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 Bhuj

The first thing that comes to your mind when you hear Bhuj is the Rann of Kutch. A lot of people stop at Bhuj to get to the White Desert. Bhuj became a popular name after the earthquake in 2001 that killed close to 20,000 people living there. The quake also destroyed most of the buildings and houses in the city. The city in Gujarat is also quite close to Maharashtra. The city saw significant destruction after the earthquake but was rebuilt quite impressively. The city is not a popular holiday destination but is quite close to one. You can also book a hotel in the city and stay here for at least two days before you leave for The Great Rann of Kutch if at all that's your plan. You'll find perfect hotel rooms in the city and very affordable prices. Taking a bus, train or taxi from Bhuj is a very popular route to get to the Rann Utsav.

Apart from the Rann Utsav, the city also boasts of two majestic palaces, the Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal. Both the palaces were partly destroyed after the earthquake, but you can visit what's left of it and admire the sheer royalty of the palace. The palaces are right next to each other, and you will be charged a nominal fee to enter it. While the Aina Mahal boasts of intricate mirror works inside, the Prag Mahal boasts of large pillars in the Darbar and huge chandeliers. It will make you wonder and wish that you had come to visit the palaces before the earthquake.

You can also visit the Kutch Museum, which is one of the oldest museums in Gujarat. You'll find artefacts from the first century, too, in the museum. You'll also find a collection of unique and old coins. Either hire a tour guide who will take you through the artefacts and collections with a narration of the story behind it, or take a tour along and figure things on your own. You can also chill by the Hamirsar lake in Bhuj and watch migratory birds like the Greater Flamingo, Pelicans and much more. You'll have to plan your trip in winter to witness this though. Take a nice long morning walk alongside the lake with a view of the birds. It is definitely a beautiful start to the day.

On the outskirts of Bhuj is the Bhujia Hills, a top-rated tourist attraction here. It is also an apt place to take some outstanding pictures. A scenic view of the city and nature from the hilltop will make you want to spend time over there in solitude, admiring the view around you. Shopping in Bhuj is also one thing that will not leave you disappointed. The city is famous for its jewellery and handicrafts. You can also buy a lot of home decor items.

Best Time to Visit Bhuj

November to March is when Gujarat experiences winter, and it is one of the best times to visit the city. The Rann Utsav usually takes place in February every year, and the city is buzzing with travellers flocking over from around the country and world during this time. The temperature drops to 8 degree Celsius at night and is quite pleasant during the day. Since it is a desert, Bhuj's summers are quite hot, and it is not advisable to travel during this time. Summer lasts from March to May. The city witnesses monsoon from June to September. The heaviest rainfall occurs in July mostly, but the intensity reduces eventually. There are also chances of cyclones in Bhuj during monsoon so avoid travelling to Bhuj during monsoon.

Places to Visit in Bhuj

The Rann Utsav in Kutch is one of the main reasons that people visit Bhuj. Though a lot of tourists mostly just see Bhuj as a pitstop and an easier way to reach Bhuj, it is definitely a city that you must spend at least two days in. The Rann Utsav is also a festival that you must attend at least once in your lifetime. The Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal are two major tourist attractions in the city. Though a major portion of the palaces was destroyed during the earthquake in 2001, the beauty and royalty of the palaces will take your breath away. The intricate mirror work in the Aina Mahal will leave you astonished.

Gujarat is popular for textile, handicrafts and you can visit the Bhujodi village for a fun shopping spree. Bhuj is also famous for silver jewellery, and that's something you can definitely pick up from here as gifts for yourself or your friends. The Bhujia Hill is one of the highlights of the city. You can literally capture a view of the entire city from up the hill, and it makes for a wonderful place to take pictures. You can take a walk along the Hamirsar lake, which has a very serene feel to it. If you are here during winters, you might even spot migratory birds hovering over the lake in the morning. The Mandvi beach must be on your list of places to visit when you are in Bhuj. The beach promises you a scenic sunset and lives up to that promise.

You can also visit the Kutch Museum that is not very far from the palaces. Not only is it one of the oldest museums in the country but it also has artefacts and coins that date back to the first century.

Things to do in Bhuj

You can visit the animal sanctuaries if connecting with the animal lover in you is one of your motives for taking a trip. You can visit the palaces and the museums in the city to treat yourself to exciting facts and stories that the city has to tell. The city boasts of everything that you would want to do on your vacation. While there are usually accommodations available in the Rann Utsav, a lot of people prefer staying in Bhuj. Commuting within the city is quite easy.

If you are spending some time in Bhuj before you leave for the Rann Utsav, make sure you take a camel ride or a camping trip at Mandvi beach. They won't burn a hole in your pocket. You can also opt for boating at the Hamirsar lake if you get tired of walking around the lake and you want to be closer to the water. You can climb the Bhujia Hill fort instead of taking a different mode of transport if you are feeling very adventurous. You can also explore the local markets within the city to go on a shopping spree. The Bhujodi village is another popular place to shop for handicrafts and silver jewellery.

Food and Restaurants in Bhuj

Shankar Vadapav has gained quite a popularity in Bhuj and is a very highly recommended eatery for everyone who is a fan of vada pavs and street food. Sankalp and Jesal and two other restaurants that are quite famous in the city. Sankalp's menu has a lot of South Indian dishes, but you'll also find Gujarati food if that's what you are craving for. Jesal is known for serving North Indian food along with Indo-Chinese and western dishes that a lot of people might prefer. You'll also get traditional Gujarati thalis at Green Rock restaurant along with other varieties of cuisines. You can also stop at Saffron if you are craving some good Mughlai food. The mix grill platter is a highly recommended dish if you do stop by Mughlai. It also has a variety of options for tandoor and paneer.

How to Reach Bhuj (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest domestic airport is the Bhuj airport. The nearest international airport is Ahmedabad airport. The flight connectivity to and from Ahmedabad is quite frequent. Though the international routes do not connect to Bhuj airport directly, the domestic routes from Bhuj connect with major metropolitan cities. You can book flight tickets online and might even find really good flight deals and cheap flight tickets if you are lucky. You will easily find a cab or rickshaw to hire to reach the city from the airport. This is considered to be the most convenient way to travel since the other modes of transport can be a tad bit time-consuming.

By Rail

Bhuj railway station is only 1 km away from the city and is well-connected to most metropolitan neighbouring towns and cities. Trains to and from Ahmedabad to Bhuj are quite frequent, too. The train journey is also quite comfortable and hassle-free. Getting a taxi or a rickshaw from outside the station is not very difficult.

By Road

From government-run buses to air-conditioned Volvo buses, you'll find a lot of options to choose from if you opt to travel by road. The frequency is also quite good, and it's a convenient way to get to Bhuj or to leave from there. Popular bus routes are from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Vadodara, Indore and a couple of more cities.

  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.