Dehra Dun to Seattle 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 Seattle

Seattle is one of the most-visited cities in the United States of America. It has the best coffee in the country paired up with a lot of history, rich culture, outdoor activity options, a thriving art scene and a lot more for tourists. The Emerald City is one of the major tourist attractions in Seattle. The Seattle Art Museum, Mount Rainier and Woodland Park Zoo are some other popular tourist spots in the city. Seattle has an eclectic dining scene and a vibrant nightlife. You can go on food tours or go partying till the wee hours. The city has quite a lot of craft breweries and food markets that attract a lot of tourists to the city. Seattle hosts a lot of festivals to keep the tourists entertained and has also given the world a lot of popular brands like Starbucks, Amazon, Costco, Microsoft, Expedia and so on. It also gave the world music legends like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Kenny G, Pearl Jam and so on. You will love attending music festivals in the city. It has also been an inspiration for a lot of filmmakers and films like Twilight, Sleepless in Seattle, An Officer and a Gentleman.

Best Time to Visit Seattle

Summer is a high tourist season for Seattle and a busy time for the city. Make sure you book your hotel in Seattle well in advance before the hotel rates see a surge. You must also book your flight tickets to Seattle in advance. June to August is the peak tourist season in Seattle. The summer is not too hot, and you will enjoy it. The temperature ranges from 11 to 23 degree Celsius. If you are a movie buff, you can attend the Seattle International Film Festival in May and June. You can also attend events like Seattle Pride, Seattle International BeerFest, Capitol Hill Block Party, Seafair Weekend and Seattle Art Fair during summer. Since it is high tourist season, you will get to attend a lot of parties, if that's what you are looking for in your vacation. The city also has quite a few hostels that many youngsters prefer. With an increase in the number of tourists, you will make a lot of new friends, if you love socialising.

March to May is the spring season in Seattle. Though hotel prices don't increase as such, you might be able to get a good deal. The temperature ranges from 4 to 18 degree Celsius. The weather is quite windy, and there are chances it might rain, too. Make sure you also pack a layer of warm clothes if you are heading to Seattle in spring. You can attend a lot of events during the spring season in Seattle like Moisture Festival, Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, Seattle Restaurant Week and Seattle International Film Festival. You might even get a good flight deal to Seattle online during spring.

September to October is one of the best times to visit Seattle if you don't like crowded tourist places. The number of tourists after summer is over and the city has fewer tourists. The weather is also quite pleasant. It's neither too hot nor too cold. This is the best time to visit if you are great at bargaining. You will find a lot of discounts on hotel rooms, but there are chances of rain towards the end of the fall season. The temperature ranges from 8 to 19 degree Celsius, and the weather does not affect any of your sightseeing plans or your plans to pursue any outdoor activities for the day. You can attend events like Bumbershoot, Earshot Jazz Festival and Seattle Restaurant Week. Signing up for a food tour would be the best during the fall season. You will also get great discounts and offers at restaurants.

November to February is the winter season in Seattle, and the temperature ranges from 2 to 10 degree Celsius. It is not the best time to go sightseeing in Seattle as it rains a lot during December and January. It also snows in Seattle sometimes which allows you to try activities like snowboarding and skiing. This is the best time to head to the Cascade Range or Mount Rainier. While sightseeing can become a problem during winter, you can attend events like the Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon, Seattle International Comedy Competition, Christmas Ship Festival and Seattle Festival of Improv Theater.

Places to Visit in Seattle

Seattle Center was built in 1962 for the World Fair and was later turned into a centre for the city's tourism, education and entertainment. You can visit the Museum of Pop Culture here or Space Needle. If you are a lot in science, you will love the Pacific Science Center. Pike Place Market is one of the oldest places in Seattle, and the farmers' market here is quite popular. The Museum of Flight has over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, and you can visit the museum with your kids. If you are an art lover, you can head to the Seattle Art Museum. Lake Union Park is another popular tourist spot that offers you the views of the Museum of History and Industry and the Center for Wooden Boats. If you are fascinated by aircraft, you can visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. You can also visit the Washington Park Arboretum which is spread across 230 acres of land of exceptional flora. It is managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle. You must visit the Japanese Garden in the arboretum.

For all you book lovers out there, the Seattle Central Public Library is the place for you. There are about a million books to choose from, and you will also find yourself admiring the unique architecture. Discovery Park is one of the largest city parks in Seattle and also has a sanctuary for animals. Mount Rainier is yet another popular tourist spot you can head to if you are visiting the city in winter.

Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is one city that does not know boredom at all. You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city or head out on your own to explore it. You will constantly discover something new about it or be amazed at all the things that the city has to offer. If you are a movie buff, you can also take pictures at locations of iconic scenes of your favourite movies. Sign up for a tour of Mount Rainier if you want to add some adventure to your holiday. You can also go for a food tour and eat at some of the best restaurants in the city. You can't come to Seattle and not go partying. The city has several nightclubs, and the people here know just how to party. You can visit the art museums, parks, zoos, aquarium and a lot of other attractions that will leave you amazed. You might even find like-minded people that you will bond with on your trip to Seattle.

Food and Restaurants in Seattle

Seattle is one of the best destinations in the country for diverse and delicious cuisines. You can try the seafood here like salmon, shellfish and clams or opt for Asian cuisines. Seattle has a lot of cafes to its credit, and a lot of them have a wide variety of vegetarian food. Cafe Flora and Bakery Nouveau are two of the best places for a cup of refreshing beverage with delicious snacks. The Italian cuisine and selection of wine at Altura, in Capitol Hill, is also quite impressive. Stoup Brewing, Reuben's Brews, Populuxe Brewing Company and Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. are some of the most popular breweries in the city. Ellenos at Pike Place and Pike Street is popular for a variety of Greek and healthy food. You can also head to Le Panier for authentic French cuisine. The Pink Door is a very elegant-looking restaurant that serves delicious Italian food. You will also find Tuscan and Sicilian cuisines in the menu here. Fremont Brewing is a very popular brewery and pub in Seattle that attracts a lot of tourists.

How to reach Seattle (Transportation)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 23 km away from Downtown Seattle. The flight connectivity to Seattle from India is excellent. Singapore Airlines, Vistara, Japan Airlines, British Airways, and American Airlines have frequent flights to Seattle from India with layovers at Singapore, Delhi, Tokyo, London and Chicago. Brace yourself for a long journey since it takes a 20-hour flight to reach Seattle. You might want to spend your first day in the city just relaxing and not indulging in a lot of activities, so you can be fresh and energetic to explore the city the next day. If you book at the right time, you might get exciting deals on flights to Seattle online. You might even get a good deal on hotels if you are visiting during the offseason. Getting a taxi or car rental from the airport is not difficult at all. You will also get help from the airport staff for the same.

  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.