Cape Town to Coimbatore Flights

  About Cape Town

Located on the west of South Africa is the second-most populous city and culturally diverse Cape Town. The city is particularly famous for its diverse habitants and a thriving culture. Its urban setting close to the harbour makes it one of the most important cities in South Africa. Tourist spots such as Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope tend to take up all the attention of tourists for the right reasons. Aside from the beautiful locales that the city is blessed with, the food and lifestyle of the city are exquisite. You will find delectable dishes from all over the world in the best possible global fusion scenario. The city further stands in the frontline as an advocate of climate change mitigation. The city sees an excellent footfall of travellers coming over from various parts of the world.

Best time to visit Cape Town

Cape Town's seasons are a contrast from the Indian months. Unlike how India witnesses summers between March to June, Cape Town sees summer from December to February. The same goes for most of their seasons. Although the summers of Cape Town sees tremendous tourists, it is the autumn month from March to May that is considered to be the best time for tourism. The season comes with several events and festivals, including the wine harvest month. The city easily turns its streets into a carnivalesque theme. During this season, the wineries around Cape Town allow tours and events for tourists to engage in. It is quite the gathering as you get to interact with wine connoisseurs from around the world.

You can also indulge in some of the fun activities by participating in the ones that take place during these tours. The temperature is also at an agreeable 20 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. In the second half of the fall, the hotels start to drop their prices, making accommodation affordable. Festivals and events such as Cape Town Carnival, Infecting the City, Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Constantia Food and Wine Festival are some highlights that take place in March and May. This could be a good time for you to book hotels in Cape Town and relish the vibrant environment.

Not just the fall but even the springtime in Cape Town is quite beautiful. The popular attraction of Cape Town, Table Mountain blooms during this season and the temperature is also very favourable. For budget-travellers, this is the best time to visit the city. The hotel deals in Cape Town during this time is worth nabbing as they come at an affordable rate. Plus, festivals like Cape Town Diwali Festival and Cape Town International Kite Festival also adds to the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Places to visit in Cape Town

Cape Town has an audience for literally everything the city in the city! The biggest attraction in the city, though it has got to be Table Mountain. Towering over the gorgeous city of Cape Town, this place attracts tourists like fire does to moth. It's nestled within the Table Mountain National Park, which also encompasses Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope as some other tourist attractions. You shouldn't miss any of those three as they each possess an interesting backdrop. You also have Camps Bay, which lies on the we3stern edge of Table Mountain. The quaint spot is perfect for soaking in all the cool breeze that the city boasts. In the city, you should walk around the District Six Museum and take a look at the city's compelling history. Bo-Kaap is known for its colourful street and indeed a sight for sore eyes. It is predominantly acquired by descendants of Cape Malays (slaves brought in from Malaysia, Indonesia, parts of African, by the Dutch). In the city, you also have Two Oceans Aquarium, located close to the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The aquarium will blow your mind with the plethora of marine creatures it hosts.

Things to do in Cape Town

Cape Town has far too many things to do as it is quite a vibrant city. However, you can start with a small tour to the Constantia Valley and explore the exquisite vineyard. From crisp whites to robust reds, you will get to witness how some of the finest wines are made in the city. Plus, the mansions where the wine is preserved in barrels is another lovely trip. After some wine tasting, you should also check out some of their restaurants with their abundance of cuisines, styles and flavours at your perusal. The Cape of Good Hope also houses adorable penguins that you can check out. They simply walk the shores of Cape Point and have a good time. As for the ardent shoppers, Greenmarket Square can be your source of entertainment.

Food and Restaurants in Cape Town

The city of Cape Town is a haven for global cuisine and a food-enthusiast. Not only does it entertain the plethora of dishes from around the globe but also caters to the varied tourists who flock over for wanderlust. Cape Town's unique food culture is popular and probably one of the highlights of the city. While there are some dishes that manage to stand out as Cape Town's classic dishes, much of the food is a global fusion. Since Cape Town was under the colonial rule of the Dutch and British, their menu reflects the same in terms of flavours, styles and techniques. Interestingly, Cape Town is also big on Indian food and has reserved a special spot for Indian cuisine. The best part about the city is how it brings together food from around the world and makes for rich food culture. The classic food includes fish and chips, grilled meat (your regular chicken, pork and beef), gatsby (a large sandwich stuffed with an array of meats, sauces and chips), bunny chow (classic South African delicacy made from chicken or beef), bobotie (minced beef mixed with milk and eggs custard) and more. Interestingly, the city also has the best sushi that won't disappoint you.

With so many dishes to try, don't forget to leave room for some dessert. Traditional sweets such as milk tart, koeksisters, malva pudding, etc., deserve your attention. These recipes are quite famous and definitely a good way to end a wholesome meal. To enjoy the best food in Cape Town, you should head to Kalky's, Snnoekies, The Golden Dish, Cosy Corner, Mzoli's Chef's Warehouse, Mzansi, to name a few. You will not run out of restaurants and food joints. Don't just spend time in the fancy restaurants but also check out some of the food joints by the corner of every street. They make just as amazing and delicious food that you'll probably not find elsewhere.

How to reach Cape Town (Transportation)

By Air

After Johannesburg, Cape Town is noted to be the second most popular city in South Africa which sees a great turnout of tourists from around the world. The best way to reach South Africa's Cape Town from India is easily by air. Major cities in India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore have flights that fly to and from Cape Town. Although there are no direct or nonstop flights that fly from India to Cape Town, these flights mostly have layovers and travellers would often have to rush for connecting flights in the airport terminal. Airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and South African Airways, Kenya Airways are a few that directly connect to Cape Town. In terms of flight connectivity to Cape Town from India, it is quite decent as there are frequent flights available to the city.

Often the layovers or connecting flights would have to be taken from cities such as Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Dubai Johannesburg and more. The travel duration of flights to Cape Town is quite a lot depending on the international route that you pick. Since there are various options for layovers and routes to Cape Town, often people go for the cheap tickets. From India to Cape Town, flight tickets would be less expensive with more duration. Similarly, for shorter flight duration, the ticket cost of flights to Cape Town would be high-priced. Hence, you will have to be very mindful about your trip to Cape Town. Cheap flight tickets to Cape Town would come at the cost of flight duration.

By Rail

Many travellers often opt for flights to Johannesburg to reach Cape Town. Not only does this enable them to visit two cities during the trip but also check out the famous luxury train from Pretoria. Known to be one of the most opulent rails, Pretoria's domestic rail route connects to Cape Town, but it's a 27 hours long journey. The views through the trip though, along with the luxury of the train's services, is definitely worth the time. You will be pampered by the coach's posh treatment, not to mention how it will also be a good way to meet new people from other nationalities.

About Coimbatore

After Chennai, Coimbatore is known to be the second-largest city in Tamil Nadu. The city also goes by the name Kovai and has the perfect blend of nature's abode meeting modernised city. Coimbatore is surrounded by the lush green expanses of the Western Ghats and hence, sees a considerably decent climate. In the past, the Coimbatore region was ruled by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century which was later taken over by the Nayaks. Centuries later in the 18th century, Mysore's Tipu Sultan ruled Coimbatore, which eventually went under the British Raj as the East India Company defeated the King of Mysore.

The city has excellent flight connectivity to and from Coimbatore airport and fancy hotels. You can book your hotels in Coimbatore by choosing from a variety of options. BnBs and homestays are not a concept accepted here yet.

Best time to visit Coimbatore

Although Coimbatore does not have a coastal touch, it still has a hot and humid climate which makes summer and monsoon season hotter than hot. The summer months in Coimbatore are generally hot with temperatures fluctuating between 25 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. Considering how hot the months from April to July get, it certainly isn't the best time to visit.

Monsoons are quite pleasant as the verdant greenery of Coimbatore escalates to make you feel happy. The heavy rains between July to September drench the city with green hues that further amplify its beauty. The trekking trails and hills close to the city become a trekker and hiker's favourite spot. The temperature doesn't drop much but certainly doesn't rise as much as summers either.

Winter is the perfect season to visit Coimbatore as the lush green surroundings envelop the city with misty cold climate. Coimbatore experiences pleasant cold weather which is quite the relief after months of excess heat. The months from October to March are an ideal time for you to plan your trip down South.

Places to see in Coimbatore

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary

Located a little away from the city hub, is this lush expanse of land that offers wildlife safaris. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Anamalai mountain foothills and holds some intriguing flora and fauna. With the variety of species, it has in captivity, and you would get to see some exotic beings that you never knew existed.

Valankulam Lake

The fact that Coimbatore is perfectly surrounded by the beauty and serenity of the Nilgiri range makes it a nature lover's haven. However, there are some gorgeous water bodies too that flow and add more enchantment to the place. The Valankulam Lake is one such addition which only amplifies the beauty of Coimbatore. The lake is exquisite with a varied species of birds such as purple moorhen, little grebes, etc., flying around the lake.

Gass Forest Museum

Since Coimbatore has the Nilgiri range on both sides, the city plays a pivotal role in the preservation of the forests that surround it. There are dedicated colleges that teach about agriculture and studies on forest preservation. The Gass Forest Museum is one such authority that doesn't just exhibit the history of Coimbatore but is also located in the campus premise of Forest College.

The cities in Tamil Nadu have numerous temples with an illustrious historical significance which make them worth visiting. Even Coimbatore has some temples that should be visited when in the city.

Temples in Coimbatore

Coimbatore has far too many temples, but considering how they are all so diverse and hold exciting stories, they become a place worth visiting. While you're in the city, do visit the Anjeneyar Kovil, which is to venerate Lord Hanuman. Also visit the Eachanaari Vinayaga Temple, the Perur Pateeshwarar Temple, Anubhavi Subramaniar temple, Marudhamalai Hill The.ole and more. They might seem like a handful, but there is a certain thrill of visiting these temples and turning the trip into a pilgrimage.

Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple

The Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple is a famous tourist attraction in Coimbatore. The Rene's popularity comes from the excessive number of steps that leads to the summit. It is a sort of test that all devotees must fulfil to reach Devi's temple. There is no mechanical help that one can receive and must do the narrow steps on their own. Another interesting fact about the temple is how it has a natural flow of water from the mountains, which has formed a pond. The pond is considered to be sacred and immersing oneself in it is said to be a divine experience.

Things to do in Coimbatore

Coimbatore has some interesting options that one can pick from. The range is quite awesome as you can engage in touristy things or you can pack your adventure bags and head out to the forests.

Trekking

Interestingly, the city of Coimbatore also has some intriguing trekking trails and camping spots that one can explore. Places such as Vellari MalaThalaiyar Falls, Dhoni Hills and Perumal Peak give you the chance to explore their dense green forests and the excitement that comes with trekking. The view from the top of these hills are gorgeous and something that would uplift your spirits.

Black Thunder Amusement Park

The city has a vast amusement park set with more than 49 rides that cater to all age groups. The Black Thunder Amusement Park would undoubtedly give you the adrenaline thrills that you've been longing for as the rides are quite fun. Not to mention how they are sprawled across 75 acres of land and surrounded by the intoxicating Nilgiris. The adventure park is ideal for adults as well as kids.

Shopping

As Coimbatore is one of the developed cities in Tamil Nadu, it has all the modern amenities and structures that would match to the ones prevalent in metro cities. Besides, shopping is an urge that simply cannot be controlled, especially if you're on vacation and have promised your friends to bring back souvenirs. Brookefields Mall in Coimbatore is a place where you can unleash the shopaholic in you. For a budget-friendly shopping spree, you can visit Cross-Cut Road.

Meditate at a centre

If cities and their hustle-bustle are making you anxious, then a good session of meditation is what you need. As part of your retreat, you can undertake a meditation course in Coimbatore's Isha Yoga Centre. The calm surrounding and serene vibe of the place would help you rejuvenate.

Witness a car race

The city is a haven for automobile-enthusiasts and even has a 2.1 kilometres long Formula 3 race track. There are national championships held on the track as well as bike races and formula racing events which brings forth quite the exhilarating experience one seeks for. In fact, while you're are enjoying one of the races, you might even get to cross paths with Tamil cinema's superstar Ajith Kumar, who is a recognised Formula 3 race driver.

Food and Restaurants in Coimbatore

Even though it is a developed city, Coimbatore does not have a flourishing palette when it comes to incorporating world-class cuisine. Much of the city continues to relish the South Indian cuisine with a handful of experimental western cuisine. You can visit restaurants such as Bird on Tree, Shree Anandhaas, Harbhavanam and Yari to taste some interesting melange of flavours.

How to reach Coimbatore

By Air

The Coimbatore Airport has excellent flight connectivity to and from other major cities in India. Some flights also fly international routes from Coimbatore. The airport is located just 7 km away from the main city and can be reached rather easily. The domestic, as well as international terminals, are in the same stretch. However, a new segment has been constructed to divide the two terminals. Much recently, they built the arrivals building too, to help streamline the airport. Domestic airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, to name a few, have regular direct flights to Coimbatore from Mumbai Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and more.

In terms of international flights, Coimbatore Airport sees a regular flight service to Sharjah and Singapore. Air Arabia and Silk Air have been given space in the international terminal. It has been stated that Air Asia, Malindo Air have both expressed to introduce international routes from Coimbatore to Kuala Lumpur. With Coimbatore’s brilliant flight connectivity, travelling to the city is quite convenient from flights. For cheap flight tickets to Coimbatore, it is ideal for you to book tickets in advance.

By Rail

Coimbatore's railway connections are also very convenient and cater to the needs of travellers. The city's Coimbatore Junction station is connected to various metropolitan cities in India, including Bangalore, Chennai, Jammu, Delhi, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and more. You do not have to make any transit changes during your travel and can easily reach the city. However, it is best to make prior ticket bookings as there are chances that you might not get a confirmed ticket if you opt for last-minute bookings.

By Bus

Coimbatore also has buses entering and leaving the city to major South cities such as Madurai, Tirunelveli, Chennai, Bangalore, Munnar, etc. The Karnataka State-run buses KSRTC are also available and do travel in and out of Coimbatore. The location of Coimbatore makes it easy for various cities in the South to connect. Different domestic routes to Coimbatore are taken to reach the city centre.

  About Coimbatore Airport

The Coimbatore International Airport is situated 10 km away from the city of Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu. Located within the range of the city Peelamedu, the airport is perfectly connected with the city centre and has transport facilities at the arrival gates. The airport is recognised as the 18th busiest in the country in terms of passenger handling and aircraft movement. However, in terms of cargo handling, the Coimbatore International Airport stands at the 15th spot. The airport's fame also comes from the fact that it is the second-largest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu. This comes right after the state's capital, Chennai's International Airport. It serves five Indian carriers while three foreign ones. The Coimbatore International Airport connects to 12 domestic destinations and three international ones.

About Coimbatore Airport Terminals

The Coimbatore International Airport is known to host domestic and international flights and airlines. The airport not just caters to the domestic cities but also charters flight services to Sharjah, Singapore and even Jeddah for Hajj pilgrimage. The airport has a single terminal where all the services take place. The single passenger terminal caters to all the facilities including the arrivals, gates, departures, check-in and concessions. The terminal also has a Black Berry Lounge which provides impeccable services until the boarding takes place. The airport has aerobridges, parking bays and also accommodates the instrument landing system. In the existing terminal, the airport has divided the domestic and international gates. The Coimbatore International Airport's runway extends to 12,500 ft and accommodates colossal aircraft too, for instance, the Boeing 787. The airport also serves to the Coimbatore Flying Club and hence, has two hangars within the airport.

About airport authority

The Coimbatore International Airport serves under the Government of India and is operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body was created back in 1994 after a merger between International Airports Authority of India and National Airports Authority, which served as individual bodies in 1972 and 1986 respectively. AAI caters to working on the upgradation, maintenance and management of the airports that fall under its wing. The body has about 126 airports under its wing, including the Coimbatore International Airport. All the decisions and management concerning the infrastructure and functioning of the Coimbatore International Airport falls under the responsibilities of the Airports Authority of India. They also work on the development and expansion of the airport to make it more accessible and efficient.

Top airlines flying from Coimbatore Airport

Coimbatore Airport has decent connectivity to various major cities in the country. The airport caters to airlines such as Air Arabia, Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Scoot, SpiceJet and Srilankan Airlines. There are four international airlines with flights that fly from the Coimbatore Airport. Air Arabia flies to Sharjah, Air India Express and Scoot to Singapore and Srilankan Airlines to Colombo–Bandaranaike. The airport does see good connectivity with Singapore as the demand for the said Malay city is quite high. As for domestic airlines operating from the Coimbatore Airport, they fly to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune. The domestic airlines flights flying from Coimbatore Airport are limited and a handful as they only fly to fewer cities in the country. The Coimbatore airport caters to an equal number of domestic and international airlines.

Facilities at the Coimbatore Airport

WiFi - There are WiFi services that are available at the airport. The WiFi at the airport is free. However, it can only be availed for about 15 minutes. Post the timeline, you will have to pay for a premium service.

ATM and forex - The Coimbatore Airport has a handful of ATM kiosks at the departure and arrival gates. There are foreign exchange booths at the arrival gates as well. It gets easier for international travellers to get hold of some domestic currency to enable traversing within the city easier. You might be able to get good rates at the airport forex counter too.

Smoking zone - The airport has dedicated smoking zones. To keep a smoke-free environment in the airport, the authorities have come up with a smoking lounge. Some booths even sell cigarette boxes at standard airport rates. The smoking lounge is present in the departure zone of the terminal.

Medical services - A specific medical centre is also available at the airport. It is essential to have a designated medical centre in the airport premise to deal with any medical emergency that might crop up. Often, it is necessary to have medical aid in the airport since the chances of emergencies are quite high. Not to mention how the demand for the medical stores is also necessary, in case any last-minute purchases need to be made.

Child care room - The Coimbatore Airport has a child care centre for new mothers and infants. The child care rooms and perfectly maintained and kept clean to ensure the mother and infant are in a safe environment. There are proper baby products also available at the child care rooms and are present at the arrival and departure zones of the airport.

Restaurants and cafe - The airport has a few restaurants and food establishments in the departure as well as arrival gates. You can find some famous food joints such as McDonald's, Subway and KFC. There are small coffee joints and establishments also present at the airport terminals.

Baggage - The Coimbatore Airport also caters to baggage-related services. There are counters where you can get to keep your luggage. Trolleys for luggage are also available at every nook and corner of the airport terminals. If you need to get luggage wrapping done, that can also be arranged. This will help safeguard the luggage from being mishandled or from theft.

Special assistance - For any special services and assistance required such as buggy services and portage, you can avail the same at the Coimbatore Airport. Since it caters to international airlines and flights too, the services and assistance are of top-notch quality.

How to reach Coimbatore Airport

Coimbatore Airport is about 10 km away from the city centre. Located on the Avinashi Road, the airport sees frequent buses serviced from the central bus station. The bus services to Coimbatore Airport can be found at the Gandhipuram central bus station. Bus stations located at Singanallur and Ukkadam also have bus services that will reach you to the Coimbatore Airport. The Gandhipuram central bus station is also close to the Coimbatore Junction. It is considered to be the nearest rail station to the Coimbatore Airport. If you are travelling from another city to Coimbatore, the best way to reach from the station would be to pick up the bus shuttle that directly reaches Coimbatore Airport.

Taxi cabs are considered to be the ideal and best way to reach Coimbatore Airport. You can make your bookings online on apps or find prepaid cabs at the railway station and bus stand to get hold of them. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Coimbatore Airport from the city centre. If taxi cabs are unavailable and cannot be found at the Coimbatore Junction or the Gandhipuram Central Bus Station, you can also take rickshaws. There are auto rickshaws available in the city. You will have to fix a price with the rickshaw driver before you take up the ride to the Coimbatore Airport. Ensure to haggle a little as the drivers tend to spike the price exorbitantly, especially if you are a traveller who cannot speak the language.

About Coimbatore

Coimbatore also referred to as Kovai, is one of the major cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is perched on the banks of the Noyyal River and is surrounded by the gorgeous Western Ghats. The city is known to be the second-largest in the state after its capital, Chennai. It is also the 16th largest city in India with respect to urban agglomeration. Coimbatore is known to be one of the largest exporters of poultry, jewellery, auto components and wet grinders. It is also recognised as geographical indications for Coimbatore Wet grinder as well as Kovai Cora Cotton, by the government of India. The city's dynasty comes from the rulers of Cheras, which reigned Coimbatore from the 1st through the 4th centuries CE.

It also served as the principal trade route for Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Part of its history sees strong connections with rulers from the Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, Nayaks and the Kingdom of Mysore. The city was also ruled by the British East India Company, before finally becoming a free city. The city turned into a textile hub in the south, especially in the cotton industry, post the decline of the cotton industry in 19th century Mumbai. Much recently, in 2014, the city received the top rank for being one of the best emerging cities in the country, by India Today. Coimbatore is also recorded to be one of the safest cities in the country for women, according to a report shared by the National Crime Records Bureau in 2015.