Sharjah to Vishakhapatnam Flights

  About Sharjah

After Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah is the largest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. It is located close to Dubai and overlooks the gorgeous coastline of the Persian Gulf. The city is recognised to be a cultural and industrial capital.

Best time to visit Sharjah

As part of the desert country of the United Arab Emirates, winters are often the most favoured seasons to visit the city. Sharjah winters are extremely pleasant as the temperatures in the desert cool down to a favourable 20 degree Celsius. In fact, the temperatures further drop to 16 degree Celsius in the nights, which only add to the nightlife of the city. The best thing about winters in Sharjah is that there is no rain. While some of the desert cities in the Middle East experience monsoon showers in the middle of winter. However, that is not the case with Sharjah. The city does not experience winter, which only makes the visit more pleasant. It is easier to pack ideal clothes for the peak season without having to worry about the adage of an umbrella or rain boots. As peak season, the city also witnesses a surge in the prices of hotels and flights. The flight tickets to Sharjah are expensive during the winter months from December to February. Even booking a hotel in Sharjah turns expensive during winters as many tourists wish to explore the city.

The good news is that the month's March and April are also quite pleasant. Although they do start turning hot, the months are bearable and don't see the tourist crowd. As winter starts to die and summers take over, the city's tourist crowd also transitions from very crowded to a bare minimum. If you wish to plan a trip to Sharjah on a tight budget, this would be a good time for you. The flight tickets and even hotel bookings in Sharjah are cheap during March and April. However, you need to ensure that you carry appropriate clothes as the temperatures could be notorious sometimes. No matter what though, avoid the summers in Sharjah. May to August is scorching in the desert city with temperatures spiking up to 43 degree Celsius. The heat also comes with humidity which can be quite uncomfortable, especially for travelling and engaging in tourist activities. Hence, it is best to avoid the summers in Sharjah. Your flight tickets to Sharjah are cheap and very low during the summers. Unless you have a professional commitment that needs attending, avoid travelling to the desert city in summer peaks.

Places to visit in Sharjah

You can start your Sharjah travel rendezvous by visiting the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Opened in 2008, the museum glorifies the Islamic culture and brings forth some of the finest contributions made by stalwarts from the religion. You will find metalwork, carvings, glass, ceramic art ceramics, coins, calligraphy, manuscripts and more. The second-best place to check out would be the Al Noor Mosque. The mosque looks exquisite in the night as the yellow lights illuminate the structure's beauty. The city also has an interesting aquarium going by the name Sharjah Aquarium. Beautiful and colourful fish will surround you as you walk in the aquarium. If you are an art patron, you should check out the Sharjah Art Museum. The place has amazing exhibits from contemporary to modern art. Al Majaz Waterfront is actually a very alluring place in Sharjah where you can hang out to soak in all the tranquillity and serenity. IT is a perfect place for you to spend more time with your family and partner while enjoying the sunset.

Things to do in Sharjah

You should definitely take a stroll on the shores of Al Mamzar Beach street. The beach is very quaint and has less crowd. Not to mention how the tracks constructed on the shores of the beach give you an option to rent a bicycle and ride along. You can further chill by the beach as they do have small shacks or you can get in the water and cool down. Al Mamzar Beach also has a nice quaint park that has been constructed within the area to add more aesthetic beauty to the place. While you are in the park, you can definitely get in the water and relish the pristine blue shores. The stunning Al Noor Island should be on your list when you visit the city of Sharjah. The lively island is a fancy place where you can chill. Plus, it has a butterfly house too. To engage in some recreational activities, you can always visit Al Montazah Parks. The amusement water park has many rides and even a tall Ferris wheel to keep you entertained. You will have a good time, especially if you are travelling with kids. They certainly will be lost in the fun zone.

Food and Restaurants in Sharjah

To elevate your gastronomic senses, Sharjah will take you through quite the food trip. The city does have a thriving food restaurant industry with many budding establishments taking over the city streets. Despite finding some fierce competition with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah does manage to live up to the expectations by offering a ubiquitous range of international cuisine as well as authentic Arabic spread. The best thing about the food in Sharjah is the exquisite aroma and flavourful meal that many restaurants offer. While they do favour their kebabs and charbroiled lambs, the city does have a bunch of restaurants from varied cuisines too that makes quite an impact. You will find traditional Emirati food and at the same time, get a taste of food from Indian, Lebanese, Mughlai and Moroccan kitchens. It is quite an experience that would be wholesome and soul-satisfying. For your food expedition in Sharjah, you can start from Milas, the perfect place to experience authentic Emirati dishes which comes with a fun Middle Eastern twist.

Dishes such as saloonat laham, mbahar tuna and saloonat diyai, are a big hit among tourists. You should also visit El Manza to get the best Moroccan flavours on a platter. The restaurant's exquisite food, especially with the aroma of Argan oil, will intoxicate you. You will also find a plethora of dishes, but their desserts are what you shouldn't miss. Knafa bil halib is an El Manza speciality and should be tried at all cost. To get the best of Hyderabadi food in Sharjah, you should check out Gazebo. The establishment is famous for its Indian recipe and makes lip-smacking dishes such as kebabs, dum biryani and other Lucknowi delights. It is considered to be the best in the city. Plus, the atmosphere is also quite scintillating for a lovely dining experience. The city also has restaurants reserved for seafood. Seashells are one such place where you can indulge in some funky seafood. The best part about Seashells is how the food is varied with options like grilled shrimp, tuna fish, hammour, to name a few. It is also pocket-friendly. Do not miss Sharjah Dhow restaurant to experience an exquisite fine dining experience as well as Arabic cuisine.

How to reach Sharjah (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Sharjah is quite decent. There are quite a handful of flights that fly to Sharjah from India. As a Middle Eastern city, Sharjah does attract a lot of Indians with the job prospects that are prevalent there. Hence, many Indians often fly to cities in the United Arab Emirates with the hopes of finding a job or settling down. Due to this, the demand for Sharjah is just as high as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Since Sharjah is cheaper compared to the other cities, it is more favoured. Various international airlines have flights to and from Sharjah. However, often many individuals prefer getting a flight ticket to Dubai and driving down to Sharjah from there. The most popular route to reach Sharjah is from Dubai. In fact, it is the most favoured international route to reach Sharjah. The cities are only hours apart and can be reached quickly. Besides, Dubai's flight connectivity is better than Sharjah. Air India Express and Air Arabia have dedicated flights to Sharjah from India. The two airlines have direct nonstop flights to Sharjah, making travel a lot easier.

The flight duration to Sharjah is also barely a few hours. It takes three hours and fifteen minutes to reach Sharjah from Indian cities. The direct flight also comes with a perk that the cost of tickets is less. Booking flight tickets to Sharjah are quite cheap and affordable. The price range for tickets to Sharjah from India is just as much as other Middle Eastern cities. Thanks to the affordability, more money can be reserved for living expenses and travelling within Sharjah. The city is known for being notoriously expensive in terms of traversing within the city limits. The best way to save up on funds for Sharjah would be to make flight bookings and hotel reservations together. You can book your flights and hotels in Sharjah together and save up on a lot of other expenses. In fact, you might be able to snag some online flight deals too in the process. Many favourable options are available online to ensure that you get cheap and affordable flight tickets and hotels in Sharjah.

  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.