Dehra Dun to New York 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 New York

Songs about the city of dreams, New York, have been sung by celebrated artists such as Frank Sinatra, Jay Z and Alicia Keys, Billy Joel and even Sting. But nothing compares to the real deal that the city is. Touted to be the financial hub of the world, New York City is nestled on top of the Hudson River and has a cluster of five boroughs.

Best time to visit New York

There is no specific good time for a visit to New York. The city is always bustling with life and enthusiasm that is so contagious that no season can take it away from a traveller. Right from the crisp breeze of the early fall to the snowy merry winter, the city is so alluring that it befits the title that has been given to it by the world. At any time during the year, the streets of New York are always packed with New Yorkers and festivities. The months from September to November is probably the one time the hotel rates skyrocket. However, considering how it is fall and the temperatures are agreeable, often people don't mind spending extra bucks. In fact, the temperatures vary between 12 degree Celsius to 23 degree Celsius, which is quite pleasant. Besides, the city also comes with a slew of festivals and events such as the New York Film festival, Lighting at Rockefeller Centre, New York City Marathon, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Haunted Halloween Carnival. Everything about the city is just too lovely and worth exploring.

Christmas and New Year's in New York is an experience that simply cannot be missed. Sadly though, the vacation time comes with exorbitant hotel prices. Getting cheap accommodation in New York, especially during their festive season, is definitely going to be tough. From December to February, the flight tickets to New York are also expensive. However, it shouldn't be missed so as long as you are able to save up on some money, the trip is worth every penny.

The warm months from March to May are also quite appealing as the city celebrates St. Patrick's Day Parade and even holds various other festivals. In fact, the city's venerated Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) also hosts the Hollywood and fashion industry's stalwarts at the Met Gala. The city also faces light showers during these months. Booking a cheap hotel room in New York City in these months is also possible.

Places to visit in New York

You would most certainly need a map and a guide book to peruse through while you stroll around New York City to visit some of their tourist attractions. Before engaging in their foodie delights or nightlife, you should most certainly visit some of their intriguing tourist sites. From sites for an art patron to a history enthusiast, there is an attraction for all types of tourists. When in New York City, the first thing that you should certainly take up is to check out Central Park. Sprawled across 843 acres of land in the middle of a bustling city is this haven of tranquillity. It is in proximity with Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History, you can further extend your day trip within the city. These places will pique your interest not just because of the historical relevance but also thanks to the pop culture references in movies and TV shows. The Rockefeller Centre is another iconic location in New York. Do visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to get a bird's eye view of the city from atop

Touted to be an architectural pilgrimage is the St. Patrick's Cathedral, a must-visit structure which is quaint instead of chaotic. The Empire State Building, located in midtown Manhattan, is a total crowd-puller for its cultural relevance and contribution to making the Big Apple a hot spot. Other New York City landmarks include the Statue of Liberty, New York Public Library, Times Square, Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Fifth Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Bronx Zoo, Metropolitan Opera House, etc. These places have defined the New York City stature in the United States as well as the world

Things to do in New York

The top-most things to do in New York City is to explore their food. The city's thriving food culture beckons you, and you cannot decline the offer. Aside from the delicious meal voyage, don't forget to swing by some of the breweries too. Take a tour if necessary but do check out some of New York City's best beers and breweries. You can also take up Ice Skating as one of the activities to do in the city. If you're loaded enough and have reserved a ticket to watch plays on Broadway, do not miss it. Perhaps Cats or Hamilton? They will blow your mind!

Food and Restaurants in New York

New York City's staples, pizza and bagels, and the top sellers when it comes to food in the big city. They take their pizzas and bagels rather too seriously, especially since they need to compete with Chicago in the race for best pizzas. While both are at neck and neck when it comes to pizzas, their styles certainly define them to be apart. NYC favours pizzas with thin crusts and fewer toppings with layers of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. You'll find the best of New York-style pizza at Joe's Pizza and Grimaldi's Pizzeria. These two places will not disappoint. As for the doughy delights popularly known as bagels? Head straight to Bagel Bob's, Ess-a-Bagel and Tompkins Square Bagels to get the best ones. Don't fill your heart and stomach with just their staple meals. Expand your taste buds and introduce them to international cuisine, which you will find here aplenty. The Big Apple does offer exemplary dining experiences that don't limit to good pizzas and bagels.

With multitudes of flavours and international cuisine at your perusal, it is advised that you make your reservations ahead of time. New York City restaurants are known to be notoriously crowded and expensive. To treat yourself with some multicourse meals, head to Eleven Madison Park, located at the heart of Manhattan. You can further expand your list to places such as Le Bernadin and Daniel for exquisite fine dining experience. If you have budgetary constraints but want to indulge in some fine dining scene, you can check out Scarpetta, Butter, Marc Forgione along with some celebrity chef-founded food joints and eateries. Aside from posh dining experiences, the city also boasts a plethora of breweries and bars. In fact, to soak in the best views of New York, make reservations at Pod 39 Rooftop, 230 Fifth and Top of the Strand. You'll be delighted to know that these places have views of the towering skyscrapers, Empire State, Chrysler buildings and more.

How to reach New York (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to New York from India is excellent. The state has about four important airports such as New York John F. Kennedy airport, New York Newark, Stewart International and New York LaGuardia, all located in perfect locations. There are regular flights flying to New York from India as there is a high demand for the state and even the city. In fact, major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, have flights to New York, some of them even direct. Turkish Airlines has direct flights to New York from India. Despite the convenient flight duration, often people do not resort to purchasing direct flight tickets to New York. Thanks to the expensive ticket prices to New York, people often opt to choose a cheaper alternative. There are many international route alternatives taken to reach New York from India. Depending on which route is chosen by you, the flight ticket prices to New York are determined. They usually stand approximately at 60K to 70K for a one-way trip.

It takes close to 16 hours to reach New York from India. The distance from New York and New Delhi is around 11,765 km, and it takes close to 15 hours and 5 mins to reach the cities. From Delhi, there are direct flights to New York serviced by Emirates and United Airlines. In general, airlines such as Air India, Etihad Airways, etc., also have dedicated flights to New York from India. Travelling is not a concern for New York because there are many available flight options. In fact, a majority of important international cities are connected to New York because it is the financial hub of the world. Not to mention how it also is the 'city of dreams'.

Flights to New York from India are usually expensive because it is one of the most popular cities with an array of regular travellers visiting from around the world. However, a little bit of scouting on the internet might lead to you getting your hands on some cheap flight tickets to New York. The international route to New York taken by the airlines as well as the layover/connecting flights should be taken into consideration here. Usually, the flights with longer durations are comparatively cheap.

  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.