Dehra Dun to Prague 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 Prague

One of the most popular destinations to go backpacking across, Prague, is one every traveller's list. The city has seen invasions, fires, floods and a lot of overthrows at around 870 AD. Prague is one of the most delightful and charming cities and the most popular European destination, too. The city is known for its magnificent castles, synagogues and towers. It also makes for one affordable trip and hosts a lot of backpackers on a budget every year. It has also been named as one of the largest castle complexes in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. You will also come across a lot of stunning cathedrals and museums that maintain the old-time charm of the city. Even if you are not into architecture a lot, you will find yourself admiring the beautiful structures in Prague.

Best Time to Visit Prague

Spring, from March to May, is an ideal time to visit Prague. The temperature ranges from approximately 0 to 17 degree Celsius throughout the months. The weather is pleasant and mild. You can book a hotel in Prague at reasonable prices. Since it is only the beginning of summer, make sure you do carry some warm clothes to tackle the cold breezes and wind chill. Spring also has a lot of festivals and events that you can attend, like the Prague Marathon in April, Prague Food Festival and Prague International Music Festival in May and June. You can also sign up for Prague Proms in May. If you are staying in hostels, you will even end up making new friends from all over the world.

June to August is summer in Prague, and it is also said to be the best time to plan a trip to Prague. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. Booking a hotel room in Prague during this season might be a tad bit expensive if not done in advance. You can even get a decent deal on flights to Prague online if you are planning it way in advance. But if you want a budget-friendly trip, make sure you plan it during Spring or Autumn. Since this is also peak season, you'll find the streets quite crowded and buzzing with tourists. You can also attend Venetian Nights, an open-air music festival that takes place in July.

September and October is also a favourable time to plan a trip to Prague. It is Autumn, and the weather is also quite pleasant. November through February is winter and the least favourable time since it is winter. However, if you want to spend your Christmas and New Year's Eve in the European city, you might get cheap flight tickets to Prague. But you will not be able to enjoy sightseeing or even exploring some of the popular tourist attractions in the city. If you are going to Prague during Christmas, do not miss the Christmas Market. You will also not find a lot of crowd during this time.

Places to Visit in Prague

Prague has a lot of charming castles and cathedrals to its credit. One of the best ways to get around the city is to either take public transport or just walk around. Prague has a well-functioning metro that is connected well within the city. It is yet another efficient way to get around the city, along with trams. The Prague Castle is a major tourist attraction here. The castle has buildings constructed over the last 1000 years, and all of them are connected. It also houses the President of the Czech Republic. You will also get a great view of the city from here. The Charles Bridge that is built over the Vltava river is another popular place for tourists. Late evenings and early mornings are the best time to visit the bridge since you will find a lesser crowd during this time. You will also find a lot of vendors and street artists for your amusement and shopping needs.

The St Vitus Cathedral overlooks the entire city of Prague from over a hilltop. The architecture is magnificent, and you will learn a lot about Prague's history here. The construction of the church was completed in 1929. Old Town Square is another most visited tourist attraction where the famous Astronomical Clock was built in 1410. The climb to the top of the tower can be quite difficult, and it is highly recommended that you avoid it if you are not fit. It also makes for a great spot to take pictures. You can also visit the Prague Zoo that is home to endangered Przewalski's horse, also called the Mongolian wild horse. The zoo has over 4200 animals, and you can pay a visit if you are travelling with your kids. For all the art lovers, there is the National Gallery in Prague that has curated some of the best and classy artwork.

Things to do in Prague

If you travel to Prague during the right season, that is summer, a lot of options will be open for you to go sightseeing. You can either hire a taxi or a guide; you can also walk to most of these places and discover the lesser-known tourist spots. Prague is surrounded by hills and going mountain biking is a popular activity that tourists take up here. If you are done with sightseeing and want to do something adventurous, you can try mountain biking. If you want to make your visit to Prague Castle, you can hike through the Chotkovy Sady. It will be an experience of a lifetime with breathtaking views as you reach the castle.

Hot air ballooning is also a popular activity that attracts tourists in Prague. You can also visit the Náplavka Farmer's Market to binge on some delicious snacks or just stroll across the River Vltava to soak in the view. You can also catch the ballet or an opera show at the National Theatre. The John Lennon wall is also pretty popular among young travellers and fans of the Beatles. An activist had painted an image of the lead singer on a wall right opposite the French embassy after John Lennon was killed in 1980.

Foods and Restaurant in Prague

You are certainly going to love the food in Prague. Be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, you will find everything here, and you will love it, too. Bramborák is basically potato pancake but with a lot of flavours. Head to a deli to pick this up, and it will leave you wanting for more. You must also try the Goulash in Prague, a bowl of meat and potato stew with a lot of herbs. You can try the goulash at Mlejnice. Halušky is yet another dish popular in the Czech that is actually a traditional Slovakian dish. It's a kind of dumpling that is topped with ham and fresh herbs.

You will find some great Halušky at Mincovna. Cafe Savoy is a great place to head to for a delicious breakfast. Ensure that you make a reservation in advance since it is a popular place. Portfolio Restaurant is also famous for its excellent choice of wines, interiors and their service. Bistro à Table is a French restaurant that specialises in traditional French cuisine like filet mignon and frog legs. Don't forget to treat yourself to a glass of wine here. Sansho is yet another popular restaurant that serves authentic Asian food. Do try the six-course dinner menu that is served at communal tables family-style. Kmotra is where you head to if you are in the mood for some pizza and delicious homemade pasta. Prague also has a restaurant that specialises in Afghan cuisine called Kabul Restaurant. The menu is translated into different languages, so you are not surprised with what lands on your table.

How to reach Prague

Václav Havel Airport Prague, which was earlier called Prague Ruzyn? International Airport is the international airport in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague. The flight connectivity to Prague from India is excellent. While there are no direct flights to Prague, there are several connecting flights that have layovers at Istanbul and Munich. Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa have frequent flights to Prague from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. LOT Polish Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines take off from Delhi to Prague. You also have Qatar Airways and Lufthansa taking off from Bangalore quite frequently. Istanbul, Munich and Doha are some of the popular routes to Prague since most flights to Prague have a layover at these airports. If you are travelling during summer or winter, there are high chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Prague. Getting around the city from the airport is also not very tedious since you get cabs right outside the airport. If you are travelling from another European city or country, trains are the best and most preferred option. It is quite convenient, well-connected and offers you the best view across the continent, something you will cherish for a long time.

  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.