Dehra Dun to Newcastle 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 Newcastle

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

Best time to visit Newcastle

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

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

Places to visit in Newcastle

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

Things to do in Newcastle

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

Food and restaurants in Newcastle

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

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

How to reach Newcastle

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

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

  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.