyer program called Club Vistara. You can look up more offers on the website like the Vistara Womanflyer, Vistara Corporate Flyer, Vistara Student Discount, Vistara Senior Citizen Discount, Vistara Affordable Luxury and so on.

Fleet Size of Vistara

Vistara picked up pace and popularity quite quickly. It flew half a million passengers in only seven months of commencing operations, which is quite impressive. Though the airline does not have a fleet as large as the other airlines, it is slowly getting there. Vistara has 13 Airbus A320-200 aircraft which have eight business class seats, 24 premium economy class seats and 126 economy class seats. It also has 20 Airbus A320neo aircraft with the same number of passenger accommodations. It has 6 Boeing 737-800 aircraft that can accommodate 168 passengers, 12 business class and 156 economy class. The Boeing 787-9 can accommodate 30 business class passengers, 21 premium economy class and 248 economy class, passengers. While the airline currently only owns one of these aircraft, it has placed an order of five more of those. It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest Vistara aircraft that can seat more passengers as compared to the other flights.

Vistara acquired its first aircraft in 2014 and commenced flights from 2015. The airline also has quite a few aircraft that it is planning to get on long term leases soon. Vistara is one of the only Indian airlines that have business class seats and also has a lot of offers to provide luxurious services to its customers. Vistara might not exactly have low fares, but it does make sure you get your money's worth.

Baggage Allowance

Make sure you go through Vistara's baggage allowance rules and regulations while you book your Vistara flight tickets. The airline allows 7 kg cabin luggage for economy class passengers, 10 kg for premium economy and 12 kg for business class passengers. Your cabin luggage cannot exceed this limit unless you are carrying items like a handbag, overcoat, camera, infant's feeding aids, medicines, laptops and so on. Baggage allowance rules differ depending on your ticket plan. You can choose between Value, Standard and Flexi plans for whichever travel class you choose. For passengers travelling within India, the maximum limit for check-in luggage for economy class is 15 to 20 kg, premium economy is 20 to 30 kg and business class is 30 to 40 kg. If you are travelling to international destinations like Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore and Colombo, the maximum limit ranges from 30 to 45 kg. For travellers heading to Kathmandu, the limit ranges from 20 to 40 kg. You can either check out the baggage allowance limit on your ticket or find it on the website.

If you have a Club Vistara Gold or Platinum membership, there are chances you might get a few extra kilos of baggage that you can carry without having to pay extra. Make sure you are not carrying any item that has been prohibited by the airline. You cannot carry explosives, flammable or combustible items, sharp objects, chemical or illegal drugs in your luggage or otherwise. You must also make sure that you carry your power bank and portable chargers with your cabin baggage instead of the check-in luggage. It would be advisable to get your web check-in done in advance to avoid any hindrance. You will also have to inform the airline staff hours before boarding the flight in case your baggage exceeds the weight limit.

In-flight Services

Vistara's in-flight services are not only luxurious, but they are completely worth all the money spent. The business class seats are reclined, have an extendable leg rest, footrest, and you can also adjust the height of the headrest. You also get personal storage space at the side of your seat for smaller items. If you are travelling by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, you also get seat ambient lighting, USB outlet, and an 18" HD personal entertainment screen with a video handset. Vistara also offers the most delicious meals as a part of its in-flight dining experience. You can enjoy a range of food options and can also sip on some refreshing coffee from Starbucks. You can enjoy over 70 hours of Hollywood and Bollywood content that are a part of Vistara's in-flight entertainment services. Whether you want to watch a romantic, comedy or action film, or just listen to various genres of music, you will find everything that you are looking for as a part of the in-flight entertainment services. You can look up their website to get a glimpse of all the royal treatment and luxury that you will experience onboard.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Vistara

Vistara connects to various destinations through domestic and international routes daily. It connects to 34 destinations including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Amritsar, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Colombo, Chennai, Dehradun, Dubai, Goa, Guwahati, Delhi, Indore, Kathmandu, Leh, Lucknow, Port Blair, Srinagar and so on. You can check Vistara's flight schedule and your flight status on the website. Vistara makes it a point to operate punctually and not give passengers a chance to complain about anything. The staff is also quite friendly and helpful in case you need help with anything at all.

Why Travel by Vistara?

Vistara has evolved as one of the most favourite airlines among passengers and deservedly so. It offers luxury and convenience at the best price. The fares might not be as cheap as other Indian Airlines, but it does live up to its promise of delivering luxurious services to its passengers. You can book a Vistara flight ticket through the website or get a travel agent to do the same. If you are not able to go through the web check-in process for any reason, you can always get in touch with the call centre. The executives will definitely help you through the process. Vistara also makes sure that it keeps you updated on your flight status and any upcoming or ongoing offers that it comes up with. You can also sign up to become a Club Vistara member to enjoy the benefits. It is also one of the only few Indian airlines that gives luxury a tad more importance as compared to low fares. It leaves its customers satisfied, which is one of the reasons that it flew over half a million customers in only seven months. It is also slowly becoming one of the most preferred airlines among passengers. Its services only keep improving with time.

  About Cochin Airport

Cochin International Airport is located 25 km away from the city of Kochi, at Nedumbassery, in the state of Kerala. The Cochin Airport is the first airport in the country that has been developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project is funded by about 10,000 non-resident Indians (NRI) sprawled across 30 countries. The airport is known for its busy status as it is the most active in the state of Kerala. The airport is also the largest in the state. Cochin International Airport provides to ap[proximately 61 per cent of passenger movement. The Cochin Airport is also recognized nationally as the fourth busiest airport, with respect to international traffic and eighth most active overall.

About Cochin Airport Terminals

There are three main terminals at the Cochin International Airport. While two of them cater to the domestic terminal, the third one works as an international airport. Terminal 1 was previously used for international flight activities. However, with the new and improved Terminal 3, the international operations were shifted there. The terminal caters to the domestic airlines and operations and can accommodate 4,000 passengers per hour. There are 56 check-in counters, six private lounges and seven aerobridges with a conveyor belt that transfers baggage of about 12 flights at once. Terminal 2 offers an executive experience with CUTE enabled check-in counters, four self-check-in kiosks and six security gates with a space to handle about 400 passengers at once. The terminal was converted as an executive terminal much recently. The international Terminal 3 came into existence in recent times. Built with the Kerala architecture and influence from the Thrissur Pooram, the terminal boasts exquisite fibre elephants adorned with traditional costumes. There are five entry gates, 84 check-in and 80 immigration counters.

About airport authority

The Cochin International Airport is owned by the public limited company, formally known as Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which is a public-private consortium. The Government of Kerala also holds ownership in the venture with 33.36 per cent stakes. The government is the largest investor in CIAL while various Indian and foreign organizations also have stakes on it. Companies such as BPCL, AAI and Air India have a collective stake of 8.74 per cent. Meanwhile, foreign organizations such as Emke Group from Abu Dhabi, Galfar Group of Oman and Majeed Bukatara Trading of UAE hold 5.42 per cent stake. There are many more players in the venture too such as Federal Bank, Canara Bank and SBT. 38.03 per cent of stake is collectively owned by approximately 10,000 personal investors panned across 29 countries. These are non-resident Indians with stakes in CIAL.

Facilities at the Cochin Airport

Luggage facility: The airport has a slew of services available pertaining to the luggage. There are free luggage trolleys available at the entrance of the airport as well as at regular counters till the check-in. The terminal also allows porterage services where you can avail help from a professional to escort your luggage from one point to another. The porterage services do come for free for senior citizens, expectant mothers, physically disabled individuals, minors and more. It is imperative that you coordinate with the respective airlines to avail the services. Along with porterage and trolleys, the airport also offers baggage wrapping services. You can get your luggage wrapped in plastic to protect them from theft, mishandle and other concerns.

Child care room: The Cochin airport has designated child care centres in the domestic as well as international terminals. This comes in handy for mothers with infants. Women with kids can make use of the room to feed and change diapers. The room also has other provisions of baby products, including toys, to help soothe the child, if needed. The centre is well-sanitized and is maintained perfectly to ensure the hygiene of the space. Mothers must find it safe and healthy.

Information desk: The information desk is available at regular intervals. The space offers all details about the airport, including a map of the airport. The desk provides all the necessary information regarding flights, airlines, boarding gates and other such concerns even if you need to find specific places such as the lost and found and VIP rooms.

Conference halls: One of the major highlights of the Cochin Airport is the conference halls that it has. You can host meetings and other such conventions at the airport. It is excellent and quite convenient as it helps save time for all the parties involved. Business professionals can simply meet at the airport, wrap up the conference or convention and take their flights to return to their cities. It is a convenient setting and hence, is most favoured.

Postal facilities:

Cochin airport has postal facilities as well that work perfectly for the passengers. In case there are some important documents and letters that need to be posted, you can make it happen at the airport. Postal services are available at both the terminals.

Restaurants and cafes: Kochi airport's domestic wing has only a few food establishments in the food court. The international terminal of the airport does have a decent slew of restaurants and food establishments that you will find.

Pre-paid taxi services: From the airport, there are many pre-paid taxi services outside the airport. Outside the airport, the officials have segregated the parking spaces in such a way that specific pillars and lanes are dedicated to taxi cabs. Depending on your bookings, you will be directed to the specific pillar or lane for taxis.

ATMs and Forex: Foreign exchange counters and ATM kiosks are present at regular intervals in the airport.

You can make your currency exchanges and even get a good rate at the airport. You can also withdraw cash at the ATMs to ensure that you have enough money in hand.

Medical facilities: Much like every airport, even Cochin airport has medical services. It is a necessary protocol that needs to be followed by all the airports to have medical facilities. The possibility of a medical emergency is always prevalent at airports.

VIP lounge: The airport has exemplary VIP lounges and guestrooms for special people. Travellers who have first-class tickets or premium memberships at specific airlines will get access to the private lounges or VIP rooms. These lounges and rooms have upscaled luxury services with great hospitality.

Top airlines flying from the Cochin Airport

Cochin International Airport is recognized as one of the largest and busiest airports in the state of Kerala. With an air passenger movement of approximately 61 per cent, the airport easily becomes a busy one in the state. The Cochin International Airport also witnesses tremendous international traffic. As many flights directly fly to Middle Eastern countries from Cochin and witnesses a high demand too, the international traffic is just as busy as the domestic terminal. Cochin International Airport also serves as a base to the operations of the airlines Air India Express. Aside from Air India Express, the airport also sees many other important domestic airlines such as Air Asia India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, Indian Airlines, SpiceJet and Vistara. There are three passenger terminals with Terminal 3 (international terminal) being the largest terminals in the whole country.

Earlier Terminal 1 served as the international terminal. However, after a massive upgrade that took place and with the genesis of Terminal 3, the international flight activities shifted to the other one. The capacity is also quite good, with over 4,000 passengers per hour. Some of the international airlines that fly from Cochin Airport are Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air India, Air Jazeera, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Tiger Airways. These airlines majorly cater to the passengers flying in and out of Middle Eastern countries. As the demand for the Middle Eastern countries is very high in the state of Kerala, quite a few airlines have direct flights to those international destinations. Cochin airport houses airlines that directly connect with cities such as Muscat, Kuwait, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Riyadh and Jeddah.

How to reach Cochin Airport

There are various ways to reach Cochin International Airport. Buses, taxis and private vehicles can reach you to the Cochin airport without any hassle. There are dedicated buses that travel to the Cochin International Airport. Often many travel to Cochin Airport to reach places such as Alleppey, Munnar and other prominent tourist destinations in Kerala. While the main city does have the main bus stand, there are many bus routes that connect to the airport. These buses have destinations such as Ernakulam, Padma, Thrissur, Fort Kochi, Angamaly, Kaloor and Ernakulam-Vyttil-Thoppumpady, to name a few.

Another famous and favoured way to reach Cochin International Airport is by pre-paid taxis. There are taxi counters available close to the domestic and international terminals. There are booths available within the premise of the airport too from where you can make your taxi bookings. Even outside the airport, there are taxi counters from where you can get your taxis. Ride-sharing services are also available with apps such as Uber and Ola at work. Often many travellers even opt to reach other cities in the Ernakulam district by booking a taxi. To further enhance your trip, the airport also has rental services available. You can make a booking at the taxi counter as well.

  About Nagpur Airport

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport or better known as Nagpur Airport is an international airport that serves the city of Nagpur in the state of Maharashtra. Situated about 8 km south-west of Nagpur in the town of Sonegaon, the airport was originally founded during the First World War as part of the Royal Air Force. The airport underwent renovation during World War II when it was utilised as a staging airfield by the Royal Air Force. Eventually, as the Britishers left the country following independence, the airport's management was transferred to the Indian Government. The new management expanded the terminal buildings and constructed a new building to install better facilities ranging from refreshments to restrooms. It covers an area of close to 1355 acres. Nagpur Airport was named after the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, BR Ambedkar. It handles about 7,500 passengers in a day and accommodates five domestic airlines and two international airlines. The airport is sprawled across 1,460 acres of land and is also the home of AFS Nagpur, which is part of the Indian Air Force. The growth in passenger congestion is a result of travellers who visit the city from the state capital, Mumbai.

About Nagpur Airport terminals

Nagpur Airport has only one new integrated terminal building that came into existence in 2008. The new integrated terminal building has the capacity to accommodate 550 arriving and departure passengers at peak hours. Further, as part of the terminal's upgradation, 20 check-in counters and 20 immigration counters have been installed by the airport authority. They have installed several modern amenities and facilities including passenger bridges with a visual docking guidance system, accommodation for 600 cars in the parking garage, eight parking bays for flights and newer baggage conveyor belts. An approach road has also been constructed to connect the new integrated terminal building with the main highway to enhance the city-side network. The domestic terminal is located on the gro9und level and has two boarding gates with an additional one that can be used during emergencies. The airport also has the capacity to hold about 325 aircraft operations for both departures and arrivals. A Hajj terminal is also present at the airport which is used seasonally when the airport hosts pilgrims to Jeddah.

About Airport Authority

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India while its operations are handled by Mihan India Private Limited (MIPL). The airport authority has made some significant changes in the upgradation and modification of Nagpur Airport for the better. The existing building has witnessed a massive change in terms of upgradation of amenities and expansion of facilities to cater to the passengers. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport received its new integrated terminal building in 2008, thanks to the works of the Airports Authority of India as well as MIPL. The Airports Authority of India also plans to construct a whole new control tower along with the technical block to help enhance the navigation facilities that are currently present at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport.

The airport authority, Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), has been working towards introducing a massive economic project. It is recognised as one of the biggest economic development projects, in terms of investments, that is currently underway in the country. The project is divided into two parts, an international airport that would function as a cargo hub and a special economic zone (SEZ) inclusive of residential zones that would cover about 40.25 km² are in the southern end of the city. Multiple banks are financing the project as it has raked in a whopping INR 30,000 crore of investment. The target of the project is to serve 14 million passengers and handle a cargo of 0.87 million tonnes. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2035 and is estimated to generate revenues worth INR 5280 crores. The project kicked off in 2005 and since then, has seen a significant rise in property rates in Nagpur.

Facilities at the Nagpur Airport

WiFi - Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport offers unlimited free WiFi services to its passengers. The process to connect with the airport's WiFi network is quite simple and can be done in a jiffy. Not to mention how the internet speed is also quite decent.

Special assistance – Nagpur Airport has facilities to cater to the needs of senior citizens and disabled passengers. The airport has a set of trained staff who can provide special assistance such as escorting the passenger to the airport terminal, helping them with the baggage services, taking them through the procedures of check-in and security checks and much more. The staff stays close to the passenger until they board the flight.

ATMs – There are ATM kiosks that have been installed at the domestic and international airport terminals. You can make cash withdrawals and also get money exchange done at another counter.

First aid rooms – Medical services and first aid rooms have also been installed at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. The main idea behind adding medical services in the list of facilities is to ensure that any medical emergencies are taken care of immediately. Along with first aid rooms, the airport also has pharmacies placed in both the terminals. In case you need some specific medication, you can visit the medical stores and purchase the same.

Child care room – The airport has also made provisions for passengers travelling with infants. There are child care rooms that can be utilised for feeding and changing for the infants. The space offers privacy and is a healthy environment too. The parent can relax and help out the baby with the cleaning and feeding activities.

Baggage – Some of the baggage services that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport provides include baggage wrapping services, free trolleys, baggage storage booths, porter services and much more. The airport also has baggage reclaim conveyor belts and other such facilities that help to enhance the experience of the passenger.

Currency exchange – Considering how the airport also caters to international flight activities, there are currency exchange counters also added to the list of facilities. Nagpur Airport also provides decent exchange rates and also has provisions of money transfers.

Smoking areas – Dedicated smoking zones have been installed at the airport. Both the terminals have a smoking lounge to ensure that passengers do not light up a smoke in the public lounge space. The smoking zones are regularly cleaned and maintained perfectly well.

Duty-free shops – There are duty-free shops also available in the airport premise. You can purchase imported items at a very low and reasonable price. These can be taken back as souvenirs too.

Lounges - The airport has three lounge facilities available. Out of the three, two of them are located in the domestic terminal while the third one is located in the international terminal. Two of the lounges are recognised as Travel Club lounge, which basically enables many travellers to come over and enjoy the hospitality and services rendered by the facility. As for the third lounge, it is called Cinnamon Lounge. The perks of all the lounge are that they have a slew of facilities ranging from free WiFi to entertainment content that can be availed. There are fabulous restaurants that are part of the lounge facility. The food is phenomenal while the hospitality is exquisite. The seating is also quite comfortable, and the experience as a whole is comforting.

Top airlines flying from Nagpur Airport

Nagpur Airport is the second most important airport in the state of Maharashtra. Along with many domestic cities that the airline connects to, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport also caters to a few international destinations. Some of the important airlines that operate from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport include Air Arabia, Air Asia, AirAsia India, GoAir, IndiGo and Qatar Airways. These airlines connect to cities such as Sharjah, Delhi, Mumbai, Raipur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Pune, Indore and Doha. With the expansion plans commencing, the idea is to add more airlines and cities in their list of connections.

How to reach Nagpur Airport

By Rail

The current Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport terminal is connected perfectly well with the Airport Metro Station of Nagpur Metro. The airport is one of the city airports in India to have a metro link connection. Located on the Orange Line of Nagpur Metro, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport can be best reached by metro. The metro has scheduled trains to reach Nagpur Airport and has a frequency of 15 minutes. The city and the airport's metro connections make traversing within the city of Nagpur far more convenient.

By Road

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is right on the National Highway 44 and is connected by a six-lane highway. As a metropolitan city, Nagpur has local transport facilities such as taxi cabs and private rentals that can be availed from within the city to reach Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. You can hail cabs from the city to reach Nagpur Airport.