Frankfurt to Gaya Flights

  About Frankfurt

Another beautiful city in Germany worth visiting is Frankfurt. It is home to a lot of world-renowned museums, galleries and historic cathedrals. Not to mention, it promises several stunning views, too. Frankfurt is a popular city for layovers, and if you have to wait for a longer duration, you must head out to explore the city. If Germany is the next destination on your travel list, you must also add Frankfurt to the itinerary. It is the fifth-largest city in Germany and has a lot in store for tourists. Not only does Frankfurt have a lot of tourist attractions but it also has a lot of activities in store for you. The city is also known for its eclectic dining scenes and connects to other cities in the country, along with other popular cities in the nearby European countries. It goes without saying that you cannot get enough of the beer here. Germany is known for its craft beer, and you must certainly try some here. It is also quite easy to book a hotel in Frankfurt on your budget.

Best Time to Visit Frankfurt

April to September is said to be the best time to visit Frankfurt. The temperature is mild and pleasant, and you can enjoy the views of the city without any hindrance. March to May is spring season in the city and June to August is summer. You can attend the largest folk festival called Frankfurt's Ratsweg Fairground and the Frankfurter Sausage Festival that has a lot of arts and crafts markets along with rides that you can enjoy. Spring is not exactly a high season in the city, which makes booking a hotel in Frankfurt quite easy and affordable. You will also see fewer tourists as compared to summer, and this is the perfect time to plan a trip to Frankfurt.

Summer is the most popular season for people to plan a trip to Germany. The days are longer and night shorter. Though the temperature barely crosses 26 degree Celsius during the day, it is best to plan your commute in advance. Travelling by trams or buses that have no air conditioning can be a little bit of trouble if you can't bear the heat. Since it is high season, it is advisable to book your hotel in Frankfurt in advance. Most hotels will be booked and getting decent accommodation at the last moment will be a hindrance. You might have to settle for something you are not entirely happy with, at a higher price. Make sure you also book your flight tickets to Frankfurt in advance, so you don't have to spend extra when there is a surge in prices. This is the best season to binge on Frankfurt'sFrankfurt's Apfelwein, which is basically apple wine. You will find it in a lot of pubs and bars in the city. The city also hosts numerous festivals and events that you can attend. You can check out the open-air screenings or head to the beach bars for a party along the Main River. If you are visiting the city in August, make sure you carry a light jacket with you with an umbrella since there are chances of rains in this month.

September to October are fall season in Frankfurt, and the city sees relief from the scorching heat. Frankfurt'sFrankfurt's version of Oktobeerfest is not as big as it is in Munich, but you will enjoy yourself here. You will also find a lot of events hosted in the city during this time, and you can sign up for the event's newsletter to get all the updates about it to buy the tickets as soon as it is available. You will find fewer tourists in Frankfurt since the high tourist season ends by August end and early September.

November to March is winter in the city, and this is not an ideal time to visit Germany. However, you can still plan your trip to Frankfurt in December if you want to celebrate Christmas here. You can treat yourself to hot gluhwein (mulled wine) to stay warm. Head to St Paul's Square, Hauptwache and Friedrich-Stoltze-Square area and Mainkai, which is the Main Quay. The temperature drops below freezing temperatures, so you might want to pack an extra set of warm clothes. There is also a high chance of rainfall during winter, which is what makes it an unfavourable time to visit the city. You will also get cheap flight tickets to Frankfurt during this time since it is not a big tourist time in the city.

Places to Visit in Frankfurt

Goethe House is a popular tourist attraction in the city that all history buffs can visit. Renowned writer Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe was born here and lived here till 1765. The house suffered severe damage during World War II after the bombarding, but a lot of it was restored after the war ended. Palm Garden is the largest botanical garden in Frankfurt and the best place to go to for an evening stroll. St Bartholomew'sBartholomew's Church was built between the 13th and 15th century with red sandstones. It holds the status of being an Imperial Cathedral and is an important place to visit. You will find yourself admiring the architecture of the Church. Head over to Sachsenhausen to indulge in some apfelwein or ebbelwoi, and these are kinds of apple ciders produced locally. Head over to Hauptwache if you want to go on a shopping spree and grab a quick bite on the way. If you are an art lover, you can visit the Schirn Kunsthalle. The centre hosts a lot of art exhibitions, be it contemporary or historical themes.

Things to do in Frankfurt

If you are a die-hard romantic, head over to Eiserner Steg, a pedestrian bridge near River Main, you will find a lot of colourful padlocks on the railings. You can also give in to the tradition and add a padlock of your own hoping for eternal, everlasting love. Apple wine is a popularly found drink in Frankfurt, and the locals swear by it. You can head to the best pubs and bars in the locality to try some of it. You can also sign up for a local, guided sightseeing tour of the city. You can head to the Dialog Museum where you can experience what a blind person does, for an hour. A blind guide will lead you through the pitch darkness, and you can experience going on a boat ride, buying a drink and other such tasks through your other senses. Sounds fun, right? Head over to the art and history museums in the city if that's what attracts you to the city. Frankfurt is also known for its eclectic dining scene, and you will find a lot of pork-related dishes in the restaurants here. Sign up for a food and beer tasting tour of the city if you don't feel like exploring the city on your own.

Food and Restaurants in Frankfurt

Not just beer but Germany is also known for its cuisines. You can binge on German sausages, commonly called Frankfurter Wurstchen. It is served with a slice of bread, mustard and horseradish. If you are a cheese lover, you must definitely try the Handkaes mit Musik that are served in most gastro pubs and restaurants. Appelwoi is a popular type of beer that the locals enjoy and you must, too. You can also try the other types of craft beer in the city. Germany is popular for its variety of pork dishes. Reserve a table at The Legacy Bar and Grill or Thai and Turf - Steakhouse. You will also find a lot of cafes in the city that you will enjoy. Trattoria I Siciliani is a popular Italian restaurant in the city. If you are in the mood for steak or Japanese food, make sure you head to Kabuki Frankfurt. You can head to the various pubs and bars to have a mug of strong German beer.

How to reach Frankfurt (Transportation)

Frankfurt International Airport is the fifth-largest in Germany and is also the main hub for Lufthansa, Condor and AeroLogic. The flight connectivity to Frankfurt from India is excellent. Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa are some of the airlines that have frequent flights to Frankfurt. If you book well in advance, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Frankfurt. It is quite easy to get a taxi or car rental from the airport to your hotel. The airport also has WiFi, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, currency exchange and a lot of other facilities that you can use. If you have to kill time during a layover at Frankfurt airport, you will not get bored at all. If you are heading to Frankfurt from another city in Germany or any other nearby European country, you can take the train. The city is well-connected by rails. You can also opt for a road trip, and you will be treated to the stunning views of European cities and cultures.

  About Gaya

Located in the state of Bihar is Gaya, popularly known as Bodh Gaya, for its spiritual significance. The city of Gaya is a popular pilgrimage in the state and attracts Hindus and Buddhists from around the world.

One of the key reasons behind Hindus visiting the Gaya is to make funeral offerings to give the deceased's soul solace. Known as Pind Daan, the puja is only performed here in Gaya and is said to have strong religious values. The Pind Daan puja is conducted by the family of the deceased to bring their ancestor's souls to peace. The rituals are said to help the ancestors and their wandering souls find some peace and harmony in the nether worlds, after death. To perform this puja, people come from around the world as the beliefs are strong.

Hills surround the city of Gaya as the Himalayan range continues to sprawl across the expanses of Bihar as well. The Vishnupad temple, located at the heart of the Gaya city, holds tremendous religious significance. It is believed that the temple was originally built by Maratha princess Ahliyabai, back in the 18th century. Much like the city, even the hills that surround Gaya are known to be sacred and places of sanctity. The temple city has important shrines located in different directions from the centre of the city.

Gaya is also of spiritual significance to Buddhists as it is believed that Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment in this small town of Bihar. Bodhgaya has a vast expanse of Buddhist temple constructed with various spiritual significance. The city of Gaya holds importance for the Hindus and Buddhists for two impactful incidences are related to the place.

With the demand the city of Gaya has, the flight connectivity for domestic routes as well as international routes is quite high. There are numerous flights available from within the country and international destinations. The spiritual haven attracts Buddhists and Hindus every year to perform prayers and seek blessings. Ensure to book hotels well in advance during peak season as you might have trouble finding accommodation.

Best time to visit Gaya

Pitrapaksh month, also known as the period of ancestors in Hinduism, is considered to be the ideal time to visit Gaya. During this time, pilgrim activities are performed by families to help the souls of their ancestors to attain salvation. The Pitripaksh month falls in the monsoon season. The months September and October are observed as Pithru months, and during this season, various pilgrims arrive to seek blessings and help their ancestors. Another favoured month is during Buddha Purnima, which falls in the summer months of April-May. Buddhist monks and followers arrive at the Gaya to observe the teachings of Gautama Buddha and to seek his blessings. In terms of weather, Bodhgaya sees a spike in temperatures during summer, especially May. However, since the month is observed as Buddha Purnima, tourists don't mind the excess heat.

Places to see in Gaya

Mahabodhi Temple complex

South from the Brahmayoni hill is the temple of Bodh Gaya. The site is said to be a pilgrimage to the Buddhists and has the Mahabodhi Temple Complex. The site is often visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as it is the land where their guru, Gautama Buddha, attained Enlightenment. Not just Buddhists but even Hindus flock over to the temple complex as it has a calm and serene vibe that helps people find peace. Buddhists, as well as Hindus, venerate Bodh Gaya.

Vishnupad Temple

The ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located beautifully along the banks of the Falgu river. Legend states that Lord Vishnu observed Gaya as the place of attainment of salvation for wandering souls. Whoever wishes to seek moksham on behalf of them and their ancestors, should make Pind Daan and perform some rituals for the same.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar is believed to be a civilisation built by Lord Rama's son King Kush with Kushvati as the capital. Although many Hindus believe that the pilgrimage town is the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, which was led by King Kush, the Buddhists think otherwise. According to their traditional beliefs, Kushvati was a name given to the land even before the Ramayana happened. In this village, you will find some important structures that are pivotal to Buddhism.

Some of the incredibly beautiful structures in Kushinagar involve the Parinirvana Stupa, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine. The entire complex is actually believed to be the shrine of Gautama Buddha after he attained Enlightenment. The Parinirvana Stupa is a fancy structure that represents the 'dying Buddha' as the statue is in a reclining position. The statue is placed on top of a large brick with pedestals. The temple is sacred and pious and what drives Buddhists to the city of Gaya.

The Matha Kuar Shrine is yet again a huge statue of Lord Buddha which has been carved out of one block, to represent the Buddha being seated under the Bodhi tree in a 'bhumi sparsh mudra'. Every attribute about these structures hold a deeper meaning and should be explored.

Bakraur

Bakraur or Bakrour is another village located closely towards the east of Bodh Gaya. It is believed that Sujata, residing in this village, offered Guatam Buddha milk and rice before he reached Enlightenment. A statue has been erected to honour Sujata for catering to the Buddha.

Deo Surya Mandir

The Hindu temple of Deo Surya Mandir is a shrine of the Sun God. Located in the small town of Deo, the temple is often decorated for Chhath Puja, and devotees who visit the temple during the same are blessed.

Things to do in Gaya

You can take this as an opportunity to trek up the Bragmayoni. The highest hill, called Brahmayoni, is at the height of 450 ft above the Gaya plains. It is said that on this very hill, Buddha preached the Adittapariyaya Sutta (fire sermon) to a thousand ascetics. Enlightened by Buddha's teachings, the former fire-worshipping monks accepted the new discourse set by him. The hill has spiritual relevance in Buddhism and is often visited by Buddhist monks and believers.

Food and Restaurants in Gaya

Even though the place is a spiritual haven for pilgrims, there are some quaint cafes and fusion food joints that cater to all kinds of travellers. While you are in Bodh Gaya, you can spend a day relishing the simple but sublime food provided by the temples. There are various restaurants close to the temples which have basic but soul-satisfying food. Other restaurants and cafes that you can explore in Bodhgaya are Be Happy cafe, Zera Coffee Company, Fusion Food Factory, Taj Darbar Restaurant, Gautam Lassi Corner, Rose Apple Cafe, Tirupathi South Cafe, Mohammed's restaurant and more. These places offer appetising food that isn't necessarily void of flavour. Plus, the ambience of the joints is also quite good and definitely memorable. You can also spend some time investing in street food as there are a plethora of options in that department.

How to reach Gaya (Transportation)

By Air

Gaya is a spiritual centre and hence is well-connected to domestic as well as international cities. The Gaya Airport has regular flight connectivity from Yangon, Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi. While you can opt for these domestic routes to reach Gaya, for travellers from Mumbai, Chennai and other metropolitan cities in the West and South, Delhi and Kolkata are the best choices. As for tourists from abroad, there are international routes from Thailand, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam and many more countries, that are directly connected to the Bodhgaya airport. Travellers often go to Gaya for Pind Daan and hence, book flights in advance. Not to mention, the international crowd often heads to the city to seek Enlightenment at the Buddhist monastery.

The city does not have luxury stays as such. However, there are some decent hotels in Gaya that you can book ahead of your visit. Another alternative for travellers opting flight is to book flight tickets to Patna and transit from there. Often this domestic route is considered as it is easier to reach Patna from different parts of the country.

By Rail

Many trains from metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Patna have regular trains passing through Bihar. You can book your tickets to Gaya and opt for the railway as an option. The connectivity within Gaya is also quite good as there are rickshaw and buses available. Taxi cabs and tuk-tuk rides are also prevalent, making the intercity travelling a tad bit easier. If you book your hotels in Gaya before travelling to the city, you will receive shuttle services from the accommodation.

By Road

The bus services to Gaya are aplenty from significant cities in Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh and more states. In fact, there are daily transport facilities from cities such as Patna, Hazaribag, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, etc. You can book AC or non-AC buses that will take you to the city. The travel service providers ensure to offer services to Gaya for its spiritual significance and demand.

  About Frankfurt Airport

Germany's Frankfurt International Airport is located close to Kelsterbach in Frankfurt. It is an important international airport in the country and also serves as the main hub for Lufthansa airlines. This also includes Lufthansa CityLine and Lufthansa Cargo. There are two passenger terminals and has the capacity to handle an approximate total of 65 million passengers in a year. In Europe, Frankfurt International Airport is the busiest after Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, with respect to passenger traffic.

About Airport Terminals

Frankfurt am Main Airport has two main passenger terminals along with a First Class Terminal that is exclusively used and operated by Lufthansa. It follows the similar structure that London Heathrow Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (Tom Bradley International Terminal) and Toronto Pearson Airport. Chicago's O'Hare Airport is also working towards completion of its First Class terminal called Global Terminal, which would see operations of airline alliances. Terminal 1 is the passenger terminal which is larger in comparison to the other terminals and is also the older one. It is 420 meters long and has experienced constantly expansions multitudes of times. The terminal is divided into four concourses, namely A, B, C and Z. It also can accommodate about 50 million passengers in a year. The terminal is further split into three levels with each dedicated to special services.

The departures level is on the upper floor while the arrival and baggage claim rests on the ground floor. There is a dedicated distribution floor too, which has access to the underground as well as multilevel parking available. The airport authorities have further built separate street to connect the departures and arrivals levels. The terminal has 103 gates in total out of which, 54 gates are equipped with jetways. The terminal primarily caters to Lufthansa and the airlines associated namely, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines and Eurowings. Even Star Alliance operates from Terminal 1 with airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Air China, Croatia Airlines, Air Canada, Air India, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, Asiana Airlines and United Airlines, to name a few.

Terminal 2 has been reserved for airlines falling under Oneworld (British Airways, Iberia, Kuwait Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Finnair and more) as well as SkyTeam alliance airlines namely, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Korean Air and more. A handful of airlines that do not belong to the alliances also operate from the terminal. Lufthansa First Class Terminal operates from near Terminal 1 and is reserved for first-class passengers and frequent flyer members of HON Circle.

About Airport Authority

Frankfurt Airport's airport authority is Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide. Commonly recognized as Fraport, the German transport company also works on operations of various airports along with Frankfurt Airport. Fraport is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Xetra as well. Interestingly, Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide also has ownership and stakes in Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport under the DIAL (Delhi International Airport Private Limited) consortium.

Fraport made it possible for Indira Gandhi International Airport to accommodate A380 operations. The company also has Deutsche Lufthansa AG as a shareholder with about 8.44 per cent stakes. To enhance the climate protection targets as well as contribute to mitigating climate change, they have built green electricity. Fraport plans to make use of renewable energy to meet the climate protection targets. At the same time, they are also rooting for the Frankfurt Airport to slash the CO2 emissions from 170,000 to 80,000 metric tons at least by 2030. Their eventual plan is to make Frankfurt Airport CO-2 free by 2050 with the use of a renewable source of energy.

Further, on the same, Fraport is also aiming at generating its electricity to run the Frankfurt Airport. Solar panels are being installed at the CargoCity South. The authority claims that as and when the panels are completely installed, Frankfurt Airport would generate about 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in a year.

Top airlines flying from Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport sees a large space reserved for Lufthansa and the Star Alliance partners falling under its account. The airport sees 77 per cent of passengers from flights of Lufthansa and the airlines that fall under Star Alliance. Dedicated airlines are already present as the Frankfurt Airport has been perfectly balanced for various international flight operations. Sixty-five per cent of intercontinental flights in Germany also function from Frankfurt Airport. Lufthansa, which is a German-based enterprise, sees a dedicated terminal reserved for flight operations.

Meanwhile, several international airlines flying from Frankfurt Airport include Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Alitalia, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Condor, Croatia Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Gulf Air, Iberia, Iran Air, Icelandair, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Saudia, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways and Vietnam Airlines. They connect to various major international cities such as New York City, London, Bangkok, Addis Ababa, Mexico City, Brussels, Cape Town, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and more.

Facilities at the Frankfurt International Airport

In-terminal shuttle service - There are buggy and shuttle services for quick transit from one terminal to another. These services come in handy when there is a connecting flight that you need to catch in a short period of time. They are available at all the terminals in departures as well as arrivals zones.

Special assistance - There are trained staff at the Frankfurt International Airport you can take assistance from to escort you through the vicinity and offer to be a personal guide.

Porter service - The airport also provides porter services. They will take care of all your luggage and even transport them to the terminals required. You can leet the staff to handle your luggage concerns, and they will do a good job.

Lounge and VIP rooms - Exclusive lounges and VIP room facilities are available at the airport premise. The elegant lounges with exquisite decor and world-class hospitality would certainly be a good way to spend time at Frankfurt International Airport. There are business meeting rooms also available as are conference lounges.

ATMs and foreign exchange - ATM kiosks are spread across all terminals at the airport. The arrivals section also has dedicated foreign exchange counters for international travellers. You can get your money exchanged at the airport itself instead of getting it beforehand and fearing the safety and security of the money you're carrying.

Hotels - There are a plethora of lavish airports in the proximity of Frankfurt International Airport as well as within the terminal. Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel is right at the airport premise. Meanwhile, other hotels around the Frankfurt International Airport include InterCityHotel Frankfurt Airport, Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport, Park Inn by Radisson Frankfurt, to name a few.

Work stations - One of the perks of Frankfurt International Airport is the provision of workspace. Travellers who have to work on the go can avail this service and take up a workspace within the airport premise while you wait for your flight. It is quite convenient.

Dog hotel - For travellers who cannot take their pets along with them for vacations, you can always avail the airport's Dog Hotel benefits. It serves as a dog hostel where the services are good, and the pets are well-maintained.

Baby care rooms - Frankfurt International Airport facilitates baby care rooms for new mothers with infants. Sanitary products and the well-kept room is ideal for mothers and their babies.

Medical services - The airport also ensures to keep devoted staff to take care of medical emergencies. There are pharmacies also available at the departure as well as arrival zones of all the terminals.

How to reach Frankfurt Airport

Rail

It is easy to reach Frankfurt Airport from the city's regional station. You can find it at Terminal 1's concourse B. There is proper access to S-Bahn commuter rail lines which depart at regular intervals. The connectivity is spectacular as the train would take on 10-12 minutes to reach Frankfurt Central Station from the airport. Additional services to connect Frankfurt Airport and the Central Station are also available. Frankfurt Airport also caters to the long-distance station, which was opened in 1999. From the Frankfurt Airport, you can reach Cologne and even Netherlands and Belgium through Cologne.Buses and coaches

Several transport companies also provide bus services that would reach you to Frankfurt Airport. They also have services that work for long-distance destinations from the airport. You can reach Frankfurt Airport from various parts of Germany by using their buses and coaches operations. Interestingly, All Nippon Airways had a dedicated bus service to Düsseldorf from Frankfurt Airport exclusively for passengers. The connection was perfect and extremely convenient for people who were travelling from All Nippon Airways to reach Frankfurt Airport. However, a separate flight from Tokyo to Düsseldorf was chartered, and since then, the bus services have been suspended.

Rental cars and taxis

Another good way to reach Frankfurt Airport is to take up car rentals and taxis. It would be easy to reach Frankfurt airport without any stress as it would mean you can rest easy in the car.