Macau to Madurai Flights

  About Macau

Macau is nestled along the Pearl River Delta on the South China Sea. The city is bang opposite the city of Hong Kong and is recognised as one of the top tourist destinations. It is also known to be one of the most populous regions globally.

Best time to visit Macau

Macau's location on the coast makes it susceptible to extreme heat and humidity. The proximity of the coastal city to the South China Sea further brings over monsoons that could get really ugly. The monsoon is between April through October with July to September receiving maximum rainfall. The torrential rains could put a damper on all your tourist plans. They are so bad that the city streets get flooded and even bring over typhoons. The peak monsoon season is also recognised as typhoon season as the city witnesses a lot of natural calamities. This easily makes for bad weather that is definitely not ideal for vacation. More than ideal, it is actually quite risky as you could get stranded in the city or you might also have to deal with the repercussions of typhoons and heavy rains. Investing for a trip to Macau during this time of the year would only be a waste of money. Although it should be noted that the city's hotels see a drop in prices. But irrespective of the cheap hotel bookings you can make in Macau, it is not worth the money as you wouldn't be able to enjoy the city.

Summer is just as bad. The extreme heat and humidity can get quite annoying. You would have a tough time having fun in the city as the heat would irk your senses. While the water is right there for you to soak in and cool down, it is still not the best season. You should know though that summers are actually peak season for Macau. There are many tourists flocking over to soak in the sun and salty breeze. A majority of the crowd come from the winter locales of China and other countries. The outdoor activities are also enabled during this time, making it an ideal spot for summer vacation. The hotels do see a surge in prices during summers. Booking a hotel in Macau during summers would be splurging far more than your speculated budget. You could get some lovely online deals, but for it, you'll have to make advance reservations. Winter season in Macau, from December to February, is the best and most favourable time to plan a trip to Macau. Not just the weather but even the city's spirits turn happy with festivals and events, which would give you a good opportunity to indulge in their culture.

Places to visit in Macau

Macau has a beautiful balance of ancient architecture and modern skyscrapers. You can start your touristy rendezvous by checking out the Ruins of St. Paul's. It was originally a Catholic religious complex which also had a college in the complex. The 17th-century structure has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Monte Fort is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally constructed to safeguard the city's Jesuit properties from invasion. For some quaint time in the neighbourhood, you should visit Coloane, an island close to Macau. The place is exquisite with Portuguese architecture. While you're here, you can further visit Taipa, another island in Macau that is famously acknowledged for the slew of casinos and interesting structure. The bridge connecting Coloane and Taipa is actually a famous tourist attraction in Macau that deserves some attention. The city does have many beautiful Chinese temples with the construction that will leave you spellbound. Do ensure to visit the many temples.

Things to do in Macau

Macau has some really cool indulgences that you simply cannot miss. One of the biggest attractions is the casinos that are prevalent in the city. You should visit the Venetian Macao casino resort. The estate is owned by the American Las Vegas Sands organisation and is the biggest attraction for many tourists. The huge casino hotel is one of the most posh and luxe structures in the city. The City of Dreams should definitely be on your list of attractions to check out in Macau. The exquisite water fountain show is captivating and too beautiful an experience. Hanging out at the Hac Sa Beach is something you should not miss. The quaint waters touching the shores with a quiet vibe is also a good place where you can relax. For more Portuguese architecture, you should visit the Guia Hill Fortress. The white structure with yellow and orange borders is a lovely space and especially has an exquisite landscape. Make sure that you continue with your food excursion as the city does have a slew of lovely restaurants and food establishments.

Food and restaurants in Macau

Macau's big competition in the culinary field Hong Kong, stands juxtaposed with the South China Sea playing a spectator. Although Hong Kong is recognised to be one of the most hi-tech cities with a thriving food culture, Macau also offers fusion food in this department. The coastal city has a slew of cuisines ranging from Portuguese to Chinese, all of them available with exquisite ambience. Predominantly, Macau favours Portuguese cuisine and has many restaurants and food establishments of the same descent. However, that doesn't mean they do not favour any other cuisine. Macanese cuisine, which is basically fusion food, is quite popular in the vicinity too. The mix of Chinese and Portuguese cultures on a platter is something you might have never encountered. Well, Macau gives you the opportunity to do the same. You can start with your food rendezvous in Macau by visiting the Clube Militar de Macau, a Portuguese restaurant which even has a very colonial-style vibe and decor. Make reservations for this place and definitely indulge in some of their lip-smacking Portuguese food and wine.

Another famed Portuguese-inspired restaurant is Albergue 1601. Hidden away from the city's bustle in Macau is this lovely two-storeyed restaurant which offers a quaint vibe and serves Portuguese and Macanese dishes. You can upscale your dining experience in Macau by opting for a Michelin-starred establishment by visiting Robuchon au Dôme. Make sure to carry enough money for this is going to be quite some indulgence. Also, their 14,500 labels of wine are quite a trip. The city also has restaurants that favour Indian cuisine. Golden Peacock is recognised for its perfectly cooked Indian food with a nice modern touch. You will find dishes such as butter chicken, skewered chicken, biryani and of course, vegetarian dishes too. Macau's Urban Kitchen is another perfect food establishment that you should check out without fail. The place boasts Asian, Japanese and Korean grub with special focus on seafood. You will not be disappointed here, and the all-day buffet system further adds to its perks. For a kaiseki meals setting, you don't have to travel to Japan but can find it in Macau's Yamazato.

How to reach Macau

Even though Macau is quite close to Hong Kong, a dedicated airport has been built to lure more tourists to the coastal city. The flight connectivity to Macau from Indian cities is decent as it is technically not too far. But there are no direct flights connected to Macau from India. Despite the demand for the city as a tourist haven, airlines have not reserved direct flights to the city. Hence, you will have to take flights which have layovers in other cities. Singapore Airlines, NokScoot, Air Macau, Silkair, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Eastar Jet, Asiana Airlines, to name a few, have flights that have connectivity to Macau. The most popular route chosen to reach Macau is often the one from Singapore and Hong Kong. A transit visa is required to travel as the flights connecting Macau have layovers in cities such as Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and more. The airports of these cities have made it mandatory for the passengers to carry a transit visa. You can apply for one at the embassy, or you can opt for an easy online application.

The international route to Macau from Singapore and Hong Kong is actually favoured. However, often people choose to take flights to Hong Kong directly and use the means of sea to reach Macau. There are daily ferries that can reach Macau from Hong Kong. As tourists wish to check out both the cities in China, they often pick this option over the others. This is also convenient in many ways as the duration to reach Macau is reduced drastically from Hong Kong by the water body. Not to mention how it also saves a lot of flight ticket cost. You can make your flight bookings to Macau online, but finding cheap tickets would be tough. The city, especially during peak season, sees a lot of crowds. Hence, when you're booking flight tickets to Macau, make sure that you do it in advance to get the peak season ticket without splurging too much. There are always many online flight deals to Macau that you can avail, as long as you are able to find them on time. You can also make your hotel reservations in Macau well in advance to avoid expensive room prices.

  About Madurai

Touted to be one of the ancient cities in India, Madurai is especially recognised for its religious significance. The city has a lot of temples of which the Meenakshi Amman Temple is considered as the most important one. The temple also has a shrine for her consort, Sundareswarar. Madurai is also pretty close to hill stations like Kodaikanal, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumily and so on. Madurai is the perfect blend of natural beauty and heritage with a dash of urbanisation. It also plays a crucial role in preserving Tamil culture, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. People of Madurai are also known for celebrating all the key festivals with a lot of grandiose.

Best Time to Visit Madurai

Madurai is best visited during winters. The weather in Madurai is pleasant, and the city is buzzing with tourists and pilgrims. You can book a hotel room in Madurai closer to the Meenakshi Amman temple if that is your main purpose of the visit. Commuting in the city is not very difficult.

Winters in Madurai start from December and last till February. The temperature ranges from 20-29 degree Celsius. This is also when Pongal is celebrated across the city for three whole days. The harvest festival, that is celebrated across Tamil Nadu with a lot of grandeur, gets only better. However, since it is peak season, booking a hotel in Madurai can get a tad bit expensive. Do lookout for good flight deals to Madurai online. Since it is peak season, make sure you book your flight tickets to Madurai well in advance.

The city experiences monsoon from June to August and Madurai experiences very heavy rainfall. Though the rains add to all the beauty and charm of the city with the greenery, the climate is gloomy, and the rains stop you from venturing out.

March to May is summer in Madurai, and the temperature can rise up to 34 degree Celsius. Not only does it get hot, but the weather is quite dry, making it a less favourable time to visit the city. Since it is off-season, you will also find it easier to get cheap flight tickets to Madurai.

Places to Visit in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Madurai. A lot of tourists and pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year. The Amman temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to mythology, Lord Shiva came to Madurai to marry Goddess Parvati, who was residing in a human form here and was called Meenakshi. Madurai is considered sacred primarily because it is believed to be the birthplace of the Goddess. Not only is the temple huge, but the architecture will leave you stunned. Adding to this is the divine feeling that you experience in the temple. Do not miss the morning and evening aarti at the temple. You can also embrace your spiritual side at the Saint Mary's Cathedral in Madurai.

Another magnificent place to visit is the Thirumalai Nayak Palace which was built in the 17th century. It was built by King Tirumala Nayaka who was a King then. The Jain Caves is yet another top-rated tourist attraction in Madurai. You can also explore the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It's a beautiful temple and a masterpiece in every way. While you are in this part of the city, do also visit the Pazhamudhir Solai. This is easily one of the best places to spend with yourself in solitude.

Meghamalai and Samanar Hills are also two popular locations in the city. You can go hiking to one of these mountains and reach a spot from where the entire city looks absolutely breathtaking. It's the perfect getaway from all the city hustle-bustle. Make sure you go to these places during the right season. You'll even be able to take the best pictures of yourself and nature over here.

Things to do in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is a must-visit when you are in Madurai. The queue can be pretty long depending on what time you visit the temple. Not to mention, you will also have to adhere to a few rules like wearing traditional clothes and not carrying your phones, cameras or gadgets inside the temple. It is believed that the kumkum you get after offering your prayers here is auspicious and blesses your marital life. After visiting the temple, you can stop by Puthu Mandapam, which is right opposite the temple. It is a popular place to shop for clothes, accessories, handicrafts and different kinds of art work. Go for a hike at the Samanar Hills and make sure you also stop by the Jain Caves. You might come across the Keelakuilkudi village that is famous for its Jain sculptures and painted mud horse collection.

Madurai is pretty close to the Vaigai Dam, and a lot of tourists visit the dam when they go to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary since it is on the way. It is one of the architectural marvels in the city and a very popular picnic spot, too. The sunset here is simply mesmerising. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the Alagar Kovil, recognised for its exquisite beauty. It will make you want to spend at least 10 minutes in solitude to just admire it. If you are visiting Madurai during the Chithirai Festival, you must definitely attend it. The locals celebrate the festival for over a month, and you can also be a part of the ceremonies that take place to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped at Sundareswara here.

Food and Restaurants in Madurai

Even though Madurai is a city that has a lot of religious importance, you will find restaurants in the city that serve non-vegetarian food, a little away from the temples. Of course, you can blindly trust and have the traditional South Indian food like Idlis and Dosas here. But Madurai is known for delicacies like Paruthi Paal, Jigarthanda, Kuzhi Paniyaram and Appam. Jigarthanda is a very popular beverage here, and you'll find it almost everywhere. You can even try some outside the Meenakshi Amman temple. Just a few streets away from the Amman temple is Murugan Idli Shop. You'll get the fluffiest, most delicious idlis here with four different types of chutneys. You can also order the Onion Uttapam and Sweet Pongal here. You can also head to Kodaikanal from Madurai since it is not very far from here. Ooty is quite far by road, but you can make a trip to Ooty, too, if you have the time and if you are planning the trip during winter. Both the hill stations are worth visiting during the cold season. You'll get buses and taxis to Kodaikanal very easily from Madurai. You might have to negotiate the fare a little bit if you are taking a private taxi from Madurai.

The Burmah Idiyappa Kadai is a local eatery that serves Idiyappam only. There is no seating here, but the outlet sees a lot of customers on a regular basis. The Idiyappams are served with tomato chutney and sweetened coconut milk. Chandran Mess at the Alagar Kovil main road is another popular restaurant that you can visit. Its speciality is Kola Urundai or mutton balls. It is owned by a family that overlooks everything that goes into making the best dishes. Not only do they grind their masalas using a mortar pestle like the olden days, but the members of the family also supervise the kitchen at all times. You will also find a lot of restaurants that serve other Indian dishes, Chinese and Continental cuisines, too.

How to reach Madurai (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is about 10 km away from the city. The airport connects Madurai to domestic routes in the city like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. The flight connectivity from Madurai to these cities within the country is excellent. However, the nearest international airports are the Coimbatore International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport. You can either change flights from these airports or take a taxi from outside the airport. You will also get taxis from Madurai airport to your hotel or wherever you wish to go first.

By Rail

Trains run regularly to and from Madurai Junction. Trains run quite frequently from the city, and it is also well-connected to other major cities in the country. It is advisable that you make your ticket bookings done well in advance during summer since it is a holiday season and a lot of people travel to Madurai for the summer vacation with their families and kids. In any case, booking tickets in advance will help you find better coaches.

By Road

There are quite a few buses, both government-run and private, that are connected to Madurai. You will also get buses from Madurai to other major cities of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. Getting around the city and to the city by road is also quite convenient. The NH 44 is a popular route to Madurai.

  About Madurai Airport

The Madurai Airport is touted to be a customs airport that majorly serves the city and its neighbouring districts in Tamil Nadu. It is located close to State Highway 37, which is about 12 km from the Madurai railway station. The airport stands at the 32nd position as the busiest airport in India. This includes in terms of passenger handling as well as aircraft movement. Established in 1957, the airport was originally used as an airfield by the Royal Air Force of the British during the Second World War, back in 1942. Later after independence from the British, the airport chartered its first passenger flight which was a Fokker Friendship aircraft that followed the Madras - Madurai - Trivandrum - Madurai - Madras route. This took place in 1956. The airport soon found recognition for being one of the 35 non-metro airports chosen for modernisation. Much recently, the airport received a revamp from the government as a new integrated terminal building was constructed. Madurai airport also has international flights that fly to Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

About Madurai Airport Terminals

The Madurai Airport has two terminals placed in an adjacent direction to connect the old and the new unified terminal. The integrated terminal is presently being used for all domestic and international activities. Meanwhile, the old terminal has been reserved as a Cargo Terminal. The growth in the demand for flights to and from the Madurai International Airport, there are plans to separate the two terminals into individual domestic and international. The terminal with the area of 189,000 ft has the capacity to handle about 250 passengers on arrival and departure. The airport's parking bay can accommodate 375 cars and ten buses. The new terminal also includes features such as 16 check-in counters along with 12 immigration booths. There are two security counters, too, with five customs counters. The new terminal also entertains two lounges for passengers, a VIP lounge managed by AAI and a CIP lounge (Commercial Important Persons) handled by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are three aero-bridges too.

About airport authority

The Madurai Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The AAI is a statutory body that ensures to handle the infrastructural development, maintenance and management of various airports, including the Madurai Airport. Much recently, the airport proposed to create a new terminal building specifically for the Madurai International Airport, as the airport has been witnessing an increase in passenger traffic. The new building will also have a control tower and plans to erect seven new aprons at the Madurai Airport. This is due to the airport's current capacity to handle only 250 passengers at their arrival and departure halls at once. A proposed site is going to extend the runway to 12,500 ft, enabling the efficient functioning of overseas services. Work to extend the airport has already begun with plans to disconnect the Ring Road at the Mandela Junction and divert the route to Perungudi and Avaniapuram, which would eventually connect to the Tuticorin Road.

Top airlines flying from Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport is one of the small airports in the state of Tamil Nadu. As the airport does have two adjacent terminals, one is for the domestic, and the other is for international airlines. There are only two international airlines that fly from Madurai Airport. The Srilankan Airlines, which flies to Colombo–Bandaranaike and SpiceJet, which flies to Dubai-International, are both available at the Madurai airport. Air India Express also has a flight to Singapore, available at Madurai Airport. Aside from these three airlines with cities to international connections, the rest of the airlines are domestic. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, fly from the Madurai Airport. The airlines connectivity is a little limited as they only fly to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Tiruchirapalli and Hyderabad.

Facilities at Madurai Airport

Airport lounge – The airport has a few lounges including a retiring room for passengers who are waiting due to a layover. Madurai Airport also has a lounge called the Golden Chariot Lounge. It is essential for passengers to get access to hang out at the lounge space. The same can be availed through membership programs.

Foreign exchange – The foreign exchange counters are available at the arrivals of the international terminal. The counters have been placed to enable passengers travelling from abroad to exchange currencies and even make money transfers.

Restaurants and cafes – There are a few restaurants and cafes available in the premise of the airport. There is a dedicated food court present in the departure while the arrivals section has small food joints. These include some local food establishments which service tea, coffee and other beverages. Similarly, the airport also has restaurants and joints such as Subway, KFC, to name a few.

Baggage – Madurai Airport provides excellent baggage services. These include provisions of trolleys, baggage wrapping services and storage facilities. As Madurai Airport has flights connecting to domestic and international destinations, they have proper facilities to help ease the transit. You can get your bags wrapped in plastic. This would ensure that the luggage is not mishandled or the contents are affected. Trolleys are available at all intervals until the security check.

Smoking room - Smoking is prohibited in the airport, and hence, the airport has installed dedicated smoking lounges. The smoking room is available in the domestic terminal's Gate 6. Lighters and cigarettes can also be found at the terminal.

ATMs - ATM kiosk of Indian Bank has been placed in the airport's entrance. As the airport caters to domestic and international flights, the ATM kiosks would help withdraw money and exchange currencies.

Medical services - In order to help out with emergencies, the airport has installed medical rooms and services. There are first aid centres in the airport and details on the same can be received at the airport. The terminal manager would be the best to guide the passenger through the process. Pharmacies are also installed at Madurai Airport to help with last-minute medical purchases.

Special assistance - Madurai Airport provides special assistance for passengers who need the same. There are trolleys and wheelchairs available at the airport that the passenger can avail. In fact, it would be best to inform the airline beforehand to avail the services. The airport will provide staff to help passengers travel within the airport and even help them with the check-in and security check procedures.

How to reach Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport has excellent connectivity with buses operated under the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). There are many routes that directly connect to the Madurai airport. In fact, Madurai Airport is known to be one of the few airports in the country that has dedicated government transport services to enable connectivity. Within the city, you will find bus stops with regular buses to help reach Madurai Airport. You can find them at the Periyar Bus Stand, Thirupparankundram, Arappalayam, Krishnapuram Colony, Mattuthavani and Park Town. Plus, these buses have services at the most convenient timings. It is considered to be one of the best ways to reach Madurai Airport.

Another convenient way to reach Madurai Airport is by hailing a taxi. Prepaid taxis are available in the city. The city of Madurai has prominent call taxi services that operate within the city as well as to the airport. These taxis also have services that traverse to neighbouring cities from Madurai. Auto-rickshaws are also considered to be one of the easiest and affordable means of transport to reach Madurai airport. They are widely available within the city to the airport. However, the only concern here is to ensure that you can haggle with the rickshaw. The auto rickshaws do not function on the meter system, so a fixed price needs to be agreed upon with the drivers before you start the journey.

About Madurai

Formerly known as Madura, the city of Madurai is recognised as one of the major cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. In fact, it is actually known to be a cultural capital of the state and is the third largest city after Chennai and Coimbatore. Madurai is also known to be the hub for Tamil Sangam, a congregation of Tamil scholars which is held in the city on an annual basis. Madurai has seen some flourishing history with several big empires taking leadership. The city was ruled by Pandyas, Madurai Sultanate, Madurai Nayaks, Cholas, Vijaynagar Empire and British East India Company, to name a few.

The city's major highlight is the famous Meenakshi Temple as well as the Tirumalai Nayak Palace. These two historical monuments have played a vital role in shaping the cultural heritage of the city. Apart from the historical sites, Madurai also has essential educational institutes run by the government. Madurai Medical College, Madurai Law College, Homeopathic Medical College and Agricultural College and Research Institute are some of the important educational institutes.