Bagdogra to Amsterdam Air India Flights

  About Bagdogra

North-East India and the Himalayas are a trendy tourist destination in India, for all the right reasons. Bagdogra is a hill station near the foothills of Himalayas and in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Bagdogra is considered as the gateway to the North-East and the Himalayas. This small hill station is so beautiful; you'll love being here even if it is for a couple of hours. It's the perfect place for all you nature lovers out there. You can either laze around and admire the scenery or take a walk around the town to explore it.

The hill station is a perfect holiday spot. It's also like paradise for tea lovers since tea gardens surround it. River Teesta also flows through the town, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in river rafting. Or you can sit by the river and embrace solitude for a while. You pass through Bagdogra to get to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri and Bhutan. Bagdogra will make you fall in love with it. Apart from sightseeing and river rafting, there are quite a few activities that you can opt for in Bagdogra. It's not the most popular vacation destination, but you will surely not regret spending time in this town.

Bagdogra is connected to all major cities in the country. It is pretty easy to reach Bagdogra by flights, trains and road, too. The Bagdogra Airport connects to domestic routes from Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Guwahati. You can also quickly get a bus or taxi from the neighbouring cities to Bagdogra.

Make sure you do add Bagdogra to your itinerary when you plan a trip to the North-East. You will love this small town for its lush green surroundings and the beautiful weather. The people, too, are quite friendly and helpful. Even though there is very little that you can do in Bagdogra, it is worth stopping by. If you have a long layover at Bagdogra airport, you can make the most of it by going sightseeing somewhere near the airport. Since it is a small town, you won't have to worry about making it back on time for your flight. But if you are going to Darjeeling, Bhutan or Shillong and the town falls on your way, make sure that you do visit this town.

Best Time to Visit Bagdogra

July to February is the best time to visit Bagdogra. While the hill station witnesses monsoon from July to October, the winter sets in from November to February. This is the ideal time for you to witness the beautiful, scenic hill station. The temperature can fall to as low as 5 degree Celsius. You can see the snowy mountains that surround the town and be mesmerized by the beauty of it. The summer is also quite pleasant in the City, and the maximum temperature touches 38 degree Celsius.

Places to Visit in Bagdogra

Check out the Coronation Bridge that is 37 km from Bagdogra. It is on the way to Gangtok from Bagdogra, and the view is just beautiful. The Surya Sen Park in Siliguri, which is close to Bagdogra, is a bright picnic spot. The park sees quite a few families on vacation spending quality time with each other while enjoying the view. Madhuban Park, which is 24 km ahead of Bagdogra in Siliguri, was established by the Indian Army. This is yet another picnic spot that tourists love. You'll even spot deers, peacocks and rabbits in the park, along with butterflies.

The Umrao Singh Boat Club in Siliguri has a lot of activities in store for you, including boating. They have a huge variety and different shapes of boats for tourists. You can get in touch with your spiritual side at the ISKCON temple in Siliguri and at Kali Mandir in Binnaguri which is also quite close to River Teesta. You can visit the temple and combine it with river rafting at the river. You can also visit Salugara Monastery while you are here.

Bagdogra has no hotels since it's only a pitstop to get to the other neighbouring cities and Bhutan. You can, however, book a hotel room in Siliguri or Darjeeling or any of the nearby towns. The bus services to Bagdogra are widespread, so you won't have to worry about travelling to and from the City.

Things to do in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is the gateway to reaching Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and everything North-East. You can take a cab or a bus to visit Siliguri, which is the nearest City to this hill station. If you have a couple of hours left to catch another flight, you can get around the town in less time. Since Bagdogra is just a pitstop, you will find fewer tourist things to do, but the hill station is entirely worth it. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bagdogra has the most beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

If you do have time on your hands, make sure you go river rafting at River Teesta. Or you can admire the river and meditate by the river for a while. You can also visit the Coronation Bridge that is quite close to the river stream. Whether you are with your friends or family, be assured that you will have a great time here. You can also visit the Salugara Monastery and the Kali Mandir to offer your prayers and to enjoy your solitude.

Even if you don't feel like indulging in any activities, grab your favourite book and get engrossed in the stories amid the best of what nature has to offer to you. You can also put on your headphones, play your favourite music and get lost in the tranquillity of the hill station. If you are on a solo trip, you will love spending time here in Bagdogra, even if it is for a little while. Bagdogra is quite accessible to most cities in the North-East, and travelling will not prove to be troublesome for you.

Food and Restaurants in Bagdogra

If you are travelling via plane, you have to try the restaurant that is inside the Bagdogra airport. It is run by the Bagdogra Airport Restaurant Workers Co-operative Society Ltd, and it serves a unique dish that grabbed headlines for all the right reasons. The airport serves you chicken cutlets that are made in Bagdogra style and are a one-of-its-kind dish. All foodies must try this out at least once. The restaurant can seat up to 150 people, and you'll be treated to a runway view as you finish your meal. It won't even burn a hole in your pocket.

Marina's Motel is one of the best restaurants near the airport if you are craving for Chinese or Continental cuisines. The staff is quite friendly, and the restaurant has a very cosy ambience. Bagdogra also has a solution to your biryani cravings. Naz Biryani House is known for serving and cooking the most delicious biryani, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. For a quick bite, you can head over to Hunger Stop restaurant near the airport. You can even try the dessert here.

The Gourmet Central Family Restaurant and Bar is approximately 11 km away from the airport. It has a charming decor with cosy seating and friendly staff. It is also one of the best restaurants in the town. Do make sure that you try the food at the airport restaurant though. You can also opt for street food or the local chai, which will be available quite easily. Don't hesitate to try out the local street food, too.

How to reach Bagdogra (Transportation)

By Air

The Bagdogra Airport is well-connected to major domestic routes from Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Chennai. The flight connectivity is quite functional, and getting to Bagdogra is not very difficult. You can get pretty good flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, too.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is in Siliguri, which is 5 km away from Bagdogra. There are no direct trains or buses to Bagdogra, and you will have to change a taxi or bus from Siliguri to reach the hill station.

By Road

There are lots of transport options and services are available to reach the town. You can opt for whichever suits your convenience. The transport is quite affordable, too. The roads are also quite smooth and won't be uncomfortable for you. You will also find a lot of convenient options to go to other neighbouring cities of the North-East and the Himalayas. Travelling by road is also one of the best options. The journey will surely be a treat for the eyes and the soul.

  About Amsterdam

The capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is recognised worldwide for its exquisite tourism and artistic heritage. The city is one of the most chill in the world with a culture and lifestyle that resonates well with the city's character. Not to mention how they favour bicycles over cars and other motorcycles. Amsterdam is recognised worldwide for its cultural heritage and tourism.

Best time to visit Amsterdam

Amsterdam's weather can be super notorious throughout the year with its ambiguity, but April to May and September to November are the two seasons that witness the best the city's weather and vibe have to offer. Although summer is considered to be the season when Amsterdam sees a massive population of tourists, the months before and after summers are when you truly get to enjoy the city's pleasant vibe. Summer does see a lovely melange of festivals and events that keep the city busy. With Holland Festival, Amsterdam Gay pride, Jordaan Festival and Taste of Amsterdam taking place in the summer months, many European travellers find this time ideal for a vacation. If you think perhaps the temperatures ranging from 19 degree Celsius and 21 degree Celsius would be tolerable along with excess tourists, you should choose this stretch. Finding or booking a hotel in Amsterdam during the summer (peak season) would be slightly unattainable. But with some good snooping around on the internet, you might be able to get some amazing flight deals to Amsterdam topped with a convenient staycation.

September to November is basically the onset of winter and an ideal season for a vacation in Amsterdam. The temperatures are mild and dangle between 9 degree Celsius to 18 degree Celsius. Plus, the city also witnesses lovely events such as Amsterdam Light Festival, UNESCO World Heritage Weekend, TCS Amsterdam Marathon and Amsterdam Fringe Festival. During this time, you might even be able to get great hotel booking deals in Amsterdam as the establishments tend to slash off prices. It is imperative that you carry necessary layers of clothes and an umbrella as the weather could get unpredictable.

What makes the months April and May a good choice for a trip to Amsterdam is the fact that the tulips bloom and the Keukenhof Flower Garden springs to life. It is one of the highly anticipated events of the year, and many tourists wish to watch the tulips bloom and hence, plan for a trip around this time. Another amazing fact about this weather is how the accommodation rates do not see a spike. In fact, you can actually book a hotel room in Amsterdam during this season without worrying about exorbitant euros you assume you'll have to spend. The months would be like carnivals with events such as Liberation Day, King's Day, National Restaurant Week and of course, Tulip Festival, that take place in the city.

Places to visit in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's laidback lifestyle with all the vice it is associated with, makes travellers wonder if there are any tourist sights and attractions that can be found in the city. Amsterdam does have some of the best and eccentric museums with world-class stature. The Rijksmuseum Museum is the city's largest museum which celebrates the Dutch history and traces their tales from the Netherlands to around the globe. It is most certainly a fascinating place and definitely should be on your itinerary list. A gorgeous museum has been built to honour the works of legendary artist Vincent van Gogh. Visit the Van Gogh Museum and take in his odd yet real take on art and life. You can continue with your history tour and add Anne Frank's House to the list as well. The artefacts within the premise include belongings of the 15-year-old, documents, images and photographs. The list goes incomplete without the addition of Amsterdam's biggest highlight, Keukenhof, also known as the Tulip Garden. The lush fields with multi-hued tulip bulbs are quite a sight that you simply cannot miss during your trip to Amsterdam.

Interestingly, the city also entertains extremely bizarre museums such as the Kattenkabinet (Cat Cabinet) and The Mouse Mansion. The true essence of these places can only be comprehended once you visit them. If the museums get too weird for you, a little detour to attractions such as Concertgebouw (a concert building) and the Royal Palace Amsterdam. You should know that Amsterdam also comes with a coast that touches the Atlantic. You simply cannot miss their beach, Zandvoort, which is not quite far from the city centre. While backpacking and couch-surfing are a big culture in the city, you can book a hotel within Amsterdam and get some good prices for it. The flight tickets to Amsterdam aren't all that expensive, but the trip overall could be steep.

Things to do in Amsterdam

The city has far too many awesome things to do, especially for youngsters and backpackers. The city favours bicycles over any other mode of transport. You can simply rent a bicycle and go on a tour of your own. Explore the Nine Little Streets for alluring canals, boutiques and shopping souvenirs. You can also walk around Leidseplein, which has a plethora of options for entertainment ranging from nightclubs to casinos to quaint coffee shops. The city's hub has everything, including hotel bookings in Amsterdam. You can book your stay in the city centre, or you can take up hostel life and make friends with complete strangers. Similarly, you can also take a personal trip to Jordaan with a guide or a map. The neighbourhood thrives with lovely eateries and gorgeous Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, Leidsegracht and Lijnbaansgracht canals. It is an experience that certainly cannot be replaced with any kind of sentiment.

You can also take up cruise trips that leave from the city and sometimes even return on the same day. Depending on what travel package you have chosen, you can accordingly head out of the city on a cruise. You can also take your bicycles or book a tour of the city's countryside with charming cottages and lush green expanses. There are boat tours that traverse from the canals of Amsterdam. The impressive canal system is quite interesting, especially if you pass through it.

Food and Restaurants in Amsterdam

A quintessential Dutch cuisine includes the traditional raw herring, Dutch pancakes with stuffed or topped bacon/blueberries, krokets, bitterballen, poffertjes and erwtensoep, to name a few dishes. They are a melange of the meals as well as savouries. However, Amsterdam is not known for Dutch delicacies, at least not when it comes to fine dining experiences for tourists. The city celebrates food as multi-ethnic cultures coagulate with their best cuisine. Amsterdam is a haven of multitudes of international cuisine. Interestingly, the city actually has thriving Indonesian restaurants in the city. Places such as Restaurant Blauw, Restaurant Jun and Sampurna are some of the Indonesian establishments that have made quite an impact on the city's food culture.

In fact, many of the locals also prefer the array of meals from around the world over their own traditional Dutch food. The de Pijp neighbourhood is actually quite famous among millennials and backpackers as the place serves some of the cheapest and tastiest food. Many of the tourists who visit Amsterdam are predominantly backpackers or solo travellers. Hence, they prefer to keep a set budget for their expenses, this majorly caters towards them being careful around extravagant spending on food. However, if you wish to splurge on a lavish dining experience, you should try out Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) where you'll find some of the most exquisite fine dining establishments. In fact, you will also be pampered with world-class quality cuisine and hospitality at restaurants located in the Reguliersdwarsstraat areas. Elandshgracht Street is another amazing space in Amsterdam that boasts top-notch food. Overall, food will not be a big disappointment to you. You should also check out Distillery 't Nieuwe Diep to get a whiff of the lovely Dutch gin.

How to reach Amsterdam (Transportation)

The Amsterdam Airport has immaculate flight connectivity from India. As one of the most visited cities in the world from the country, Amsterdam is constantly on demand. Many Indians flock over to the beautiful and quaint city regularly, making the availability of flights also easier. In fact, there are regular flights that fly to Amsterdam from India. There are direct flights also that fly to Amsterdam from India. Operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways, these flights fly to Amsterdam on a regular basis and have great flight connectivity. Depending on the availability of cheap flight tickets, it is determined whether you will be able to snag a nonstop flight to Amsterdam from India or if you will have to book a connecting flight or one with long durations of a layover.

Flights to the Netherlands from India use the Middle Eastern international routes to reach Amsterdam. Usually, layovers take place in cities such as Munich, Zurich and Paris. Sometimes even Brussels witnesses flights coming in from India with Amsterdam as the final stop. In India, the most popular route to Amsterdam is from Mumbai as the flight connectivity, a number of flights and even nonstop and direct flights are easily available port city.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.