Chandigarh to Rochester Flights

  About Chandigarh

Located on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada, is the gorgeous city of Vancouver. It is famously known to be one of the most densely populated cities in the country. Not just the population but even the ethnic diversity sets the city apart from the others. Vancouver has a plethora of gardens and parks, along with museums and galleries. The city has managed to find fame amid travellers in recent years. Owing to the landscape scenery and thriving food establishments, Vancouver has grown into becoming one of the most important cities in Canada. It is easy to connect flights to Vancouver as well.

Best time to visit (Vancouver)

Vancouver is predominantly a cold city with temperatures barely exceeding 22 degree Celsius. However, the spring, summers and fall are pleasant in Vancouver, giving way to tourists. Since summer is the peak season in Vancouver, often you will find a plethora of tourists from around Canada to flock over for some fun. The city's thriving culture and lifestyle, topped with the slew of amazing festivals such as TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival and Bard on the Beach, further make people want to head to the city. With so many events and lovely weather to take in, the hotel prices and flight tickets also tend to get expensive. Plus, with the crowd, it might be difficult for you to enjoy a quiet and quaint environment. The cruise port also gets busy as the travellers need to be accommodated. However, the spring season will get your spirits high and your pockets happy. From March to May, the city turns lively as the cherry blossoms bloom and the whales pass through the Vancouver waters. It is a beautiful sight and certainly comes with great perks.

There are some fascinating events such as the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and Vancouver International Dance Festival that take place during spring. It is certainly the kind you shouldn't miss as the streets turn carnivalesque. Autumn is just as favourable as spring as the city prepares for the winters. It is easier to book hotels in Vancouver during this season as people are departing from the summer fun, reducing the demand for the city. Just as the temperatures go down, even the hotel prices and flight ticket costs drop, making it easier for tourists with a strict budget to traverse. While the city folks continue with their fairs and events, a new wave of budge tourists come over to be entertained by what the city has to offer. The temperatures would require you to carry jackets and coats along with you. It can get super cold, especially if you're from a hot country and are not used to the drop in temperatures. The experience of autumn in Vancouver is just as beautiful with the city streets turning crimson red as maple leaves flood the streets.

Places to visit (Vancouver)

Life in Vancouver is on the outside and not indoors. The city bustles and brims with opportunities for tourists to engage in. The Stanley Park is one sweet place from where you can begin your Canadian tour. Granville Island is the one place that will give you trendy restaurants, theatres and alluring galleries. All you've got to do is to hitch up a ferry ride and ho to the island. Another lovely place to visit would be Queen Elizabeth Park, a famous outdoor attraction in Vancouver. Famously known as the Kitsiklano 'Kits' Beach, the stretch of shores finds itself in the lines of an LA or Venice beach, thanks to the pristine water it touches. Spanish Banks Beach is another thrilling spot that would make you happy, especially if the water is something you love. The city has far too many gardens so you will never be tired of the greenery around you. The VanDusen Botanical Garden also deserves to be visited as it is one of the pretty places. It's not just gardens and beaches though, the city also has Yaletown, a chic neighbourhood to indulge in some upscaled lifestyle.

Things to do

One of the best things to do in Vancouver is easily the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. It is 450 ft long, and 230 ft elevated from the ground that offers a stunning view of the river flowing under. It is quite thrilling and definitely poles apart from the feeling the gardens in Vancouver invoke. You can indulge in some leisure sightseeing and shopping at the Lonsdale Quay Market. Another fun thing to take up in Vancouver would be to indulge in a food tour. As the city does brim with a vast opportunity for lip-smacking food, you will not be disappointed with the establishments the city has. Sailing is another activity that you can take up in the city. It would be fun, and you will get to learn something new. Plus, for the outdoorsy kind, you can visit Grouse Mountain for some adventure fun.

Food and restaurants (Vancouver)

Vancouver is nestled along the Pacific coast, making seafood as it's the staple food. In fact, much of their food has fish and other aquatic life as the base. That includes the classic fish and chips too, which is otherwise a London speciality. These can be found in the city's markets such as Granville Island. The place is ideal for you to explore their seafood delicacies. While Granville has some of the basic but delicious street meat, Yaletown upscales the whole experience, which would be ideal for you if you're on a romantic rendezvous. The setting at Yaletown is formal and posh. Some of the food establishments that you should visit during your trip are Rodney's Oyster House, Blue Water Cafe, to name a few. These are the best seafood restaurants in the city which you will surely like. You can also check out YEW Seafood + Bar, which is located at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver. Their speciality includes Sidney Island venison and Qualicum Bag scallops. These are a big hit in the city, and something many would recommend.

A little away from Vancouver is Richmond (in British Columbia), where you'll find more seafood with wild salmon, tuna, mussels, crab and halibut too. What makes this place special is how the fish are fresh catch of the day which the fishermen get from the docks. These you can find at Steveston Village. Not just seafood but Vancouver also has its own version of Chinatown where you will find some of the best Asian dishes. In fact, you can also experience the little India that is settled in Vancouver. There is a Punjabi Market which is basically an Indo-Canadian neighbourhood located in the South Vancouver. Rest assured, all your cravings for Indian curries and delicacies shall be fulfilled here.

How to reach Vancouver (Transportation)

There are no direct flights from Indian to Vancouver. However, the flight connectivity to Vancouver from India is exceptional. Canada, in general, receives a lot of tourists and potential residents from India. Due to this, the popularity of flights to this route is quite high. In fact, every second day, there are people travelling to Vancouver or other parts of Canada. Since there are no direct or nonstop flights to Vancouver from India, many airlines do have services to reach with layovers in other international cities. Airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Air France, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, British Airways have some dedicated flights flying to Vancouver. As there are no direct flights, many have layovers in their origin countries. For example, Air France has flight connectivity to Vancouver from Paris, so there is a layover in the city. Similarly, other cities with layovers are in Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Newark, Istanbul, to name a few. The most popular route for flights to Vancouver is from Paris and Frankfurt. However, some of the flights need a second layover which either takes places in Montreal, Toronto or Newark.

To fly to Vancouver from India, you will require to apply for a transit visa. Since the international routes connecting Vancouver and India are from cities like Paris and Frankfurt, they require a transit visa from the passenger. To make things easier, the Canadian Embassy has allowed for online applications. All you need to do is fill up the application online and submit the same. The process is easier and less time-consuming. Besides, the status of the application is received promptly. The flight tickets to Vancouver are considerably on the expensive side. The distance is quite a lot and travelling through certain airlines is why the prices are steep. However, you can always find exceptional flight deals online. There are provisions of miles as well which enable the ticket prices to reduce. You can find cheap flight tickets to Vancouver online, especially if you book them well in advance. Simultaneously, you can make your hotel reservations too. Booking in advance always comes with its perks and booking your hotels in Vancouver will also be cheap if you do it beforehand.

  About Rochester

Rochester is the third-largest city in the State of New York after New York City and Buffalo. It is also known as The Flower City and The World's Image Center. It is also known for its set of waterways. The city has Lake Ontario to its North and Genesee River flowing through the city. You will also find the Erie Canal that runs along Rochester's border. Rochester has given the world a lot of innovators and social reformers, something that the city is quite proud of and why not! Rochester is a city that welcomes the future with all its possibilities and believes in innovating. The city is called many things like The Flour City and The Flower City. The locals also celebrate the Lilac Festival every year in May. Rochester saw a decline in its population after World War II, but it still moves on hoping for a better tomorrow and working towards it. The city also made jazz music popular worldwide. It also houses the University of Rochester which has earned itself quite the reputation. The university boasts of being one of the top research centres in the US. Apart from these, the city also has a vibrant nightlife.

Best Time to Visit Rochester

Late spring and early fall are the best times to head to Rochester. You won't have to battle the scorching summer, and you won't have to fight the chilly winters. The city turns lush greens and beautiful during the spring season and the complete opposite during autumn. However, it does stay beautiful during both seasons. No matter when you go, you will have one event or another in the city. Rochester hosts over 140 festivals and events, has 60 public golf courses and over 100 distilleries, breweries and wineries. When it snows, it snows quite heavily, so much that even schools are forced to shut for a few days. Though the winter is quite fierce here, the other seasons only make Rochester look magnificent. Make sure you book a hotel in Rochester that has a beautiful view. You might even get great flight deals to Rochester online if you book in advance. Cheap flight tickets to Rochester are only possible if it is low season, which is during winter. May to October is when the weather remains pleasant and makes you feel comfortable, too. If you are travelling to the city in winter, make sure you are also carrying extra lip balms and moisturisers. With the intensity of the snowfall in the city, there are high chances that all of your plans to head out will only end up getting cancelled. Make sure the weather is right when you plan a trip to Rochester.

Places to Visit in Rochester

Rochester is known for its parks and outdoors. Be it the Cobbs Hill Park or Genesee Valley Park, Highland Park or Maplewood Park, and you will definitely fall in love with the city. If you are planning on visiting the museums and historical sites, head over to Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. You will even find a small museum on the first floor of the lighthouse. You can also visit The Strong - National Museum of Play which is dedicated to board games, dolls and toys. Rochester Museum and Science Center is one of the major highlights of the city, and the exhibits here will simply blow your mind. It might even spark a lifelong interest in science for your kid. Finger Lakes Wine Country is responsible for some of the best wines in the US, and this is where they make it. There are up to 35 wineries here that you can visit and be amazed. Head over to the Rochester City Ballet to catch an ongoing performance or to merely appreciate the place. The city also has a theatre that puts up plays for kids that they will certainly enjoy.

You can visit the Seneca Park Zoo that houses African Elephants, white rhinos, polar bears, sea lions and a lot of other animals. Eastman Theatre is another popular place that also organises orchestras and jazz concerts. Visit the art museums and galleries in the city if you are an art lover. You can also visit the Seabreeze Amusement Park, which opened in 1879 and still manages to keep the tourists entertained. Head to the Ontario Beach Park if you have no big sightseeing plans for the day. You can just relax and blow off some steam at the beach or go for a swim.

Things to do in Rochester

Rochester is known for its vibrant and diverse nightlife. You can either sway to the sweet sounds of jazz at a theatre, or you can get groovy and hit the nightclub. Catch a show at the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, and you will be in awe of the universe. It is also a great place to take your kids. The city also has amusement parks and makes for a perfect vacation with your family. You can go biking around the city, join a group and go for a hike or paddle, whichever suits your mood. You will never get bored in Rochester and will always find something to do, even if it is winter and there is heavy snowfall.

The city offers an educational ride as well a fun ride that is just rides. You can sign up for a historical tour of the city and visit landmarks and places that are of historical importance or you can like-minded people who love adventures and head out for one. Even if you don't want to do any of these, you can always head to the beach and just chill there. Enjoy the gentle breeze and the calming waves of the ocean. Rochester is a city that has a lot of activities planned for you. Make the most of your free time and learn something new. You can also try the water activities here at the beach or volunteer at the zoo. Find something new to do every day instead of making or sticking to an itinerary. Rochester is just as busy and lively as New York City and Buffalo are, but you won't people compete for the title here. If you want to make a list of things that you want to do on holiday and have never done before, Rochester is the place for you, and you will definitely find a way to complete your wish list. If you are in the city with your kids, do take them to the museums and amusement parks.

Foods and Restaurants in Rochester

Rochester has a very diverse culinary scene, and you will know that once you visit the city. Lento is a new restaurant that farm-to-table eats and the food here is quite unique. If not the food, you must at least go to the place to experience it. The Owl House is yet another restaurant that serves delicious American food and craft beers. It also has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on its menu. If you are in the mood for some Italian food, you must visit Rocco. Tony D's is another restaurant in the city that serves signature pizzas and mind-blowing cocktails to go with it. You can also try Tapas 177 Lounge, where a street-level bar welcomes the guests inside the restaurant. You must try the Korean Bulgogi BBQ and game sausage plate here. It is not very difficult to find vegetarian food in the city, though it is not the most famously ordered cuisine from the menu. The city is quite welcoming and diverse in its own way. You can also enrol yourself in a temporary cooking class and learn a few techniques that you can show off later when you go back home. Burgers and fries are a staple among youngsters here, and you can't leave without trying one yourself. The food here will definitely make you take a break from your diet and treat yourself to anything and everything that you crave for on your holiday.

How to reach Rochester (Transportation)

The Greater Rochester International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in New York State. The flight connectivity to Rochester from India is excellent. American Airlines and United Airlines have frequent flights to Rochester from India with layovers at London, Chicago, Newark and Zurich. If you book your tickets well in advance, you might get some exciting flight deals to Rochester online from India. In fact, if you are flying during the offseason, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Rochester. Getting a taxi from the airport is not that difficult at all. In any case, it would be best to hire or rent a car from the airport itself. The airport is well-equipped with WiFi, lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and much more. Even if you have to wait a long time to board your flight, you won't get bored here at all. You will also find book stores and shops that sell souvenirs at the airport, for any last-minute shopping.

  About Chandigarh Airport

Chandigarh International Airport is a custom airport that also serves as a passenger airport to the Union Territory Chandigarh. Along with the city, the airport also serves Panchkula, Mohali and other cities in the states of Punjab, Haryana and a few southern districts of Himachal Pradesh. The airport runway is situated in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In contrast, the international terminal falls on the south side of the runway, close to the village of Jhiurheri in Mohali, Punjab. The international airport has all its civil and commercial operations conducted from the civil enclave of the Indian Air Force Station. In the 1970s, the airport witnessed tremendous flight activity and operations from Indian Airlines. There were regular flights connecting Chandigarh to Delhi.

Following the construction of a new airport building in the civil enclave in 2011, all operations were diverted to the new terminal. This special air terminal was announced as a customs airport in 2011, giving it the international stature. Although it became an international airport, the terminal never witnessed international flight activities operate from its premise. In 2008, the Government of Punjab acquired a land area of 304.04 acres to construct the new international terminal. Over its completion in 2015 and a few Public Interest Litigation case hearings that took place at the Punjab High Court and Haryana High Court, the airport finally witnessed international flight activities from 2016. IndiGo and Air India Express became the first airlines to commence international flights to fly to Dubai and Sharjah from Chandigarh International Airport.

About Chandigarh Airport Terminal

The new international terminal came into existence in 2015 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new terminal has been built in an eco-friendly manner with several features validating the same. Larsen and Toubro constructed the airport's new terminal. The airport's interiors have an abundance of plants which gives a rather botanical garden feel. The earlier domestic terminal now caters to VIP flights and is also reserved for flying club. Meanwhile, the new terminal includes two link taxiways that connect to the terminal as well as the cargo complex. There are four aerobridges apron reserved for parking of four in contact, and eight remote parking stands for aircraft. The terminal is divided into two levels with the first level taking care of all departures while the ground level has arrivals. The first phase of the airport terminal has the capacity to handle about 1,600 passengers at a time with a parking space to accommodate 150 vehicles. Although the airport is not a greenfield airport, it does use the runway of the current Indian air force base. The departure section of the terminal has relevant facilities such as ATMs, WiFi and a duty-free shop. Much recently, the terminal's check-in counters have also been expanded from 24 to 26.

About airport authority

Chandigarh International Airport is jointly owned by the government of Punjab, the government of Haryana and the Airports Authority of India. In fact, they have formed a consortium as the airport's operations are handled by Chandigarh International Airport Limited. In the consortium, Airports Authority of India holds a maximum stake with 51 per cent equity while the Government of Punjab and Government of Haryana hold 24.5 per cent of shares respectively. Chandigarh International Airport Limited is responsible for all the management, maintenance and other such operations of the airport terminal. Ever since the airport's genesis, CHIAL has been working towards expanding the airport's premise and providing world-class facilities to attract more flights and passengers. After quite a lot of struggle with cases going up to the high courts of both the states, Chandigarh International Airport finally even received international flight operations. Currently, the airport caters to a slew of domestic airlines, some of them catering to Indian as well as international cities.

Facilities at the Chandigarh Airport

Food court - Chandigarh International Airport may not have a slew of fancy restaurants installed in its vicinity; it does have a dedicated food court. Passengers can avail lip-smacking dishes from the airport's food courts. They have local and globally recognised food joints available. From burgers to chole bhatures, you can find all kinds of cuisine.

Trolleys and wheelchairs – Trolleys and wheelchairs are available at the airport. While the trolleys can be found at every junction of the airport's arrivals and departure section, wheelchairs need prior intimation. You will need to speak with the airlines and inform them about the requirement for a wheelchair at the entrance of the airport's departure gates. Following the same, the airport will send trained staff to help out the passenger in need of the wheelchair.

Baggage – The baggage system and services at the Chandigarh International Airport include trolleys, baggage wrapping services, storage facilities and more. There are dedicated reclaim baggage conveyor belts located in the arrivals section from where passengers can get access to their checked luggage.

ATMs and currency exchange – As an international airport, Chandigarh International Airport has installed currency exchange booths in the arrivals section of its international terminal. International travellers can get their currencies exchanged and also make money transfers at the forex counters. Plus, there are ATM kiosks also available in the airport premise. Passengers can withdraw money if needed, especially if they are travelling within any liquid cash.

Medical facilities – The airport also has medical facilities available for emergency cases. It is essential to have medical experts on the airport campus at all times. Hence, the airport has ensured to keep a team of dedicated medical professionals. There are medical rooms also available at the airport. You can avail these services for free. There are pharmacies also available at the airport. They provide medicines as well as toiletries that you can purchase.

Child care room – Parents travelling with infants can avail the child care room facility. These rooms have been reserved for parents to help tend to their infant babies. Activities such as breastfeeding and changing diapers can be done in these rooms as it offers privacy. Simultaneously, the child can be put to sleep in the room while they wait for boarding. These rooms are kept well-sanitised.

Smoking zones – Chandigarh International Airport does not allow smoking in public. Hence, they have provided special smoking zones for passengers. These can be found at the departures and arrivals of both the domestic and international terminals. It is essential for passengers to adhere to these rules and smoke within the premise of the smoking lounge provided by the airport.

Special assistance – The airport caters to special assistance for disabled travellers. Prior intimation needs to be given to the airlines by the traveller if they wish to avail these services. You can also specify the requirements for the traveller to the airlines, and the airport will make the necessary accommodations for the same.

International SIMs – For travellers who are visiting Chandigarh and do not have a local SIM number, you can get hold of the same at the airport. There are dedicated counters at the arrivals section of the international terminal where counters have been installed to provide temporary SIMs. Mobile phones are also available, in case you need one.

Top airlines flying from the Chandigarh Airport

Chandigarh International Airport currently enables operations of seven domestic airlines and caters to connect two international destinations. Presently, the airlines that operate from Chandigarh International Airport are AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara. These airlines have excellent connectivity with various Indian cities along with designated international destinations. Chandigarh International Airport connects flights to cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Dharamshala, Pune, Jammu, Chennai, Kullu, Dubai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Patna and more.

How to reach Chandigarh Airport

By Bus

The new terminal of Chandigarh International Airport is close to 14 km away from the main city of Chandigarh. The city of Chandigarh has excellent bus transport facilities that help connect to various parts of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh too. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking has AC buses that operate from the main city to the airport's new terminal. The buses take Route 38 and 36 to reach Chandigarh International Airport. It is easily one of the most sought-after ways to reach Chandigarh International Airport. The ticket fare is also quite affordable and ideal for travellers. Besides, the buses have been designed in such a way that they offer a comfortable journey to the airport. The transport service also has a mobile app from where you can book tickets and get details about the bus schedules and routes to reach Chandigarh International Airport.

By Taxi cabs

Taxicab services are also present within the city to reach the Chandigarh International Airport. You can hail a taxi cab from anywhere around the city or the other surrounding states to reach Chandigarh International Airport. It might be challenging as you will need to communicate with the drivers and ensure that they don't make you pay an exorbitant amount for the journey to reach the Chandigarh International Airport.