Milan to Vadodara Flights

  About Milan

The fashion capital of the world, Milan in Italy is the place to go to if you are a party animal and can't get enough of the fashionable crowd. It's the next best destination to go to after New York and London for an extraordinary holiday. You can put on your fanciest clothes and walk the streets of Milan with a smug look on your face. The city is also popular for the Milan Fashion Week that it hosts quite frequently. It also has some reputed fashion schools that you can check out when you are in Milan. Apart from fashion, Milan is also known as the art capital and is loved for its architecture. It's a place where you can party till wee hours and shop till you drop. Although it is not a tourist destination as popular as Rome, Venice or Florence, it is still a city you must visit even if it is just for a couple of days.

Best Time to Visit Milan

Even though summer is a very popular tourist season in Milan, Spring and Fall are far more pleasant. June to August is summer in Milan, and you will see a lot of tourists in the city during this time. You might want to book your hotel in Milan well in advance if you are visiting in June since this is when the Men's Fashion Week is usually hosted. The flight tickets to Milan can get a tad expensive in summer, and you will also have to carry sunblock and moisturizer in your kit to beat the heat and the humidity. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. Since this is peak season and the number of tourists increases, most tourist attractions in the city will be quite crowded. If you are not a huge fan of crowded places, this might not be the right time to plan a visit to Milan. But you might come across a lot of sales at fashion outlets in the city since it is peak season and is also when the fashion week is hosted. But be prepared to wait in long queues at most places that you visit in the city.

Milan welcomes the Spring season in April and May, making it a pleasant time to visit the city. It's right before tourist season kicks in, so the city is already preparing for it. The temperature ranges from 7 to 22 degree Celsius. You might want to carry an extra pair of cardigans or jackets for the chilly evenings, but otherwise, the weather is quite pleasant. Not to mention, you will not have to wait in long queues at the tourist spots. You can peacefully explore the city during this time and head back home right before summer kicks in. September and October is fall, another ideal time to plan a trip to Milan. The temperature ranges from 13 to 18 degree Celsius. Though this is not a high peak season, the women's fashion week begins in September so you will come across quite a few tourists who land in the city just to catch the show. You might also have to book your accommodation and flights to Milan way in advance.

There are chances of showers in October and November so make sure you carry an umbrella if you are travelling to Milan in these months. November to March is winter in Milan. The temperature ranges from 3 to 13 degree Celsius. December to February are the coldest months in the city. While it is not exactly the most popular season to fly to Milan, the Milan Fashion Week for women takes place in February, which invites more tourists in February, too.

Places to Visit in Milan

Since Milan is one of the five fashion capitals of the world with Paris, London and New York, high-end fashion boutiques and shopping is considered to be the most prominent thing to do here. But the city is more than just the fashion capital of the world. Milan Cathedral is not only the largest cathedral in Italy, but it is also the fifth largest one in the world. It is decorated with over 2200 marble statues, and the architecture will take your breath away. The sheer tranquillity of the cathedral along with its marvellous artwork, will stun you. Sforzesco Castle was built in the 14th century and was ideally constructed as a fortress. The Sforzesco Castle is home to a lot of timeless pieces of art. It features Pietà Rondanini, which was Michelangelo's final masterpiece. You will also find Egyptian art on display here. La Scala was designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini and is one of the best opera houses in the city with red and gold being the prominent colours.

Santa Maria Delle Grazie is another popular tourist attraction in Milan that houses Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper. And we finally get to the best and most memorable part of Milan, the Quadrilatero d'Oro. You will find a lot of exclusive and high-end designer stores here. It's an important place for all fashionistas to head to and comes to life at night. The Piazza Dei Mercanti is another great place to visit at night. You will get a glimpse of the medieval life in Milan at night, and it looks even better and lively during the Christmas holidays. While you are in Milan, make sure you also visit the art galleries here, Pinacoteca di Brera specifically. It is one of the best places for all you art lovers to visit and showcases paintings in more than 40 rooms. You can also explore the streets outside the museum and go shopping for souvenirs at the cute little shops here. Navigli Lombardi is a canal that was constructed in Milan in the 12th century. Boating or cruising at the canal here is a popular tourist activity.

Things to do in Milan

Attending the fashion weeks hosted in Milan is one of the popular activities in the city. Of course, you will have to arrange for the passes, tickets and accommodation well in advance. Not just fashion but it is also the culture, art and history that draws tourists to Milan. Visit the art museums to admire some of the best paintings by skilled, legendary artists in the world. You will come across a lot of artworks by Leonardo da Vinci showcased at museums here. Do also visit the Milan Cathedral, also called Duomo and you will be stunned at the spectacular view and architecture. Head to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a shopping spree. You can hit the streets and try some delicious Italian food at high-end restaurants or quaint cafes. Apollo Club is a hot and happening vintage-style club that also has a games room for its guests. You can drink and dance till wee hours before you head back to the hotel. If you are not travelling during peak season, you can just take a walk on the streets of Milan and discover the city on your own. A lot of tourists also prefer to hire guides or tour packages to explore Milan.

Food and Restaurants in Milan

You will find lots of kinds of pasta, pizzas, gelato and espressos in Milan. The city has also added its touch to certain cuisine making it a speciality here. The Risotto Alla Milanese is a must-try if you want to blend in. The secret ingredient here is saffron, and it only brings out the wonderful flavour in the risotto. Ossobuco, a veal dish, is a popularly ordered food during winter. Milan is also popular for its cheeses and gin. Panzarotti is one of the most famous places to binge on Italian delicacies. Premiata Cremeria Rossi and Pizzium - Via Vigevano are some other restaurants in the city. If you want to try the street food here, you can head to Tram. You will find a lot of high-end, elite restaurants in Milan and you will also find a lot of cute cafes in the city that are worth visiting. You can blend in both during your trip to Milan for a complete experience.

How to reach Milan (Transportation)

The Malpensa International Airport in Milan is one of the largest airports in Italy. The flight connectivity from Milan to India and other international countries is excellent. Although there are no direct flights to Milan from India, you will have layovers in different cities depending on the airlines that you pick. However, if you are travelling to Milan from any other European country, you can take a train to Milan. Kuwait Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines are frequently flying to Milan from India. There are VIP lounges, restaurants, shopping areas and a lot of other facilities made available to passengers at Milan's airport. You will get a better deal on flights to Milan if you book your trip in advance. You might also get cheap flight tickets to Milan if you are travelling during the offseason. Make sure you also book your hotel in Milan in advance.

  About Vadodara

Vadodara, earlier known as Baroda, is a flourishing city in the state of Gujarat. The city is nestled on the banks of the river Vishwamitri and close to NH 48 (renumbered from 8) which connects Mumbai and Delhi. Over the years, Vadodara has seen extreme infrastructural growth. Be it their extensive airport or the tourist attractions within the city, Vadodara has managed to climb up the ranks to be one of the cleanest cities in India. In fact, after Kochi, Vadodara is the second airport in India to have acquired a sustainable energy source, which makes it a green airport. Travelling to the city is quite easy as the flight connectivity to Vadodara or even rail and roadway has an excellent network.

The city is quite famous and sees tremendous tourists flocking over during weekends for a break. Aside from the beautiful structures and tourist attractions, the city also has great staycation options. You can book hotels in Vadodara for reasonable costs and benefit from their top-notch hospitality and services. The food culture of Vadodara is something that is worth talking about as it brings together a global fusion cuisine.

Best time to visit in Vadodara

Vadodara witnesses the hottest summers. In fact, it is said that the summers in Vadodara are the hottest in the entire country. Knowing this should be enough for you to contemplate whether to visit Vadodara during summer or to avoid it. The temperatures sometimes go up to 42 degree Celsius which could be too much for some people to handle. The months between April to July see the hottest temperatures. Often people are unable to leave their houses too because of the heat and the health problems that follow. It is not surprising that the flight tickets to Vadodara are quite cheap and affordable during this season. Even the accommodation scenes are affordable with hotel bookings in Vadodara dropping room charges. Unless you have the strength to deal with the harsh rays of the sun, venturing to the city is not a good option.

The city does experience monsoon as well, but it is quite moderate. However, because of the rains, the terrain becomes cool and the atmosphere, a lot more bearable. The months from July to September see temperatures ranging from 24 degree Celsius to 38 degree Celsius. While it is still on the hotter side, the air and vibe turn more agreeable. The city does not see excess rainfall so that the moderate showers wouldn't affect your travel plans.

Winters are the best in Vadodara. The city is comparatively colder and has a very refreshing environment. With temperatures between 15 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius, the city air turns pleasant. Even the winter sun is soothing and manages to put a smile on everyone's faces. October to March undoubtedly have the best weather in Vadodara. Not to mention how the months also come with festivals. From Navratri to Diwali, the festivities make the city vibrant with decorations and lit ambience. You can indulge in wearing Navratri clothes and perform Garba in the city. Also, you can taste undhiyu, a dish popularly made only during the winter season by Gujaratis. Overall, the place certainly turns into a lovely carnival. The flight to Vadodara and hotel bookings in the city automatically spike up with the peak season. However, with a little more scouting on the internet, you will be able to find some amazing online flight deals to Vadodara.

Places to visit in Vadodara

With its agreeable temperatures during winter, Vadodara has some lovely places that should be checked out. There are green gardens in the city that would definitely blow your mind. You can check out the Makarpura Palace, Sayaji Garden, Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, Sur Sagar Lake, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Nyaya Mandir, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Jambughoda Wild Life Sanctuary, Champaner and Kirti Mandir. As a city that is constantly rooting towards expansion and development, Vadodara is also acknowledged as one of the cleanest cities in India.

Things to do in Vadodara

Vadodara has some of the best gardens and parks in the city. From the famous Kabirwad to the colourful Ajwa Nimeta Dam Garden, these places are lit with exquisite maintenance. Theme parks such as Ajwa Fun World and S Cube Water Park are also cool places to unwind with the family. As for those who wish to be close to nature, you can head to the Zarwani and Hathini Waterfalls. When in the city, you must check out the Narmada Canal, which is an impressive structure.

Food and Restaurants in Vadodara

One can never go to Gujarat and not have their celebrated cuisine. Gujarati food is known to be one of the best and the Gujaratis, food connoisseurs. The state's city Vadodara is no different to this idea. Aside from catering to the diverse range of tourists and visitors, Vadodara also propagates their vegetarian food, Gujarati thalis and fascinating delicacies. Most of Gujarat follows a vegetarian diet and hence, is tough to find non-vegetarian food joints. However, here in Vadodara, you will find a handful of restaurants that serve mouth-watering non-vegetarian dishes that would make you a happy person.

At the city's barbecue junction, The Barbeque Grill, you will find some well-cooked Mughlai cuisine with kebabs, biryanis and other such dishes. Plus, they do have a buffet system too. Sasumaa's Gujarati thali is famous across the state. This chain of restaurants only have Gujarati thalis, and they are all you need to get the best of the cuisine. Not to mention how hospitable the staff is that it would further enhance your experience. Vadodara also has provision for global cuisine such as Mexican, Chinese and more. You should visit Salsa Habanero to get the best of Mexican flavours in the city. The chef of the restaurant was raised in California and surrounded by Mexican cuisine, which brought about this institution.

Some of the other places in Vadodara that should be visited include Azure, Mandap, Peshawari, Kai Asia, 22nd Parallel and San's Sizzlers. If you do manage to get time aside from checking out these restaurants, it is recommended that you also check out the street food culture of Vadodara. You will be surprised by their active food scenes on the streets.

How to reach Vadodara (Transportation)

By Air

Vadodara Airport is located 6.2 km away from the main city of Vadodara. After Ahmedabad and Surat, Vadodara is the third busiest airport in the state. The airport is touted to be the cleanest in the whole country. Interestingly, the airport recently inaugurated its international terminal and has since been witnessing a tremendous surge in passenger footfall. The flight connectivity to Vadodara is excellent as various major cities have dedicated flights flying in and out of the city. Flying to Vadodara easily becomes the best option as there are many flights to Vadodara from cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Not to mention how the flight connectivity to and from Vadodara enables easier transportation for travellers. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo have designated flights to Vadodara from Bangalore, Delhi, Indore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and more. The fact that the airport is clean and has top-notch facilities further makes it a favoured option. You can book flight tickets to Vadodara at a reasonable price, irrespective of whether it is peak season or off-season. Plus, the city has exquisite accommodation too. You can book fancy hotels in Vadodara and enhance your trip experience.

By Rail

Vadodara railway station is just as well-connected as the flights to Vadodara. You can simply travel to the city in Gujarat from anywhere in India. The railway station is known to be the biggest one in the western railways belt. The city's railway station has excellent connectivity with several domestic routes connected to Vadodara. The railway station witnesses various express trains from corners of India. Some of the regular express trains include the Howrah-Ahmedabad Express and Navjivan Express. However, it is best to book tickets to Vadodara well in advance, owing to the popularity of the place. From the railway station, you can easily venture around in the city, which is perfectly connected thanks to the auto-rickshaw, buses and cab services. You can even book a hotel in Vadodara's city centre area and be assured that transit would be convenient.

By Road

Many tourists opt for roadways to travel to Vadodara. The highways and domestic routes connecting Vadodara to other big cities are extremely immaculate. The highways and roads are regularly maintained to ensure that the aesthetic beauty remains intact. This has given many travellers the option to take up road trips to the city. Even bus rides to Vadodara are good as the scenic views, and travel duration is decent. If you do have a budget issue and need to save enough money to book a hotel in Vadodara, then you should opt for bus travel. They are comfortable and will lead you directly to the city centre. Here, close to the bus stand, you will find many accommodation options that would help with your wallet.

  About Vadodara Airport

Vadodara Airport, also known by the name, Civil Airport Harni, is situated in the suburb of Harni, which is in the north-east of Vadodara, Gujarat. The city is the third largest in the state of Gujarat in terms of population. The city follows Ahmedabad and Surat in the list of populated cities in the state. Vadodara was originally a domestic airport which recently received the stature of an international airport. Vadodara Airport has started operations of international flights. Additionally, the airport also has its state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facility.

About Vadodara Airport terminals

Vadodara Airport has one domestic terminal which has been named after the Maharaja of Baroda State. The terminal's decor has been inspired by the architectural nuances of mixed styles ranging from Gujarati to dome-shaped roofs, etc. As the airport is small, so is the terminal. It cannot accommodate a large throng of passengers and barely manages 250 in an hour. Hence, to expand the capacity of the terminal and to incorporate international flight operations, the airport announced to construct a new integrated terminal building in the vicinity. A competition to design the new terminal was introduced on an international scale. Following this, a US-based consortium Gensler, Frederic Schwartz Architects and Creative Group from India bagged the project to design the new terminal. Works to accommodate the new integrated terminal commenced in 2009 as the foundation was laid.

After nearly seven years of construction work, the terminal was completed and inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in the same year. The new integrated terminal sprawls across an area of 18,120 square metres and can accommodate about 700 passengers in an hour. Other features of the terminal include 18 check-in counters as well as a night parking facility. The parking bay can accommodate close to nine Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This has enabled a reduction in the burden at Mumbai Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and Ahmedabad Airport (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport). It has also made it economical for several airlines. Presently, Vadodara Airport does not accommodate cargo. It is also recognised as the second airport in the country, after Cochin International Airport, to be a green airport. In fact, the airport's new integrated terminal also holds a global record for being the only airport with the longest single sheet rooftop which measures about 164.2 metres.

About Airport Authority

The airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has been founded to cater to the upgradations, maintenance and management of various civil aviation infrastructure in the country. It is thanks to the work of the Airports Authority of India that Vadodara Airport has managed to expand its airport terminals and to accommodate both domestic and international flights. In fact, the exemplary work of the AAI has enabled Vadodara Airport to bag the Swachh Bharat Award for being one of the cleanest and safest airports in the category of airports that can accommodate passenger capacity of 1.5 million. As part of the expansion plans, Airports Authority of India has brought Vadodara Airport in the maps of one of the most accomplished and well-developed airports in India.

Facilities at the Vadodara Airport

Wheelchair accessibility – You can request for a wheelchair with your airline, and the airport would cater to the same.

Medical facility – Vadodara Airport has a designated team of medical professionals to deal with emergency cases that might crop up at the airport premise. They are trained doctors and professionals. Medical rooms are also present as are pharmacies.

Restaurants and cafes – There are quaint cafes and restaurants installed in the airport premise. They can be found in the departure sections of the airport. Smaller joints and food establishments can also be found in the arrivals section. For tea, coffee and other such beverages, you can check out some joints located in the airport.

Baggage – The baggage services at the airport include trolleys and porter systems. You can ask for a porter service, wherein an airport staff would escort your trolley of luggage and even get the security checks done on your behalf. Trolleys are available outside the airport as well as in the airport premise.

Shops – There are small shops also present at the airport premise. You can find some impeccable paintings, books, magazines, artefacts and souvenirs at these shops. They basically glorify the culture of Gujarat and also have exquisite ethnic items that you could purchase. In fact, for passengers who need to pass their time at the airport can actually visit these shops and be entertained by the lovely collection of items that they have for sale.

Lounge – The airport has a luxury lounge present in the departure section of the terminal. The lounge can be accessed by passengers who have special passes or a certain ticket type. As for others who wish to spend time in the lounge and enjoy their benefits, the airport has tariffs that the passengers will need to pay to get access to the space. There are TV sets, WiFi services, good hospitality and great lounge seats available in the lounge.

Special assistance – There are special assistance services that have been reserved for senior citizens and passengers with disabilities. These services can be availed at the airport. It is recommended that the passenger inform the airlines prior to the journey. The airport will be able to accommodate the necessary services and trained staff to cater to the same.

Smoking zones – Vadodara Airport has strict laws against smoking and to make sure that the protocols to not smoke in public are followed, they have installed zones in the premise. The airport has designated smoking zones for passengers to avail. These spaces also have cigarettes for sale. The smoking lounges are kept clean and sanitised with fresh air being pumped at every interval.

Top airlines flying from Vadodara Airport

Vadodara is a big city within the borders of Gujarat. However, it does not have excellent connectivity with other Indian cities. As an airport that only caters to domestic flights, Vadodara Airport accommodates operations of airlines namely Air India and IndiGo. These airlines fly to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore, to name a few.

How to reach Vadodara Airport

By Bus and taxi

Vadodara as a city is perfectly connected with several modes of transportation. The airport is also just as well-connected as it is very close to the city centre. You can opt for buses to reach Vadodara Airport. There are designated bus stops available in proximity to the airport. These buses can be taken from anywhere around the city. As one of the important cities in Gujarat, Vadodara's bus services are handled by the state government. Hence, the connectivity is immaculate. Aside from the buses, you can also reach Vadodara Airport by hailing a taxi cab. There are provisions of the same in the city. In fact, you can also opt for car rentals and travel in the same to reach Vadodara Airport.

By Rail

Baroda Railway Station is barely five kilometres from Vadodara Airport. Hence, if you are travelling from neighbouring towns by train and have a flight to catch from Vadodara Airport, the best way to reach would be by getting a rickshaw or taxi ride from the railway station. As it is in the city centre, you can easily find taxi cabs and rickshaws at the Baroda Railway Station to reach Vadodara Airport. It would take you about 15 minutes to reach Vadodara Airport from the railway station. Hopefully, if there is not much traffic on the street, the travel duration would further be reduced. The road conditions are rather conducive.

About Vadodara

Vadodara, popularly known as Baroda, is the third-most populous city in the state of Gujarat. The city is named after the presence of Banyan (Vad), that grow and flourish in the city. Vadodara is perched atop the banks of the Vishwamitri River and is roughly 120 km away from the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Vadodara's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer has enabled the city to have a tropical climate at all times. It is extremely hot and often deals with scorching summers too. Although the city witnesses tremendous passenger traffic owing to the industrial establishments, there are dedicated peak months when you can visit Vadodara.

The best time to visit the city is from March to April. It is considerably hot and humid, but the heat is bearable. The city is blessed with lovely temples and exquisite palaces and historic structures. In fact, it is even recognised as the cultural capital of Gujarat. Thanks to these attractions, the city witnesses tremendous tourist action. Some of the highlights of the city include the Lakshmi Vilas Palace which is the residence of Baroda Stat's Maratha regal family, the Gaekwads, from the Gaekwad Dynasty. Vadodara is home to the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The city is heavily invested in various power and oil and gas corporations.