Singapore to Madurai Flights

  About Singapore

One of the most expensive cities to go on a vacation, Singapore has a rich culture, amazing food and also a great place to go cruising. Not to mention, the marvellous architecture. The city is also known for hosting grand festivals and for its lavish nightlife. You can plan a trip with your family or with your friends. You can also plan a solo backpacking trip to Singapore. The city also has quite a few hostels for young travellers. One of the most popular highlights of the city is Universal Studios. Not only will you get to be a part of your favourite comic universes but you can also try all of the theme-based rides here. Singapore has quite a lot of amusement parks and places for you to explore your adventurous side. It is also the perfect place for you to flaunt your most stylish self or shop till you drop.

Best Time to Visit Singapore

Singapore is ideal for visiting any time of the year because of its climate. It is warm and tropical all year round, which is one of the reasons why the prices barely go down. December is one of the most happening months, and prices are skyrocketing this month, thanks to the lavish New Year's Eve parties. The expensive hotel prices, however, do not drop and only increase during Christmas and New Year's Eve. You might also want to steer clear of Chinese New Year to avoid the high prices of flight tickets to Singapore and accommodations. While the temperature ranges between 29 to 31 degree Celsius throughout the year, you might also experience mild showers every now and then. You can book a hotel in Singapore either closer to all the tourist attractions or go for a hostel, in case you are on a solo trip or with your friends.

November to June is when the city experiences winter, and there is also a boost in the number of tourists. This period also sees a lot of festivals being hosted in Singapore. November to January is when Singapore receives rainfall and witnesses the highest precipitation. You can be a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations in February or the Dragon Boat Festival in June and the Great Singapore Sale from June to August. The best part about planning your travel during these months is that you can get cheap flight tickets to Singapore from India.

A lesser popular time to visit is from July to October when the number of tourists is comparatively lesser. If you reach right before the Great Singapore Sale ends, you might even get your favourite designer items at a reasonable price. Though you might receive rainfall between June and September, it only affects the North-eastern part of Singapore more. If you are planning your vacation to Singapore in July and August, you can attend the Singapore Food Festival and the Hungry Ghost Festival. You can also catch the Grand Prix Singapore in September along with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Places to Visit in Singapore

Singapore has a lot of tourist attractions that are perfect for every kind of vacation. The Underwater World is the best place to visit in Singapore with your family. Not only will you see over 2500 marine animals, but you can also dive with the sharks and swim with the dolphins. The Singapore Zoo houses a lot of zebras, mole rats, parakeets, white tigers, a komodo dragon and other creatures. You will have to pay a certain fee to enter, just like at the Underwater World. You can also head to the River Safari that is home to red pandas and 6000 other animals. The best part is that safari is river-themed. Singapore also has a lot of beaches like the Changi Beach, Tanjong Beach and Sentosa Island that you can visit. Universal Studios is one of the major attractions of Singapore. It is a theme park that has Transformers, Shrek, Madagascar-based rides and a lot of your other favourite characters, other than Harry Potter. You can go with your kids or friends.

The Smith Street Hawker Centre in Chinatown is where you go to try delicious Chinese, Malay and Indian street food. You will not even have to worry about hygiene. You can also go to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum to be amazed at wax statues of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth II, and others. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most popular and luxe hotels in Singapore. It also boasts of the world's biggest infinity pools and staying here even for a night will be the experience of a lifetime. You will definitely come across this when you are booking a hotel in Singapore online. The Coney Island is one of the most romantic places in Singapore and an ideal place to plan a date, too.

Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is one of those places where you can fulfil your lavish holiday dreams. You can party till wee hours and treat your hangover by just lying near the pool at your hotel to soak in the view. The city has a lot of places for you to go sightseeing or indulge in adventurous activities. Marina Bay district in Singapore has the best tourist attractions in the city. You can experience the nightlife here and visit some of the popular nightclubs. You can also book your accommodation at the Marina Bay Sands resort, and you won't even have to go anywhere. The complex has an amazing casino, a lot of nightclubs, shops, Sands SkyPark and performance halls. You can also head to Chinatown to enjoy a night out in the town. Try out the street food, go clubbing or shopping. You can go shopping at Pagoda Street, grab a bite at New Bridge Road or Smith Street and head over to Tanjong Pagar district to experience the nightlife. The Sentosa is an island resort that is basically for all age groups. You can go with your family, with your friends or on your solo trip, too. Little India is where you go to if you want to stray from the main city. It's 2 miles from Marina Bay.

Food and Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore is one tourist destination where you will find an eclectic blend of cuisines from all over the world. Be it continental, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, or Malay cuisine, and it's easy to find a restaurant that will satiate your hunger pangs and food cravings. Maxwell Food Centre is a popular place that has about 100 stalls of different kinds of food. It would be best if you also tried the fine dining scenes, the bars and lounges in the city. Le Noir Bar & Lounge in Marina Bay Sands is one of the best places to go to in the area. If you are craving European or French cuisine, you can head to Entre-Nous Creperie at Seah Street. Cure at Keong Saik Road is one of the best places to go to if you want to try some Irish or European food. You can also try Colony for some Singaporean food. Positano Risto is another fine restaurant that serves the best pizza and other Italian food. If you want to have Chinese food at a fancy restaurant instead of a local food joint, you can visit the Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton. Paulaner Brauhaus Singapore is popular for serving German food and drinks. It is also a Brew Pub that you can't miss. You can just chill with a couple of beers here. You will find a lot of good Indian restaurants in the Little India area in Singapore. If it is French, European or Caucasian food that you want to try, head over to Chef's Table by Chef Stephan Zoisl. You can also try the Japanese food at Akira Back.

How to reach Singapore (Transportation)

Singapore has its own airport called Changi Airport. The flight connectivity to Singapore from India is excellent. Not only do you get direct flights to Singapore from here, you even get connecting ones, depending on the availability. Indigo, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Spicejet run flights to Singapore quite frequently. You'll get cheap flight tickets to Singapore quite easily, but in any case, book your tickets in advance. If you take a direct flight to Singapore, it will take about 5 to 6 hours to land in the city. Getting a taxi from Changi Airport is also not very difficult since the city sees a lot of tourists throughout the year. Changi Airport has quite a lot of facilities like art activities for kids, baby care rooms, lounges, entertainment decks and rest areas that are free to use. In fact, you can also get a temporary local SIM card to use within the city at the airport itself. The airport also has movie theatres, in case you have to wait for a long time for your flight. You'll also find showers, spa facilities, prayer rooms, shopping areas and prayer rooms in the airport.

  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 Singapore Airport

Singapore Changi Airport or popularly known as Changi Airport services the city of Singapore and is a major civilian airport. It is easily one of the largest hubs for transportation in Asia. It has been rated by Skytrax as the World's Best Airport eight consecutive times since 2013. It is the world's first airport to reach such a milestone and earn a record. In terms of international passenger traffic and cargo, the Singapore Changi Airport stands as one of the busiest in the world. The airport is located in Changi, which is on the eastern side of Singapore. It is about 20 km away from Singapore's Downtown Core.

Singapore Changi Airport is the home base for a plethora of airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Jetstar Asia Airways and Silkair. The airport is recognised for its passenger traffic and stands at the 18th position on a global scale as the busiest airport. Just in 2019, Singapore Changi Airport accommodated over 68.3 million passengers. The airport serves close to 100 airlines with flights flying to 380 cities around the world. It has been recorded that the airport witnesses close to 7,400 flights that depart and arrive at Singapore Changi Airport every week. Over the years, Singapore Changi Airport has taken home over 620 awards ever since it has opened for business. Not to mention how it received 28 awards in one year alone, being 2019.

About Airport Terminals

As Singapore Changi Airport hosts more than 100 airlines with connections to over 380 cities in 100 countries worldwide, it witnesses an abundance of air traffic. It is the seventh busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic. The Singapore Changi Airport has five passenger terminals and has been designed to hold a capacity of about 85 million passengers. Terminal 1's operations kicked off in 1981 and are located on the northern side of the airport. The terminal underwent renovation and opened for public use in 2019. Terminal 2 is situated on the eastern side. However, the operations as on May 1, 2020, have been suspended for 18 months. Terminal 3's location is by the western end and officially opened for business in 2008.

Meanwhile, Terminal 4 is the most recent terminal that came into existence in 2017 and is at the southern side. Besides the four functioning terminals for domestic and international flights, the airport also caters to a private run terminal named JetQuay CIP Terminal. The terminal sees a resemblance to the First Class Terminal built by Lufthansa at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. With an access fee, the terminal is open to all travellers who are travelling in varied classes. Plans to construct Terminal 5 are also in works. If it goes according to schedule, the terminal should be ready by 2030 with an expected capacity of 50 million passengers in a year.

About Airport Authority

Owned by the Government of Singapore, the airport is operated by a consortium of Changi Airport Group, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Republic of Singapore Air Force. Changi Airports International (CAI) is the consultant and investor in the airport venture. CAI is also recognised to be a leading company in the global aviation market. Over the years, the consortium has enabled extensive airport infrastructural development. The airport is currently being managed by CAI, who have worked to bring about a strong economic gain out of the developed project. They have further brought forth integrated solutions to enhance the airport's quality and for it to achieve world-class stature in the aviation industry. The airport is also associated with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore which is a statutory board that falls under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore. As part of the venture, the CAAS has enabled an air hub to help promote the safe practices and protocols for civilian air-service arrangements.

Top airlines flying from Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport serves as a home base for airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Silkair, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Scoot and Jetstar Asia Airways. The airport also witnesses some Indian airlines chartered for international travel. Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara are some of the Indian airlines that fly to Singapore Changi Airport. These flights have dedicated services to the airport and even have space for parking.

The airport caters extensively to international cities and is recognised as one of the best. The largest market for the Singapore Changi Airport is from cities such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, China, Tokyo, Sydney, Jakarta, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Denpasar, to name a few. The airlines seen by the Singapore Changi Airport include Air France, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malindo Air, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines and Vietnam Airlines, to name a few. There are also extensive cargo flights and airlines that fly from Singapore Changi Airport. Cargo airlines from Singapore Changi Airport include Air Hong Kong, Asiana Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Korean Air Cargo, SF Airlines, UPS Airlines and more.

Facilities at the Singapore Changi Airport

The airport serves a slew of facilities that would be ideal and essential for passengers.

Airport lounges- Singapore Changi Airport has a handful of airline lounges at all the terminals. You can find from first-class and business-class lounges to VIP rooms and hotels, Singapore Changi Airport offers many beautiful and snazzy lounges. Even the regular boarding lounge area near the departure zones are very exquisite.

Baby care rooms - There are dedicated baby care rooms at several intervals of the airport. The rooms are kept perfectly well and hygienic. They also have baby products such as diapers and powders.

Baggage storage - The baggage services include porter services where professionals escort the passengers and take care of their luggage. You can also get plastic wrapping done for your baggage.

ATMs and foreign exchange - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange counters and booths at all terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals segments of all terminals.

Medical services - Some many clinics and pharmacies are available at all the terminals in the airport. Medical assistance can also be availed if you check at the information desk.

Entertainment deck - Since there are many layovers of flights that do take place, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed entertainment decks to keep the passengers engaged. From watching TV to recreational activities, the airport has facilities for the same.

WiFi and internet - You can avail the airport's WiFi services on the phone. The airport also has dedicated internet cafes in several spots of the Singapore Changi Airport. You will have to pay a fee to get access to the internet cafe.

Prayer rooms - The airport has dedicated multi-faith rooms to allow passengers to engage in their religious prayers. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes in case required.

Smoking zones - To keep the atmosphere of the airport clean and fresh, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed several smoking lounges. You can find packs of cigarettes at the airport premise as well.

Spas and shower services - There are booths for shower and spa services that can be availed at the airport's lounge.

How to reach Singapore Changi Airport

Mass Rapid Transit

Since the Singapore Changi Airport is massive with a slew of terminals sprawled across the expanse, the airport has provided a dedicated Mass Rapid Transit network which works as a perfect connection for Singapore Expo site as well as the Changi Airport. There are underground lines called the Changi Airport MRT station which links Terminal 2 and 3. A Downtown Line opened recently owing to the tremendous demand for the route connecting Pasir Ris and Tuas link. The dedicated shuttle service connects the Expo from Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang to and from the city. The MRT is considered to be one of the most convenient ways to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. A plan to build Land Transport Masterplan is in the works that would be extended to Terminal 5 of Singapore Changi Airport. The plan is said to be concluded by 2040.

Bus

There are dedicated bus services to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. They are operated by SBS Transit, Go-Ahead Singapore and SMRT Buses. These buses have excellent stops which connect Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as well. Another route that connects the first three terminals is from the basement busy bays. One of the best ways to reach Singapore Changi Airport also has coaches that traverse from Johor Bahru. They start coaches and stand at Terminals 1,2 and 3.

Taxi and rentals

Taxis and rentals are also available at the Singapore Changi Airport. You can find efficient taxis and rentals from the city centre to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. You can avail limousine services as well to reach the Singapore Changi Airport.

  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.