Chicago to Bhopal Flights

  About Chicago

Located on the West coast of Gujarat is the quaint little city of Porbandar. The city is highly regarded for its pilgrimage as it has a strong mythological relevance. Many pivotal incidences from the tales of Mahabharat and Ramayana have taken place in the city, or so says the folklore. As the city is on the Saurashtra's coastal side, the city is blessed with a brilliant climate and geography. There are hills, coasts, rivers, lakes and more such geographical benefits that make Porbandar a beautiful city. Historically, the city adds another feather to its illustrious cap by being the birthplace of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. With such intriguing stories that the city has to tell, it easily becomes one of the most visited places in Gujarat.

The flight connectivity to Porbandar from other major cities is also excellent. The coastal town connects with the rest of India through popular routes, making travel easy and convenient. Booking hotels in Porbandar are also useful as the city comes with exciting accommodations.

Best time to visit Chicago

Porbandar enjoys fair weather throughout the year. The temperature is mostly at a pleasant range between 23 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsius. Depending on the year and the humidity, the temperatures do see some changes, but mostly, it's sunny positive. The winters in Porbandar are quite enchanting as the cold breezy air adds quite a romantic charm to the place. The temperatures usually range from 10 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsius. When you do plan for your Porbandar trip, try to choose this season. The pleasant weather will make sightseeing more comfortable. Not to mention how the flight tickets to Porbandar are also cheap and affordable, irrespective of the peak season. December and January are considered as best months to visit Porbandar.

The monsoon months in Porbandar are just as enjoyable as the winters. Between July to September, the monsoon drenches the city with a cool but humid atmosphere. While the humidity does increase during monsoon, the strong winds that pass through the city during the season help normalise the temperature to a pleasant level. You can book a hotel in Porbandar during this time and take in all the monsoon magic. You certainly wouldn't regret it.

Summers, though, could be a little hot. In comparison to the pleasant weather the city experiences throughout the year, the summer winds come with high temperatures that sometimes reach 40 degree Celsius. While it is not ideal for visiting Porbandar during summers, if you are already used to such temperatures and climate, you wouldn't have much trouble. Not to mention how the flight tickets to Porbandar during summers see a drop in prices.

Places to visit in Chicago

Porbandar does not have many tourist attractions as such. The place is a pilgrimage with many temples and shrines. During your trip, you can visit some of the temples, namely, Sri Hari temple, Krishna-Sudama temple, Kirti temple, to name a few. These temples have strong connections with the Hindu mythology tale Mahabharat. The city also has some relics from the Harappan civilisation which could add to a good historical venture.

One of the big highlights of Porbandar's tourism is the Huzoor Palace, built in the early 20th century by Rana Natwarsinhji, the last Maharaja of Porbandar. The structure has derived architectural inspiration from European styles and is quite beautiful. The vicinity also has fancy fountains and well-maintained gardens.

Things to do in Chicago

The city might have only pilgrimage as the most prominent tourist attraction, but you can tweak your itinerary and add some personal excursions of your own. Located a little away from the city are the Jambuvan Caves, known to be the resting place of the famous warrior Jambuvan, who has played an essential role in the mythological tales of Mahabharat. The caves are also known to have Ramayana relevance with Hanuman spending time in the caves. You can also visit the Porbandar Bird Sanctuary and indulge in some photography. The sanctuary has a scenic setting which adds to the charm and beauty of the place. The biggest attraction of the bird sanctuary is how it inhabits migratory birds such as jacanas, little cormorants, whistling teals, avocets, coots, grebes, pelicans, terns, to name a few.

Food and Restaurants in Chicago

Porbandar is famous for its Gujarati cuisine. The city, much like the rest of the state, is rich in vegetarian Gujarati delicacies. From lip-smacking dhokla with green chutney to divine khandwas, one can never get tired of these dishes. Porbandar also follows the Jain-style cuisine by eliminating potatoes, onions, etc. from their dishes. They substitute potatoes with bananas which manage to do the job perfectly well. In fact, Jain cuisine is just as tasty as a regular vegetarian cuisine. You should probably give Jain food a try when in Porbander.

Travellers with a taste for vegan and vegetarian food can head to Flavours. The restaurant is famous for its take on vegan-friendly dishes as well as a slew of global cuisine. You will definitely be happy and satiated with their take on international cuisine. The place is extremely healthy and something worth considering. If exquisite fine dine is in your itinerary then you should head to Blue Coriander and book a table. The place with its classy interiors has great food reviews. You can get some lovely Gujarati thalis here or even the sweet daal that they're fans of. The food is known to be fresh and tasty with a plethora of choices for vegetarians. You can also get a spicy vada pav at Goli Vada Pav. Mumbaikars know their vada pavs well, and they sure love Goli Vada Pav.

Finding a non-vegetarian restaurant in Porbandar might be challenging as the city primarily has a vegetarian population. However, there is one place where you can get some lovely Indian spin on dishes, including seafood. SaltWater, located on the Dwarka Porbandar highway, has the best seafood that you should certainly try. As for those who are tired of all the spices and want something savoury, you should check out Shiva Baker's Point and Midday Munchies.

How to reach Chicago(Transportation)

By Air

Porbandar Airport is located along the coast of the state of Gujarat. The airport is open for commercial use but also has a military presence. The city's airport is well-connected with some of the big cities in India such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, June, Jaipur and Bangalore, to name a few. Thanks to the consistent infrastructural development, the city has managed to find great connectivity with other cities in India. The flight connectivity to Porbandar is excellent as many flights from big cities have direct flights. SpiceJet and TruJet are the two airlines with dedicated flights flying to Porbandar. Even though it is a domestic airport, there are provisions of duty-free shops within the airport that one can avail goods from at a reasonable cost.

The airport also provisions a slew of restaurant chains and fast food shops to keep the passengers entertained. The most popular route to Porbandar is from Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi as these three cities have regular flights flying in and out. The location of the airport is also convenient, enabling easy access to the city centre. You can hire a taxi cab from outside the airport, or if you have booked a hotel in Porbandar, they will probably send the airport shuttle, if you request it.

By Rail

Porbandar Railway Station is perfectly connected with major cities within Gujarat. There are dedicated daily trains to and from Porbandar to Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Somnath and more. The railway also connects well with other domestic routes from Porbandar to big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Jaipur. Weekly trains to cities in the South such as Hyderabad and Kochi are also available. It is essential to know the train schedule before booking the tickets. Specific express trains are not reserved for Porbandar so you might end up spending a lot of your time in transit. The station is around 5 km from the city centre.

As frequent trains are entering and leaving the city regularly, transport via train is also considered to be a good and affordable option. Flight tickets to Porbandar could be expensive sometimes depending on the season in which you are booking your flights.

By Road

Major cities are connected to Porbandar through the domestic route of NH 8B. The national highway brings cities such as Ahmedabad and Rajkot closer to Porbandar. Public buses are also available to connect Porbandar to the rest of the cities in Gujarat. You can find them at the bus station where buses to Vadodara, Jamnagar, Surat and even Mumbai are available. Many travellers opt for roadways to reach Porbandar, especially if they are travelling from the coastal areas of Maharashtra. Tourists even drive down to Porbandar from Jaipur and other cities in Rajasthan as it is a good drive. From the bus station, rickshaws and buses are also available that can take you to the hotel you have booked in Porbandar. Taxi cabs are also present in the city, so transportation in the city is extremely convenient for travellers.

  About Bhopal

Also known as the City of Lakes, Bhopal is one of the greenest and cleanest cities in India. With a rich cultural heritage and rapid development, the capital of Madhya Pradesh has found itself in the top 20 list of India's largest cities. Bhopal has been ruled by many influential leaders in the past, ranging from the Maurya Dynasty to the Nawabs to the progressive Begums. It was initially a princely state and witnessed some significant women royalties, who reigned during the British era. Bhopal's rich history also comes with exquisite architecture and inspiring structures. From the stunning Sanchi Stupa to the marvellous Moti Masjid, the city has innumerable tourist attractions that continue to bring travellers from around the world.

The flight connectivity to Bhopal is also quite decent, allowing people to visit the city. If you book your flight tickets well in advance, you will be able to snag some cheap flight tickets. As for accommodations, the city has top-rated hotels and guest houses that you can check out. In fact, peruse through some options and book hotels in Bhopal before you travel.

Best time to visit Bhopal

Winters easily become the best time to visit the lovely city of Bhopal thanks to the chill weather. Starting from October and running till March, the mild winters are pleasant in Bhopal while the nights are chilly. They form the perfect kind of balance that one prefers with December and January being the coldest months. The temperatures usually drop to 5 degrees Celsius in Bhopal. This is also the perfect time to visit other tourist attractions in the city.

Monsoons are not the most sought-after choices to visit Bhopal as the heavy rains and thunderstorms could be a tad bit scary. The natural beauty and greenery is enhanced during the rains but owing to the other concerns it comes with, monsoon is not ideal for travel plans to Bhopal.

Summers in Bhopal are from March to June, and it is easily the hottest season. The heat often gets unbearable, especially during the peak months of May and June. Often the temperatures cross 40 degree Celsius which makes travelling outside difficult.

Places to see in Bhopal

Moti Masjid

Built back in 1862, the illustrious Moti Masjid has exceptional historical and socio-cultural value. The mosque is said to be made by Sikander Jahan Begum, touted to be the most progressive and free-spirited woman of the said era. The structure holds an uncanny resemblance to the Jama Masjid of Delhi with its use of white marble and architecture. Travellers enthused by history would find the mosque intriguing.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

Lakshmi Narayan Temple is yet another famous tourist attraction of Bhopal. The temple was built to honour Goddess Lakshmi and her consort Lord Vishnu. The temple premise also has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. The impeccable designs and well-kempt gardens of the temple complex help soothe the eyes as well as the heart.

Van Vihar National Park

Located in close proximity with the Upper Lake is the Van Vihar National Park, home to an array of wildlife including Sambar, Blackbuck, Blue Bull, Hyena, Porcupine and more. The park is well-maintained as it plays lungs to the city, which has seen some troubled times in terms of environmental hazards. The vast expanse of the national park has exotic flora as well to combine the joys of a wildlife and nature lover.

Sanchi Stupa

The Sanchi Stupa is a structure that dates back to 3rd century BCE and is said to be built by the great emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, King Ashoka. As the Mauryan King pursued the path of Buddhism and contributed to the spiritual movement, the Stupa's dome structure has been turned into a central vault to preserve the relics of Lord Buddha. The historical significance, as well as the Stupa's unmatched architecture, has made it a venerated tourist attraction in Bhopal. In the premise of the Sanchi Stupa, you will find some intricate designs on the walls of the structure which explain significant timelines of the Buddhism history. Moreover, visiting the Stupa would be an educational expedition that would certainly be quite enjoyable.

Upper Lake

Prominently known as Bhojtaal or Bada Talab, what makes the Upper Lake so famous is the fact that it is the oldest artificial lake in the country. The lake is believed to be built in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj. The lake has a scenic view and faces the royal garden, also known as Kamla Park. Either, you can sit by the banks of the lake to enjoy the sunset, or you can take up boating as an activity.

Taj-Ul-Masjid

Touted to be one of the most pristine mosques in Madhya Pradesh is the Taj-Ul-Masjid which translates to 'Crown of Mosques'. The name fits the image perfectly as the mosque is an architectural bliss with soothing blush walls while the domes are white. The premise of the mosque also has a grand courtyard with marble flooring and a pond. It would be best if you visited the mosque, especially for its architectural prowess.

Things to do in Bhopal

Entertainment at the Sair Sapata

One of the entertainment attractions of Bhopal has got to be the Sair Sapata. While the city's rich history and exquisite architecture could keep you on your toes, the Sair Sapata with its stimulating entertainment activities such as bike racing, boating, hiking, car dash and more must be visited. Irrespective of your age, the place is entertaining for everyone.

Boating at Bhojtal and Halali Dam

The city has quite a few lakes and rivers flowing, which makes boating a favoured activity. Often people take up boating on the Upper River or Bhojtal. You can engage in the same kind of activity at the Halali Dam too, which is approximately 40 km away from the city centre.

Trek to Raisen Fort

Located close to 23 km from the city centre is this mighty proud Raisen Fort. The Fort is actually atop a hill and is also surrounded by some quaint temples and reservoirs. The Raisen fort is famous for being a shrine to Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba, a venerated Muslim saint. Over the centuries, the Fort witnessed a slew of rulers since the 13th century. You can easily do a trek and explore more of the Fort, which also has a mosque and dome structures within the complex.

Explore Bhimbetka Caves

Bhimbetka Caves enjoys the stature of being a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site. The caves are more than 30,000 years but continue to offer aesthetic vibes with the aptly sculpted rock formations. The natural green surrounding further amplifies the beauty of the place. One can simply take a 20 Ltr hiking bag and stroll through the magnificent caves.

Food and Restaurants in Bhopal

With a rich Mughal influence, you will find some of the best Mughlai food in Bhopal. Zamzam is one such restaurant which is popular for its lip-smacking biryani. The menu is quite affordable and the food, certainly delectable. Another food paradise that you should visit for cuisines ranging from Awadhi to Bhopali is the Za-aiqa restaurant. It is located in Kohefiza, Bhopal and offers a compelling variety of delicacies that would make the foodie in you, a happy person. You will get to taste the taste of Awadhi food as well as can delve into the impeccable Mughlai spread.

Other popular food destinations in Bhopal are Kebabsville, Bhopal Express, Manohar, Da Pizzeria, La Kuchina and more. Since Bhopal is a metro city, the place has acquired many of the commercial foot joints. However, to get the true essence of Bhopali cuisine, one must definitely visit these places.

How to reach Bhopal

By Air

Bhopal airport is located on the northwestern side and is 13 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to and from Bhopal is excellent as it connects with major metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Gwalior. The Raja Bhoj Airport witnesses regular domestic flights as airlines Air India and SpiceJet have flight services to the city. The main city of Bhopal is easy to reach from the airport as the distance is not much and there are taxi cab and other transport facilities available.

By Rail

The Bhopal Railway Station is also well-connected with domestic routes and can reach the city from various parts of the country. There is a domestic route from Delhi to Mumbai that connects to Bhopal. A Delhi-Chennai main line also passes through Bhopal by train.

By Road

Bhopal's location makes it easy for bus services to reach the city. There is an abundance of public and private-owned bus services that can be found from all parts of the country, except for the Northeastern states. From Indore to Ratlam to Nagpur, the city can be reached from several parts of India. It is recommended that ahead of the travel, you book your hotels to avoid complications.

  About Bhopal Airport

Raja Bhoj Airport, which is the fundamental airport serving, Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is known to be the second busiest in the state. The Bhopal Airport comes after Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport of Indore as an important airport in the state. It is 15 km away from the city centre and the Bhopal Junction railway station. The airport is perfectly located at the intersection of the National Highway 46 as well as State Highway 18. The State Highway connects the city of Bhopal to Indore. The airport also stands 20 km away from the Habibganj railway station, which is located in the south of Bhopal. The city does offer domestic and international flights which include the famous Hajj pilgrimage to Jeddah. It is flown by Saudia airlines, and the airport accommodated operations of the same from 2010, specifically for Hajj travellers. The flight has decent connectivity with the city centre as there are buses, trains and taxi cabs available from and to the Bhopal Airport.

About Bhopal Airport Terminals

For the longest time, the Raja Bhoj Airport had a domestic stance, but after accommodating the Saudia airlines as well as flight connectivity with Middle Eastern cities, the proposal to turn it international is being acknowledged. The airport is required to have immigration facilities to ensure that the international services that operate from the Raja Bhoj airport. The integrated terminal building at the Bhopal Airport has been built across an expanse of 289,940 sq ft with 14 check-in and four immigration counters for departure. For arrival, though, it has six immigration booths. There are about 22 customs desks also prevalent at the airport with 11 for departure and 11 for arrival. A dedicated X-ray machine for security is also present at the airport. Much recently, the terminal has also introduced a food establishment and some local stores. The whole initiative has been taken by the Airport Authority of India, as part of their development scheme. There are also two aerobridges connecting the terminal. Meanwhile, the third aerobridge's construction is to start soon.

About airport authority

The Raja Bhoj Airport is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The statutory body is responsible for the management, infrastructural expansion, upgradation and maintenance of the airport. The authority has worked to better the Bhopal Airport and done a pretty good job with it. In fact, Bhopal Airport has been developed extensively with a view to adding the international tag to the airport's status. The Bhopal airport does accommodate international flights that connect to cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh.

Top airlines flying from Bhopal Airport

Bhopal Airport is a domestic airport that only caters to flights and airlines flying in the country. The city has good connectivity to domestic cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, to name a few. These are the big cities in the country and have immaculate connectivity with the rest of the country. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo and Saudia operate from the Raja Bhoj Airport. While mostly the airlines flying from the Bhopal Airport are domestic, some of the Indian airlines also have flights to Jeddah and Riyadh. Air India has a dedicated flight to Jeddah. Meanwhile, Saudia is the only international airlines operating from Bhopal Airport. The airlines have flights flying to Jeddah and Riyadh from the city. The airlines cater to the Hajj pilgrimage and hence, fly from the city of Bhopal. While the Raja Bhoj Airport has a bare minimum of airlines flying international, the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, located in Indore, serves as a domestic and international airport. It caters to domestic airlines and international airlines.

Facilities at Bhopal Airport

WiFi - The airport caters to domestic and just one dedicated international flight that caters to Hajj pilgrims. Hence, they have reserved WiFi services. The WiFi connection can be availed for free and is available in all areas of Bhopal Airport. However, the free use can only last up to 200 Mb. Post this, the passenger might have to pay for the services. Details of the same can be acquired at the airport itself

ATMs and forex - Bhopal Airport also provides ATM kiosks located at convenient spots as well as forex centres. Currency exchange counters are usually located in the arrival sections of the international terminal. There is access to reach the forex counter and exchange currencies. You can take the help of any airport staff to reach the currency exchange counter.

Child care centres - With a view to helping out travellers with infants, Raja Bhoj Airport has reserved special facilities to cater to them. Dedicated child care rooms have been installed within the premise of the airport to help take care of the infant's needs. These could range from feeding to changing of diapers. The room can be utilized for free and is available on the first level of the airport. Further, you can find baby products also, in case you run out of them.

Post office - A post office has also been installed in the passenger concourse to cater to the passengers. In case there are any last-minute couriers that need to be sent. Or even if there are some baggage woes where you might need to courier some of the items from your bag, the same can be done without a hassle. You can ask details of the same at the airport itself. The staff are quite helpful.

Medical aid services - First aid centres and medical professionals are available at the airport. With a view to helping with medical emergencies at the Raja Bhoj Airport, they have installed medical rooms and other such services. There are pharmacies also available within the premise of the airport to help with last-minute medication purchases.

Smoking zone - Dedicated smoking lounges have also been created in the airport as smoking in public is prohibited. The smoking lounges are available on the ground as well as the first levels in both the terminals.

Lounges - A VIP lounge is available at the airport and can be used by all passengers. No specific cabin class tickets are required to hang out at the lounge. Raja Bhoj Airport has made the lounge free to use for all passengers. The lounge comes with relaxed seating and restaurants.

Restaurants and cafes – Food courts and restaurants are present at the airport. The food court has small joints as well as globalized fast food joints such as Subway, KFC, McDonald's and more. There are small coffee and tea establishments also available at the arrivals and departures.

How to reach Bhopal Airport

There are dedicated buses that are often opted to reach the Bhopal Airport. Two reserved buses service from the Raja Bhoj Airport to downtown Bhopal. The buses are air-conditioned and perfectly well-connected to reach the city centre. The routes chosen by the buses are also very convenient as they pass through the most important spots in Bhopal. There are stops at Habibganj Railway Station, New Market, Misrod and even Board Office. The bus tickets to reach the Bhopal airport is also quite minimal and affordable. There are specific schedules that need to be followed, and you can find them at the Bhopal Airport. Another comfortable mode of transport chosen to reach the Bhopal Airport are by prepaid taxis and car rentals. There are several of these available in the city centre as well as the Raja Bhoj Airport. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the Raja Bhoj airport from Bhopal's city centre. While a metro line is being constructed to connect the Bhopal Airport and the city centre, there are no direct railway lines connected otherwise. No railway station is connected directly or is even close to the Bhopal airport.

About Bhopal

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. The city is famous for its flourishing artificial lakes and for being one of the greenest and beautiful cities in the country. Bhopal's fame also comes from the princely regime that took place during the British rule. To this day, the city continues to celebrate its Nawabi culture and celebrate some of the cultural heritages from the Nawab period. These include places such as Taj-ul-Masajid and Taj Mahal palace, to name a few. Bhopal is also known worldwide for the tragic industrial disaster which resulted in the loss of lives and natural habitat.

Bhopal gas tragedy took place in 1984 following a gas leak from the Union Carbide India Limited's (UCIL) pesticide manufacturing plant. The disaster resulted in the loss of lives and also shed light on the socio-political challenges of people living in Bhopal. However, the city overcame the tragedy and now stands as one of the smart cities to be developed under the current prime minister's flagship project, Smart Cities Mission. Bhopal has been receiving the coveted title of the greenest cities in the country for consecutive years.