Colombo to Tiruchirapally Flights

  About Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is one of the holiday destinations that you must add to your travel list. It is also known for its eclectic dining scene and its nightlife. It is also a great place to shop for clothes, wedding invitations and indulge in spa treatments. Sri Lanka is also known for its wildlife and elephant sanctuaries. It is the perfect place to go to if you want to club your luxurious, relaxing holiday plans with adventures. You can either volunteer to help out at an Elephant Sanctuary or sign up for a walking tour. Do try the ayurvedic spas in the city to relieve yourself of all the stress. You can book a hotel in Colombo at an affordable price. While it is not exactly the cheapest holiday destination in Asia, it is worth every money spent. The city is also known for its temples and no matter which religion you follow, you will find a temple of your choice of deity/religion here.

Best Time to Visit Colombo

January to March is ideal for taking off to Colombo on a trip since they are the driest months of the year. The best season to visit, however, is winter from November to March. Winters are quite chilly, and it is the best time to go sightseeing, too. The rainfall does not affect any of your sightseeing plans or any other outdoor activities. It is also an ideal time to head to the beaches and indulges in a few water activities. Colombo also has a very vibrant nightlife that is best experienced in winter when there is barely any rainfall. You can book a hotel in Colombo that is either close to the beach or the nightclubs, depending on how you intend to spend your holiday. The temperature ranges from 25 to 30 degree Celsius. January to March is the high tourist season in Colombo, and a lot of attractions will be filled with tourists. Colombo is also filled with festive spirit during these months as they celebrate festivals like Thai Pongal, Independence Day of Sri Lanka, New Year and Duruthu Perahera Festival. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Colombo well in advance if you are on a budget. If you are planning to go to Colombo on your honeymoon, this is the best time to go.

Colombo experiences summer from May to October, and it is considered as an off-season for tourists. Not only is it unbearably hot in the city, but it is also quite humid, so much that you won't feel like stepping out of your hotel at all. The temperature ranges from 28 to 32 degrees and will only make you uncomfortable. However, since it is offseason, you will get great flight deals to Colombo online. It also rains during this season and might lead to a hailstorm sometimes. If you are not an outdoorsy person and prefer indoor activities, this might be the best time for you to head to Colombo. You will also get really good hotels at a reasonable price during this time since it is offseason and the demand is low. You can sip cocktails by the pool in your hotel or indulge in relaxing spa treatments. You can also explore the Pettah market during this time without being hassled by the tourist crowd. It starts raining from May to August, and it rains intermittently in September and October. The temperature ranges around 28 degree Celsius during this time.

Places to Visit in Colombo

Galle Face Green is a popular beach park in Colombo that you can visit. You can also indulge in a lot of water activities at the beach. Pettah Market is another popular destination where you can go on a shopping spree and walk away with high-end luxury items at the lowest prices. Fort-Colombo is an important tourist attraction in the capital of Sri Lanka. It is the political and cultural heritage of the country and is also known for its vibrant nightlife. A major part is shut because of the turbulence caused by the Civil War. You will also find a lot of casinos here. The National Museum of Colombo is the largest one in Sri Lanka. It was founded by the British Governor of Ceylon from 1872 to 1877, William Henry Gregory. You will find artwork that dates back to the British Colonial and Portuguese era, along with a lot of artefacts. The Gangaramaya temple is famous for its blend of culture and architectural styles from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese and India. It was built in the 19th century and is a place of Buddhist worship and learning. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is another Buddhist temple that was built in the 5th century, which holds a lot of historical importance. The temple sees a lot of tourists and devotees during the Duruthu Maha Perehera every January and on full moon days of every month. The paintings and sculptures in the temple will tell you tales from Lord Buddha's life and the Jataka Tales.

Beira Lake is another popular landmark in the city where you can head to if you want to relax and soak in the beautiful views. It is also a highly recommended place for couples to head to in Colombo. Colombo Zoo also called the National Zoological Garden of Sri Lanka, houses over 300 different species of animals, birds, marine life and reptiles from all over the world. Casino Marina started in 2013 and is usually filled with elite tourists in the evenings. You can gamble away till wee hours of the night or enjoy the view of the sea from here. World Trade Centre is one of the most famous colonial buildings that you will find in the Old Fort area. St Lucia's Cathedral got its name after the saint martyr, St Lucia, who is believed to have protected everyone with eye problems in Colombo. It was built in 1760, and the Gothic style architecture draws tourists to it every year. Panadura and Crow Island Beaches are quite popular in the city and the best spots to indulge in recreational activities. You will find a lot of beach parks and temples in the city that are worth a visit.

Things to do in Colombo

Sign up for a city tour of Colombo and indulge in all the activities that come with your tour package. You can also get a customised tour of places that are of interest to you and activities that you have listed in your itinerary. Sri Lanka is known for its seafood and treating yourself to fresh seafood at Mt Lavinia Beach is highly recommended. While you can always rent a taxi for the entire day to get around the city, you can also enjoy a tuk-tuk ride, which is a popular way for locals to get around the city. Pettah Market, Good Market, Paradise Road are some of the popular places in the city for you to go on a shopping spree. You can also indulge in rejuvenating massage therapies at the spas in Colombo. The city also offers scuba diving at certain locations. If you want to give water sports a try, make sure you try this one. Most beaches also have boating, surfing and other water activities for you to try.

Food and Restaurants in Colombo

Seafood, especially prawns, is popular in Colombo since it is a coastal city. Curry Leaf and Seafood's Cove are some of the popular restaurants for you to binge on seafood or other types of meat. The city also has a lot of Indian restaurants; a lot of them have a vegetarian menu, too. Spice Coast is known for its biryani, Chana's for delicious North Indian cuisine and Shanmugas for its vegetarian menu. While you are trying seafood in the city, make sure you also try the chilli crabs. Paradise Road Gallery Cafe is a lovely cafe that is set in a walled garden and also has rotating exhibitions by local artists. It is considered as one of the most romantic restaurants in Colombo and is popular for its cakes. Rare is a chic and modern restaurant in Colombo with wonderful service. The restaurant uses organic produce to cook their unique, delicious cuisines and also boast of a wine cellar with over 150 labels. The lagoon is one of the best seafood restaurants in Colombo, and the fish curries, lobster Thermidor and raw sashimi are their speciality dishes.

How to reach Colombo (Transportation)

Bandaranaike International Airport, also called Colombo International Airport, is about 32 km north of Colombo. The flight connectivity to Colombo from India is excellent. While there are only a few direct flights to Colombo from India, most of the flights have layovers in Chennai or Bangalore. GoAir, Indigo and Spicejet have the maximum number of flights from India. However, Vistara and Srilankan Airlines have direct flights that help you reach the city in 2-3 hours instead of 6 hours. It is also quite easy to get cheap flight tickets to Colombo from India.

  About Tiruchirappali

Tiruchirappalli is famously known by its shorter forms, Trichy and Tiruchi. It is a big city in Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest in terms of urban agglomeration. The city sits in the centre of the state of Tamil Nadu and enjoys a plethora of pilgrimage sites. Tiruchirappalli also has the Kaveri river flowing through the city. In the ancient years, the city is known to have been under the rule of various dynasties such as Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Pallavas and Nayaks too. Hence, the city has interesting structures and temples that glorify the ancient dynasties.

Tiruchirappalli is a major roadway and railway hub in the south of the state. Not to mention how it also has an international airport. In fact, the Tiruchirappalli International Airport has about five domestic flight services and seven international flights flying in and out of the city. Tiruchirappalli's international routes by flights are well-connected. Not to mention the flight connectivity of Tiruchirappalli to Indian metro cities is also quite remarkable.

Best time to visit Tiruchirapalli

Being on the Southern-most district of Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirapalli suffers from the excess heat and humidity that comes with summer. Not to mention how the weather continues to stay back to make it uncomfortable for people. Locals are used to the hot and humid weather which is teamed with erratic rain schedules and downpour. The maximum temperature peaks up to 41 degree Celsius in Tiruchirapalli during summers. The months from March to May are not ideal for tourism in the city. With temperatures ranging from 36 degree Celsius to 41 degree Celsius, it doesn't look good for tourism. Sadly, the humidity makes it worse. Flight tickets to Tiruchirapalli during this time is actually low and affordable. Many use this opportunity to leave the city and go someplace with cool vibes. If you do plan to visit the city during winter, then be prepared for the excess heat. Carry appropriate clothes on your trip and do not venture out without a bottle of water. Constant hydration is required, especially during summers.

June to September is monsoon month for Tiruchirapalli. However, the weather is erratic with moderate to heavy rainfalls taking over the city. While the rains do bring some relief to people who have been dealing with the scorching summer sun at Tiruchirapalli, it is accompanied by humidity, something worse than heat. There is excess moisture in the air which only makes the city hotter. However, as long as you pick a pleasant date when the heat won't be too much, that would be ideal. Plus, the city does witness scenic bliss as the rain drenches the town and its greenery. The whole sight is beautiful and worth witnessing. Hotel bookings in Tiruchirapalli with monsoon present is quite cheap and affordable. As it is an off-season for the tourism in the city, they drop the accommodation prices to make it friendly for every kind of pocket.

Out of the three seasons, winter is the most pleasant to be experienced by the city and in the city. With winters, the temperatures actually drop down to 19 degree Celsius. In fact, the maximum it rises to is 22 degree Celsius. Not only is this favourable for tourism, but it is also suitable for locals to engage the travellers. With less heat in the environment, it is a tremendous spike in the tourism of the city. Pilgrims flock over to visit some of the temples in the city, the hotel bookings at Tiruchirapalli are reasonable, if not expensive. December to February is especially ideal for tourism as the weather is simply out of the world.

Places to visit in Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli is recognised as a temple city, much like many other cities in Tamil Nadu. With the Dravidian-style architecture and gopurams in every temple, the city witnesses beautiful temple shrines that only add more charm to pilgrimage. During your time in the city, seek blessings at the Samayapuram Amman Temple, Rockfort Ganpathi Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Viralimalai Murugan Temple, to name a few temples. The tourist attractions in Tiruchirapalli are mostly temples. However, some exceptions are found with the presence of the Kallanai Dam and Makkombu, a picnic spot.

Things to do in Tiruchirappali

Aside from pilgrimage, there is nothing much to do in the city. In fact, what you can do is visit the temples and learn about their significance. The Kolli Hills are located closeby and can be visited. You can sit under the Puliyancholai Waterfalls and feel at peace with a tranquil surrounding. Within the Kolli Hills, there is another waterfall called Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, which you should explore. The white waterfall is a beautiful sight.

Food and Restaurants in Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirappalli might be known for South Indian cuisine, but they also entertain varied styles of cooking that don't necessarily have to be Indian. From Chinese to Italian, you will find some exciting tastes from the global kitchen. As a city with many temples and holy sites, Tiruchirappalli offers a range of mainly South Indian vegetarian dishes. The restaurants have recipes ranging from the staple idli, vada, sambar to some interesting twist of coastal seafood such as prawns, fish curry and more. You will not be bored with the food in the city as it caters to a diverse background. Of course, though, the highlight of the dishes has got to be Chettinad-style food. The said dish is quite popular in Tamil Nadu. It involves sun-dried meat marinated with freshly ground spices to give it lovely flavours. You should totally taste Chettinad food.

This can be found at Kannappa Chettinad Restaurant. The hotel chain is quite snazzy with an impeccable dining hall and perfect for a family outing. The place also serves pepper chicken and mutton biryani. Ezham Suvai is another amazing restaurant that plays with flavours to give the best food to the customers. Thanks to its diversity in cuisine, the place is always packed with tourists and even locals. It offers a splendid fusion of cuisine ranging from Gujarati, Jain, Chinese and Tandoori. However, to get the best of tandoori, you should definitely head to the Arab Spice Family restaurant. With moderate prices for dishes, the place certainly has great service and food.

Chellammal Samayal, Apple Millet, Banana Leaf are some of the restaurant chains that stick to the basics of traditional South India food. They sell authentic food and great ambience to the customers, which works out pretty well for them. Trichy Arusuvai restaurant, Meridian restaurant, Padma Cafe, are also some lovely restaurants where you will be met with tasty food.

How to reach Tiruchirappalli (Transportation)

By Air

Tiruchirappalli International Airport is acknowledged as the third largest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and Coimbatore, in terms of passenger traffic. As the airport serves flights coming in from international routes to Tiruchirappalli, it experiences a good passenger footfall. The flight connectivity to Tiruchirappalli from cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Hyderabad, to name a few, is splendid. More than serving flights coming from domestic routes in Tiruchirappalli, the airport caters to international cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and more. Airlines such as AirAsia, IndiGo, SriLankan Airlines, Alliance Air, Air India Express, Scoot and more, have flights flying to and from Tiruchirappalli on a regular basis. The airport has a fascinating history as it was established amid the Second World War by the British. Used by the British Airforce, the airport played a base to the British warplanes during the war. The airport is accessible too as it is only 5 km away from the main city, making transit within the city favourable.

By Rail

Just like the airport, even the Tiruchirappalli Junction is considered to be an important railway station in Tamil Nadu. After Chennai and Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli Junction becomes the third important railway junction in the state due to its excellent network with neighbouring cities. It is necessary that you first check the train schedule and ticket availability. The city witnesses tremendous footfall from other cities in India, making ticket reservations a little questionable. A majority of tourists usually opt for the railways to reach the city due to its good connectivity. Major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Delhi have dedicated express trains to and from Tiruchirappalli. Express trains such as Kanyakumari Express, Mumbai - Nagercoil Express, Thirukkkural Express and Anantapuri Express are some of the trains that regularly visit the city.

By Road

As a flourishing city, the road connectivity to Tiruchirappalli is also just as good as the flight and train connectivity. The Central Bus Station sees bus services from various cities within Tamil Nadu as well as cities from neighbouring states. In fact, some buses are also available that travel from Kolkata, Vizag, Bangalore, and more. Ticket bookings can be made via online apps and through a travel agent. However, in comparison to the other modes of transport, travelling to Tiruchirappalli via road is considered to be the least favourable. The roads leading to the city is not well-maintained. Not to mention how the duration and comfort level is compromised when travelling via road. Best to opt for a more viable choice such as flights to Tiruchirappalli or trains, unless you're travelling from within the state. There are many buses and domestic routes connected to Tiruchirappalli from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and more.

  About Colombo Airport

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport, popularly known as Bandaranaike International Airport is the international hub that serves Sri Lanka. The airport is situated at Negombo and has been named after SWRD Bandaranaike, the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

About Airport Terminals

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport stretches about 32.5 km at Katunayake. The airport accommodates three passenger terminals with Terminal 1 being reserved for international airlines and flight activity. Terminal 2 also caters to international activities while Terminal 3 is set for domestic airline functions. Terminal 1 is the oldest and largest terminal in the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport with 12 gates. It opened back in 1967. Departure and arrival are also located in the same terminal and separated horizontally. Currently, all the international operations take place from this terminal. The terminal is connected to one concourse which has all the 12 gates. The terminal also has two lounges with Srilankan Airlines' famous Serendib Lounge being installed. Along with this, the Palm Spirit lounge is also located in proximity. Terminal 1 also has a dedicated cafeteria, day-rooms, showers, duty-free shops and a smoking lounge.

Terminal 2 has been constructed and opened much recently. It has eight gates and accommodates departure and arrival areas which are separated vertically. As per expansion plans, the airport plans to build an extension to Terminal 2 which will be built in stages and phases. The new terminal is set to have eight boarding gates along with 14 passenger boarding bridges. The proposed development plan also has bridge accommodations for Airbus A380. Terminal 3 came into existence in 2012 and has since been used for domestic operations. The departure and arrival zones are strategically separated in a horizontal manner. There is a dedicated Cargo Terminal that takes care of all cargo airline activities. The arrival and departure are separated in the same way as terminal 1, horizontally.

About Airport Authority

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport is owned by the Government of Sri Lanka while it is operated by Airport and Aviation Services Limited (AASL). AASL is a government body that has statutory powers to administer, manage and work on the development of the airport. The statutory body is also known to be a big contributor to Sri Lanka's economy as the civil aviation industry has witnessed tremendous financial revenues from the airport. Other airports that also fall under the AASL umbrella are Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Ratmalana Airport, Batticaloa Airport and Jaffna International Airport.

The airport has been going through some tremendous expansion plans and developments with a view to accommodating more airlines and flights. A split-level passenger terminal building is being constructed which would be separating both the departures as well as the arrivals vertically. Further on the same, there are constructions for a passenger boarding bridges that would directly connect to the new Airbus A380. Adding to the infrastructure would be a remote apron along with nine parking bays to facilitate air traffic movement. Stage II of the expansion seeks to acquiesce 600 hectares of land for construction of a new runway that can accommodate newer airplanes as well as aircraft maintenance and repair centre.

Top airlines flying from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport accommodates various airlines as it is recognized to be one of the best tourist destinations. With its proximity to India, the airport sees a good amount of flights flying to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from the Indian cities. Some of the biggest Indian airlines operate from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport are Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. These airlines have dedicated direct flights to Sri Lanka. Indian cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Kochi, to name a few, have provisions of direct flight connections to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.

Similarly, various international airlines are also linked to Sri Lanka. In fact, some of the international airlines that operate from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Cinnamon Air, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Salam Air, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and SCAT Airlines. A majority of the flight activities come from the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. A handful of cargo carriers also fly in and out of the airport. These include Cathay Pacific Cargo, Turkish Airlines Cargo, SriLankan Cargo and Etihad Cargo.

Facilities at Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

ATM, banks and currency exchange - The airport has a bunch of local banks and ATM services available. If you need to make the currency exchange for travelling within Sri Lanka or if you need some cash in hand for your destination outside the country, it can be arranged at the airport's premise.

Communication services - If you are in need of a local SIM service for your trip, you can get hold of the same at the airport itself. There are booths at the arrivals where they have telecommunication services. With necessary identification documents, you can get hold of the SIM.

Free WiFI - There are free WiFi services available at the airport. You will need to go to the website of Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport to avail the same. Or you can visit the information desk to learn more about how to work around it.

Medical services - To ensure that medical emergencies at the airport are resolved quickly, the airport has also installed designated medical rooms and services. You can find them as well as pharmacies also at the airport. In case you are unable to find them, you can visit the nearest information desk and get more details. The airport paramedic services are known to be of good quality.

Baggage - With respect to baggage services, the airport offers a slew of facilities that would be beneficial. You can get hold of services ranging from wrapping plastic on the luggage, trolleys, storage facilities for the luggage, delivering luggage to the specified destination and more.

Pet assistance - There is room for pet services at the airport too. In case you are travelling with pets, there are professional staff who can take care of your pets as well as their needs. They would require authorized papers and documents from the Department of Animal Production and Health.

Porter service - You can avail porter services at the airport. Basically, you will have to inform your airlines well in advance to book a porter service. The airport staff will escort you through the terminals and take care of your luggage. This would include a security check of the bags, wrapping services, etc.

Airport lounge - There are three lounges at the airport, namely, Lotus, Araliya and Executive. The lounges have been designed in a way to enhance tranquillity and excellent hospitality. You can relax in the lounge, and at the same time, you can avail their services too. These include rich culinary delights, good resting space and complimentary showers and spa.

Restaurants and cafe - Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport has many restaurants and cafes available. The departures and arrivals have good food establishments located perfectly to cater to passengers. Along with restaurants, the airport also as dedicated food courts that is in proximity to the lounge area.

Smoking zone - Smoking in public space is prohibited in Sri Lanka. Hence, the airport has also reserved a space for a smoking lounge. You can make purchases for cigarette boxes at nearby shops within the airport premise.

Transit Hotel - The airport's transit hotel is named Serendiva and offers world-class contemporary decor, aesthetic construction, modern amenities and top-notch hospitality. The interiors are known to bring about the rich culture of Sri Lanka. It is situated on the main pier of the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport's arrival/departure zone. The hotel is also surrounded by duty-free shops, lounges, immigration counters, cafes and more.

How to reach Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

The airport offers exemplary transport services and is well-connected to the main city. Although you would be required to travel a little depending on your itinerary and which part of the country you'll be visiting. But you will be able to reach the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from different parts of the country. There are public buses, transport services and taxicabs available.

Buses

Express public buses are available within the city that can reach you to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport. It would only take about 25 mins to reach Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from Colombo (Pettah) bus stand. From here, you can traverse through all parts of the country without any hassle. You will need to get used to the crowd because the buses are always packed.

Taxicab services

The city is well-connected by taxicab services that can be availed to reach the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport. In fact, the airport also sees counters and lanes with taxi services outside the airport's arrival section. The arrival porch allows a fleet of 600 vehicles with fixed rates. With the taxicab, you can reach any part of the country, but it might get expensive depending on the distance from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.

  About Tiruchirapalli Airport

Tiruchirapalli International Airport serves the city of Tiruchirapalli, which is located in the Southern district of Tamil Nadu, in India. The airport is situated on National Highway 336 and is approximately 5 km from the city centre. It is recorded as the 31st busiest airports in India, in terms of passenger traffic and is the third-largest airport in the state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and Coimbatore. The Tiruchirapalli International Airport is also recognised as the only airport in Tamil Nadu to serve more international airlines than domestic ones. Overall, the airport allows operations and connectivity of 7 international destinations and five domestic. Originally, the airport came into existence during World War II and served the British as part of their British Airforce. It catered as a maintenance dock for warplanes. After the war ended though, the locals received permission to convert it into a civilian airport for passenger travel operations.

About Tiruchirapalli Airport Terminals

The Tiruchirapalli International Airport has two terminals to cater to domestic and international airlines. The terminals are adjacent and have an integrated passenger terminal which is utilised for both, domestic and international air traffic. The older terminal has now been converted into an international cargo complex which stands at an area of 43,000 sq ft cargo complex. It was commissioned back in 2011 for operational purposes. The terminal is two-story and is handled with a capacity of nearly 0.49 passengers, per year. On peak hours, the capacity of the airport to handle passengers is 470. The new terminal has various intriguing features, including 12 check-in counters with 16 immigration counters. A baggage assistance counter is also present where you can get your baggage wrapping done if needed. There are two lounges in the Tiruchirapalli International Airport with a VIP lounge that is handled by the AAI. The airport also has five X-ray scanners to help with baggage that can later be sent for check-in. With three aerobridges and seven aircraft stands, the airport further has enough space for parking. Expansion work is in progress at the Tiruchirapalli International Airport.

About airport authority

The Tiruchirapalli International Airport is owned by the Ministry of Civil Aviation while it is operated under the Airports Authority of India. Also known as AAI, the statutory body works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Overall, the organisation falls under the Government of India and takes the responsibility of upgradation, maintenance and management of the aviation activities along with the infrastructure of all the airports owned by them. The Airports Authority of India came into existence in 1994 after a merge between the two bodies International Airports Authority of India and National Airports Authority was commissioned. Since then, the body is responsible for all the airports that fall under its direct wing.

Top airlines flying from Trichy Airport

Tiruchirappalli International Airport serves majorly as an international airport as it has more airlines for destinations abroad. Even the airport has more international airlines operating as opposed to the domestic ones. You can find international airlines such as AirAsia, Air India Express, Malindo Air, Scoot and Srilankan Airlines, operate from the Tiruchirappalli International Airport. The airlines connect to international cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Singapore, Dubai and Colombo-Bandaranaike. The airport is quite popular for the excellent connectivity it has with foreign countries. Meanwhile, only two domestic airlines are operating from the Tiruchirappalli International Airport. Alliance Air and IndiGo are the two domestic airlines that have flight services from the Trichy International Airport. The airlines cater to connecting the Tiruchirappalli International Airport with Indian cities such as Delhi, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The airport only caters to major cities in the South of India with New Delhi as an exception.

Facilities at Tiruchirapalli Airport

Lounge - Operated by the Airports Authority of India, Tiruchirapalli Airport has two lounges. Presently, the airport caters to the VIP lounge and the CIP (important commercial persons) lounge. Both the lounges are managed by AAI and are present in the new integrated terminal. The lounges are reserved only for people with specific ticket types or memberships with airlines. Some of the finest facilities are available at the airport lounge to cater to the comfort needs of the passengers. The seating arrangement is relaxing, and the ambience is also perfect for passengers to unwind while they wait to board the flight. There are facilities to rest in the airport lounge as well. You can sleep for a bit before your flight takes off.

Baggage - The airport's baggage facilities are also quite good. They have many services ranging from porter facilities to baggage wrapping deals. You can get your baggage wrapped in plastic at the airport. The benefits of this are that your baggage will be safe and secure. In the case of mishandling or theft, the same would be recognised by the tampering of the luggage. Trolleys are also available at all junctions of the airport's departure and arrivals sections.

Special assistance - Facilities to accommodate special assistance with respect to helping passengers with mobility issues and such are provided at Tiruchirapalli Airport. It is recommended that the passenger inform the airlines about the special requirements beforehand. That way, the airport would be able to reserve all the necessary equipment as well as a staff to help them with their travel concerns. They have professionals who will help the passenger with wheelchairs and other such amenities.

Restaurants and cafes - Food-related services are also available at the airport. You can opt for a snack or delve into a full-course meal. The airport has small-time local joints as well as decent restaurants available. These can be found near the departure and arrival sections of the new integrated terminal. There are multiple establishments for coffee, tea and other beverages as well.

Medical services - First aid is a necessity that every airport should have. Tiruchirapalli Airport has also ensured to follow the same protocol by installing proper medical service counters at all junctions. There is a dedicated room for medical emergencies. Simultaneously, the airport also has pharmacies present in the vicinity. You can find medications or experts to help you with the same.

ATMs - There are dedicated ATM kiosks also available at Tiruchirapalli Airport. In case you have run out of cash and need to withdraw some for airport indulgences, you wouldn't have to worry as they do have ATMs. The shops in the airport vicinity also accept credit and debit cards along with some other means of money transfers.

Duty-Free shops - Much recently, the airport has introduced duty-free shops where passengers can purchase handicrafts and other items. The shops sell some of the finest goods such as coffee, religious items and handicrafts that are a speciality of Tiruchirapalli. You will find some small idols of gods as well, including that of Lord Ganesha. The shops are a good way to kill time before you can board your flight.

Travel agents - At the airport, another perk is to find travel agents who can book touristy activities, hotels and transportation on your behalf. They are present in the arrivals section. The travel agents also have enough information and passenger guide to the city that you can check out. From city attractions to how to reach places, the airport's travel agents would help you out with all the necessary information.

Smoking rooms - There are dedicated smoking zones also available at the airport. To avoid smoking in public, the airport has installed a smoking lounge. Passengers are prohibited from smoking anywhere else but the lounge facility.

How to reach Trichy Airport

The Tiruchirappalli International Airport is situated on the National Highway 336, connecting Pudukottai and Trichy. It has great connectivity with bus services from within the city. There are city buses from the Central Bus Stand and Chatram Bus Stand that connect directly to the airport. You can reach the Tiruchirappalli International Airport by hopping onto one of the buses. These buses would drop you to the airport terminal, which is perfect. The buses are exclusively operated to make reaching the Tiruchirappalli International Airport far more convenient. No metre-line connects to the airport, neither is there a nearby railway station. Aside from the buses, booking a rental is one of the easiest ways to reach Trichy Airport. Much recently, a taxiway and passenger terminal have been constructed at the Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

About Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli or famously referred to as Trichy or Tiruchi is a major city in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is known to be the fourth largest following Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, in the state. Geographically, the city is located right in the centre of the state with Cauvery Delta beginning about 16 km from the west of Tiruchirapalli. The city's recorded history dates back to 3rd century BC with the rule of the Cholas. The city has also witnessed the rule of the Pandayas, Nayak Dynasty, Pallavas, Vijaynagar Empire and eventually, the British Raj. The diverse reign is reflected in their monuments and historic sites. The city houses one of the most engineering universities in the state, the National Institute of Technology.