Kochi to Vadodara IndiGo 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 Vadodara

Vadodara, earlier known as Baroda, is a flourishing city in the state of Gujarat. The city is nestled on the banks of the river Vishwamitri and close to NH 48 (renumbered from 8) which connects Mumbai and Delhi. Over the years, Vadodara has seen extreme infrastructural growth. Be it their extensive airport or the tourist attractions within the city, Vadodara has managed to climb up the ranks to be one of the cleanest cities in India. In fact, after Kochi, Vadodara is the second airport in India to have acquired a sustainable energy source, which makes it a green airport. Travelling to the city is quite easy as the flight connectivity to Vadodara or even rail and roadway has an excellent network.

The city is quite famous and sees tremendous tourists flocking over during weekends for a break. Aside from the beautiful structures and tourist attractions, the city also has great staycation options. You can book hotels in Vadodara for reasonable costs and benefit from their top-notch hospitality and services. The food culture of Vadodara is something that is worth talking about as it brings together a global fusion cuisine.

Best time to visit in Vadodara

Vadodara witnesses the hottest summers. In fact, it is said that the summers in Vadodara are the hottest in the entire country. Knowing this should be enough for you to contemplate whether to visit Vadodara during summer or to avoid it. The temperatures sometimes go up to 42 degree Celsius which could be too much for some people to handle. The months between April to July see the hottest temperatures. Often people are unable to leave their houses too because of the heat and the health problems that follow. It is not surprising that the flight tickets to Vadodara are quite cheap and affordable during this season. Even the accommodation scenes are affordable with hotel bookings in Vadodara dropping room charges. Unless you have the strength to deal with the harsh rays of the sun, venturing to the city is not a good option.

The city does experience monsoon as well, but it is quite moderate. However, because of the rains, the terrain becomes cool and the atmosphere, a lot more bearable. The months from July to September see temperatures ranging from 24 degree Celsius to 38 degree Celsius. While it is still on the hotter side, the air and vibe turn more agreeable. The city does not see excess rainfall so that the moderate showers wouldn't affect your travel plans.

Winters are the best in Vadodara. The city is comparatively colder and has a very refreshing environment. With temperatures between 15 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius, the city air turns pleasant. Even the winter sun is soothing and manages to put a smile on everyone's faces. October to March undoubtedly have the best weather in Vadodara. Not to mention how the months also come with festivals. From Navratri to Diwali, the festivities make the city vibrant with decorations and lit ambience. You can indulge in wearing Navratri clothes and perform Garba in the city. Also, you can taste undhiyu, a dish popularly made only during the winter season by Gujaratis. Overall, the place certainly turns into a lovely carnival. The flight to Vadodara and hotel bookings in the city automatically spike up with the peak season. However, with a little more scouting on the internet, you will be able to find some amazing online flight deals to Vadodara.

Places to visit in Vadodara

With its agreeable temperatures during winter, Vadodara has some lovely places that should be checked out. There are green gardens in the city that would definitely blow your mind. You can check out the Makarpura Palace, Sayaji Garden, Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, Sur Sagar Lake, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Nyaya Mandir, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Jambughoda Wild Life Sanctuary, Champaner and Kirti Mandir. As a city that is constantly rooting towards expansion and development, Vadodara is also acknowledged as one of the cleanest cities in India.

Things to do in Vadodara

Vadodara has some of the best gardens and parks in the city. From the famous Kabirwad to the colourful Ajwa Nimeta Dam Garden, these places are lit with exquisite maintenance. Theme parks such as Ajwa Fun World and S Cube Water Park are also cool places to unwind with the family. As for those who wish to be close to nature, you can head to the Zarwani and Hathini Waterfalls. When in the city, you must check out the Narmada Canal, which is an impressive structure.

Food and Restaurants in Vadodara

One can never go to Gujarat and not have their celebrated cuisine. Gujarati food is known to be one of the best and the Gujaratis, food connoisseurs. The state's city Vadodara is no different to this idea. Aside from catering to the diverse range of tourists and visitors, Vadodara also propagates their vegetarian food, Gujarati thalis and fascinating delicacies. Most of Gujarat follows a vegetarian diet and hence, is tough to find non-vegetarian food joints. However, here in Vadodara, you will find a handful of restaurants that serve mouth-watering non-vegetarian dishes that would make you a happy person.

At the city's barbecue junction, The Barbeque Grill, you will find some well-cooked Mughlai cuisine with kebabs, biryanis and other such dishes. Plus, they do have a buffet system too. Sasumaa's Gujarati thali is famous across the state. This chain of restaurants only have Gujarati thalis, and they are all you need to get the best of the cuisine. Not to mention how hospitable the staff is that it would further enhance your experience. Vadodara also has provision for global cuisine such as Mexican, Chinese and more. You should visit Salsa Habanero to get the best of Mexican flavours in the city. The chef of the restaurant was raised in California and surrounded by Mexican cuisine, which brought about this institution.

Some of the other places in Vadodara that should be visited include Azure, Mandap, Peshawari, Kai Asia, 22nd Parallel and San's Sizzlers. If you do manage to get time aside from checking out these restaurants, it is recommended that you also check out the street food culture of Vadodara. You will be surprised by their active food scenes on the streets.

How to reach Vadodara (Transportation)

By Air

Vadodara Airport is located 6.2 km away from the main city of Vadodara. After Ahmedabad and Surat, Vadodara is the third busiest airport in the state. The airport is touted to be the cleanest in the whole country. Interestingly, the airport recently inaugurated its international terminal and has since been witnessing a tremendous surge in passenger footfall. The flight connectivity to Vadodara is excellent as various major cities have dedicated flights flying in and out of the city. Flying to Vadodara easily becomes the best option as there are many flights to Vadodara from cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Not to mention how the flight connectivity to and from Vadodara enables easier transportation for travellers. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo have designated flights to Vadodara from Bangalore, Delhi, Indore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and more. The fact that the airport is clean and has top-notch facilities further makes it a favoured option. You can book flight tickets to Vadodara at a reasonable price, irrespective of whether it is peak season or off-season. Plus, the city has exquisite accommodation too. You can book fancy hotels in Vadodara and enhance your trip experience.

By Rail

Vadodara railway station is just as well-connected as the flights to Vadodara. You can simply travel to the city in Gujarat from anywhere in India. The railway station is known to be the biggest one in the western railways belt. The city's railway station has excellent connectivity with several domestic routes connected to Vadodara. The railway station witnesses various express trains from corners of India. Some of the regular express trains include the Howrah-Ahmedabad Express and Navjivan Express. However, it is best to book tickets to Vadodara well in advance, owing to the popularity of the place. From the railway station, you can easily venture around in the city, which is perfectly connected thanks to the auto-rickshaw, buses and cab services. You can even book a hotel in Vadodara's city centre area and be assured that transit would be convenient.

By Road

Many tourists opt for roadways to travel to Vadodara. The highways and domestic routes connecting Vadodara to other big cities are extremely immaculate. The highways and roads are regularly maintained to ensure that the aesthetic beauty remains intact. This has given many travellers the option to take up road trips to the city. Even bus rides to Vadodara are good as the scenic views, and travel duration is decent. If you do have a budget issue and need to save enough money to book a hotel in Vadodara, then you should opt for bus travel. They are comfortable and will lead you directly to the city centre. Here, close to the bus stand, you will find many accommodation options that would help with your wallet.

  About Indigo Airlines

Indigo is the largest passenger airline in India and the oldest one, too, in terms of passengers that it carries and its fleet size. It operates about 1500 flights every day to 87 destinations, of which 63 are domestic, and 24 are international destinations. Its primary hub is at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Indigo commenced operations in 2006 and went on to become the largest India carrier by passenger market share in 2012. It connects to all major Indian cities and small cities like Aizawl, Agra and so on. Internationally, it connects to Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Malta, Paris, Dublin, Copenhagen, Zurich, Prague, Amsterdam, London, London Heathrow and Gatwick among others. Not only is it a low-cost operator in India, but it is also a low-cost airline globally. Indigo is also India's most preferred airline and for the right reasons. It offers great service at low fares and does not disappoint its passengers. It has grown to become one of the most trusted airlines in the country.

Indigo has a fleet size of more than 260 and has also been getting the 'Great Place to Work for in India' title for eight years in a row now. It was also given Aon's Best Employer in 2016 and 2017. It has been running profitable operations for ten consecutive years. It is considered as the most valuable and strongest airline brand in the country. In 2010, Indigo had replaced Air India as the third largest airline in India. In 2013, it became the second fastest-growing low-cost carrier in Asia after Lion Air, an Indonesian airline.

One of the specialities of Indigo is that it is customer-oriented, efficient and offers great services. It also offers low fares, which makes it one of the preferred airlines in the country. It is also one of the only airlines that connect to so many cities across the country. It operates to cities like Agartala, Aizawl, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Belagavi, Aurangabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Dimapur and the list goes on. Since Indigo is a low-cost carrier, it only offers economy class seating. However, you get to choose a seat of your preference in advance if you pay a little extra. There is no in-flight entertainment or pre-booked meals. You can buy your in-flight meals after the take-off, and you will be dependent on your own electronics and headsets to keep yourself entertained during the flight.

Fleet Size of Indigo

Indigo has one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the country, which enables it to run 1500 flights daily. It has 123 Airbus A320-200 in service that can accommodate 180 passengers. It also has 100 Airbus A320neo in service and ordered for 232 more, making it the largest operator. In addition to this, it has 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft in service that can accommodate 222 passengers each and has placed an order for 135 more aircraft of the same category. It also has 25 ATR 72-600 which can seat 74 passengers per flight.

In 2005, Indigo had placed an order for 100 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and commenced operations in 2006. In 2011, it placed an order for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft. It was a great year for the airline since it also got the permission to launch international flights that year. In 2015, it placed an order for 250 Airbus A320neo, which was the largest single order in Airbus' history. It made headlines quickly. In 2019, it placed another order for 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft and broke its own record. Later that year, it became the first Indian airline to operate 1500 flights daily. It also became the first airline to have a fleet size of 250+ aircraft. The Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320-200 have non-reclining seats, but there are a few seats that give you extra legroom. The ATR 72-600 has a twin-seat setting which not only gives you extra space but also gives you a lot of privacy. You won't have to sit next to a third stranger or sit uncomfortably.

Baggage Allowance

Indigo has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger is expected to follow. You can carry cabin baggage that weighs up to 7 kg and check-in luggage up to 20 kg. However, for certain international destinations like Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo, Kuwait and so on, the maximum limit on check-in luggage is 30 kg. If your luggage exceeds the maximum limit, you will have to pay a certain fee depending on the weight. You will also need to inform the airline staff a couple of hours before boarding the flight about the excess luggage so they can make the necessary arrangements. You can do so through the website or get in touch with the call centre. An executive will help you complete the process without any hindrance or complications. It is advisable to get your web check-in done in advance so you can sail through all the formalities at the airport smoothly.

If you are carrying bigger bags with you that have golf clubs or surfboard bags, you will have to pay approximately Rs. 1200 /- for domestic and Rs. 2500/- for international trips to accommodate it in the check-in luggage. Please ensure that you carry important things like medicines, electronics or perishable items in your cabin luggage. Portable chargers and power banks go in your hand luggage and not the check-in luggage. You will not have to check-in again to collect your bags if you have to board a connecting flight. The airline makes sure that you receive your baggage at your final destination. Please ensure that you are not carrying anything that has been prohibited by the airline like explosives, hazardous or flammable objects, sharp objects and electronics. You will also have to reach the airport a couple of hours before your flight so you can get through the security formalities well in advance.

In-flight Services

Indigo's in-flight services are quite limited. In fact, the airline does not have any in-flight entertainment services. Since it operates on low fares, it does not provide complimentary meals on any of its flights. However, you can buy meals on board. The airline does offer premium services like pre-booking seats, priority check-in and multiple cancellations at a higher price. You can also get your hands on Indigo's magazine called Hello 6E. With the increasing competition and passenger's will to pay extra for comfort and convenience, the airline is also bringing in new offers and services for its passengers. The airline had also announced its tie-up with SonyLiv in 2019 that it will provide to its passengers as in-flight entertainment. You can also check out their website to find out more services that are offered by the airline.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Indigo

Indigo connects to various domestic and international routes regularly. Indigo connects to 63 domestic destinations and 24 international ones. It got the permission to expand its operations internationally in 2011. The domestic cities that Indigo is connected to are Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Agra, Aizawl, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Coimbatore and so on. The international destinations include Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Budapest, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Dhaka, Hanoi, Istanbul, London and so on. The airline is quite particular about punctuality, and there are rarely any delays in flights unless there is an emergency or bad climatic conditions. You can also lookup offers and services on their website to make sure you make the most of your trip. Since the airline has already ordered more aircraft, there are high chances that they will add more cities to the list. Indigo will definitely go on to breaking more records and even making some in the next few years.

Why Travel by Indigo?

Indigo is one of the most prestigious and low fare airlines in the country. It made its way to the top airlines in the country quite quickly and made sure that passengers experienced the best services at a minimal price. It is also one of the largest airlines in the country that operates 1500 flights to domestic and international routes daily. It connects 24 international and 63 domestic destinations. It has its major hubs at Chennai International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. You can check the Indigo flight schedule and your flight status on their website. The airline also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The airline has also won several awards and accolades for its service over the years. Customers rarely have a disappointing experience flying with Indigo. If you are a frequent flyer, you might even get discounts and other offers while booking your next flight. Make sure you go through the offers on the airline's website. You can also get in touch with an executive at the call centre to know more about the offers.

  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 Vadodara Airport

Vadodara Airport, also known by the name, Civil Airport Harni, is situated in the suburb of Harni, which is in the north-east of Vadodara, Gujarat. The city is the third largest in the state of Gujarat in terms of population. The city follows Ahmedabad and Surat in the list of populated cities in the state. Vadodara was originally a domestic airport which recently received the stature of an international airport. Vadodara Airport has started operations of international flights. Additionally, the airport also has its state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facility.

About Vadodara Airport terminals

Vadodara Airport has one domestic terminal which has been named after the Maharaja of Baroda State. The terminal's decor has been inspired by the architectural nuances of mixed styles ranging from Gujarati to dome-shaped roofs, etc. As the airport is small, so is the terminal. It cannot accommodate a large throng of passengers and barely manages 250 in an hour. Hence, to expand the capacity of the terminal and to incorporate international flight operations, the airport announced to construct a new integrated terminal building in the vicinity. A competition to design the new terminal was introduced on an international scale. Following this, a US-based consortium Gensler, Frederic Schwartz Architects and Creative Group from India bagged the project to design the new terminal. Works to accommodate the new integrated terminal commenced in 2009 as the foundation was laid.

After nearly seven years of construction work, the terminal was completed and inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in the same year. The new integrated terminal sprawls across an area of 18,120 square metres and can accommodate about 700 passengers in an hour. Other features of the terminal include 18 check-in counters as well as a night parking facility. The parking bay can accommodate close to nine Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This has enabled a reduction in the burden at Mumbai Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and Ahmedabad Airport (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport). It has also made it economical for several airlines. Presently, Vadodara Airport does not accommodate cargo. It is also recognised as the second airport in the country, after Cochin International Airport, to be a green airport. In fact, the airport's new integrated terminal also holds a global record for being the only airport with the longest single sheet rooftop which measures about 164.2 metres.

About Airport Authority

The airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has been founded to cater to the upgradations, maintenance and management of various civil aviation infrastructure in the country. It is thanks to the work of the Airports Authority of India that Vadodara Airport has managed to expand its airport terminals and to accommodate both domestic and international flights. In fact, the exemplary work of the AAI has enabled Vadodara Airport to bag the Swachh Bharat Award for being one of the cleanest and safest airports in the category of airports that can accommodate passenger capacity of 1.5 million. As part of the expansion plans, Airports Authority of India has brought Vadodara Airport in the maps of one of the most accomplished and well-developed airports in India.

Facilities at the Vadodara Airport

Wheelchair accessibility – You can request for a wheelchair with your airline, and the airport would cater to the same.

Medical facility – Vadodara Airport has a designated team of medical professionals to deal with emergency cases that might crop up at the airport premise. They are trained doctors and professionals. Medical rooms are also present as are pharmacies.

Restaurants and cafes – There are quaint cafes and restaurants installed in the airport premise. They can be found in the departure sections of the airport. Smaller joints and food establishments can also be found in the arrivals section. For tea, coffee and other such beverages, you can check out some joints located in the airport.

Baggage – The baggage services at the airport include trolleys and porter systems. You can ask for a porter service, wherein an airport staff would escort your trolley of luggage and even get the security checks done on your behalf. Trolleys are available outside the airport as well as in the airport premise.

Shops – There are small shops also present at the airport premise. You can find some impeccable paintings, books, magazines, artefacts and souvenirs at these shops. They basically glorify the culture of Gujarat and also have exquisite ethnic items that you could purchase. In fact, for passengers who need to pass their time at the airport can actually visit these shops and be entertained by the lovely collection of items that they have for sale.

Lounge – The airport has a luxury lounge present in the departure section of the terminal. The lounge can be accessed by passengers who have special passes or a certain ticket type. As for others who wish to spend time in the lounge and enjoy their benefits, the airport has tariffs that the passengers will need to pay to get access to the space. There are TV sets, WiFi services, good hospitality and great lounge seats available in the lounge.

Special assistance – There are special assistance services that have been reserved for senior citizens and passengers with disabilities. These services can be availed at the airport. It is recommended that the passenger inform the airlines prior to the journey. The airport will be able to accommodate the necessary services and trained staff to cater to the same.

Smoking zones – Vadodara Airport has strict laws against smoking and to make sure that the protocols to not smoke in public are followed, they have installed zones in the premise. The airport has designated smoking zones for passengers to avail. These spaces also have cigarettes for sale. The smoking lounges are kept clean and sanitised with fresh air being pumped at every interval.

Top airlines flying from Vadodara Airport

Vadodara is a big city within the borders of Gujarat. However, it does not have excellent connectivity with other Indian cities. As an airport that only caters to domestic flights, Vadodara Airport accommodates operations of airlines namely Air India and IndiGo. These airlines fly to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore, to name a few.

How to reach Vadodara Airport

By Bus and taxi

Vadodara as a city is perfectly connected with several modes of transportation. The airport is also just as well-connected as it is very close to the city centre. You can opt for buses to reach Vadodara Airport. There are designated bus stops available in proximity to the airport. These buses can be taken from anywhere around the city. As one of the important cities in Gujarat, Vadodara's bus services are handled by the state government. Hence, the connectivity is immaculate. Aside from the buses, you can also reach Vadodara Airport by hailing a taxi cab. There are provisions of the same in the city. In fact, you can also opt for car rentals and travel in the same to reach Vadodara Airport.

By Rail

Baroda Railway Station is barely five kilometres from Vadodara Airport. Hence, if you are travelling from neighbouring towns by train and have a flight to catch from Vadodara Airport, the best way to reach would be by getting a rickshaw or taxi ride from the railway station. As it is in the city centre, you can easily find taxi cabs and rickshaws at the Baroda Railway Station to reach Vadodara Airport. It would take you about 15 minutes to reach Vadodara Airport from the railway station. Hopefully, if there is not much traffic on the street, the travel duration would further be reduced. The road conditions are rather conducive.

About Vadodara

Vadodara, popularly known as Baroda, is the third-most populous city in the state of Gujarat. The city is named after the presence of Banyan (Vad), that grow and flourish in the city. Vadodara is perched atop the banks of the Vishwamitri River and is roughly 120 km away from the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Vadodara's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer has enabled the city to have a tropical climate at all times. It is extremely hot and often deals with scorching summers too. Although the city witnesses tremendous passenger traffic owing to the industrial establishments, there are dedicated peak months when you can visit Vadodara.

The best time to visit the city is from March to April. It is considerably hot and humid, but the heat is bearable. The city is blessed with lovely temples and exquisite palaces and historic structures. In fact, it is even recognised as the cultural capital of Gujarat. Thanks to these attractions, the city witnesses tremendous tourist action. Some of the highlights of the city include the Lakshmi Vilas Palace which is the residence of Baroda Stat's Maratha regal family, the Gaekwads, from the Gaekwad Dynasty. Vadodara is home to the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The city is heavily invested in various power and oil and gas corporations.