Abha to Lagos Flights

  About Abha

Located in the Aseer Province is the lush green city of Abha in Saudi Arabia. The city's proximity to the Red Sea and other intriguing geographical features give it a canvas, unlike the rest of Saudi Arabia. The city's Aseer National Park is famously known for being home to some of the exotic birds. It also houses dense juniper forests. The city is famed for its mild temperatures and is hence, a prominent tourist destination in Saudi Arabia.

Best time to visit Abha

Unlike some parts of Saudi Arabia, Abha actually enjoys some pleasant weather with equal summers and winters. In fact, it is one of the colder parts of Saudi, which enjoys a mild climate all year long. The temperatures go as high as 34 degree Celsius during summers and are surprisingly quite low during winters. In fact, there was a time when the recorded temperature crossed the negatives. While this might have happened in the past, the temperatures don't cross negatives anymore. However, it is one of the pleasant cities in Saudi Arabia with a lovely weather that makes travelling ideal for every season. The winter season in Abha is from December to February. During these months, the temperature could touch a staggering low, and you might need to carry enough parkas to ensure that you don't have trouble breathing. The city's rough climate does make it unfavourable to travel and engage in touristy activities. The season does see a drop in the hotel prices as well. If you are okay with the excessively cold winters in Abha, then you should book your tickets and hotels too.

June to September is considered to be the best season for a tourist excursion in Abha. The summers are quite decent as the temperatures don't touch beyond 34 degree Celsius. While it might seem too much for some people, it is actually quite convenient as there is less humidity in the air during this time. The hot and dry summers are tolerable as long as you carry proper bottles of water and hydrate yourself at all times. Out of the summer months, August is recognised as the best month to visit Abha. The city has perfect temperatures and doesn't require you to go beyond your limits to enjoy the vibe. The hotel prices in Abha during the peak season does see a surge though. Since many folks from around Saudi Arabia also flock over to Abha for a summer vacation, it could be a little crowded with a spike in the hotel prices. You might want to make prior bookings of flights and hotels in Abha if you want to evade the tourist crowd. Or you can avoid the tourist crowd altogether by visiting the city during spring, which is from March to May.

Places to visit in Abha

Abha's pride comes from the exquisite Green Mountain, which is located at the heart of the city. It is basically a mountain that has been lined up with green lights to complement the name. Abha Dam is another place that you should visit. The water body is surrounded by lovely land on all sides. There are many restaurants too around the dam that would add to the quaint vibe of the place. Do not miss the Art Street in Abha. It is more of a park laced with well-maintained streets and has shrubs on either side of the track. The place is beautiful, and you will have a good time hanging out here. You should also visit the Aseer National Park. Connected to the Jabal mountains, the coastal park has many cold spots. You would find the best air and vibe in the national park. Al Sahab Park is another such place that would keep you engaged. You will have to rent a car out and drive up to the amusement park. It is actually one of the first amusement parks that were constructed in Abha. The park is second to the Al Saudah Park, which is about 15 km away.

Things to do in Abha

Do not be surprised by the greenery that you will find in the desert city of Abha. As part of your excursion in Abha, you can visit Jabal Sawda by trekking up the peak. Aside from the Sawda, you should also trek up the trails of Jabal Ferwa. The two Saudi Arabian mountains would be cold, so make sure to carry a light jacket and lots of water. If trekking is not your thing, then you should visit Abu Kheyal Park. It is relaxing and has lovely floral trees lined up that adds to the beauty of the place. As the city has many parks and green spaces, you should also check out the Andalus Park. This place is especially perfect if you are travelling with kids. They can have fun on the slides while you can relax and enjoy the breeze while lying on the grass. As the city is surrounded by many parks and mountains, you will always be up for something to do.

Food and restaurants in Abha

Jalamah is a famous dish that you will find in the city. It is a traditional Saudi Arabian dish which is made from lamb. The meat is blended perfectly with Arabic spices consisting of cinnamon, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and coriander. The aromatic stew certainly brings a lot of flavour on the plate that you would enjoy. Saleeg is another famous dish of the Saudis which is basically rice porridge topped with a marinated and roasted piece of meat. It could be lamb or chicken or any meat of your choice. The lovely dish is comforting and would be a nice indulgence. Another dish that you would find in Abha, a common Saudi meal is the Martabak. A roti-like bread is stuffed with ground meat, garlic, eggs, curry, peppers and onions. It is basically a Saudi version of a paratha. You can actually eat this when you are not in the mood to eat excessively. Do leave some room for dessert as the famous Saudi savour Ma'amoul is a must-have. It is basically a dome-shaped tasty sweet made with fillings of fruits, walnuts, dates and more.

The options of indulgence in Abha is minimal. The city does not have a plethora of food joints with international or fusion cuisine. The place is humble and serves most of Saudi-inspired menu at their restaurants. Most of their restaurants are for a family setting. You can find some tasty Saudi dishes along with plates of mezze meals. Some of the main restaurants include Al-Tahy, N Lounge, Maharaj Indian Restaurant, to name a few. The Green Mountain Restaurant is actually a good place for you to hang out with your family or friends. The place is perched atop a lovely hill and illuminates the scintillating lights of the city. The breath-taking view interspersed with tasty food is definitely unmissable. You can also get coffee and cake as the establishment serves a lot of things.

How to reach Abha

The flight connectivity to Abha is quite decent. Although there are no direct flights to Abha from Indian cities, there are flights connecting to the Saudi city. The most popular route to Abha is from Jeddah and Riyadh. Both the cities are located in Saudi Arabia, and this domestic route to Abha is perfect and well-connected. Airlines such as Air Arabia, Flynas, Saudia, flydubai, Emirates, Etihad Airways, to name a few, have immaculate flight connectivity to Abha. A majority of these flights have layovers in Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai. These cities offer enough options to reach Abha and hence, are more popular. It is imperative that you get a transit visa as it is required in Saudi cities. Interestingly, Jeddah and Riyadh are the only cities where you will need a transit visa. You can either get it from the embassy, or you can apply for the same online. Saudi Arabia's embassy website has the form that you need to fill out to apply for the transit visa. The flight duration to Abha ranges from 11 hours to 13 hours approximately.

The domestic route from Jeddah is considered to reach Abha. Since flight connectivity to Jeddah is much better than Abha, it is often a better way to reach the Saudi city. The flight tickets to Abha are quite reasonable. The ticket price to Abha ranges from INR 19,000 to INR 25,000. You can actually get tickets to Abha for cheap, provided you spend time on the internet and get hold of some flight deals. A little snooping around on the internet will help you find the best flight deals to Abha online. Along with the flight tickets, you can also book your hotel in Abha. This will actually enable you to receive more discounts and offers. You will have to check for peak season as the flight tickets will be expensive during this time.

  About Lagos

Touted to be one of the most populous city centres of the Sub-Saharan Africa, Lagos, located on the coasts of Nigeria, is a fasting-growing city in the continent. The city's exquisite resorts, cultural museums, nightlife and boutiques make it one of the most sought-after cities in Nigeria. Not to mention how it also stands tall as the financial capital of the metropolis. The port city of Lagos has turned a new leaf and is quite the thriving city with impeccable contribution to the economy of Nigeria.

Best time to visit Lagos

Thanks to Lagos' proximity to the equator, the climate is hot and wet most of the year. The air is always hot and humid, which makes it quite unfavourable for travelling. However, there are some seasons or rather months in the city when the sun and humidity are relatively bearable and ideal for tourism. The peak travel and offseason are perfectly segregated into two halves. The six months from October to April are dry with winters taking over from December to February. The remaining months see wet and humid weather. The beginning of the dry season is called Harmattan in Nigeria. During this season, the weather is extremely tourist-friendly and amiable. The beaches are exceptionally beautiful as the dry season kicks in. December to February easily become the best months to visit the city. However, you should ensure that if you do opt for one of the months from the dry season, you should carry clothes accordingly. The dry season can get a little hot too. Light clothing is the best thing you can opt for when in Lagos. Plus, carrying a bottle of water is also quite essential. More than one, if needed.

Summer and monsoon months are quite unfavourable for travelling. The city is soaked wet with extreme possibilities of floods and other such conundrums. Not to mention how the damp and humid weather only adds to creepy crawlers in the environment. It would be quite risky to travel to the city during the monsoon. The hotel prices are cheap in Lagos during monsoon for this very reason. As it is an offseason, the hotel prices are slashed, and it becomes easier to make reservations. However, it is not advisable to plan a trip around this time just to make some savings in the hotel booking. Instead, opt for one of the dry months which are close to the winter season. The city would be pleasant, and tourist activities would be compelling, without any trouble.

Places to visit in Lagos

Lagos has quite a handful of tourist attractions worth visiting. The Tafawa Balewa Square is one such location that boasts historical significance and plays a memorial to victims of the two world wars. The area also hosts events, concerts and plays the role of a racecourse. You should also visit the Teslim Balogun Stadium, which is the country's national stadium. The place is known for its exceptional sporting facilities and also witnesses some exquisite festivals and events, including football matches, both local and international. The Nigerian National Museum is another attraction that would pique your interest. With archaeological relics from the Nigerian history and ethnographic artworks on display, the place is perfect to learn more about the country's ancient history and culture. Lekki Conservation Centre is acclaimed to be an urban park which boasts lush landscapes, wildlife and a perfect getaway for recreational activities. Lagos' Freedom Park is a place you should definitely visit as it exhibits the creative expression of art and culture of the country.

Things to do in Lagos

To indulge in some more of the vibrant African music culture, you can check out the New Afrikan Shrine. Its compelling and engaging music would have quite an effect on you. Not to mention how the lively atmosphere would be an experience of a lifetime. You can also visit the Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens to relish the green expanses and lawns that the park has to offer. It is perfect for photography and picnics. Do not miss out some of their beaches and lagoons that touch the city. With the dry and hot weather, the beaches would be a good escape. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort would be a nice place to relax and unwind. Hi Impact Planet is also a good place where you can engage in some recreational activities. The amusement park has some fun rides that would elevate your spirits and make you quite happy. To catch some Nigerian movies, you can watch a show at the Silverbird Galleria.

Food and restaurants in Lagos

Lagos is recognised as one of the most populous and culturally eclectic cities in Nigeria. In fact, it is also revered for its cultural stance in the whole of Africa. The city does have a Western air with more emphasis on global music, art and culinary spheres. With such artistic and cultural heritage that Lagos boasts, the food culture is a reflection of the same. You will find not just African and Lagos- specific dishes but an array of fusion food from around the world. Villa Medici is one such place that brims French flavours and adds more panache to it. Some of the highlights that the French cuisine is known for, including frogs' legs and escargot a la bourguignonne, can be found here in this food establishment. Order some fine wine and cocktails to go with the food, and you'll have quite a good time here. Métisse is another recognised restaurant in the city that raves Asian and fusion cuisine. With a nautical decor of the place, the restaurant offers a platter of not just Asian dishes but also Lagos's traditional taste. The place also hosts live music to make the dining experience rich.

While fusion food is something you'll find aplenty in Lagos. However, to get the authentic Nigerian food, you have Terra Kulture, a good establishment predominantly known for its exquisite take on Nigerian cuisine. Indulge in the gastronomical delights of authentic Nigerian food at Terra Kulture. Taste their ofada rice, boiled yam, plantain and catfish. The setting of the place is also quite awesome with Nigerian art exhibited on the walls for customers to relish, aside from their food. The Jazzhole is an interesting and iconic record shop, book shop and a cafe. Basically, it is a quaint cafe nestled in the internal routes of Ikoyi in Lagos. The place is untouched and perfect as it sees less crowd and more peace. Plus, the soothing jazz music with soulful performances goes perfectly well for high tea and books. You can also visit the Eko Sky Restaurant and Lounge to receive the best view of the city and astounding food and drinks. It is away from the city's hustle-bustle and has a very tranquil environment that would go down perfectly well with the food and drinks that they serve.

How to reach Lagos

Flight connectivity to Lagos from India is quite decent. There are no direct flights that connect to Lagos from India, but there are enough connecting flights from Cairo and Addis Ababa. The demand for Lagos from India is not a lot, due to which even the number of flights is limited. However, there are various international routes connected to Lagos which have immaculate connectivity. Airlines such as EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, RwandAir, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, SpiceJet, Emirates, Lufthansa, Swiss, Etihad Airways, to name a few, have flights flying in and out of Lagos. There are various international routes that connect to Lagos from Middle-East to European to even Atlantic. However, there are countless layovers and long durations that make only a handful ideal to pick from. From India, the most popular routes to Lagos are from Addis Ababa, Dubai, Cairo and Istanbul. These cities have direct flights heading to Lagos and have fewer hours of layovers too. There are flight options connecting from European cities such as Frankfurt and Zurich too. However, these cities have multiple layovers and connecting flights, making it a cumbersome ordeal.

Not to mention how you will require a transit visa to board connecting flights from these cities to Lagos. EgyptAir, RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines offer the best ticket prices to Lagos as well as decent flight duration. The approximate flight duration from India to Lagos is 12 hours and fifty minutes. The flight tickets to Lagos are a little expensive. It would cost you just as much to reach a European country as much it would be for a trip to Lagos. The best thing to do to snag inexpensive tickets would be searching for excessive flight deals online to get a good price for a flight ticket to Lagos. There are always countless deals and offers on the web. You could probably use this time to invest in miles or make use of the already-existing miles to fund the trip. While you're booking your flight tickets to Lagos, also opt to make hotel reservations in the city. The prices of hotels in Lagos could also vary depending on which season you pick for your trip. It would be best to look for combo deals online where your flight and hotel reservations are made for a cheap and affordable rate.

  About Murtala Muhammed Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, also known famously as Lagos Airport, caters to international operations and is situated in Ikeja, Lagos. It is one of the major hubs that serve the airport in the entire state. It was originally built in World War II and has been named after the fourth military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed, in the 1970s. The most popular destinations that are often opted for from Murtala Muhammed International Airport are cities such as London Heathrow, Abuja, Enugu, Addis Ababa, Port Harcourt, Dubai, Owerri and Accra. The airport has a capacity to accommodate 6,367,478 passengers as of 2017.

About Airport Terminals

The Lagos Airport has two terminals, one dedicated to international operations and the second one for domestic activities. The two terminals use the same runway with respect to flight activities. The domestic terminal was originally the old Ikeja Airport. When the new international terminal opened in 1979, all the flight operations moved to the new terminal. Meanwhile, the old Ikeja Airport was transformed to cater to domestic operations. However, after a fire incident took place in the domestic terminal in 2000, the airport's operations were shifted to the old Lagos domestic terminal while a new terminal was constructed. The new terminal, also known as MMA2, was constructed and eventually commissioned in 2007. The international terminal was designed keeping Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's model in mind. The new terminal caters to Nigeria's biggest airline, Arik Air.

About Airport Authority

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is currently owned and operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. FAAN's headquarters is located in Ikeja, Lagos. Originally established as Nigeria Airports Authority (NAA) in 1976, the airport authority was renamed as Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in 1995 after the Federal Government restructured and reformed the norms of the aviation industry. FAAN has since been working towards an ambitious rehabilitation programme to upscale the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The airport has managed to finish about 90 per cent of the work that they planned. In the recent times, the airport has seen some tremendous changes under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's management.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport's infrastructure has seen some good developments with the air conditioning improved and luggage belts repaired to perfection. The airport has also been cleaned and sanitized with many recent restaurants and food establishments being installed in the vicinity. Duty-free stores have also been opened with to make the airport fancier. After Bilateral Air Services Agreements were signed between Nigeria and a bunch of countries was revived, many airlines received landing rights again. With airlines such as Emirates, Delta Air Lines, China Southern Airlines and Ocean Air receiving rights and interest to land at Nigeria's Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the country has become easier to reach. In fact, Lagos Airport has become the largest international airport in Nigeria.

Top airlines flying from Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Muhammed International Airport majorly sees a lot of African airlines. However, the airport also accommodates a slew of international airlines in many global cities. The airport also has reserved a space for an Indian airline, Air India. Air India operations from Muhammed International Airport flies to Mumbai and Delhi. In terms of travelling within the continent, Lagos Airport sees a blend of many African airlines. Some of the airlines that operate from Muhammed International Airport include Aero Contractors, Africa World Airlines, Air Peace, Air Senegal, Arik Air, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Along with the African airlines operating from Muhammed International Airport, there are also a few international ones. Some of the prominent international airlines operating from Muhammed International Airport are Air France, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Facilities at Murtala Muhammed International Airport

WiFi - Murtala Muhammed International Airport offers free WiFi services that you can avail. All you need to do is visit the information desk of the airport and ask them for instructions. Some of the instructions are also available on various internet kiosks spread across the airport terminals.

ATM and foreign exchange - Currency exchange booths are located at the arrival and departure zones of international terminals. The airport also offers decent exchange rates. In case you haven't had the time to make the exchange during your trip, the airport is the best place to exchange currencies. There are ATMs of local banks also present at the airport. You can withdraw or even transfer money within the premise.

Medical services - Kupa Aerospace Clinic offers medical services at the airport. They have been placed within the premise of the airport to help with emergency cases that might crop up. The clinics are spread out in proper intervals at the domestic and international terminals. Along with clinics, the airport also has pharmacies installed at the terminals with most of the medicinal drugs.

Nursing stations - The airport has installed nursing stations for parents travelling with infants. The rooms are available for mother's to feed their infants and even clean them. There are baby products such as diapers, baby powders and other such essentials. This has been kept in the rooms, in case they run out of supplies.

Special assistance - Facilities to help special cases falling under the restricted mobility category are also available at the airport. For this, you will have to speak to your airlines and inform them that you require special assistance. The airport, with its trained staff, will accommodate the same for you. You can request for wheelchairs and porter services as well.

Restaurants and cafe - Much like all the airports, you can find restaurants and cafes at Lagos Airport as well. There are a few good options for restaurants with global cuisine. The airport has witnessed some massive upgradations and has since accommodated more restaurants and food establishments. They are available at the international and domestic terminals.

Prayer rooms - The airport has prayer rooms at the departure and arrival zones of the terminals. You can spend some time at the airport's multi-faith rooms. You can also meditate in the quiet rooms as a way to calm your nerves, in case flying concerns you.

Conference room - There is one dedicated conference room that is present within the airport premise. In case you need to hold a conference or a business meeting, the location is quite convenient, especially if it is for an international group of delegates. The conference room is well-equipped with modern amenities to cater to the needs of the host. Anything beyond what is available, you can request the same and ask Muhammed International Airport to help you out.

Lounges - Muhammed International Airport has quite a few lounges at the international as well as domestic terminals. At the international terminal, there are airline lounges as well as some by the airport. You can find Air France/KLM Lounge, British Airways Lounge, Premium Lounge, Skyway Premium Lounge, Gabfol Lounge, First Lounge, Oasis Lounge, SDS Lounge Services and SDS Llegada Arrival Lounge. All the lounges are open 24/7 and offer world-class facilities. They have a plush seating arrangement, snacks, liquor, play area for kids, smoking zones, entertainment decks, free WiFi, restaurants and more. Some of them even have sleeping beds and shower services. VIP Lounge and Platinum Membership Lounge are available at the domestic terminal and offer similar services.

Baggage - Baggage services are available but split into the domestic and international terminals. Depending on which terminal you are at, the baggage services would be offered. The international airport provides specific facilities such as baggage wrapping to prevent theft and mishandling, trolleys, porter services to carry the luggage and more. The domestic terminal has comparatively fewer services. However, you can request for specified services to your airlines, and the airport would provide them.

How to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Public transport

There are bus services available that will reach you to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. However, there is no definitive route that would connect you to the airport from the city. From the Ikeja region, there are no specific routes or even fares that would be fixed to reach you anywhere within Lagos. Further on this, it is not safe to take a bus at certain hours during the day and night. You need to be very careful of the fact that some areas are unsafe and shouldn't be travelled by bus. Hence, the best way to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport would be to take the taxi instead of a bus.

Taxicabs

The trip from the airport to Lagos city could take a lot of time, approximately one to three hours. This is because the routes have terrible roads. Plus, the distance to the city centre is also quite a lot. However, it is safer to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport from anywhere in the city of Lagos. Again though, avoid taking a taxi in the night as the roads are not safe.