Chicago to Singapore 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 Singapore

One of the most expensive cities to go on a vacation, Singapore has a rich culture, amazing food and also a great place to go cruising. Not to mention, the marvellous architecture. The city is also known for hosting grand festivals and for its lavish nightlife. You can plan a trip with your family or with your friends. You can also plan a solo backpacking trip to Singapore. The city also has quite a few hostels for young travellers. One of the most popular highlights of the city is Universal Studios. Not only will you get to be a part of your favourite comic universes but you can also try all of the theme-based rides here. Singapore has quite a lot of amusement parks and places for you to explore your adventurous side. It is also the perfect place for you to flaunt your most stylish self or shop till you drop.

Best Time to Visit Singapore

Singapore is ideal for visiting any time of the year because of its climate. It is warm and tropical all year round, which is one of the reasons why the prices barely go down. December is one of the most happening months, and prices are skyrocketing this month, thanks to the lavish New Year's Eve parties. The expensive hotel prices, however, do not drop and only increase during Christmas and New Year's Eve. You might also want to steer clear of Chinese New Year to avoid the high prices of flight tickets to Singapore and accommodations. While the temperature ranges between 29 to 31 degree Celsius throughout the year, you might also experience mild showers every now and then. You can book a hotel in Singapore either closer to all the tourist attractions or go for a hostel, in case you are on a solo trip or with your friends.

November to June is when the city experiences winter, and there is also a boost in the number of tourists. This period also sees a lot of festivals being hosted in Singapore. November to January is when Singapore receives rainfall and witnesses the highest precipitation. You can be a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations in February or the Dragon Boat Festival in June and the Great Singapore Sale from June to August. The best part about planning your travel during these months is that you can get cheap flight tickets to Singapore from India.

A lesser popular time to visit is from July to October when the number of tourists is comparatively lesser. If you reach right before the Great Singapore Sale ends, you might even get your favourite designer items at a reasonable price. Though you might receive rainfall between June and September, it only affects the North-eastern part of Singapore more. If you are planning your vacation to Singapore in July and August, you can attend the Singapore Food Festival and the Hungry Ghost Festival. You can also catch the Grand Prix Singapore in September along with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Places to Visit in Singapore

Singapore has a lot of tourist attractions that are perfect for every kind of vacation. The Underwater World is the best place to visit in Singapore with your family. Not only will you see over 2500 marine animals, but you can also dive with the sharks and swim with the dolphins. The Singapore Zoo houses a lot of zebras, mole rats, parakeets, white tigers, a komodo dragon and other creatures. You will have to pay a certain fee to enter, just like at the Underwater World. You can also head to the River Safari that is home to red pandas and 6000 other animals. The best part is that safari is river-themed. Singapore also has a lot of beaches like the Changi Beach, Tanjong Beach and Sentosa Island that you can visit. Universal Studios is one of the major attractions of Singapore. It is a theme park that has Transformers, Shrek, Madagascar-based rides and a lot of your other favourite characters, other than Harry Potter. You can go with your kids or friends.

The Smith Street Hawker Centre in Chinatown is where you go to try delicious Chinese, Malay and Indian street food. You will not even have to worry about hygiene. You can also go to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum to be amazed at wax statues of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth II, and others. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most popular and luxe hotels in Singapore. It also boasts of the world's biggest infinity pools and staying here even for a night will be the experience of a lifetime. You will definitely come across this when you are booking a hotel in Singapore online. The Coney Island is one of the most romantic places in Singapore and an ideal place to plan a date, too.

Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is one of those places where you can fulfil your lavish holiday dreams. You can party till wee hours and treat your hangover by just lying near the pool at your hotel to soak in the view. The city has a lot of places for you to go sightseeing or indulge in adventurous activities. Marina Bay district in Singapore has the best tourist attractions in the city. You can experience the nightlife here and visit some of the popular nightclubs. You can also book your accommodation at the Marina Bay Sands resort, and you won't even have to go anywhere. The complex has an amazing casino, a lot of nightclubs, shops, Sands SkyPark and performance halls. You can also head to Chinatown to enjoy a night out in the town. Try out the street food, go clubbing or shopping. You can go shopping at Pagoda Street, grab a bite at New Bridge Road or Smith Street and head over to Tanjong Pagar district to experience the nightlife. The Sentosa is an island resort that is basically for all age groups. You can go with your family, with your friends or on your solo trip, too. Little India is where you go to if you want to stray from the main city. It's 2 miles from Marina Bay.

Food and Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore is one tourist destination where you will find an eclectic blend of cuisines from all over the world. Be it continental, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, or Malay cuisine, and it's easy to find a restaurant that will satiate your hunger pangs and food cravings. Maxwell Food Centre is a popular place that has about 100 stalls of different kinds of food. It would be best if you also tried the fine dining scenes, the bars and lounges in the city. Le Noir Bar & Lounge in Marina Bay Sands is one of the best places to go to in the area. If you are craving European or French cuisine, you can head to Entre-Nous Creperie at Seah Street. Cure at Keong Saik Road is one of the best places to go to if you want to try some Irish or European food. You can also try Colony for some Singaporean food. Positano Risto is another fine restaurant that serves the best pizza and other Italian food. If you want to have Chinese food at a fancy restaurant instead of a local food joint, you can visit the Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton. Paulaner Brauhaus Singapore is popular for serving German food and drinks. It is also a Brew Pub that you can't miss. You can just chill with a couple of beers here. You will find a lot of good Indian restaurants in the Little India area in Singapore. If it is French, European or Caucasian food that you want to try, head over to Chef's Table by Chef Stephan Zoisl. You can also try the Japanese food at Akira Back.

How to reach Singapore (Transportation)

Singapore has its own airport called Changi Airport. The flight connectivity to Singapore from India is excellent. Not only do you get direct flights to Singapore from here, you even get connecting ones, depending on the availability. Indigo, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Spicejet run flights to Singapore quite frequently. You'll get cheap flight tickets to Singapore quite easily, but in any case, book your tickets in advance. If you take a direct flight to Singapore, it will take about 5 to 6 hours to land in the city. Getting a taxi from Changi Airport is also not very difficult since the city sees a lot of tourists throughout the year. Changi Airport has quite a lot of facilities like art activities for kids, baby care rooms, lounges, entertainment decks and rest areas that are free to use. In fact, you can also get a temporary local SIM card to use within the city at the airport itself. The airport also has movie theatres, in case you have to wait for a long time for your flight. You'll also find showers, spa facilities, prayer rooms, shopping areas and prayer rooms in the airport.

  About Singapore Airport

Singapore Changi Airport or popularly known as Changi Airport services the city of Singapore and is a major civilian airport. It is easily one of the largest hubs for transportation in Asia. It has been rated by Skytrax as the World's Best Airport eight consecutive times since 2013. It is the world's first airport to reach such a milestone and earn a record. In terms of international passenger traffic and cargo, the Singapore Changi Airport stands as one of the busiest in the world. The airport is located in Changi, which is on the eastern side of Singapore. It is about 20 km away from Singapore's Downtown Core.

Singapore Changi Airport is the home base for a plethora of airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Jetstar Asia Airways and Silkair. The airport is recognised for its passenger traffic and stands at the 18th position on a global scale as the busiest airport. Just in 2019, Singapore Changi Airport accommodated over 68.3 million passengers. The airport serves close to 100 airlines with flights flying to 380 cities around the world. It has been recorded that the airport witnesses close to 7,400 flights that depart and arrive at Singapore Changi Airport every week. Over the years, Singapore Changi Airport has taken home over 620 awards ever since it has opened for business. Not to mention how it received 28 awards in one year alone, being 2019.

About Airport Terminals

As Singapore Changi Airport hosts more than 100 airlines with connections to over 380 cities in 100 countries worldwide, it witnesses an abundance of air traffic. It is the seventh busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic. The Singapore Changi Airport has five passenger terminals and has been designed to hold a capacity of about 85 million passengers. Terminal 1's operations kicked off in 1981 and are located on the northern side of the airport. The terminal underwent renovation and opened for public use in 2019. Terminal 2 is situated on the eastern side. However, the operations as on May 1, 2020, have been suspended for 18 months. Terminal 3's location is by the western end and officially opened for business in 2008.

Meanwhile, Terminal 4 is the most recent terminal that came into existence in 2017 and is at the southern side. Besides the four functioning terminals for domestic and international flights, the airport also caters to a private run terminal named JetQuay CIP Terminal. The terminal sees a resemblance to the First Class Terminal built by Lufthansa at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. With an access fee, the terminal is open to all travellers who are travelling in varied classes. Plans to construct Terminal 5 are also in works. If it goes according to schedule, the terminal should be ready by 2030 with an expected capacity of 50 million passengers in a year.

About Airport Authority

Owned by the Government of Singapore, the airport is operated by a consortium of Changi Airport Group, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Republic of Singapore Air Force. Changi Airports International (CAI) is the consultant and investor in the airport venture. CAI is also recognised to be a leading company in the global aviation market. Over the years, the consortium has enabled extensive airport infrastructural development. The airport is currently being managed by CAI, who have worked to bring about a strong economic gain out of the developed project. They have further brought forth integrated solutions to enhance the airport's quality and for it to achieve world-class stature in the aviation industry. The airport is also associated with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore which is a statutory board that falls under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore. As part of the venture, the CAAS has enabled an air hub to help promote the safe practices and protocols for civilian air-service arrangements.

Top airlines flying from Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport serves as a home base for airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Silkair, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Scoot and Jetstar Asia Airways. The airport also witnesses some Indian airlines chartered for international travel. Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara are some of the Indian airlines that fly to Singapore Changi Airport. These flights have dedicated services to the airport and even have space for parking.

The airport caters extensively to international cities and is recognised as one of the best. The largest market for the Singapore Changi Airport is from cities such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, China, Tokyo, Sydney, Jakarta, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Denpasar, to name a few. The airlines seen by the Singapore Changi Airport include Air France, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malindo Air, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines and Vietnam Airlines, to name a few. There are also extensive cargo flights and airlines that fly from Singapore Changi Airport. Cargo airlines from Singapore Changi Airport include Air Hong Kong, Asiana Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Korean Air Cargo, SF Airlines, UPS Airlines and more.

Facilities at the Singapore Changi Airport

The airport serves a slew of facilities that would be ideal and essential for passengers.

Airport lounges- Singapore Changi Airport has a handful of airline lounges at all the terminals. You can find from first-class and business-class lounges to VIP rooms and hotels, Singapore Changi Airport offers many beautiful and snazzy lounges. Even the regular boarding lounge area near the departure zones are very exquisite.

Baby care rooms - There are dedicated baby care rooms at several intervals of the airport. The rooms are kept perfectly well and hygienic. They also have baby products such as diapers and powders.

Baggage storage - The baggage services include porter services where professionals escort the passengers and take care of their luggage. You can also get plastic wrapping done for your baggage.

ATMs and foreign exchange - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange counters and booths at all terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals segments of all terminals.

Medical services - Some many clinics and pharmacies are available at all the terminals in the airport. Medical assistance can also be availed if you check at the information desk.

Entertainment deck - Since there are many layovers of flights that do take place, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed entertainment decks to keep the passengers engaged. From watching TV to recreational activities, the airport has facilities for the same.

WiFi and internet - You can avail the airport's WiFi services on the phone. The airport also has dedicated internet cafes in several spots of the Singapore Changi Airport. You will have to pay a fee to get access to the internet cafe.

Prayer rooms - The airport has dedicated multi-faith rooms to allow passengers to engage in their religious prayers. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes in case required.

Smoking zones - To keep the atmosphere of the airport clean and fresh, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed several smoking lounges. You can find packs of cigarettes at the airport premise as well.

Spas and shower services - There are booths for shower and spa services that can be availed at the airport's lounge.

How to reach Singapore Changi Airport

Mass Rapid Transit

Since the Singapore Changi Airport is massive with a slew of terminals sprawled across the expanse, the airport has provided a dedicated Mass Rapid Transit network which works as a perfect connection for Singapore Expo site as well as the Changi Airport. There are underground lines called the Changi Airport MRT station which links Terminal 2 and 3. A Downtown Line opened recently owing to the tremendous demand for the route connecting Pasir Ris and Tuas link. The dedicated shuttle service connects the Expo from Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang to and from the city. The MRT is considered to be one of the most convenient ways to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. A plan to build Land Transport Masterplan is in the works that would be extended to Terminal 5 of Singapore Changi Airport. The plan is said to be concluded by 2040.

Bus

There are dedicated bus services to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. They are operated by SBS Transit, Go-Ahead Singapore and SMRT Buses. These buses have excellent stops which connect Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as well. Another route that connects the first three terminals is from the basement busy bays. One of the best ways to reach Singapore Changi Airport also has coaches that traverse from Johor Bahru. They start coaches and stand at Terminals 1,2 and 3.

Taxi and rentals

Taxis and rentals are also available at the Singapore Changi Airport. You can find efficient taxis and rentals from the city centre to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. You can avail limousine services as well to reach the Singapore Changi Airport.