Chicago to Newcastle 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 Newcastle

As the name suggests, Newcastle upon Tyne is a city nestled on the banks of the Tyne River. It is a university city located in the northeast region of England. It was once a known shipbuilding hub which also played a pivotal role in the expansion of businesses during the Industrial Revolution.

Best time to visit Newcastle

Much like the rest of the United Kingdom, Newcastle also sees a rather cold climate with the monsoon. You will always have to carry an umbrella and be prepared for the rains. They come and go as they please, which could be quite difficult to keep up with. However, that doesn't mean you can't have fun in the city. Summers in Newcastle is fabulous as the warm and dry temperatures do have a soothing effect on an otherwise dreary and wet habitat. From June to September is considered to be ideal for a vacation in Newcastle. The summer temperatures are between 15 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius. However, depending on the erratic nature of the weather in Newcastle with the added uncertainty of heat waves, it could exceed to 30 degree Celsius too. With climate change and other environmental concerns, the city has been seeing a lot of heat waves. Irrespective of the erratic weather though, it is still the best time you can pick to visit Newcastle. The only flipside to the trip would be the expensive flight tickets and hotel prices.

As summers are peak season for Newcastle, you will witness a surge in flights and hotel prices. This simply means you will have to ensure that you make prior bookings of flights and hotels in Newcastle. You might be able to evade the exorbitant rates. Another season that you can pick to visit Newcastle is autumn which starts from October through November. The days in the city are warm and quaint while the nights get cold during autumn in Newcastle. However, since it is a season close to winters, many tourists are already on their way back. With the tourist season gone, the prices of accommodation and even flights to Newcastle are very affordable. You wouldn't have a lot to worry about the expensive price surge as the tourist activities are also reduced during autumn. Spring is also an interesting time to visit, but they do come with the erratic rains and a bizarre climate. It is neither dry nor wet, which makes it confusing. However, if the weather is not really what you are bothered about and can stand the erratic showers, then this is a good time to check out Newcastle.

Places to visit in Newcastle

Newcastle is blessed with some amazing tourist attractions. Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, is a good place to start as the interactive complex will keep you engaged. One of Newcastle's biggest highlights is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The bridge has been constructed above the Tyne River. The bridge's artistic construction definitely paints an exquisite picture. Not to mention how the place is open to bicycle rides and walks too. You can easily walk the stretch, get some amazing social media-worthy pictures and marvel at the architecture. You should not miss out the Angel of the North steel sculpture. It was designed by Antony Gormly and is recognised to be quite the crowd-puller for its golden hue and towering stance. The Newcastle Castle is also a notable structure which also serves as a fortress. It is known to be a good place for strolls and to soak in all the English architecture. Close to the Millenium Bridge is the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, an accessible location which is known to hold several art exhibitions.

Things to do in Newcastle

As part of your activities in Newcastle, you can start with a walk on the Hadrian's Wall Path. It is actually a long-distance footpath that was built as a defensive wall by the Roman Empire to avoid conflict and attacks from the northern borders. Close to the Tyne River in Newcastle is the Quayside. The area is perfect for exploring as it is nestled in the banks of the river. You should also visit the Discovery Museum. It is acknowledged to be a famous science and local history museum as it hosts some interesting tales from Newcastle's past. You will be amazed to learn some truths about the city and its past. It is especially perfect for taking your kids along. To further indulge in more scientific scenes, you can further visit the Life Science Centre. The place has been constructed to promote the relevance and progress in the fields of science, education and business. The place also has good food and interesting exhibits that would leave you engaged.

Food and restaurants in Newcastle

Newcastle's food expedition is one of a kind as it celebrates the best of British's gastronomical flavours. Do not be surprised by some of the names and flavours that they match in their kitchen as it is unlike what you would find anywhere else. Cal's Own is the perfect place where you can get hold of wood-fired pizzas and fennel sausages. Their sourdough bases are a big hit and something you will definitely enjoy. Another exquisite place called Cook House is ideal for you if you wish to opt for a cheap dining experience. The cafe is actually built in a shipping container and has some of the best garden produce. It is the perfect spot for breakfasts where you can get hold of sourdough toast with marmalade and a bowl of keffir, seasonal fruit and yogurt. Do not miss their roast chicken salad too! You will have to carry your own alcohol though. There is room for some international cuisine in the city as well. Chilli Padi has cheap but lovely food. The comfort food comes from Malay influences. From fried fish head soup to the flavourful Szechuan beef, you would have a good time.

Fat Hippo Underground is another kid-friendly place where you can hold the best burgers and craft beers in Newcastle. Plus, it is also cheap so you wouldn't have to worry about spending too much. The Patricia is a French bistro that brings forth Nick Grieves' vision of exquisite neighbourhood food establishment. The food is a little expensive, but it is perfect for a fine dine experience. Of course, your trip is incomplete without indulging in seafood which you can find at The Bridge Tavern. It is actually owned by Wylam Brewery and serves impeccable beer as well as fish and chips. Plus, it is also very pocket-friendly. Do not miss their beef curry and flat iron steak as well. Peace and Loaf is another Jesmond bistro that brings aesthetics to the dining experience. You would be surprised by the most outlandish meals with sharp and stylish flavours. Newcastle's very own Michelin star-holder, The Broad Chare, is undoubtedly one of the best in the city. The gastropub, with its exquisite upscaled experience, brings life to chef Terry Laybourne's vision of lush food. Do check out their black pudding and grilled liver.

How to reach Newcastle

Newcastle is way up in the north of London and enjoys good connectivity with other countries. Flight connectivity to Newcastle from Indian cities. However, Newcastle is better connected from London or other European cities. The most popular and favoured route to Newcastle that is opted by airlines is from London and Amsterdam. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Emirates, Lufthansa, have impeccable flight connectivity to Newcastle. There are no direct nonstop flights to Newcastle. However, airlines such as KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways and Air France have layovers in European cities that make the travelling convenient. Since much of the flights use the international routes of European cities to reach Newcastle, you would require a Schengen transit visa. A Schengen transit visa is required if you have layovers or even connecting flights from cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Munich. The flight duration to Newcastle from India is 12 hours and 30 minutes.

There are cheap flights to Newcastle available online. In fact, you can find some options for cheap flights to Newcastle online if you surf through the web for a little more time. The ticket prices to Newcastle are not very expensive. In fact, flights to Newcastle start from around INR 27,000 to INR 30,000. If you make prior flight bookings to Newcastle, then you will be eligible for some inexpensive and great online deals. In case you have been collecting miles, this would be the perfect way to earn a little more. You can also book your hotels in Newcastle beforehand and avail some more miles. You can combine booking flights and hotels in Newcastle to get some more deals. The city does have a good range of budget to luxury hotels that you can pick from. If you are opting for a relaxed and inexpensive trip to Newcastle, then you should book hotels accordingly. Many tourists often think the best way to reach Newcastle is by driving up to the city from London. As many opt to combine their trip to the UK, it makes sense to drive to Newcastle and enjoy the views between the two English cities.