Geneva to Gaya Flights

  About Geneva

If you are heading to Switzerland on your next vacation, make sure you also head to Geneva. It is the perfect place for you if you are looking for a slow-paced, relaxing vacation. You can also book a hotel in Geneva that offers you luxurious rooms and services. Geneva is also known for its dining scenes and cuisines. You can go sailing if you are bored or go skiing at Mont Blanc, a very popular tourist attraction here. You can also take off on a walk or jog if you don't want to indulge in any of these activities. The city is also known for its world-class orchestra programs. If you want to go shopping, you will find the most luxurious high-end designer brands in the city. Geneva makes sure that it doesn't disappoint you and offers the most magnificent views of the city. Make sure you plan a trip to Geneva during the right season to get the most stunning views of the city.

Best Time to Visit Geneva

July to August is a popular time to visit Geneva. The temperature ranges from 10 to 25 degree Celsius. The heat won't be too harsh, and a lot of sightseeing or outdoor activities will open for you to try. Since this is high season in Geneva, you will find a lot of tourists in the city and might even have to wait in long queues at popular tourist attractions. Make sure you book your hotel in Geneva well in advance since the hotel prices will spike right around summer. It will also be difficult to find accommodation that fits all of your expectations at the last moment. It will be quite difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Geneva during the summer. Geneva's lakeside attractions will be quite crowded during this time, and the weather will be pleasant, though it might rain in August. July is the busiest and full time in the city, owing to Lake Parade celebrations. You can also attend the Indian Food Festival in July-August. National Day and Fêtes de Genève also happen in August.

Geneva experiences winter from December to April, and it is an ideal time to visit Geneva if you are a winter sports fanatic. The temperature ranges from -1.9 to 13 degree Celsius. December to February are the coldest months in the city. You can make the most of the Swiss Alps and go skiing. You can also learn skiing here. There are quite a few academies that offer tutorials. It is recommended that you book your hotel in Geneva a lot of months in advance since finding decent accommodation closer to winter can be tough. Don't forget to pack your warm clothes and ski boots. While the days can be a tad bit warm, the nights are super chilly. You can attend events like Supercross Geneva, La Coupe de Noel, Fete de l'Escalade and Geneva International Motor show.

Spring season begins from May and lasts till June. It is Geneva's shoulder season, and the weather is pleasant. The temperature ranges from 8 to 22 degree Celsius. While some resorts shut down during spring, a lot of them not only remain open but also slash down their prices. Make sure you pack your umbrella as well since rainfall is pretty common during spring. September to November is the fall season in Geneva, and the temperature ranges from 2 to 20 degree Celsius. You can attend the Geneva International Film Festival Tous Ecrans in November and can explore a lot of outdoor activities before winter kicks in. If you are on a budget, spring and fall are the right seasons to plan your trip. You will also get cheap flight tickets to Geneva easily during this time.

Places to Visit in Geneva

If you are planning a rendezvous in Switzerland, you must add Geneva to your itinerary. It is the second-largest city in Switzerland and also houses the headquarters of the World Trade Organisation, International Committee of the Red Cross and World Health Organisation. Lake Geneva is one of the main attractions in the city. Switzerland and France share the lake. The Ariana Museum reflects artworks that are made of ceramics and glass. You will find approximately 25,000 objects that have been preserved here for over 1200 years. Make sure you also visit Chillon Castle if you are planning to visit Lake Geneva. The Palace is a major tourist attraction mainly because of the scenic view of the mountains and lake. Geneva is also known for its wine and houses its vineyard. Head over to the Lavaux Vineyards, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a sight for sore eyes. Even if you are not a fan of wines, you will be amazed by the place. You can visit the vineyard whenever you want, irrespective of the season, and sign up for a wine tasting session.

Saint Pierre Cathedral is about 850 years old and is in the middle of Geneva's Old Town. It overlooks the city, and the architecture alone will leave you stunned. Head over to Ariana Park and visit the Palace of Nations. It is the European headquarters of the United Nations. The Jet D'Eau fountain on Lake Geneva is another major tourist attraction that you must visit. If you are visiting Geneva in winter, you can also go skiing on the Swiss Alps.

Things to do in Geneva

Whether you want to go shopping or enjoy the beautiful scenery, you can do whatever you wish to in Geneva. You can go boating or cruise at Lake Geneva, especially if you are holidaying in the city during the summer. Sign up for a cultural or historical tour of the city. You can enjoy hiking to the mountains in any other season apart from winter. You can head to Mont Salève for a hike or mountain biking. You can also try your hand at paragliding or cross-country skiing. You cannot leave Geneva without seeing the Jet d'Eau at Lake Geneva. It looks even better at night as the fountain spews water up to 459 feet up in the air. If you are visiting Old Town, you can sign up for a chocolate tasting tour and even buy some to take back home. You can also sign up for a walking tour of the city. Pâquis Baths is a human-made beach in Geneva and the perfect place to go to in summer. You can soak in the sun while lying on a sunbathing deck, head for the hammams or the saunas and indulge in water activities. It is the perfect place to go with your family.

Food and Restaurants in Geneva

Geneva's cuisine is highly inspired from France since it is only a few miles away from the Switzerland-France border. You will get some of the best French cuisines in Geneva. Since Italy is also just an hour away from Geneva, you will also find a lot of Italian restaurants in the city. Head over to Bayview, Bistrot du Boeuf Rouge or Le Chat Botte for authentic French food. You can try Il Lago and Luigia for Italian food. If you want to delve into the traditional Swiss cuisine, you head to Restaurant Edelweiss, La Buvette des Bains and Auberge de Saviese. L'Aparte is a popular diner in the city that you can go to for some French food. Fiskebar is known for serving delicious seafood. The menu also includes Swedish, Norwegian, Scandinavian and European cuisines. The Living Room Bar and Kitchen is a classy place to head to that serves traditional French cuisine and European cuisines, too. If you are craving Japanese or other Asian cuisines, you can try Izumi. It is a popular place that serves delicious food with impeccable service.

How to reach Geneva (Transportation)

Geneva Airport was formerly called Cointrin airport and is 7 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Geneva from India is pretty good. Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines have frequent flights to Geneva from India with layovers in Munich, Zurich and Istanbul. If you book in advance, you might get some impressive flight deals to Geneva from India. Though it is one of the most popular ways to reach Geneva, if you are doing a multi-city tour from the neighbouring countries, you can also travel by train or hire a taxi. The city is well-connected to the neighbouring cities and countries quite well. It is guaranteed that you will have a comfortable journey. You will also get taxis and car rentals quite easily from Geneva's airport. You can either pre-book your taxi, or you can find one from the airport itself. The airport has VIP lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and a lot of other services for your perusal. If you have to wait for a long time to board your flight, you can just chill at the airport. Be assured that you will not get bored at all at the airport. Please ensure that you do book your flight tickets to Geneva in advance.

  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.