Dehra Dun to Munich Flights

  About Dehradun

Nestled perfectly on the lap of the Doon Valley is the beautiful hill station Dehradun. The city is actually the capital of Uttarakhand as we and resides on the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. The hill station sees a mild climate thanks to its geographical location. The rivers Gangs and Yamuna also flow on either side of Dehradun. Bring the capital of the state, Dehradun has impeccable flight connectivity to and from other metropolitan cities. Not to mention, the city transport also allows travellers to explore other Himalayan destinations such as Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Auli, to name a few. Dehradun also boasts quaint accommodations. You can book hotels in Dehradun as a wide range of options are available.

Best time to visit Fehradun

The summers in Dehradun are pleasant as the sky is clear, and the air is refreshing. The months between March to June are ideal as the summers of Dehradun allow you to venture out exploring and don't put a damper on your travel plans. The maximum the temperature rises to is 35 degrees Celsius while it can drop ho to 17 degrees Celsius.

Interestingly, the monsoons are just as pleasant. The lush green expanses of Dehradun turn into pristine hues and worth visiting. The city looks lively with the nature springing to life during monsoon. The months between July to September are also a good bet for those who wish to enjoy piping hot kullad chais and exquisite views.

Although Dehradun doesn't experience snow as the maximum temperature drop is close to 3 degrees Celsius, it still offers a beautiful sight. The cold winds blowing across the city while the winter sun teases the landscape is yet again a picturesque sight. Besides, one can easily take this time to venture out and see more of what the hill station has to offer.

The concept of the best season to visit Dehradun does not exist as it caters to all kinds of audience and is open all-year-round.

Places to see in Dehradun

The leisure town of Dehradun perfectly connects with several beautiful places such as Mussoorie and Rishikesh, to name a few. While a majority of crowd chooses to head straight to these places instead, you should know about some of the highlights that make Dehradun touristy.

Tapkeshwar Temple

Uttarakhand has numerous temples and shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of the famous temples in the State is the Tapkeshwar Temple. What makes this temple extraordinary is the fact that the Shivlinga has been sacredly placed within a cave. To visit the temple, you will have to go through thick forests and enter a cave as the deity's idol is placed within. The way the temple is constructed makes the setting quite the visual spectacle. The location is barely 6 km from the city centre and can be covered easily. The caves are especially lit during Shivratri as devotees from all corners of the world flock over to offer their prayers.

Malsi Deer Park

Malsi Deer Park is a zoological setting curated by the wildlife department of the State. It's a smaller version of the Rajaji National Park with more expansive areas to explore and excursions to be conducted. Aside from the natural beauty and the abundant flora and fauna that the park inhabits, the place also offers joyrides to engage kids. There are spaces of rides and games to entertain kids within the park. Deer Park is on the Mussoorie road and just 10 km away from the city.

Robber's Cave

Another favourite picnic spot in Dehradun is the Robber's cave. Well, technically, it is more of a romantic escapade for newlyweds or couples in love. These natural caves in Dehradun have unusual cold springs within that make it an attraction. Along with some eccentric attributes, there are quite a few waterfalls within the caves too which make for a refreshing experience. The beauty of the caves makes travellers visit the place more than once. Plus, it also gives people a chance to trek a little.

Aside from these highlights, there are various temples and monasteries within the city that should be explored. Places such as Shiv Mandir, Fun Valley, Maldevta, Tapovan are some tourist attractions in the town of Dehradun.

Things to do in Dehradun

Chopta Tungnath Trek

Doon Valley plays an excellent host to adventure junkies who wish to explore more of the valley's natural beauty and serenity. Chopta Tungnath trek is one such trek that you can pick as the summit is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. The trekking trails through Tungnath is rich in biodiversity and makes for a fun expedition. On your journey, you will witness some gorgeous tall deodar and pine trees interspersed with coloured rhododendrons and silver oaks. As you reach the Chandrashila peak, you'll be met with the views of the snowcapped Himalayas with sunrays escaping through the gaps. The breath-taking sights would undoubtedly be worth all the trek. The locals would also tell you tales and folklore that connects Tungnath to Lord Shiva.

Har Ki Dun Trek

One of the popular treks often chosen by travellers is the Har Ki Dun Trek which leads to a combined view of Babdarpoonch, Ruinsara and Black peak mountain tops, also known as Swargarohini. A little away from the city of Dehradun, this trek is quite spiritually driven as the valley is tied to stories of Duryodhana from Mahabharata. The villagers believe and worship him and have some intriguing accounts to explain what makes him such a venerated personality.

You can take this trek in all seasons as it is not risky. The Himalayan trails will acquaint you with some exotic alpine trees, Rhododendron flowers, expanses of green grass, glaciers, quaint temples, Tamsa river and more.

Paltan Bazaar

For the shopaholic in you, Paltan Bazaar with it's happening vibe is the best place to indulge in Dehradun after a long day. Starting from Clock Tower, the bazaar stretches up to the Dehradun railway station. From exciting and inexpensive handicrafts, clothes, bags, shoes, etc., street food binge, the Paltan Bazaar will keep you entertained.

Food and Restaurants in Dehradun

Dehradun's cuisine is a mix of Indian teamed with Tibetan, Chinese and South Indian too! From Chetan Poori Wala's lip-smacking platter to Kalsang's Momo magic, the hill station houses some of the best street food that you should definitely check out. The sheer variety of delicious food is wholesome and perfect for pleasant weather.

Kalsang has quite a few branches across the State where you'll be served some of the best authentic Tibetan and Chinese cuisine. The must-have dishes include thupka, thenthuk and chilli momos which come with spicey gravy made out of bell peppers and shallots. Plus, do not forget to try the Tibetan buns along with fruit beers.

Chetan Puri Wala is another major highlight of Dehradun's street food. Located at main Hanuman Chowk, the quaint shop gives wholesome meal plates comprising of chole, aloo, methi sabzi and more along with hot fluffy pooris. The shop has been covered by NDTV Good Times too by the foodie duo Rocky and Mayur's food show.

Besides these three famous shops, you should also visit Maggi Points, Kumar Sweet, Gaylord Ice cream Parlour, Bobby Fast Food Corner, Buffet Snacks Shop and Ellora Bakery, to name a few. You'll be thoroughly amazed by the variety and taste.

How to reach Dehradun

By Air

Dehradun's prominence as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India has made its travel connectivity strong. The Jolly Grant Airport, located 22km away from the city of Dehradun, has excellent flight connectivity to and from major cities. There are direct flights from metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and more. Airlines such as SpiceJet, GoAir have regular flights flying to and from Dehradun, making it perfect for travel. You can book cheap flight tickets to Dehradun in advance to avoid the expensive costs. Simultaneously, you can also book hotel rooms in Dehradun, who can send vehicles to pick you up from the airport. The distance is not a lot, and there are transport services available at Dehradun airport too.

By Rail

As an established tourist destination in India, the train connectivity to and from Dehradun is also commendable. There are trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and Varanasi that are directly connected to Dehradun Railway Station. The railway station is located within the city, so transport from the station becomes easier. Although the duration spent to reach Dehradun by train is more than one would want to pay. There are taxi cabs and vehicles that you can rent from the station during your stay in the popular hill station.

By Road

Bus facilities to Dehradun are also available and can be found from New Delhi's Kashmere Gate. Since the trip can be completed overnight, a majority of buses heading to Dehradun from Delhi depart from the city in the evenings. You can find a plethora of bus services from Kashmere Gate ranging from Deluxe AC buses to seater Volvo buses. In fact, the State-owned Uttarakhand transport service also has buses that depart and arrive in the city of Dehradun regularly. Many tourists even consider road trips to Dehradun from Delhi and can choose the domestic route via NH 72 for the same.

  About Munich

Bavaria's capital and an important city in Germany, Munich is home to some of the finest locations as well as landmarks from the German history. The city boasts a fancy and relaxed culture where food and beer are given equal amounts of love and attention. Even the automobiles are considered as equals aside from all the gastronomy.

Best time to visit Munich

Spring in Munich is considered to be the best time to visit the gorgeous city. These months bringing in summers to the Bavarian city do quite a good job. The winters thaw, and the summers begin to beckon more tourist activities. Late spring with its amiable temperatures, would be an ideal time to check out the best of the city. The winds are calm and relaxing, plus the cafes are quaint and pretty. Plus, the first Auer Dult also takes place in April (a traditional market setting which is set up thrice in a year). With fewer summer tourists in the city, you can book hotels in Munich for cheap. This is followed by the summers from June to August. As the city witnesses a spike in its tourism with higher temperatures, you might have a tough time finding cheap and comfortable accommodations. The best thing to do to be on the safe side would be to book a hotel in Munich a few months in advance. That way, you wouldn't have to deal with the sudden price surge. The summers see events such as Munich Film Festival, Christopher Street Day, Tollwood, Opera Festival and Munich Summer of Music. These key events certainly are fun to indulge in.

Winter months don't see a lot of tourists for obvious reasons. The city is too cold to venture out or engage in tourist activities. This is also the time when the hotel prices drop, and the flight tickets are easily available. If you are unfazed by the cold and snow during these months, you should visit Munich for the Christmas festivities. Of course, don't think we've forgotten the famous Oktoberfest. The celebrations of Oktoberfest starts from late September to early October, the city's beer festival means excess crowd and exuberant demand for hotels and hostels. To visit Munich during Oktober Fest, you will have to book your hotels and accommodations well in advance. The demand is too high and for the right reasons.

Places to visit in Munich

Munich, as a cosmopolitan city, has far too many beautiful structures and historical settings to offer for tourists. They have a pretty exciting list of tourist attractions that range from historic palaces to their automobile world. What manages to keep the tourists hooked to their culture and historical significance is how well they have all been preserved. Don't just be content by their BMW World, which is a stunning setting for petrolheads, something you should know. The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is a lovely expanse of a public park which is located within the city centre. As the name suggests, the park is very English-styled with famous Biergarten, eclectic monuments within the premises, sparkling lakes flowing and perfect paths to jog or bike on. Frauenkirche or Church of our Lady is another intriguing setting that you will find in Munich. The two dome-topped towers have historical significance as they were used during World War II by the Allied for bombing purposes. The observation platform of the structure is exquisite. For a religious tour, head to St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) which is one of the most ancient and tiniest churches. Give a small payment fee, and you will get to go to the top of the church's tower to witness the view of the gorgeous Bavaria.

Deutsches Museum is undoubtedly one of the more interesting places to visit. Thanks to their collection of brilliance from the science and technology spheres, it has easily become a favourite among tourists. It has exhibitions of many scientific discoveries ranging from transportation to musical instruments and their genesis. Another interesting park within the English Garden is the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm (Chinese Tower). It is basically a tower nestled within the English Garden that offers a splendid view of the park. For the automobile enthusiasts out there, who are on a trip to Munich, you should definitely not miss out their prized jewel, the BMW Welt. The vast space is dedicated to Germany's top exports, BMW automobiles and parts. Along with the cars, the architecture will surely take your breath away. From the history of BMW to their latest work, information about everything related to the automobile company can be found here in the gallery. To add more regal to your sightseeing list, there is the Residenz Royal Palace where you can go. The palace has been converted into a State-owned small museum and also has concert halls and theatres to entertain the people who visit the space. While we're on the subject, the Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) is also a place worth visiting thanks to the lovely lake view it has that connects with the palatial grounds.

Things to do in Munich

A tour down Alstadt (Old Town) and Marienplatz should be enough to give you a taste of the hip Munich. From a plethora of engaging street meat and sausages to performers taking over the crowded lanes to entertain you, these places in Munich certainly do bring the house down with their lively atmosphere. One interesting activity that you can take up is to visit the Viktualienmarkt, it is Munich's oldest market and dates back to 1807. There are around 140 booths and various sellers bringing their fresh goods to be sold at the market. In case the idea of surfing on a river never crossed your mind, you might be able to witness it or even take it up at the Eisbach River. Plenty of tourists and locals engage in river surfing or Eisbachwelle at the base of the Eisbach River. Indulging in Bavarian beer is undoubtedly one of the top things to do. You simply cannot finish your trip without downing some craft beer and sausages in Munich.

Food and Restaurants in Munich

Germans like their food as they like their beer, crafted to perfection and made in quantity. They like to have heavy, hearty meals with a creamy melange of flavourful sauces and buttery rolls. Of course, all this goes along with a pint or maybe even a jug of beer. Meat plays an essential addition in their cuisine, and so do sausages. When you're in Munich, you should definitely try their Sauerbraten, which is basically roast beef stew. The pot roast usually mixes tender beef with aromatic flavours and spices. It is always accompanied with potato dumplings (also called kartoffelklöße) and red cabbage. The meat is actually marinated for days before finally being cooked, which makes it perfect. Some other famous meat dishes include Schweinshaxe (typically resonated with a peasant's meal), Rinderroulade (beef slices rolled perfectly around bacon and onions), Hasenpfeffer (rabbit stew), to name a few. Special mention to the famous German sausages that have been part of their culinary world for a really long time. A Munich speciality, going by the name Münchner weißwurst, is definitely worth a try.

Of course, talking about German food, we simply cannot miss Schnitzel, which is basically bread cutlet and from the Austrian culinary heritage. IT is the perfect small meal one can ask for in Munich. Werneckhof by Geisel, Tantris, Weinhaus Neuner, Esszimmer, are some top restaurants in the city that will give you a fine dining experience. Plus, they also celebrate the German cuisine. However, if you are on a tight budget, head to Schmalznudel, Fraunhofer, Weisses Brauhaus, Wirtshaus in der Au, etc., for a tavern-like feel and German-sized meals. The city also houses some international cuisine such as Japanese, Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, that you can indulge in. They also have special steakhouses for meat lovers.

How to reach Munich (Transportation)

As an international business hub, Munich's flight connectivity is world-class. The Munich International Airport witnesses an exuberant number of flights and tourists from around the world. Many flights to other cities of Europe also connect at the airport, making it an important city in Europe as well as the world. The city connects with a majority of popular cities in Germany as well as other European countries. In fact, Munich is also a popular route considered to reach countries like Luxembourg, Belgian, the Netherlands and France, Switzerland, to name a few. Major metropolitan cities in India service flights to Munich on a regular basis. Certain flights heading to the European countries also have layovers in Munich, making travelling to the city easier. Cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, to name a few, have regular flights flying in and out of Munich. The major airlines connecting Munich to cities in India include Lufthansa and Star Alliance. There are other partners too such as Air China, All Nippon Airways, South African Airways, Swiss, Egypt Air, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, to name a few.

Ticket prices for flights to Munich range from cheap and affordable to expensive. Depending on the availability of direct flights to the peak season. The accommodations in Munich are also varied with options for hostels as well as swanky hotels. Even if you are unable to book your accommodation in advance, there will be options to choose from in Munich.

  About Dehradun Airport

Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant Airport is located about 25 km away from the main city of Dehradun. The airport's commercial operations kicked off in 2008 after the runway was extended with a view to accommodating larger aircraft. Later in 2009, Dehradun Airport introduced the new terminal building and opened operations for the same. Jolly Grant Airport is only 20 km away from Rishikesh and about 35 km away from Haridwar. The airport access from these towns in Uttarakhand is quite strong. You can drive down to the airport from Rishikesh and Haridwar in approximately 30 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. Dehradun Airport is known to be the 37th busiest airport in the country with annual passenger traffic of 1,240,173. The airport is also called the Air Gateway of Garhwal and plays a pivotal role in contributing to the tourism of Uttarakhand. Jolly Grant is actually the name of the place in Dehradun district where the airport has been established. It is close to 27 km away from the main city. In the initial years of the airport's genesis, a regional airline called Vayudoot was operated to connect to cities such as New Delhi, Pantnagar and Lucknow.

Vayudoot operated services from 1982 to 1995. Later in 2004, Air Deccan started flight operations between Dehradun and New Delhi. The flights were operated on a daily basis and eventually, in 2006, a second flight was also added. As the Airport Authority of India toom charge, they eventually suspended all flight operations from 2007 and ordered to execute a renewed airport modernization plan. The airport authority also extended the runway of Dehradun Airport from 3,500 ft to 7,000 ft. Simultaneously, they also broadened the runway from 23 metres to 45 metres. With this, they have managed to enable accommodation of narrow-body jets such as Boeing 737 as well as Airbus 320. The airport also started a night landing system with a new terminal building as well as an Air Traffic Control tower was developed. By 2010, Air India also launched its flight connection from Dehradun to Delhi, followed by SpiceJet in 2012.

About Dehradun Airport Terminals

Jolly Grant Airport has one domestic terminal that was refurbished to bring forth the New Domestic Terminal Building. The terminal is sprawled across 4,200 square metres made of glass and steel. The structure has central air conditioning, and heating facilities are available. A specific Flight Information Displace System (FIDS) is also present within the premise of the airport. Not to mention a CCTV surveillance system that ensures strong security. The airport is known to have a capacity of handling close to 150 passengers per hour. It has been recorded that the airport can handle about 122,000 passengers annually. Currently, the new domestic terminal has 11 check-in counters, three security booths in the departure section, an X-ray baggage scanner and two conveyor belts for baggage claim. Meanwhile, the airport apron that is adjoined to the terminal has two category 'C' type of aircraft. With respect to the expansion plans as proposed by the Airport Authority of India, they will be constructing a new integrated terminal along with allied facilities to make travel efficient for passengers.

About airport authority

Dehradun Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India, a statutory body that functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of India. The statutory body is basically responsible for management, upgradation and maintenance of the infrastructure of Dehradun Airport. Along with Dehradun Airport, the Airports Authority of India manages a total of about 126 airports in India. These include 11 international airports and 11 customs airports with 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves located on military airfields. After its initial installation, AAI has been working on the expansion of the airport. Their plan is to expand the runway to accommodate more aircraft and passenger traffic. They also wish to get more airlines to fly in and out of Dehradun Airport. The new integrated terminal building that the airport is building right now is worth INR 3448 million.

Facilities at Dehradun Airport

Lounge - The airport has a dedicated waiting lounge for the passengers. The waiting lounge has a clean and hygienic restrooms and comfortable seating for passengers. The airport's lounge also provides WiFi services as well as good food. Travellers can relax in the lounge while they wait for boarding. The lounge also has modern amenities to cater to the needs of the passengers.

Baggage - The airport's baggage facilities include trolleys, wrapping services and more. The baggage services can be access at the Pantnagar terminal. The airport's terminal also has trolleys available to help passengers. The airport also has baggage claim conveyor belts to get hold of the checked luggage.

Food joints - Although Dehradun Airport doesn't have a proper restaurant facility, it does have enough food stalls and snacks joints. One can get coffee, tea and other hot beverages at the airport's departures and arrivals section of the terminal. You can avail some light refreshments while you wait at the airport for boarding.

ATMs - There are ATM kiosks also available at the airport. To help passengers withdraw money and avail some snacks or keep money in hand, the airport has installed ATM kiosks of domestic banks. The kiosk accepts all kinds of cards so the passenger would not have to worry about it.

Special assistance - Special assistance for passengers with mobility issues or other health concerns are also available. One might need to inform the airlines beforehand to get hold of special assistance from the airport. The staff is helpful and would provide wheelchairs and other assistance required.

Smoking zone - Smoking is not allowed in the premise of the airport. The airport has installed a dedicated room for smoking. Individuals can make use of the room to smoke. Purchases of cigarettes are also available at the airport, in case the passenger cannot get hold of them.

Duty-free shops - To kill time at the airport while you wait to board the flight, the airport has also installed some duty-free shops where you can get some authentic goods and items that are famous in Uttarakhand. These include perishable goods such as sweets and dry fruits as well.

Top airlines flying from Dehradun Airport

The top three airlines that are currently operating from Jolly Grant Airport are IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet. While IndiGo has three dedicated flights flying in and out of Dehradun Airport daily, both, Air India and SpiceJet have two flights respectively. Earlier, Jet Airways also operated from Jolly Grant Airport and had the highest number of flights functioning from the airport. They have six daily flights flying to and from Dehradun Airport. However, following the airline's shut down, the airport now witnesses only three airlines functioning from their airport premise. The airlines have been given slots for functioning. Since the airport's runway is small and the terminal cannot accommodate a big crowd, the schedules of the flights of the airlines have been shared on the respective airline's websites. It is essential that you go through the timings ahead of the travel. In case there are any changes in the schedules of the flights, following a weather condition, the airlines and the airport would intimate passengers about the same.

How to reach Dehradun Airport

By Bus

Dehradun's primary mode of transportation is the bus. The state also promotes its bus services. These interstate buses are available at all times during the day and have an exemplary connection. In fact, to reach Dehradun Airport, taking a bus is the best and most viable option. The buses will directly reach you to Jolly Grant Airport as they have a dedicated bus stand right outside the airport. These buses can be taken from anywhere within the state, including Rishikesh and Haridwar. Along with buses, you can also avail the services of taxi cabs and private vehicles that are present at the hill station. It might cost you more than the bus fare, but you will have a comfortable journey as you reach Dehradun Airport. It is recommended that you haggle with the private cab or taxi before you start your journey. They might charge exorbitant amounts for smaller distance. Taxicab services to reach Jolly Grant Airport can be availed from within anywhere in the state. Reaching Dehradun Airport by road is quite convenient and comfortable.

By Train

The train is another viable and cheap option to reach Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations to reach Jolly Grant Airport. The railways are also well-connected to the airport and see scheduled trains coming in from other parts of Uttarakhand. If you plan to save some money, it is advised that you take up the train as the mode of transport to reach Jolly Grant Airport. In case you are trying to reach Dehradun Airport from places in the Garhwal region such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Mussoorie then you can find cabs to reach the nearest railway station.