Lucknow to Aurangabad Flights

  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 Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra, especially because of the Ajanta and Ellora caves. The caves have been appointed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983. You would also want to check out the Aurangabad caves. They are not as popular as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, and they are totally worth visiting. The caves were carved out of soft rocks in the fifth-sixth century. The city was initially called Khadki which was later changed to Fatehnagar after Fateh Khan, who ruled the city then. The city got its name, Aurangabad, after Mughal Prince Aurangzeb was made the Viceroy for the second time. Interesting fact: Aurangabad was a part of Hyderabad until 1956. It was during this year that the city was officially declared as a part of Maharashtra.

Apart from the caves, the city is also popular for Bibi Ka Maqbara, which is also known as the second Taj Mahal of India. The mausoleum is a tomb that was made for Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's first wife Dilras Banu Begum who was called Rabia Daurani posthumously. The two of them had five kids together, and sadly, she passed away a month after delivering their fifth child, due to complications that came with the delivery. A grief-stricken Aurangzeb later decided to create a mausoleum as the final resting place of Rabia Daurani and called it Bibi Ka Maqbara which translates to Tomb of the Lady.

The city also boasts of several temples like the Bhadri Maruti Temple and Jyothirlinga Grishneshwar temple. The latter is believed to be one of the last Jyotirlinga temples in the world. Apart from these, there is also the Daulatabad Fort and a couple of gardens that were made during the Mughal era that you can visit. Aurangabad is one of the most notable tourist hubs in Maharashtra, and you will not regret it one bit. Not to mention, you can treat yourself to the best Maharashtrian food in the city. A delicious Maharashtrian Thali for lunch and some moong dal pakoda is just what you need to make your day.

Another interesting fact about Aurangabad is how the place was called the City of Gates since it boasted of 52 gates, out of which only four have survived now. Bhadkal Gate is one of the oldest, biggest gates that has survived and you'll come across it near the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams.

Best Time to Visit Aurangabad

The city experiences summer from March to May. The maximum temperature during summer is 31 degrees Celsius, and it's not too hot, but tourists avoid travelling to Aurangabad during this season. Monsoon hits the city from June to September. It doesn't rain too heavily, but it wouldn't hurt to carry an extra umbrella or raincoat. Winters are quite pleasant and start from October through February. Winter is also the best time to visit the city, and you'll have an enjoyable trip at all of the places you choose to visit during this time.

Places to Visit in Aurangabad

The Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of the most important places to visit in Aurangabad. The Ajanta caves depict the artistry of the Buddhist monks who used simple tools to paint and sculpt stories from the Jataka Tales. While you'll find a lot of stories carved on the caves at Ajanta, the Ellora caves throw light on three religions, namely Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The intricate work on the walls of the caves will surely leave you speechless. You will be mesmerised by the beauty of these caves.

Aurangabad has a lot of stories to tell from the past right from its inception. Visit the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams to find out more about the lifestyle of the royals who lived here. You can also visit the Bhadkal gate, one of the four gates (of 52 total) that have survived now. The Bibi Ka Maqbara, also popularly known as India's second Taj Mahal, is a popular tourist attraction of the city. It depicts Aurangzeb's love for his first wife and chief consort, Rabia Daurani. The tomb is her final resting place and was completed three years after her demise. You can also visit the Siddharth Garden Zoo. You will find wild animals like crocodiles, hyenas, snakes and much more. Take this opportunity and pack a picnic basket to make a fun memory of a picnic in the garden with your family.

Embrace your spiritual side at the Bhadra Maruti temple, which was made to worship Lord Hanuman and the Jyotirlinga Grishneshwar temple where you can offer prayers to Lord Shiva and other Gods and Goddesses. It is the last of the Jyotirlinga temples in the world. It's popular among pilgrims, too. Closer to the Ellora caves, you'll also find the Valley of the Sufi Saints which is the resting place of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb and a lot of other Sufi saints. It's a holy shrine built in their honour. It's not very difficult to reach here. You'll easily find a bus, taxi or a rickshaw that will drop you to the Valley of the Sufi Saints.

Things to do in Aurangabad

You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach the Ajanta and Ellora caves from Aurangabad. You'll also find quite a lot of tour guides in the area who will tell you tales of every carving and every cave that you visit here. Just a fair warning, there might be a few caves with an overwhelming smell since these have bats living in them. It's also known to be one of the best places to take loads of pictures. You can either make use of your photography skills to get more likes and followers on Instagram or make memories with all the selfies you take with your family or friends. It would be best if you also tried the thali at Bhoj, one of the most popular restaurants in the city. You can also visit the Shrimant Chatrapathi Shivaji Museum. Be amazed to look at a 500-year-old war suit and 400-year-old Paithani sari and lots of other artefacts that are from the Mughal era and of the Marathas.

Make sure you do visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara. Though it's not as popular as the Taj Mahal, the designs and structure are quite similar to it. Aurangabad also has a lot of upcoming and new places for the youngsters to go chill or party. You'll find a lot of hip restaurants and party spots in the city, too. Though they are not widely popular yet. Aurangabad also has an amusement park that goes by the name H20 Water Park. Spend an entire day with your family or friends. This place is a delight to all the water babies who love floating on tubes or getting on those fun water slides.

Food and Restaurants in Aurangabad

You'll find everything that you feel like eating in Aurangabad. While there are places that serve traditional Mughlai and Maharashtrian food, there are also restaurants that specialise in continental, Chinese and other types of foods that you love. Bhoj Thali Restaurant is one of the most popular places in the city. You must eat here at least once before you leave the city. The Green Leaf restaurant is yet another place that has gained popularity over time. You must try the rabdi jalebis here.

Yalla Yalla is a new restaurant that has become a rage among the locals and tourists, too. It specialises in North Indian food and is like heaven for non-vegetarians. The achari chicken, prawn koliwadas and the mutton dum biryani are only some of the most popular dishes in this restaurant. Don't hesitate to try the street food in the city. Grab a plate of moong dal pakodas with a glass of chai to add to a perfect evening.

How to reach Aurangabad (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is the Aurangabad airport, and the flight connectivity to and from Aurangabad to all the major cities is also impeccable. However, you will not find a direct international flight from here and will probably have to figure out which city you want a connecting flight from. It's easier to get cheap flight tickets to Aurangabad from the major cities of India like Delhi, Udaipur, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune and Nagpur.

By Rail

The Aurangabad railway station is well-connected with all of the major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Pune, Amritsar, Madurai, Bhopal, Chennai, Rajkot and so on. Trains run to and from Aurangabad’s domestic routes quite regularly, and it will not be difficult for you to get the train tickets. You won't even have to wait a lot to get your tickets to or from the city.

By Road

Government and private buses are running to and from the city. You'll also get AC buses that run from major cities that stop at either Central Bus station or the CIDCO bus station in Aurangabad. The two bus stops are 6 km apart, and you can pick whichever one is closest to and can further book your hotel room in Aurangabad.

  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.