Chicago to London 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 London

London is recognised to be one of the most famous cities in the world, known to be the capital of the United Kingdom. It is also known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. London is a city that has traversed through time to see history in the making. Much like New York City, London is also recognised as one of the biggest economic, cultural, political, education, finance, healthcare and more. London is also raved to host some of the biggest names in the education business.

Best time to visit London

London is known to be rather dreary with a dull climate that takes up most of the year. However, the spring season in London is lovely and something you'll definitely fancy. March through May are months where the city breathes air under the bright sun sans the clouds. The temperatures are between 10 degree Celsius to 17 degree Celsius, which makes for a perfect vacation. It does manage to grab the attention of potential tourists from within the UK as well as internationally. The late spring and summers in London especially get a lot of tourists. Not to mention how the city also thrives with amazing festivals such as Virgin Money London Marathon, Museums at Night State Opening of Parliament, London Coffee Festival, St Patrick's Day Festival and Parade, to name a few. This time in the city is simply super pleasant and something that many tourists would want to experience. You can further see many gardens and parks blossom while the summer makes its way within the city. Of course, it also comes at a rather harsh cost which will affect your pockets. The hotel prices in London during peak season is just as expensive. Thanks to the humongous crowd that the city witnesses, it is not surprising that the hotels and accommodations also spike up their charges.

Prior booking of hotels in London will help you deal with this conundrum. However, the packed streets and city bustle could be a tad bit annoying. Considering how London is a big city with streets always full of people, it is something you're going to have to adjust with. September to November also sees a considerable number of tourists in the city as the fall weather is just as pristine. The autumn foliage forms quite a scenery that travellers would appreciate. The hotel accommodations are also decently priced. You might even get cheap hotel rooms in London during this time. It is essential that no matter which season you choose to visit London, there is going to be some amount of rain. Basically, you will have to pack in such a way that you are able to show off your winter wardrobe and at the same time protect them from the rainy weather. Rains in London are notorious and have a mind of their own. It often starts showering when you least expect. Hence, an umbrella would be the best companion for you during your London trip.

Places to visit in London

As one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world, London has far too many tourist attractions within the city. It does house the royals, after all. You can start your trip by checking out the famous British Museum, which is an archaeological treasure trove. You can further go ahead and visit the Tower of London, an important structure in the city. Learn about its historical significance because it is quite interesting. Without a doubt, the Buckingham Palace should be on your list as it is where the royals of the UK live. It is the London home of Queen Elizabeth II and has its gates open for tourists. Westminster Abbey is another beautiful and archaic church which is known for the weddings and coronations of the many royals of the UK. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are posh and relaxed areas in the city where you can visit to relax. While you're here, do not miss the National Gallery, comprising of a labyrinth interior that would certainly intrigue you. The Tower Bridge has found itself in several movies by now and should be on your travel list too.

Things to do in London

The city has far too many places that would attract tourists for shopping. The Camden Market would be a good place to start the excursion. This market caters to over 200 stalls and has everything one looks for in London. The West End Theatre District is an astounding place that is quite the rendition of New York city's recognised Broadway. Several big production houses and artists flock over to put up their shows, and you should witness them all. Piccadilly Circus is another lively part of the city, basically the heart of London, where you can indulge in street shopping or bar hopping. You will be thoroughly entertained by the lights and life of the city. Speaking of which, pub crawls are a big thing that happens in London, something you should totally try as they are fun. Plus, it would be a great way to network with people and return home with some fine memories.

Food and Restaurants in London

London's staple food fish and chips, bangers and mash and mince meat pies. However, over the years, the city has managed to upscale its culinary establishments to encourage a plethora of global cuisine. The city now houses the classic British cuisine and the curry magic from the Indian kitchen. With so many choices to pick from, the city only gets better for a foodie. It is important that you know where you should go when in London. The best way to do that would be to opt for a food tour, which is available in the city. In London, high tea experiences are a big deal, and you should definitely get some of that action. The Langham, London, Claridge or even The Lanesborough, are some establishments that would give you the experience that you seek. Make sure to book prior reservations and dress up for the outing. If you've got enough pounds in your pockets and wish to further explore the upscale dining experience, you can view some of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants in the Clerkenwell neighbourhood. While you're on your food voyage, do not miss St. John, a place recognised for its ability to utilise every part of the meat.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also has a slew of restaurants and food establishments in the city that you could indulge in. Plus, Jamie Oliver also has his own set of restaurants within the city to upscale your dining experience. Other fancy locations in London include Sketch who have egg pods in place of traditional washroom stalls, The Attendant Cafe, Sushi Samba and Duck & Waffle, to name a few. To indulge in some lovely Indian cuisine, you can visit some of the curry houses located on Brick Lane. UK's pub culture is something you simply cannot miss. It defines the British lifestyle and is also one of the top attractions. You can either go to traditional pubs such as Magners or a little modern like Strongbow.

How to reach London (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to London from India is exemplary. There are regular direct flights as well as connecting flights reserved for London. Since the city witnesses a lot of tourists from India, provisions to service a regular flight to London has been made by various airlines. The best thing about flights to London from India is how they have the option of a direct flight, which reduces the duration of travel. British Airways is one such airline that has nonstop direct flights to London from cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Other airlines that fly to London from India are Turkish Airlines, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Emirates, Oman Air, Etihad Airways, Air France, Swiss, KLM Royal Dutch, to name a few. These airlines follow the international routes of the Middle East and Europe to reach London. Hence, their layovers and connecting flights are from cities such as Munich, Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Zurich, Muscat, Paris and more. The duration of a layover is not too much, which makes travelling easier, even if there are direct flights to London.

A nonstop flight to London from Mumbai takes approximately nine hours and ten minutes, barring the weather conditions and other delays. Flight tickets to London are quite cheap and affordable. Many airlines begin their flight tickets to London from INR 30,000. There is no major compromise in the flight duration as the maximum it can go up to is 13-14 hours. It is essential that you pick the right airlines to fly to London as the possibility of longer layovers is high. If you manage to get some online flight deals on tickets to London, your budget will further get a nice bonus. In fact, you can use this opportunity to book your hotels in London as well. It is a known fact that London accommodations are exorbitant, as is travelling within the city. To avoid splurging extra on hotel rooms in London, you can make hotel reservations ahead of time along with your flight tickets to London. That way, you will end up saving a major chunk of your money, which can be used to travel more within the city and to purchase loads of souvenirs.