Kochi to New Delhi 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 New Delhi

New Delhi, which is also the capital of India, is one of the major tourist attractions in the country. It has historical importance and is also a pitstop for everyone who wants to go for a backpacking trip to the North or the North-East. Connaught Place in New Delhi is a favourite spot for youngsters. It has a lot of cafes, pubs and hangouts for the younger crowd and is quite happening, too. As a tourist destination, New Delhi is known for the India Gate, Qutub Minar, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Chandni Chowk and a lot more. Not to mention, the street food in Delhi is quite famous in the country. Chole Bhature, Parathas, Gol Gappa and the list goes on.

Delhi also boasts of a few forts that constructed in the Mughal era. Another highlight of New Delhi is that you find transport to other cities and states like Himachal Pradesh, Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Jaipur, Kolkata, Sikkim and so on quite easily. Be it a government-run bus or an AC, Volvo bus; there are myriad options for you to choose from here. Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk are two most popular destinations in New Delhi for all you shopaholics out there. If you bargain well, you'll manage to find the best stuff at a reasonable price. It's honestly easier to get around in Delhi, and some Metros connect you to other parts of the City. You'll also find a lot of cabs, and you should book a taxi online.

You can find and book a hotel in Delhi as per your convenience and budget. You'll find a decent one that fits your budget quite easily. The City also has hostels, in case you are looking forward to meeting more people and making friends. Delhi to Agra is another popular route that people add to their itinerary. It's something that you must do. You can also visit the Chhatarpur temple, which is the second-biggest temple in India. It is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani and has been made of marble. Heritage Walks are a trend that has caught on in Delhi over the last couple of years. Since the City has so many monuments and pieces of history to flaunt, tour guides organise Heritage Walks for tourists on weekends, and it is a prevalent activity in the City.

Delhi experiences the coldest winters and the hottest summers. The weather is quite extreme, so much that it gets foggy during the cold seasons. It is also one of the most polluted cities in the world, which means you must wear a mask to protect yourself when you are in the City. Catch a play in a theatre or opt for a street play. Delhi's theatre culture is quite strong, and you'll be amazed at what you see for sure. Don't forget to take a stroll at Lodhi Gardens in Central Delhi and you'll come across monuments and structures constructed during the Mughal Era.

Best Time to Visit Delhi

October through March is a pleasant season to visit New Delhi. The temperature drops to as low as 2 degree Celsius in January. It's the perfect weather to plan a day out and make the most of all the sightseeing. Do carry all of your warm clothes. You can also visit the City during festivals. The Delhites do know how to celebrate festivals with lots of pompous and grandeur. April to June is when the City experiences summer. May and June are the hottest months and while it's not the worst time to visit the City if you don't mind the heat, but you will find good flight deals and discounts on hotels. The city witnesses monsoon from July to September. Monsoon is quite pleasant in Delhi, but it is highly recommended that you visit New Delhi during winter.

Places to Visit in Delhi

New Delhi has a lot of monuments and places of historical importance that you can visit. You can start by visiting the India Gate. It is a war memorial that was constructed in 1971 after the First World War as a tribute to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the war. It was built by a famous architect called Edwin Lutyens. You'll also find tour guides if you need one, who will remind you of everything that you have read in school already.

The Qutub Minar is a world-renowned UNESCO Heritage Site and surely worth the visit. The tower stands 240 feet tall and was constructed by the first-ever ruler of Delhi called Qutb al-Din Aibak. Though you could climb the 370 odd steps to get to the top of the tower earlier, it has been closed to the public for a long time now. It is one of the most beautiful monuments and is buzzing with tourists almost all the time. Visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is yet another popular tourist destination in Delhi. Tour guides usually arrange for a visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan. You can also find tickets on the government website for whenever you plan to visit.

You can also visit the Tomb of Humayun. It was built in the 16th century for Mughal emperor Humayun and like the Qutub Minar, is a UNESCO Heritage Site. New Delhi is also famous for Jantar Mantar, which is in Central Delhi. It is a popular and significant tourist attraction in Delhi. If you want to take a break from all the sightseeing and party, Connaught Place is where you go. You can also go to Hauz Khas. Both of these places are popular for youngsters to chill and hangout. It has a lot of hip and happening places.

Things to do in Delhi

After having covered most of the heritage sites and favourite tourist places, you can take a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk. It is one of the oldest places in Delhi and quite popular, too. You'll hear praises of restaurants and street food here for a long time. It's also a popular shopping destination. You can also visit the Khan Market, yet another favourite place to go on a shopping spree, along with Sarojini Nagar. Do stop by the Nizamuddin Dargah to listen to music that will touch your soul and how! It's also a trendy location to shoot for a lot of Bollywood filmmakers.

Make the poet in you happy by visiting the Ghalib Ki Haveli. It's not very easy to locate, but it is where Ghalib penned all of his poems in Urdu and Persian. You'll love the aura of the place and might even get all poetic if you aren't already.

Food and Restaurants in Delhi

There are a lot of cafes, restaurants and pubs at Hauz Khas and Connaught Place. The decor, ambience and food at these places will not disappoint you. Kunzum Travel Cafe in Hauz Khas is one of a kind cafes in the area. It's also the only travel cafe around, and you'll surely meet a few like-minded people over there. You cannot go to Delhi and not give the street food a try over there. The Chole Bhatures near Delhi University, the parathas and Gol Gappa, just the thought makes you hungry. Chache Di Hatti is an old food joint near Delhi University and is famous for serving the most delicious chole bhatures. Lajpat Nagar is yet another place prominent for its samosas, chaats, Gol Gappas and mouth-watering food. Roshan Ki Kulfi at Karol Bagh is a must-try, and you can stop by for some delicious lunch. As the name suggests, it also serves kulfi and one of the best in Delhi. Moolchand Parathewala under the Moolchand Flyover will serve you the best, lip-smacking parathas with lots of butter on it.

How to reach Delhi

By Air

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest to New Delhi, and the flight connectivity is pretty good, be it domestic or international. Flights from Delhi run quite frequently to all major cities in the country, and it is also reasonably easy to find a flight to Delhi from whichever city it is that you are travelling from to Delhi. You can get a good flight deals to Delhi online and cheap flight tickets from certain cities in the country.

By Rail

The Nizamuddin Railway Station, Anand Vihar station, New Delhi railway station and Sarai Rohilla station are some of the major railway junctions in the City. Nizamuddin station and New Delhi railway station connect to major metropolitan cities and other big cities. New Delhi also has metro services to commute within the City.

By Road

There are frequent bus services that connect you to Delhi. Be it a Delhi Transport Corporation bus or a private AC bus, you'll find what you need quite easily. Some of the popular domestic routes from Delhi by road are to Shimla, Hrishikesh, Manali and other tourist destinations that are near the City.

  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 New Delhi Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the country's top international and domestic airport hub, located in the capital, New Delhi. The exquisite Delhi Airport is sprawled over 5,106 acres of land and is settled in Palam, which is about 15 km away from the New Delhi railway station and about 16 km away from the city centre. The New Delhi airport has been named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The airport is easily the busiest in the country with respect to passenger traffic and cargo traffic too. On a global scale, the airport is recognised as the 12th busiest airport in the world and 6th in Asia. The New Delhi airport is also the busiest for the Airbus A320 aircraft. The Delhi Airport, along with the Mumbai Airport, has arbitrated "World's Best Airport" at an awards function.

About New Delhi Airport Terminals

Indira Gandhi International Airport is a hub to various domestic and international airlines. The airport serves about 80 airlines and hence, has three active passenger terminals. Special Hajj terminal, as well as a cargo terminal, is also present at the airport. Terminal 1 is presently being used for low-cost carriers such as IndiGo and SpiceJet. However, DIAL plans to expand the terminal and augment the passenger handling capacity. Terminal 1C is dedicated to domestic arrivals. The terminal has been upgraded with an extensive area for greeting, and better luggage reclaims area. There are eight belts here.

Terminal 1D has been built for domestic departure and can accommodate 15 million passengers per year. The terminal also has 72 Common Use Terminal Equipment (better known as CUTE), 16 self-check-in kiosks and 16 security counters. Terminal 2 is dedicated to GoAir and IndiGo airlines for their regular flight operations. Terminal 3 is dedicated to international flights and airlines. There are about 168 check-in counters, 78 aerobridges, 95 immigration counters, 15 X-ray screening zones and many more features.

About New Delhi authority

The airport was originally operated by the Indian Air Force. However, the management was then transferred to the Airports Authority of India. Eventually, a consortium was formed, DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), led by GMR Group along with the AAI. Since then, the airport has seen quite a lot of expansion and development. The authority has been working on expanding the airport's capacity to accommodate around 100 million passengers by the year 2030.

Facilities at the New Delhi Airport

Baggage Services: The airport has specific guidelines to follow when it comes to their baggage services. Much like other airports, it is best to avoid hazardous objects such as firearms and pointy objects with you in the cabin baggage. The airport provides baggage wrapping services too where basically, they wrap several layers of plastic around the baggage to ensure that the contents are protected from damage, theft, alteration and mishandling. The airport also has services of trolleys and available at the terminal.

Travelling with kids: The New Delhi airport also has special rooms for child care as often many new mothers with infants commuting require special facilities and privacy to take care of the kids. Hence, the airport has arranged for special rooms and child care centres to bring about a comfortable environment. The well-sanitised baby rooms have provisions of baby products as well as comfortable chairs for mothers to feed their babies. There are nursing stations and changing tables also available. The airport also offers complimentary strollers, which is available at the information desk. A small children's area has also been reserved at the airport to keep the kids entertained.

Restaurants and cafes: You can find a plethora of food establishments and restaurants that you can check out at the airport. You will be in luck to find a lot of famous food establishments such as KFC, Subway, McDonald's, Burger King and more. You can also find cafes and establishments that serve liquor.

Lost and found room: There is a specific room reserved for lost and found. In case you have misplaced something, perhaps the boarding pass, your mobile phone or wallets, you can visit the efficient lost and found room. The information desk will guide you to the lost and found station.

Medical services: The airport has 24/7 medical services. Often airports have some medical emergencies, especially if the passengers already suffer from some conditions. Hence, the airport has reserved special medical services that are always available. The centre is prevalent at all the airport terminals.

Prayer room: The New Delhi airport also has multi-faith prayer rooms available. While you are waiting to board flights, you can also spend some time meditating and chanting religious verses.

Smoking zone: To keep a smoke-free environment in the airport terminal, special provisions to maintain smoking zones have been initiated by the New Delhi airport. There are a handful of smoking rooms that are at a convenient distance. Plus, if you need, you can also purchase boxes of cigarettes at the airport.

Porter service: Porter services are ones where you can simply get someone to escort your luggage on your behalf. You can get these services at the departure and arrival terminals with a specific nominal fee. An experienced staff would be available to escort your baggage from gate to gate.

Parking facilities: The airport also has parking and valet facilities. As long as you pay some amount to hold your parking spot, you wouldn't have to worry about your vehicle. The facility is secure and is perfectly connected to both the terminal buildings of the airport.

VIP lounge: The airport also has a VIP lounge and other experiential services. If your flight ticket has premium services available or if you are a member of the elite club to avail VIP services, you can spend time at the lounge while you wait for your flights. The services at the lounge are quite upscale and fancy.

ATMs and foreign exchange: For foreign nationals, there are foreign exchange counters available. You can make your currency exchanges done at the airport and maybe even avail some good forex rates. Plus, various ATM kiosks are also available at the terminals.

Top airlines flying from the Delhi Airport

As the capital of the country, the Indira Gandhi International Airport sees tremendous flight activity. In terms of domestic connectivity, New Delhi is responsible for connecting various metropolis as well as small towns. Specific cities that cannot be reached by many other airports require connectivity from New Delhi. For example, the Kullu Manali airport in Himachal Pradesh can only accommodate fewer flights. In such cases, the connectivity is narrowed with Delhi being the centre for all connections. A majority of the airlines that fly within the domestic cities has a base at the New Delhi airport. The top domestic airlines that fly from Delhi Airport are Air India, AirAsia, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara.

New Delhi's flight connectivity with other major international cities is also excellent. Many prominent airlines fly from New Delhi airport. Considering it is the capital of India, many famous international airlines connect with New Delhi airport. Some of them include Air Arabia, Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, KLM Royal Air. Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Thai Airways and Srilankan Airlines, to name a few. Some of the domestic airlines from New Delhi airport also fly internationally. Airlines such as AirAsia, Air India, SpiceJet, GoAir and IndiGo have provisions for international flights as well. These airlines fly to cities such as Dubai, Phuket, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Istanbul, Dhaka and more.

How to reach the Delhi Airport

By Rail

The closest railway station to the New Delhi Airport is the Palam railway station. It is about 4.8 km away from terminal 1 and close to 12 km from Terminal 3. Trains are considered to be an easy route to reach the airport. Another good way to reach the New Delhi airport is by the Airport metro station. The metro station is located close to Terminal 2 and 3. The Airport metro station lies on the lines of Delhi Airport Metro Express. The station sees a lot of action with many passengers using this mode to reach the airport. The frequency of the trains reaching the Airport metro station is also quite good as there is one train every 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the Airport metro station which lies on the Magenta Line reaches New Delhi airport's Terminal 1. The train is considered to be the best way to reach the New Delhi airport as it is faster and does not deal with any of the road traffic.

By Road

There are regular buses that traverse from the main city to the New Delhi airport. The fastest way to reach by road would be to take up the 8-lane of Delhi Gurgaon Expressway. Buses serviced by the Delhi Transport Corporation operates regular air-conditioned buses that reach the airport. There are Uber and Ola taxi cab services also available to reach the Indira Gandhi International airport. You can also make prior bookings on the app. You can find metered taxis at the Terminal T3 and T1C.