Moscow to Vishakhapatnam Flights

  About Moscow

Situated on the banks of the sparkling Moskva River, the city of Moscow is the capital of Russia. With a rich history and contribution towards the performing arts industry, the city is a haven for tourists during summers.

Best time to visit Moscow

June to August is practically perfect for a visit to Moscow. However, the finances will take a supreme toll during these months. As a cold country that witnesses a decent summer, the three months automatically become a favourite not just for tourists but also citizens of Russia. Hotel prices and flights are staggering and affording the same is next to impossible. Of course, the city does have some lovely festivals during this time, such as the Moscow International Film Festival and Usadbha Jazz Festival that takes place. Another reason that makes tourists from within Russia head to the capital. Nobody would want to miss the carnivalesque celebrations of Moscow. While June to August might be rough on the pockets, April to May might give you the satisfaction shelling out fewer rubles. The temperatures during this stretch are quite alluring as the sun starts to pop out of the clouds to entertain the city. Not to mention the festivals and events such as Russian Fashion Week, Labour Day/Spring Festival and Victory Day, that take over the city streets. You should know though that the cheap hotel prices in Moscow are only in the initial few days of spring. As the temperatures start to rise, the costs of the room will also see a tremendous growth.

No matter when you plan your trip, do avoid the winters in Moscow. Unless you're willing to risk the possibility of frostbites and low heart rates, the winter is certainly not meant for you. The temperatures drop to negative between November to March. It literally does have freezing cold winters that are not ideal for tourism or travelling.

Places to visit in Moscow

The one thing Moscow does not fall short off is the intriguing slew of museums, art galleries and preservation of monuments. You will notice how these places have been preserved by the government officials as they reflect the historical significance as well as the cultural relevance of Russia. From age-old cathedrals to Russian iconography, the city witnesses some of the finest architecture from the old times that continue to stand firm. As part of your sightseeing expedition in Moscow, you should start with Red Square. It is located at the heart of Moscow and is known to have symbolic significance to also be at the centre of the whole of Russia. Take some good time from your travel duration and spend as much time in Red Square as possible. The views are scintillating and definitely worth being captured. St. Basil's Cathedral is the next important place in the city. Originally called the Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat, the cathedral is located within the red Square. You will be able to recognise this structure for its bonfire-styled architecture.

Further continuing with your pilgrimage, do check out the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, nestled beautifully on the banks of river Moscow. The architecture is as Russian as it can get while the history is rather strange. Close to the cathedral is the Moscow Kremlin, a fortress located in the city centre, a little away from the Red Square. Kremlins are basically Russian citadels that serve as the official abode to the President of Russia. There are four palaces, a few towers and four cathedrals located in the Kremlin. Pushkin Fine Arts Museum is the perfect place to visit if you're invested in the artistic past of the country and its literary contributions. As home to one of the largest collections to be found in European art in Moscow, the museum honours some of the prominent names in the Russian art history. You should also check out Moscow Zoo if you're travelling with family. The zoo houses over 6,000 animals that range from 1,000 diverse species. It is an extremely old zoo and is definitely compelling. You should also check out Lenin's Mausoleum, which is actually quite a strange site. The place attracts tourists majorly because of the fact that it contains the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin, which is always on display. It is odd and even disturbing, which seems to attract tourists from around the world.

Things to do in Moscow

Moscow caters majorly to the shopaholics in a traveller. They have the humongous department store called GUM, which houses a slew of high-end boutiques and brands. The interiors of the store are exquisite and marvellous. Luxury brands such as Dior to high-street fashion brands like Zara, also have stores in the complex. To give your taste buds a culinary excursion, head to Arbat Street. The place is legendary and is known to attract the highest number of tourists in Moscow. Thanks to the street, which is no short of a puny carnival, there are many restaurants, cafes, performers, live music, caricaturists, etc., who entertain the travellers. If you are tired with all the touristy indulgences and simply want to kick off your shoes and sit back, head to Gorky Park. The city's luscious green space is well-maintained and is perfect for finding tranquillity in the city. You simply cannot miss the Bolshoi Theatre as it is one of the biggest entertainment institutions in the country. The stage hosts a bunch of opera performances as well as beautiful ballet.

Food and Restaurants in Moscow

Russian cuisine is unique as it comprises dishes based on the geographical and environmental factors. From cold soups to excess meat, their meals are one of a kind and definitely worth trying. Using a single base, they make a plethora of dishes. Not only is this impressive, but it also expands their cuisine with variations to dishes. Traditional Russian meals should be something to indulge in when you're visiting Moscow. One of the most basic and common meals found in the city is Kasha, a healthy and unique version of porridge. You will find this everywhere, and its homely flavours will make you feel happy and satiated. Pelmeni is another interesting dish made by the Russians which consists of fish dumplings that are kept frozen, only to be cooked in boiling water for a flavourful explosion. The Russian version of pancakes or crepes, if you will, has meat and is served sour cream. Russians roll blini with cottage cheese, cabbage, mushrooms as fillings and complete the dish with smoked salmon and sour cream. You can change the sides to jam or honey as well. Of course, one of their most famous meals is borscht. It is typically cooked with beetroot and tomatoes, which is why it has the reddish-purple hue. The soup has beef, tossed with other vegetables.

To find some of the best Russian meals, you should head to Boemi, Megobari, LavkaLavka Farm Restaurant, Russian Pub and Paktika By Darvin. Of course, the city doesn't rid you of any other international cuisine. In fact, they do have some upscale dining experiences which can be found at places such as Italoniya, Tkemali, Beer Harbor, Lure Oyster Bar, Dzhumbus, Sabor de la Vida and 5+2, to name a few. Moscow has many cheap restaurants and pubs where you can chill to enjoy the city's vibe and interact with the locals. Shopping centres in the city have many food joints that would give you company, in case you were bored and hungry.

How to reach Moscow (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Moscow from India is actually much better than you would assume. The city of Mumbai has dedicated direct flights to Moscow, making travel duration considerably less. There are nearly 280 flights that operate from India to Russia thanks to the demand it has. This provision of several flights is on a daily basis. Hence, in terms of getting flights to Moscow from India, you don't have to worry. Even the flight tickets to Moscow are inexpensive from India. Various international routes to Moscow are from the Middle East and European belt. Delhi also has the provision to charter direct flights to Moscow. The capital has two airlines that provide direct flights to Moscow. Travelling duration from Delhi to Moscow is close to seven hours while flights from Mumbai to Delhi have eleven hours travel duration. Airlines such as Air India, Air Arabia, Etihad, Emirates and Aeroflot are some of the primary ones to source flights to Moscow from India. The travelling is actually quite convenient with Middle being the popular route to reach Moscow from India.

As the flight tickets to Moscow from India aren't very exorbitant, you will be able to avail some travel discounts. In fact, there might be cheap flight tickets to Moscow available online. The more you peruse through the internet, the more you will find flight deals to Moscow. Accommodation options are also available, and some are even located close to the airport. Depending on the kind of trip, you can accordingly make your hotel reservations in Moscow.

  About Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam also called as Vizag in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the oldest port cities in the country and is known for its beautiful beaches. Not only is it one of the best holiday destinations in the country, but it is also quite affordable. Holidaying in Vizag will not burn a hole in your pocket. Yarada Beach, Katiki waterfalls, the Submarine Museum, Rishikonda beach, Ross Hill church are some of the places in the city that you can visit. There is more than these, and it's like paradise for beach bums who cannot get enough of the beaches and caves. For the ones who love mountains, Araku Valley in Vizag is the place for you to go.

Best Time to Visit Visakhapatnam

October to March is the most ideal time to plan a trip to Vizag. The temperature is just right for this vacation destination that is on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It won't affect your beach time or your plans to experience other outdoor activities, too. Book a hotel room in Vizag with a beach view to make the most of the weather. Winter starts in October and lasts until March. The temperature ranges from 15 to 27 degree Celsius. You will also get to be a part of festivals like the Visakha Utsav, Pongal and other beach festivals that are celebrated here. This is also considered to be the best time to indulge in water activities and competitions that are hosted here. You will also find decent flight deals to Vizag during this time.

Monsoon starts from July till September end. The port city receives moderate to heavy rainfall during this time, and the temperature ranges from 27 to 35 degree Celsius. The weather is quite humid, and the heavy downpour will only make it difficult for you to venture out. Although, if you are planning a staycation of sorts, this might be the perfect time to do so. You will get cheap flight tickets to Vizag since it is offseason. You can book a hotel in Vizag with the beach view or that of the Araku Valley to feel rejuvenated.

April to June is when the city witnesses summer. The scorching heat makes it quite exhausting and unbearable to hit the beach. The temperature ranges from 22 to 41 degree Celsius during this time. You will not be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city or explore other parts of the city during this time. It is best to plan a trip during the winter only.

Places to Visit in Visakhapatnam

Since Vizag is a port city that is situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, it is known for its sparkling blue beaches. Yarada beach is popular for its spectacular view. The Rama Krishna Mission Beach is yet another beach that you must visit to feel all rejuvenated. It will feel like the best, most peaceful escape from your hectic life. The Rishikonda Beach is called the Jewel of the East Coast, and you won't deny it when you visit the place. The beach also has water sport activities for the adventure lover in you. It is called the Rishikonda beach since it is overlooked by the Rushikonda Hill and is a popular spot for tourists to visit. The Bheemili beach is where the Gosthani river meets the Bay of Bengal. The beach and the area around it reflects the Dutch era and was built in the 17th century. Make sure you check out the remnants of the old forts and cemeteries. This is the perfect place to go to if you want to avoid being in a city. Lawson's Bay beach is a top-rated beach and an extension of the Ramakrishna beach. It is also a secluded beach and the best one if you want to unwind, relax and enjoy the tranquillity.

Apart from the beaches, Vizag also has hills and wildlife to experience for tourists. Araku Valley is a must-visit if you love and want to be around greenery. You will find coffee plantations in the valley, and this place is also like paradise for nature lovers. It is also a great spot to take beautiful pictures. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 71 square kilometres area and is named after the mountain Kambalakonda. You will come across endangered species of animals like the Indian Leopard, Russell's Viper, Indian Muntjac and so on. You won't regret planning a trip to the Araku valley at all. The Katiki Waterfalls is another popular tourist spot in the city near the Araku Valley. You can also go trekking at this location.

Things to do in Visakhapatnam

One thing is certain, you will never get bored in Vizag, even if you have nothing planned for the entire day or if you have run out of things to do. If you are done with all your sightseeing and outdoor activities, you can always either sit by the beach with a book or take a walk at the Ramakrishna beach followed by the Lawson's Bay beach. It will rejuvenate your mind and take you to your happy place. The sunset, especially, is so pleasant and enchanting that you wouldn't even have to put in efforts to create a romantic setup. Catch the Dhimsa performance, a dance act that is performed by artists in Araku Valley's cultural event. You'll be stunned with all the expert moves and the colourful performances. You can also go visit the coffee plantations along with the mesmerizing waterfalls in the valley. It is overwhelming and will certainly make you happy. Of course, it also calls for a lot of pictures.

Check out the water sport activities available at the Rushikonda beach like water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and so on. If you go during the right season, you might get to try all of it. You can also just go for a swim if adventure sports is not your thing. Not to mention, the snacks and seafood stalls around the beach serve the most delicious food. Kailasagiri is a hilltop that is popular for its large idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. You can either reach the hilltop via the cable car or trek up to the top.

Food and Restaurants in Visakhapatnam

Food in Vizag is a combination of all the cities and cultures around it. Hyderabadi Biryani is a favourite among the locals here and tourists, too. You'll get North Indian food with a blend of Andhra cuisine. It goes without saying that dosas, idlis and upmas are popular in the city. But apart from these, people also love the pickles, chutneys, Appadams, Pachadi, Pappu Koora, Vepudu and Garelu. Muri Mixture is also a very popular snack in the port city. The food here in Vizag will instantly lift your spirits. While a lot of the Andhra-inspired cuisines will be spicy and tangy, you also get Chinese, Continental and other cuisines because it is a popular vacation spot. The desserts, too, are worth a try.

If you get a Biryani craving at around midnight, make sure you head straight to Greenpark Midnight Biryani. The menu doesn't change very often here, but the food is mouthwatering, and the ice cream with gulab jamun is highly recommended after you are done savouring the biryani. Sri Sairam Parlour is another restaurant that is popular in Vizag. You can head here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or evening snacks, too. It won't burn a hole in your pocket, the food is delicious, and it serves only vegetarian food.

How to reach Visakhapatnam (Transportation)

By Air

Visakhapatnam is well-connected to a lot of other cities in the country by air. The Visakhapatnam Airport is about 8 km away from the city. Flights from Visakhapatnam fly to domestic cities but also to a few international locations like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The flight connectivity from Vizag is excellent. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Vizag well in advance if you are travelling during the peak season. You might also come across decent flight deals to Vizag if you book in advance.

By Rail

Visakhapatnam Junction is connected to all major cities in India like New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and so on. You will find the Janmabhoomi Express, Konark Express, Samta Express and a couple of other trains stopping at Vizag. From the railway station, you will get a taxi or a bus from outside the station without any hassle. You might have to book your train tickets well in advance to block better seats because it might get difficult to get a decent one at the last moment.

By Road

Domestic routes to Vizag are from cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Vijayawada, Puri and Kolkata. You will get quite a few buses and taxis that will drop you to or leave from Vizag. It's not one of the most popular ways to travel, but it's not an inconvenient option, too. The NH5 is a popular route to Vizag that connects the port city to Kolkata. The travel time depends on which part of the country you leave from and which route you take.

  About Visakhapatnam Airport

Visakhapatnam Airport is a recognised custom airport that is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The airport also operates as a civil enclave on an Indian Navy air base called INS Dega. The airport is sandwiched between the locales of NAD Cross Road as well as Gajuwaka. Over the years, the airport has witnessed significant growth after entering the 21st century. A new terminal was constructed with a concrete runway and provisions for international flight operations. The airport is sprawled across 350 acres of land in the coastal city. In the 1990s, Visakhapatnam Airport was undergoing a redevelopment phase which resulted in low air traffic. Not to mention, the airport only catered to one daily flight. However, in the following ten years, the airport saw some extensive redevelopment. The runways were extended from 6,000 ft to 10,500 ft, allowing narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 to land. The same year, an instrumental landing system was also installed which enabled night landing facilities at the airport. Initially, Visakhapatnam Airport only used this for military operations. However, the ILS soon became operational for passenger aircraft. In 2009, the airport finally inaugurated its new terminal which started functioning, the same year.

About Visakhapatnam Airport Terminals

The airport has a domestic terminal and a cargo terminal. The airport's domestic terminal operates services for regional cities. Basically, the airport caters to services from around the country. While Visakhapatnam Airport started by accommodating single flights in a day, it soon rose to become a sought-after airport with more domestic flights. Various airlines such as Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo, along with a few more, operate from the domestic terminal. The airport connects to a vast number of major and minor cities in India. These include Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi and Patna, to name a few. The terminal has been divided into two sides, one that opens to the city side and the other that goes straight to the airside. A designated cargo terminal is also available at the airport. The cargo terminal basically caters to import and export services from international cities such as Colombo and Dubai. The two leading cargo airlines to connect to Visakhapatnam Airport include Expoair Cargo and Naki Air. The carrier offers transportation of goods to and from India to two international cities.

About airport authority

Visakhapatnam Airport is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India while the Indian Navy also plays a pivotal role. Management functions and operations are primarily taken care of by the Airport Authority of India. The airport is recognised as the second busiest in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Currently, the airport is said to function between 8 am and 8 pm only as they are yet to accommodate night flights. Visakhapatnam Airport is a non-towered airport that is often integrated with the latest air traffic control system. There are a total of 11 parking bays located in the airport premise while it has the capacity to handle 300 passengers arriving and 700 passengers departing. The aviation operations of Visakhapatnam Airport was started by the Indian Navy in the late 1970s. They constructed four helipads that are adjacent to the civil airstrip. The airport's operations were then transferred to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in 1981. Following the transfer of management, the airport added hangars, maintenance facilities and an operational complex. Eventually, though, the airport's management operations were taken up by AAI.

Facilities At Visakhapatnam Airport

Baggage - The airport has installed hi-tech baggage facilities to scan the bags as well as to upscale its security. There are X-ray scanners that the bags need to be put in for security checks. The whole idea behind installing high technology bag scanners is to ensure that the bags are preserved, and the airport's safety measures are followed. Aside from the scanners, Visakhapatnam Airport also has special baggage services available. You will find trolleys at every junction of the departure and arrival section of the terminal. Plus, there are wrapping services also available at the airport to safeguard your bags from mishandling and theft.

Restaurants and cafes - Within the airport premise, there are small food establishments as well as restaurants available. Famous food joints such as Subway and McDonald's are present at the premise of the airport. Not to mention, there are quaint food joints located as well as beverage points. You can find coffee and tea stalls within the airport premise.

Special assistance - Visakhapatnam Airport offers special assistance to passengers who have mobility issues or require to be escorted in the airport premise. You can inform the airlines about the requirement, and the airport will find an ideal professional to help you with assistance.

Duty-free shops - As an airport that caters to cargo services, there are duty-free shops also available in the premise. You can find these shows at the departure as well as the arrival sections of the terminal. Dry Fruit Shop and garment shops are also present at the airport, in case you need to purchase some last-minute gifts for family members and friends. There are convenience stores also available that you can peruse through as you wait for your flights.

ATMs - There are provisions for ATMs also prevalent at the airport. To ensure that the passengers are able to withdraw money or even make other bank-related transfers.

Lounge - There are dedicated VIP lounges and basic lounges available at the airport. The VIP ones are usually reserved for the passengers who have special tickets or memberships. Basic lounge facilities are also available at the departure area for passengers to wait at before boarding the flight.

Medical services - With a view to helping out medical emergencies, Visakhapatnam Airport has installed rooms and facilities. There are medical emergency rooms available, as well as pharmacies. For last-minute medication purchases, the airport does offer the same services.

Smoking rooms - As smoking is an offence in the public space, the airport has also reserved smoking lounges. Travellers can access the smoking lounges at the airport's departure and arrival sections of the terminal.

Top airlines flying from Visakhapatnam Airport

As of 2020, Visakhapatnam Airport caters to a few domestic airlines and international ones too. The airport accommodates airlines such as AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air and IndiGo. These airlines operate from Visakhapatnam Airport to major cities in the country. Much of the cities though are limited to southern states. Cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Rajahmundry, Port Blair, have flights flying to and from Visakhapatnam Airport. Along with this, Visakhapatnam Airport also caters to flights flying to and from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Besides these cities, the airport connects to a few international destinations as well. Air Asia and Scoot are the two international airlines that operate from Visakhapatnam Airport. Further, the flights from these international airlines connect to cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Dubai.

How to reach Visakhapatnam Airport

By bus and taxi

The central bus stand of Visakhapatnam is approximately 18.5 kilometres away from the Visakhapatnam Airport. Although reaching the Visakhapatnam Airport from the bus is challenging, there are cabs and taxi services that can reach the bus stand without much hassle. There are no dedicated bus stands that are located in the proximity of the airport. Travellers often choose to reach the Visakhapatnam Airport by first reaching the bus stand. Since it has interstate bus services, often from the bus stand, there are provisions of taxi cab services to reach Visakhapatnam Airport. It is essential to discuss the fare with the taxi cab drivers ahead of the journey. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to reach Visakhapatnam Airport from the bus stand. However, it does depend on the traffic situation.

By Rail

The Visakhapatnam railway station is just seven kilometres away from the airport. Hence, it is considered to be one of the most sought-after modes of transport to reach Visakhapatnam Airport. The railways have good connection within the city and the state. Hence, travellers opt for railways as a convenient and affordable means to reach the Visakhapatnam Airport. The taxi cab fare also reduces considerably from the railway station to the airport. It is also very comfortable and convenient in terms of travel time.

About Vishakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is known to be the largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is located on the coast and is sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats. After the decentralisation of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Visakhapatnam was appointed as the administrative capital of the state. It is the fourth most populous city in South India. Visakhapatnam Port is also recognised to be one of the most important ports in the country and the fifth-busiest cargo port. It is also the headquarters to the Indian Navy's Eastern Command. The city is a big tourist hub in Andhra Pradesh and is especially known for its gorgeous beaches and lovely shores.