Kozhikode to Lucknow IndiGo Flights

  About Kozhikode

Formerly known as Calicut, the city of Kozhikode is one of the major commercial cities in the Kerala state. After Kochi, Kozhikode is the second biggest commercial capital of Kerala with its extensive overseas businesses. Over the years, Kozhikode has been transformed into a modern city with traces of its traditional culture still intact. It is a proper city with quaint cafes, malls, and more importantly, a hub to some of the biggest educational institutions in India. From Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode has illustrious colleges and universities.

The city is entirely developed with an international airport in place. Although it is located a little away from the city centre, the airport has a plethora of Indian and international airlines providing services. The flight connectivity to and from Kozhikode is excellent, making it one of the best in the country. It also caters to overseas flying.

Best time to visit Kozhikode

Kozhikode enjoys tropical weather, much like the rest of Kerala. The summers are scorching and the winters sublime. While the beaches look beautiful during summers as the blue waters taunt back, the winter season is the best time to visit Kozhikode. During winters, the temperature in Kozhikode drops to 14 degree Celsius, making it exceptionally tourist-friendly. You can pick up your swimming trunks and head straight to the waters without having to worry about heat strokes and dehydration. October to February is winter for Kozhikode and also the peak season. Beyond this, you will be roasted as the summer heats would be too much to handle.

As a tropical city, humidity is in the air, and it only rises exponentially during summers. In fact, the temperatures soar to 37 degree Celsius. Venturing out under the summer sun in Kozhikode would be uncomfortable. The heat would further prevent you from exploring or sightseeing. Flight tickets to Kozhikode during summer would be cheap as it is off-season. Even accommodations would be affordable so if you do plan to take a trip, book yourself a luxury hotel in Kozhikode.

Places to visit in Kozhikode

Thikkoti Light House

As a coastal spot, there are many lighthouses in Kerala. Kozhikode also has a majestic lighthouse going by the name Thikkoti. Perched atop a small hill touching the Arabian Sea in the Thikkoti village, the lighthouse has been attracting tourists since its inception. The structure is at an elevated terrain which is said to be the remains of a shipwreck. The setting is so beautiful, especially from the top of the lighthouse.

Kozhikode Beach

Kozhikode Beach is one of the most popular and tourist's favourite. The beach's vibe is extremely relaxed and perfect for travellers who wish to unwind from the long day of sightseeing. The beach is known to offer a visual spectacle with the sky turning into various colours during sunset. Plus, it is only 1 km away from the railway station.

Beypore

Beypore is actually a shipbuilding port as well as a fishing harbour. One of the major reasons why you should add this to your list of places to visit in Kozhikode is because you will get to see how ships are built as well as get to see the busy fisherman head to the seas and return with delicious fish. Beypore is an important port in the West coast of India as not only does it build ships but is also essential for commercial purposes.

Thali Temple

The Thali Temple is another major tourist attraction in Kozhikode with pilgrims visiting to seek blessings from the deity. The temple is built to honour Lord Shiva, and a Shivalunga measuring about 2 ft is nestled perfectly within the premise. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples, and the sheer beauty lies in the simplicity with which it has been constructed.

Calicut Planetarium

Kozhikode has a Planetarium which will take you through some mysteries of the universe while you rest on a reclining chair. The place has a capacity of 250 visitors and is located close to the new bus stand. The Calicut Planetarium is always full with many visitors who are astronomy enthusiasts.

Things to do in Kozhikode

Drench yourself under the Kozhippara Falls

Located on the outskirts of Kakkadampoyli are the gorgeous Kozhippara Falls. Not only can you make a day of it as you hike through the trails, but you can also sit under the waterfall and relax.

Check out the Thusharagiri Falls

Nestled in the Western Ghats is the beautiful Thusharagiri waterfall. It is a little away from the main city, and you will have to trek towards the Lakkidi Ghat to reach the falls. It is quite the tourist spot in Kozhikode as many trekkers who would like to engage in outdoor activities. There are three waterfalls in the area which make quite the spectacle.

Hit the Sweet Street

There is a street in Kozhikode popular for the sweet savouries that they prepare. In fact, it is called Mithai Theravu, which translates to Sweet Street. It is actually one of the busiest streets in Kozhikode for all the right reasons. Pamper yourself with an array of delicious sweets and give yourself a sugar rush.

Watch shows at the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts

An art patron would be very much invested in the cultural heritage of Kerala. If you're one of them, then you should head to the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts which is an initiative undertaken by the Department of Tourism to promote and preserve the affluent art and culture of the state. While you're here, d check out the gorgeous backwaters that play a perfect setting for the place.

Food and Restaurants in Kozhikode

Kozhikode's food culture is a melange of Arab flavours interspersed with Indian culinary. It is known to be a foodie's hub as everyone here is enthused by the art of cooking with an acumen for exemplary cooking. The city has a unique take on culinary which is famously known as Mapilla cuisine with fish as the staple meat. The city is a foodie's paradise, and the more you try to explore, the more you'll be lost in the blissful flavours. Even though Kochi is known to have a thriving culinary scene, it is Kozhikode's flavourful food that takes the cake. You will be amazed by the exquisite food culture of the city.

Kozhikode's Paragon restaurant in Kannur Road is a haven for a biryani aficionado. The subtle mix of spices will leave you in a happy daze. Not to mention the Sulaimani tea that will go perfectly with the food. At Sagar restaurant sells delicious fish curry with pathiri which should definitely be tried. Then you have Zain's Hotel, a hotel run by women who have perfected the Mapilla cuisine. The Bombay Hotel in Silk Street also has some fantastic snacky fast food that will go down well with you. To indulge in something savoury, you can head to Maharaja Sweets where you'll find some exciting desserts like sticky halwa made from flour, jaggery and coconut oil.

How to reach Kozhikode (Transportation)

By Air

Kozhikode's airport has tremendously good connectivity with domestic cities as well as international destinations. Karipur airport, famously known as Calicut International Airport is about 23 km away from the city centre but has great internal network. There are numerous flights to and from Kozhikode flying to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and more. The best part about Kozhikode airport is that it also caters to international flights. The city's airport serves flights to Middle Eastern countries as there are international routes from Kozhikode that connect the city to foreign countries. With such impeccable flight connectivity to Kozhikode, travelling to the city is quite comfortable and convenient. You can book your flights to Kozhikode online and get some great flight deals in the process.

By Rail

Kozhikode also has its own railway station which connects the city to various states and metropolitans. You can find trains going to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mangalore, Kochi and more. A plethora of express trains and mails are available, some that cross the city and others with Kozhikode as the last stop. The station is also within the city limits, making travelling tad bit more manageable. You can easily travel within the city as there are transport facilities available right outside the Kozhikode station. In fact, you can book a hotel in Kozhikode which is in the proximity of the railway station. Some affordable hotel rooms are available near the railway station.

By Road

The road connectivity to and from Kozhikode to other major cities is also impressive. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have private as well as government-run buses which connect the city to Mangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and more. The big concern that comes from road transport is extensive travel hours. You will end up investing a lot of time on a bus when travelling from Kozhikode to other cities. However, some buses run in the day as well as night so you can pick a convenient option.

  About Lucknow

Lucknow, the land of Nawabs, is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. There is a certain royalty, elegance and regality in Lucknow that you will not find elsewhere. The people here are quite polite and talk with what you call 'Tehzeeb' in Urdu. Lucknow is famous for its food, handcrafted artefacts and more importantly, clothes. Lucknowi kurtas, lehengas and dupattas attract a lot of tourists in Lucknow. The Chikan embroidery on kurtas is a speciality in Lucknow. It's also known for its culture, arts, music and poetry. You must experience the warm hospitality that the city has to offer, at least once in your life. Lucknow, like most cities in the country, was also ruled by the Mughals. However, the Nawabs of Awadh took over in the 18th century.

The city has a lot of architectural wonders that you cannot miss. It is also quite popular for its variety of biryanis and kebabs. In fact, the city is like a paradise for everyone who is a fan of chicken or mutton biryanis and kebabs. The Lucknowi chaat is also quite popular and something that you must not miss when you visit Lucknow. Since the city is known for its elegant and Nawabi architecture, you'll find some of it incorporated in hotel rooms as well. You can find and book a hotel room in Lucknow according to your budget, and you'll experience the Lucknowi hospitality everywhere.

Hazratganj Market is like paradise for shopaholics, and if you are good at bargaining, you're going to need another suitcase to pack everything that you shopped for. The Bara Imambara and the Chota Imambara are two famous monuments in the city. It is also an important place of worship for Muslims, who also celebrate Muharram here. Lucknow also has a Marine Drive that is inspired by the Marine Drive that you have in Mumbai. It's adjacent to the Gomti River and is a beautiful and romantic stretch of road. It's also a famous place for couples to spend some romantic time with each other.

The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is yet another place to visit if you are in the city with your kids. Lucknow also has a bird sanctuary that you can visit with your family or alone. The Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary which is also called the Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary is a dense forest in Unnao. You will find approximately 250 species of birds in the sanctuary. The Qaisar Bagh Palace, which was constructed in the 1850s, is the perfect example of the exotic Mughal architecture and elegance. You'll find a lot of monuments and palaces that were made by the Mughals and the Nawabs of Lucknow. The city is developing at a swift pace and has also managed to maintain the charm and elegance of the Nawabs. Well, it is one of their specialities,

Best Time To Visit Lucknow

The summers can get quite hot in Lucknow as the temperature rises to 40 degree Celsius. It starts from April through July. It's not the best time to plan a visit to Lucknow during summer. The city experiences monsoon pretty late, from July through September. The weather is quite humid, and it might affect a lot of your sightseeing and shopping plans. Winter, however, is the best time to visit Lucknow, which is from October to March. The temperature drops to 7 degree Celsius at night and the evenings are just perfect to go boating or for a fancy dinner. You can even plan all of your sightseeing during the day during winter. Since it is the peak season, the hotel prices are also likely to spike up.

Places to Visit in Lucknow

The Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara are two popular monuments in Lucknow. Since the Muslims also value the Bara Imambara as a place of worship, they celebrate Muharram here on a very grand scale. Festivals in Lucknow are a grand affair. The Chota Imambara was built by Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Awadh in 1838, for Shia Muslims. It is located on the west of the Bara Imambara.

The Lucknow Zoo is another place you can visit if you are an animal lover. The Zoo houses approximately 447 mammals, 348 birds, 57 reptiles, royal Bengal tigers, bears, Indian rhinoceros and a lot of wild animals, too. Your kids will surely love visiting the zoo. You have to pay a nominal fee to get into the zoo, though, which is not a lot.

British Residency is one of the famous historical landmarks that marks the first stage of the fall of British Raj. It had served as a refuge place for 3000 British inhabitants during the uprising of 1857, which was India's first revolt for Independence against the Britishers. The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is yet another place that your kids will love and you will, too, if you can't get enough of the stars, planets and the cosmic wonders. The planetarium also puts on shows that will transport you to another dimension.

Hazratganj is a popular shopping area for tourists and residents of Lucknow, too. You'll find the best kurtas, shararas and lehengas with beautiful Chikan embroidery. Of course, make sure that you bargain well. The street food at Hazratganj is also quite delicious. Qaisar Bagh Palace was constructed in the 1850s by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and is a masterpiece that showcases the Mughal architecture. Do visit the palace when you are in Lucknow to experience the lavish lifestyles of the Nawabs.

Things to do in Lucknow

Monument hopping is not a widely used term, but we are hoping it catches on. You plan a day just to visit the monuments and end it with an authentic Lucknowi dinner. Take a tour of the Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary. You can walk around and spot birds you've never seen before. Tour guides also organise Heritage Walks in the city for tourists. You can either get in touch with a local tour guide through a travel agent, find one online or enquire at your hotel desk.

The mutton biryani, different types of kebabs, shawarma and a variety of chaats is what is popular in the city. Whether you are a vegetarian or crave for meat, Lucknow does not disappoint you at all, when it comes to food. But the place is quite the paradise for non-vegetarians. Catch the shows put up at the Indira Gandhi Planetarium. After the show, you can spend some time at the Gomti River to admire the sheer beauty of the city.

Go on a shopping spree at Hazratganj. This is one of the most popular areas to shop at in Lucknow. Make sure you pick the right shops and have good bargaining skills.

Food and Restaurants in Lucknow

There is a lot of hype over Lucknowi food and for a reason. You'll know why it is famous in the country once you try it for yourself. Moti Mahal Restaurant and Royal Cafe are two places in Hazratganj that you must eat at when you are in Lucknow. End your shopping spree or stop for a break at one of the two or both the eateries. They are popular for their North-Indian and Mughlai cuisines. You can also try out Oudhyana at Vivanta By Taj for authentic Mughlai food. Don't forget to try out the meat delicacies, kebabs and roomali rotis at this eatery. It won't burn a hole in your pocket at all. Have breakfast at Rati Lal's Khasta Kachori. The barras, pooris and the chickpea sabzi will satiate you and how!

Prakash Ki Kulfi is a popular dessert store in Lucknow that specialises in kulfi. Treat yourself to the best kulfi you'll ever have. While you are visiting Gomti Nagar, make sure you stop to have some basket chaat. It's a popular chaat in the city and one of a kind. You can't not have biryani in Lucknow. Have the mouth-smacking Awadhi biryani at Wahid's Biryani.

How to reach Lucknow

By Air

The nearest airport to Lucknow is the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. Lucknow airport is about 14 km away from the city, but the flight connectivity is pretty good. Domestic flights from Lucknow are well-connected with cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Patna and other important cities. It's easy to reach Lucknow by air from any other city in India. Look for good flight deals and cheap flight tickets. If you are visiting the city during its offseason, the fares might even drop.

By Rail

The Lucknow Railway Station at Charbagh connects the city with all the other cities and is also the main station. You'll also find rickshaws or taxis from outside the station quite easily. The city has also introduced a metro, but it has only fewer stations within the city so far.

By Road

Buses from domestic routes like Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Agra, Delhi and other cities run quite frequently to Lucknow. The city is also connected to major highways like the NH25, NH28 and NH56.

  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 Calicut Airport

The Calicut International Airport, which is also acknowledged as Karipur airport, serves the Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the state of Kerala. The international airport enables flight connectivity to the Malabar region of Kerala. The Calicut International Airport is 25 km from the town of Malappuram and about 26 km from Kozhikode. The airport is recognised as the 11th busiest airport in the country, concerning overall passenger traffic. It is also known to be the third busiest airport in the state of Kerala, following Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. The Calicut International Airport received its international airport stature in 2006. The airport is also known to be the only airport in Kerala with a tabletop runway. There are only three tabletop runway in India after the Calicut Airport - Lengpui Airport and Mangalore Airport. The Calicut Airport serves as the base for Air India Express which has services of the Hajj Pilgrimage, flying to Jeddah and Medina from Kozhikode. The airport also serves as a focus city to airlines such as Air India, Indigo and SpiceJet.

About Calicut Airport Terminals

The Kozhikode Calicut International Airport has two passenger terminals supporting international and domestic airlines. One terminal is dedicated to domestic airlines that offer regional flights to travel within the country. The terminal is a single level which takes care of the arrivals as well as departures of passengers. It also caters to Air India Express, which operates from the airport. The departure and arrivals space in the domestic terminal has restaurants, shops, executive and VIP lounges and other services too. Meanwhile, the terminal also has nine check-in counters, six customs counters, 12 immigration counters and five security booths. The international terminal has two levels. The ground level is reserved for the arrival and departure halls. The space also caters to a bunch of amenities including, cafes, restaurants, shops, duty-free establishments and more. The first floor of the international terminal comes with a port lounge and a VIP lounge. The port lounge is basically for the economy class while the VIP one is reserved for the first-class ticket holders. There are about 23 check-in counters, 42 immigration booths, five customs counters and three security checks.

About airport authority

The Airport Authority of India, famous known by its abbreviation AAI, owns and serves the Calicut International Airport. AAI has worked tremendously on bettering the Calicut International Airport and has managed to put it on the map of busy airports in India. Thanks to the statutory body's intervention helped bring back some international airlines to the airport, including services of the Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER. Over the years, the airport has witnessed tremendous development and expansion.

Top airlines flying from Calicut Airport

Calicut International Airport has good connectivity to some of the cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Majorly, the Calicut airport has airlines operating to reach domestic cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, as metro stations. Aside from these, cities such as Kannur, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Agatti see flights from the Calicut International Airport. There are a few domestic and international airlines that fly from the airport. Airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, operate from the Calicut International Airport. Some of these domestic airlines also have international journeys on their calendar. Air India's Air India Express has flights to cities in Kerala as well as international cities such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Sharjah, Riyadh and more.

International airlines that fly from the Calicut International Airport include Air Arabia, Air India Express, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Flynas, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SalamAir and Saudia. A majority of airports in the state of Kerala have direct flights to Middle Eastern countries. Since a lot of demand is prevalent for Middle Eastern cities in Kerala, airlines from the said countries operate from Kerala as well. Air India Express specifically has an operating base with services to Medina and Jeddah from the Calicut International Airport. The cities host the Hajj Pilgrimage and hence, see a lot of demand from pilgrims during the holy seasons.

Facilities at the Calicut Airport

WiFi - The airport terminal has an excellent WiFi connection. You can find details of the same at the check-in counter. The airport's domestic and international terminals both have a good connection. A domestic phone number would be required to log in to the WiFi network. They are available for free.

Special assistance - The Calicut International Airport also caters to services for personal assistance, especially for senior citizens, expectant mothers and physically disabled passengers. There is specific special assistance that you can acquire at the information desk. Informing the airlines about the special requests for wheelchairs or personal assistance can be demanded as well. Each airline has skilled professionals who are trained for these services.

ATMs and forex - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange booths present at regular intervals at the airport. To ensure that required liquid currency can be accessed, the airport has brought about a good number of ATM kiosks and currency exchange booths. They are available at the departure and arrival zones of international and domestic terminals.

Prayer rooms - Multi-faith rooms to observe prayers have also been made available at the airport. The Calicut Airport has dedicated rooms that are available at both, departure and arrival terminals. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes. There are religious books of multi-faith available in the room as well.

Post office - The good part about the airport is how they have postal services as well. In case there is a sudden necessity to post a letter or important documents, it can be arranged at the airport. They are available close to the domestic and international terminals.

Baggage - The airport has several services pertaining to baggage. There are trolley services available at the Calicut International Airport. They can be found at regular intervals outside and within the airport premise. You can find them at the international and domestic terminals.

Restaurants and cafes - There are many restaurants and cafes present at the airport complex. You can find some of the food establishments at the arrival and departure zones. Plus, there are some quick snacks and beverages joints available at the check-in areas too. There are dedicated food courts and also decent restaurants that can be found in the lounge area.

Internet cafes - In case you need to send important emails or work on some projects at the airport, there is an internet cafe installed at the airport. Even though the WiFi services are available, you can get hold of a computer system at the airport and work on professional projects.

Lounges - The airport provides lounge services as well. Since it is an international airport, there are VIP lounges as well as premium lounge authorised by AAI. Some of the lounge services have spas, showers, hotel rooms for in-transit passengers, upscale restaurants and great hospitality.

How to reach Calicut Airport

Rail

The closest railway station is the Feroke railway station from the Calicut Airport. The station is about 18 km away from the airport and is connected to many important cities close to Kozhikode. Meanwhile, the Kozhikode Railway Station, located about 28 km away from the Calicut Airport, is also well-connected. The station is connected to various major Indian cities as well as within Kerala. There are taxi cabs and bus services available from the railway station to the airport. In case you are travelling from within the state and need to reach Calicut Airport, the best route would be to opt for the Kozhikode Railway Station.

The state also has buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, to help with connection to the airport. They service FlyBus, which is a low-floor AC bus that shuttles between the main city of Kozhikode and the airport. The bus is a perfect mode of transport to use if you have to reach Calicut International Airport. These services are cheap and perfect for budget travellers who need to save money. Plus, they are quite convenient too. You can find these buses in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Malappuram, to name a few cities. The Calicut International Airport is situated on the National Highway 966 and is further joined by National Highway 66 at Ramanattukara. Both the national highways are located at a distance of 2.3 km and 8 km from the airport. The highways further connect Calicut International Airport to Kozhikode, Malappuram. Wayanad, Coimbatore, Kannur, Thrissur and Palakkad.

About Calicut

Calicut or Kozhikode, is a principal town and the second largest urban agglomeration in the state of Kerala, after Kochi. The city is the 20th largest populated in India with a population of 2 million, as recorded in the 2011 census. Kozhikode's fame comes from its plethora of spice industry. The city is also known as the City of Spices as it catered as an important trading point for Indian spices. Kozhikode or Calicut is recognised as the second-best city to reside in India with respect to the economics research as conducted by the firm Indicus Analytics in 2009. They have accumulated data on residences, investments and earnings to form the ranking. Predominantly, the city features a tropical monsoon climate and witnesses two periods of showers in a year.

  About Lucknow Airport

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport or better known as Lucknow Airport is an international airport that serves Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh. The airport was previously called the Amausi Airport as it is located in the Amausi area of Lucknow. However, it was later renamed as Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, after the fifth Prime Minister of India, by the Government of India. The main idea behind constructing the airport in 1986 was to expedite aid for government and corporate officials in the state. As the number of passengers and air traffic increased with time, the Airports Authority of India worked around upgrading the structure to accommodate passenger footfall. The airport received international stature in 2012 and witnesses airlines catering to international cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Muscat, Jeddah, Bangkok and Sharjah. The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport introduced the concept of private sectors to operate the airport to get better management and funds. The latest terminal has been constructed in such a way to accommodate about 2000 passengers at once.

About Lucknow Airport Terminals

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport has two operational terminals while the third one is in the planning stage. T1 is the original airport that was built to complement the architecture of the Charbagh Railway Station. It is currently being used for international operations and flights. There are three departing gates and two arrival ones at the international terminal with two dedicated immigration counters. Terminal 2, on the other hand, has been allocated for domestic flights and activities. Terminal 2 has five boarding gates and witnesses high passenger traffic each year. Due to the heavy activities as well as air traffic, there has been some pressure on the aerodromes. Hence, an expansion plan to develop and enhance the terminal building has been proposed. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation has granted permission to expand the existing terminal building along with some allocated funds. The project management consultant would be focussed on catering to the extension of the terminal. The domestic terminal was inaugurated in 2012 by the then civil aviation minister Ajit Singh. The extension project's funds have been estimated at INR 880 crore.

About airport authority

The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India. Much recently though, they have passed the baton of operations to the Adani Group. All expansion and management operations are now being handled by the Adani Group. The airport is also undergoing extension plans with a proposition to build a new terminal, T3, by the Adani Group. Lucknow Airport received Best Airport under the Airports Authority of India (AAI) along with Rajasthan's Jodhpur Airport, in 2012. It has also been recognized as the second-best with respect to small airports that can accommodate about 5-10 million passengers in a year. The same was awarded by the Airports Council International, which is a global non-profit organization that works for airport operators.

Facilities at the Lucknow Airport

ATMs and currency exchange: The Lucknow airport has dedicated counters and desks for foreign exchange. Lucknow sees a lot of international tourists and travellers. Hence, it is essential to have forex counters to make the currency exchange done. Also, airports are known to have better rates compared to forex firms outside in the city. ATM kiosks are also available at regular intervals in the airport.

VIP lounge: VIP lounges and guestrooms are available at the Lucknow airport. The airport has witnessed infrastructural development with provisions for lounge and rooms for upscaled experiences. The VIP lounge in the airport has an excellent ambience and hospitality services. As long as you have first-class tickets or premium access to the lounge, you wouldn't be allowed to enter.

Information desk: The airport also has several information desks. The information desk holds all necessary details about the flights that are departing, arriving, schedules, airlines, connecting flights and more. You can further learn more about the layout of the airport too at the information desk. You can get a guide and map to the airport as well as details about the city of Lucknow.

Luggage storage: Lucknow airport's luggage services are also quite good. There are dedicated storage areas where one can keep their luggage while they wait to board their flights. There are locker facilities available that could be very beneficial to you if you want to safeguard some of your essentials. Not to mention, the airport also has baggage packing facilities available so you can safeguard your bags from theft and other concerns.

Child care room: A devoted child care centre is available at the Lucknow airport. The space is perfect for new mothers with infants. Since they require privacy for feeding and changing of the diapers, space has been reserved for mothers and their kids. The centre is also well-maintained and regularly sanitized to avoid health hazards. The place is kept hygienic by the airport officials.

Restaurants and cafes: Lucknow airport also has some good food establishments. There are famous joints such as KFC, Burger King, Subway, to name a few. The place also has some Mughlai-themed restaurants that glorify the city's flourishing culture. Although there are no roasteries available at the airport, they do have cafes and coffeehouses with quick bites and refreshments.

Medical aid: The airport also has provisions for medical aid. To ensure that medical emergencies are treated immediately, the airport has medical services stationed at proper intervals. Plus, they also have ambulances, in case the patient needs to be taken to the hospital for better services. You can also ask for medical kits at the information desk or the security.

WiFi: The Lucknow airport has WiFi services available as well. As long as you have your Indian phone numbers, you can get access to the WiFi services. The services of WiFi can be availed for approximately 45 minutes after which you will have to pay for it. You can get premium paid packs of WiFi connection from the information desk.

Entertainment centre: Interestingly, the airport has an entertainment centre with a big TV too. Although the channels cannot be changed as it is for all the public, there are Indian TV shows and movies that play on the gigantic TV at all times. You can keep your kids engaged and distracted, so they do not cause a ruckus at the airport.

Local calls facilities: In case you have network issues or do not have enough balance in your mobile phone, you can make use of the free phone that is available at the airport. You can use to this connect with families or people who will be picking you up from the airport. It only caters to local calls so you will not be able to make STD or ISD calls from the phone.

Top airlines flying from the Lucknow Airport

The Lucknow Airport lacks impeccable connection as fewer domestic and international airlines operate from the city. Very few flights even connect the domestic cities from Lucknow airport. Major Indian metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad, to name a few. Lucknow airport does have better connectivity with cities of North India thanks to its geographical location. However, only fewer domestic airlines operate from the city, considering how it is one of the big cities in India. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, Air India Express, IndiGo and Vistara, operate from the Lucknow airport. The airport's connectivity with Southern cities is fewer and only caters to Bangalore, Chennai, Goa and Hyderabad. For other cities, connecting flights would be required.

In terms of international airlines, the city again only caters to a handful of airlines. Airlines only catering to cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat and Bangkok. Airlines such as flydubai, Flynas, Oman Air, Saudia and Thai Smile, are the few that operate from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. For better international airlines connection, people often fly to Delhi from Lucknow airport. Cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore are also considered to connect to a wider range of international airlines.

How to reach Lucknow Airport

The Lucknow Airport is brilliantly connected with the Lucknow Metro line. The best way to reach the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. There is a dedicated station called the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport metro station which falls on the Red Line stretch. It further connects to the Munshi Pulia metro station. The metro project is known to be the most expensive mode of the transport system in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Depending on how close you are to any of the stations on the Munshi Pulia and Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport stretch, the duration changes accordingly. However, the long stretch takes about 50 minutes to reach. The fare is also quite decent with the maximum fee going up to INR 60. Often travellers use the metro to reach Lucknow airport as it is the best and most convenient way to reach in the city.

Another way to reach Lucknow airport is to hail a taxi or rental. There are many prepaid taxi counters available at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. All three of the terminals have taxi counters from which you can book your ride. There are no direct buses available from the city to the airport. Although reaching the Lucknow airport by vehicle will take some time, it is convenient as you can rest assured about the luggage's safety.