Vishakhapatnam to Aurangabad Flights

  About Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam also called as Vizag in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the oldest port cities in the country and is known for its beautiful beaches. Not only is it one of the best holiday destinations in the country, but it is also quite affordable. Holidaying in Vizag will not burn a hole in your pocket. Yarada Beach, Katiki waterfalls, the Submarine Museum, Rishikonda beach, Ross Hill church are some of the places in the city that you can visit. There is more than these, and it's like paradise for beach bums who cannot get enough of the beaches and caves. For the ones who love mountains, Araku Valley in Vizag is the place for you to go.

Best Time to Visit Visakhapatnam

October to March is the most ideal time to plan a trip to Vizag. The temperature is just right for this vacation destination that is on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It won't affect your beach time or your plans to experience other outdoor activities, too. Book a hotel room in Vizag with a beach view to make the most of the weather. Winter starts in October and lasts until March. The temperature ranges from 15 to 27 degree Celsius. You will also get to be a part of festivals like the Visakha Utsav, Pongal and other beach festivals that are celebrated here. This is also considered to be the best time to indulge in water activities and competitions that are hosted here. You will also find decent flight deals to Vizag during this time.

Monsoon starts from July till September end. The port city receives moderate to heavy rainfall during this time, and the temperature ranges from 27 to 35 degree Celsius. The weather is quite humid, and the heavy downpour will only make it difficult for you to venture out. Although, if you are planning a staycation of sorts, this might be the perfect time to do so. You will get cheap flight tickets to Vizag since it is offseason. You can book a hotel in Vizag with the beach view or that of the Araku Valley to feel rejuvenated.

April to June is when the city witnesses summer. The scorching heat makes it quite exhausting and unbearable to hit the beach. The temperature ranges from 22 to 41 degree Celsius during this time. You will not be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city or explore other parts of the city during this time. It is best to plan a trip during the winter only.

Places to Visit in Visakhapatnam

Since Vizag is a port city that is situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, it is known for its sparkling blue beaches. Yarada beach is popular for its spectacular view. The Rama Krishna Mission Beach is yet another beach that you must visit to feel all rejuvenated. It will feel like the best, most peaceful escape from your hectic life. The Rishikonda Beach is called the Jewel of the East Coast, and you won't deny it when you visit the place. The beach also has water sport activities for the adventure lover in you. It is called the Rishikonda beach since it is overlooked by the Rushikonda Hill and is a popular spot for tourists to visit. The Bheemili beach is where the Gosthani river meets the Bay of Bengal. The beach and the area around it reflects the Dutch era and was built in the 17th century. Make sure you check out the remnants of the old forts and cemeteries. This is the perfect place to go to if you want to avoid being in a city. Lawson's Bay beach is a top-rated beach and an extension of the Ramakrishna beach. It is also a secluded beach and the best one if you want to unwind, relax and enjoy the tranquillity.

Apart from the beaches, Vizag also has hills and wildlife to experience for tourists. Araku Valley is a must-visit if you love and want to be around greenery. You will find coffee plantations in the valley, and this place is also like paradise for nature lovers. It is also a great spot to take beautiful pictures. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 71 square kilometres area and is named after the mountain Kambalakonda. You will come across endangered species of animals like the Indian Leopard, Russell's Viper, Indian Muntjac and so on. You won't regret planning a trip to the Araku valley at all. The Katiki Waterfalls is another popular tourist spot in the city near the Araku Valley. You can also go trekking at this location.

Things to do in Visakhapatnam

One thing is certain, you will never get bored in Vizag, even if you have nothing planned for the entire day or if you have run out of things to do. If you are done with all your sightseeing and outdoor activities, you can always either sit by the beach with a book or take a walk at the Ramakrishna beach followed by the Lawson's Bay beach. It will rejuvenate your mind and take you to your happy place. The sunset, especially, is so pleasant and enchanting that you wouldn't even have to put in efforts to create a romantic setup. Catch the Dhimsa performance, a dance act that is performed by artists in Araku Valley's cultural event. You'll be stunned with all the expert moves and the colourful performances. You can also go visit the coffee plantations along with the mesmerizing waterfalls in the valley. It is overwhelming and will certainly make you happy. Of course, it also calls for a lot of pictures.

Check out the water sport activities available at the Rushikonda beach like water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and so on. If you go during the right season, you might get to try all of it. You can also just go for a swim if adventure sports is not your thing. Not to mention, the snacks and seafood stalls around the beach serve the most delicious food. Kailasagiri is a hilltop that is popular for its large idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. You can either reach the hilltop via the cable car or trek up to the top.

Food and Restaurants in Visakhapatnam

Food in Vizag is a combination of all the cities and cultures around it. Hyderabadi Biryani is a favourite among the locals here and tourists, too. You'll get North Indian food with a blend of Andhra cuisine. It goes without saying that dosas, idlis and upmas are popular in the city. But apart from these, people also love the pickles, chutneys, Appadams, Pachadi, Pappu Koora, Vepudu and Garelu. Muri Mixture is also a very popular snack in the port city. The food here in Vizag will instantly lift your spirits. While a lot of the Andhra-inspired cuisines will be spicy and tangy, you also get Chinese, Continental and other cuisines because it is a popular vacation spot. The desserts, too, are worth a try.

If you get a Biryani craving at around midnight, make sure you head straight to Greenpark Midnight Biryani. The menu doesn't change very often here, but the food is mouthwatering, and the ice cream with gulab jamun is highly recommended after you are done savouring the biryani. Sri Sairam Parlour is another restaurant that is popular in Vizag. You can head here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or evening snacks, too. It won't burn a hole in your pocket, the food is delicious, and it serves only vegetarian food.

How to reach Visakhapatnam (Transportation)

By Air

Visakhapatnam is well-connected to a lot of other cities in the country by air. The Visakhapatnam Airport is about 8 km away from the city. Flights from Visakhapatnam fly to domestic cities but also to a few international locations like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The flight connectivity from Vizag is excellent. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Vizag well in advance if you are travelling during the peak season. You might also come across decent flight deals to Vizag if you book in advance.

By Rail

Visakhapatnam Junction is connected to all major cities in India like New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and so on. You will find the Janmabhoomi Express, Konark Express, Samta Express and a couple of other trains stopping at Vizag. From the railway station, you will get a taxi or a bus from outside the station without any hassle. You might have to book your train tickets well in advance to block better seats because it might get difficult to get a decent one at the last moment.

By Road

Domestic routes to Vizag are from cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Vijayawada, Puri and Kolkata. You will get quite a few buses and taxis that will drop you to or leave from Vizag. It's not one of the most popular ways to travel, but it's not an inconvenient option, too. The NH5 is a popular route to Vizag that connects the port city to Kolkata. The travel time depends on which part of the country you leave from and which route you take.

  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 Visakhapatnam Airport

Visakhapatnam Airport is a recognised custom airport that is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The airport also operates as a civil enclave on an Indian Navy air base called INS Dega. The airport is sandwiched between the locales of NAD Cross Road as well as Gajuwaka. Over the years, the airport has witnessed significant growth after entering the 21st century. A new terminal was constructed with a concrete runway and provisions for international flight operations. The airport is sprawled across 350 acres of land in the coastal city. In the 1990s, Visakhapatnam Airport was undergoing a redevelopment phase which resulted in low air traffic. Not to mention, the airport only catered to one daily flight. However, in the following ten years, the airport saw some extensive redevelopment. The runways were extended from 6,000 ft to 10,500 ft, allowing narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 to land. The same year, an instrumental landing system was also installed which enabled night landing facilities at the airport. Initially, Visakhapatnam Airport only used this for military operations. However, the ILS soon became operational for passenger aircraft. In 2009, the airport finally inaugurated its new terminal which started functioning, the same year.

About Visakhapatnam Airport Terminals

The airport has a domestic terminal and a cargo terminal. The airport's domestic terminal operates services for regional cities. Basically, the airport caters to services from around the country. While Visakhapatnam Airport started by accommodating single flights in a day, it soon rose to become a sought-after airport with more domestic flights. Various airlines such as Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo, along with a few more, operate from the domestic terminal. The airport connects to a vast number of major and minor cities in India. These include Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi and Patna, to name a few. The terminal has been divided into two sides, one that opens to the city side and the other that goes straight to the airside. A designated cargo terminal is also available at the airport. The cargo terminal basically caters to import and export services from international cities such as Colombo and Dubai. The two leading cargo airlines to connect to Visakhapatnam Airport include Expoair Cargo and Naki Air. The carrier offers transportation of goods to and from India to two international cities.

About airport authority

Visakhapatnam Airport is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India while the Indian Navy also plays a pivotal role. Management functions and operations are primarily taken care of by the Airport Authority of India. The airport is recognised as the second busiest in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Currently, the airport is said to function between 8 am and 8 pm only as they are yet to accommodate night flights. Visakhapatnam Airport is a non-towered airport that is often integrated with the latest air traffic control system. There are a total of 11 parking bays located in the airport premise while it has the capacity to handle 300 passengers arriving and 700 passengers departing. The aviation operations of Visakhapatnam Airport was started by the Indian Navy in the late 1970s. They constructed four helipads that are adjacent to the civil airstrip. The airport's operations were then transferred to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in 1981. Following the transfer of management, the airport added hangars, maintenance facilities and an operational complex. Eventually, though, the airport's management operations were taken up by AAI.

Facilities At Visakhapatnam Airport

Baggage - The airport has installed hi-tech baggage facilities to scan the bags as well as to upscale its security. There are X-ray scanners that the bags need to be put in for security checks. The whole idea behind installing high technology bag scanners is to ensure that the bags are preserved, and the airport's safety measures are followed. Aside from the scanners, Visakhapatnam Airport also has special baggage services available. You will find trolleys at every junction of the departure and arrival section of the terminal. Plus, there are wrapping services also available at the airport to safeguard your bags from mishandling and theft.

Restaurants and cafes - Within the airport premise, there are small food establishments as well as restaurants available. Famous food joints such as Subway and McDonald's are present at the premise of the airport. Not to mention, there are quaint food joints located as well as beverage points. You can find coffee and tea stalls within the airport premise.

Special assistance - Visakhapatnam Airport offers special assistance to passengers who have mobility issues or require to be escorted in the airport premise. You can inform the airlines about the requirement, and the airport will find an ideal professional to help you with assistance.

Duty-free shops - As an airport that caters to cargo services, there are duty-free shops also available in the premise. You can find these shows at the departure as well as the arrival sections of the terminal. Dry Fruit Shop and garment shops are also present at the airport, in case you need to purchase some last-minute gifts for family members and friends. There are convenience stores also available that you can peruse through as you wait for your flights.

ATMs - There are provisions for ATMs also prevalent at the airport. To ensure that the passengers are able to withdraw money or even make other bank-related transfers.

Lounge - There are dedicated VIP lounges and basic lounges available at the airport. The VIP ones are usually reserved for the passengers who have special tickets or memberships. Basic lounge facilities are also available at the departure area for passengers to wait at before boarding the flight.

Medical services - With a view to helping out medical emergencies, Visakhapatnam Airport has installed rooms and facilities. There are medical emergency rooms available, as well as pharmacies. For last-minute medication purchases, the airport does offer the same services.

Smoking rooms - As smoking is an offence in the public space, the airport has also reserved smoking lounges. Travellers can access the smoking lounges at the airport's departure and arrival sections of the terminal.

Top airlines flying from Visakhapatnam Airport

As of 2020, Visakhapatnam Airport caters to a few domestic airlines and international ones too. The airport accommodates airlines such as AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air and IndiGo. These airlines operate from Visakhapatnam Airport to major cities in the country. Much of the cities though are limited to southern states. Cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Rajahmundry, Port Blair, have flights flying to and from Visakhapatnam Airport. Along with this, Visakhapatnam Airport also caters to flights flying to and from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Besides these cities, the airport connects to a few international destinations as well. Air Asia and Scoot are the two international airlines that operate from Visakhapatnam Airport. Further, the flights from these international airlines connect to cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Dubai.

How to reach Visakhapatnam Airport

By bus and taxi

The central bus stand of Visakhapatnam is approximately 18.5 kilometres away from the Visakhapatnam Airport. Although reaching the Visakhapatnam Airport from the bus is challenging, there are cabs and taxi services that can reach the bus stand without much hassle. There are no dedicated bus stands that are located in the proximity of the airport. Travellers often choose to reach the Visakhapatnam Airport by first reaching the bus stand. Since it has interstate bus services, often from the bus stand, there are provisions of taxi cab services to reach Visakhapatnam Airport. It is essential to discuss the fare with the taxi cab drivers ahead of the journey. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to reach Visakhapatnam Airport from the bus stand. However, it does depend on the traffic situation.

By Rail

The Visakhapatnam railway station is just seven kilometres away from the airport. Hence, it is considered to be one of the most sought-after modes of transport to reach Visakhapatnam Airport. The railways have good connection within the city and the state. Hence, travellers opt for railways as a convenient and affordable means to reach the Visakhapatnam Airport. The taxi cab fare also reduces considerably from the railway station to the airport. It is also very comfortable and convenient in terms of travel time.

About Vishakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is known to be the largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is located on the coast and is sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats. After the decentralisation of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Visakhapatnam was appointed as the administrative capital of the state. It is the fourth most populous city in South India. Visakhapatnam Port is also recognised to be one of the most important ports in the country and the fifth-busiest cargo port. It is also the headquarters to the Indian Navy's Eastern Command. The city is a big tourist hub in Andhra Pradesh and is especially known for its gorgeous beaches and lovely shores.