Srinagar to Zurich Flights

  About Srinagar

Called as the Paradise on Earth, Srinagar is located in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, near the banks of river Jhelum. It is a significant tourist attraction along with Ladakh. The city is known for its enchanting lakes, colourful boats, Kashmiri handicrafts and their culture, of course. Since it is one of the most popular tourist locations, it is well-connected with all the major cities in the country. The town also plays muse to several poets and lyricist who use the river Jhelum a lot in their poems or songs. The markets in the city will also ensure you take a piece of the town with you back home through a souvenir of sorts.

Best Time to Visit Srinagar

No matter what season it is, Srinagar is a sight to behold throughout the year. Different seasons come with different kinds of activities for you to do. Summer, which is from March to June) is the apt season to visit the city if you are on your honeymoon. The tulip garden that blooms during the summer adds to the beauty of the town. Booking a hotel in Srinagar if you are on your honeymoon comes with a lot of offers. You can choose from a lot of options. The summer is not too harsh here. The maximum temperature touches 30 degree Celsius, and the lowest is 14 degree Celsius. You will also come across excellent flight deals for Srinagar during this time.

It does not rain a lot in Srinagar, but the monsoon is from July through September. Autumn sets in from September to October, and this is the most beautiful season, too. The weather is pleasant, and the entire city turns into a spectacular garden. Though it will be a tad bit cold, so do pack your winter clothes. Visiting the Dal lake during this season on a Shikara ride is an experience you won't forget.

October to February is winter and the temperature ranges between 0 to 15 degree Celsius. Winter is a peak season and ideal for multitudes of tourists to fly to Srinagar. The locals of Srinagar celebrate Shivratri and Nuroz (an Armenian festival) by the end of winter. You will have to book flight tickets to Srinagar during this season since most roads are blocked, thanks to heavy snowfall. Travelling by road is also not a very popular route to reach Srinagar during winters. This is also one of the best times to go trekking in Srinagar. You can either find a group within the city itself and join them, or you can book one online, in advance.

Places to Visit in Srinagar

Dal Lake is one of the major attractions of Srinagar and for all the right reasons. Be amazed at the reflection of the mountains that fall on the lake. Take a gondola ride and lots of pictures, too. You cannot go to Srinagar and not visit the Tulip Garden. The Shalimar Bagh, a garden built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Noor, is another major tourist attraction. While you are visiting Dal Lake, make sure you also pay a visit to Char Chinar, an island that is in the middle of the lake. It is one of the most visited places in the city.

The Shankaracharya temple, built to honour Lord Shiva, is on the top of a hill in Srinagar. It is recognised as one of the most sacred shrines in the city. For all, you adventure lovers out there, do go for the Tarsar Marsar trek in the Aru Valley of Kashmir. You will find quite a few tour guides and packages to go trekking in the valley.

Things to do in Srinagar

You can take a Shikara ride across the Dal lake and be mesmerised by the beauty of the city. The city also has floating markets, which is a kind of experience you will only get in this part of the country. Paragliding is one of the activities that the city offers to its tourists. It is one of the adventurous activities that you must try here. If you are not too keen on booking a hotel in Srinagar, you can also choose to stay in a houseboat. It is one of the most sought options in the city and who wouldn't want to wake up to the view of the mighty mountains and the scenic Dal Lake. Srinagar is a city with a lot of gardens and greenery.

Visit the enchanting Mughal gardens and the Tulip garden, too. You can take a heritage walking tour of the city or go paragliding if you are a fan of adventure sports. You can also opt to go on a shopping spree in the local markets or for a street food crawl. Try the local cuisines and explore the culture further. With the rising political tension, make sure you also study the current scenario of the city along with that of its neighbours before you plan a trip to Srinagar. You do not want to get stuck amid a difficult situation.

Along with its spices and food, Srinagar is also famous for its rich culture. If you are in the city during any of the festivals celebrated here, make sure that you attend it and be a part of it. You won't regret it at all. No matter what season it is, the city never fails to cast its spell on you with its beauty.

Food and Restaurants in Srinagar

It's no secret that Kashmiri food is rich in flavour and a lot of spices like saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, etc. are used to serve that aromatic food. It's a treat for your taste buds. The Kashmiri Biryani, Kahwa, even Dum Aloo is worth a try when you visit the city. You will come across a lot of Mughlai cuisines with a blend of Kashmiri spices in the food. Mughal Darbar is one of the most popular places to dine in the city.

If it is snacks and coffees that you are in the mood for, you can visit the Cafe De Linz or Coffea Arabica. Both of these cafes are the perfect combination of ambience and good food. Ahdoos is also a popular joint that offers authentic Kashmiri food at affordable prices. If you are in the mood for a luxe dining experience, head over to The Chinar at The Lalit Grand Palace for an exquisite dinner. Not only do they serve mouth-watering delicacy, but the outdoor restaurant adds to the pleasant ambience while dining. Jade Dragon at Vivanta by Taj is yet another restaurant that you must definitely try if it is a five-star treatment that you want to experience. The Kashmiri Kahwa, which is a kind of tea made in Kashmiri style, is also highly recommended when you holiday in Srinagar.

How to reach Srinagar (Transportation)

By Air

The Sheikh ul Alam International Airport or the Srinagar International Airport is about 15 km away from the city. Srinagar airport also serves as a military airbase to the Indian Air Force. While the airport welcomes domestic flights with excellent connectivity, it does have designated airlines or space for international flights despite being recognised as one. There are domestic flights from Srinagar that regularly fly to Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chandigarh and other major cities. However, international flights from Srinagar are comparatively less to non-existent. The flight connectivity from Srinagar to other cities nationally and internationally is excellent. Some great domestic airlines such as AirAsia India, GoAir, SpiceJet, Vistara, IndiGo, Air India and more have dedicated flights to Srinagar. If booked earlier, you will even get cheap flight tickets to Srinagar and exclusive flight online deals. The airport is about 12 km away from the central city of Srinagar. But thanks to fantastic inter-city transport such as government-run buses and taxi cabs, it is convenient for tourists to reach the central town and check into their hotel rooms.

By Rail

Jammu Tawai is the closest railway station to reach Srinagar. It is about 290 km away from the city. You will have to hire a taxi from the station and enter the beautiful city. Travelling by train will not burn a hole in your pocket at all, and you'll also get to enjoy the stunning scenic views of the lush green valley. The domestic route to Srinagar also connects to Banihal, which is on the other side of Pir Panjal, thanks to the new Banihal tunnel that has been constructed. The tunnel is 11 km long and has found fame for the same. In fact, it is known to be the longest rail tunnel to have been built and takes approximately 9 minutes to cross to the other side.

By Road

The most popular routes to Srinagar by road are connected from Chandigarh, Gulmarg, Jammu, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Delhi. Though a road trip does sound like a lot of fun and easier way to travel, the roads are closed during late winter because of heavy snowfall. It is advisable to travel by air during winter.

  About Zurich

Switzerland is a dream vacation for a lot of people and for the ones who have been there, it's a place they would always willingly go back to for a holiday. Zurich is one destination where you can really splurge. The city has great weather, nightlife to look forward to and breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. The city is also a gateway to central Switzerland. Zurich also has a lot of typical sightseeing spots and activities for tourists. You can admire the medieval architecture here, head to museums, plan a picnic near the Zurich lake or just party all night before you head to the mountains. It is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland and highly recommended, too. If you are covering a lot of other European countries or cities in your itinerary, Zurich will be a pleasant break before you head for your next adventure.

Best Time to Visit Zurich

Though a lot of people think that Zurich is best visited during winter since it allows you to go skiing, it's actually summer that is a peak season in Zurich. A lot of tourists prefer summer, and it is a high season to visit the city. Flights tickets to Zurich are expensive in summer, and you cannot even book a hotel in Zurich at an affordable price unless you do so way in advance. June to August is when Zurich experiences summer, and while everything is expensive, the city makes it worth every penny spent. This is probably the only time you can go swimming at the Zurich lake or sailing if you don't want to take a dip in the water. There are quite a few festivals and parades, too, that happen in Zurich in summer. You can be a part of those if you are visiting Zurich between June and August. The temperatures range from 11 to 22 degree Celsius.

September to November is autumn, and though you won't find a lot of tourists in Zurich as compared to summer, you will enjoy your stay. You might even get a good deal on flights to Zurich, along with accommodation. The Zurich Film Festival takes place in September and October. If you are a cinema lover, you would love to attend this. You can also attend the Contemporary Art Fair Zurich that happens in September or the Swiss Cup Zurich. The temperature ranges from 10 to 7 degree Celsius. It even drops to as low as 1 degree Celsius in November, since it is inching towards winter.

It snows heavily from December to February, courtesy winter. This season sees a dip in the number of tourists, but everyone who enjoys skiing or snowboarding plans a trip to Zurich in winter. This is one of the reasons that the hotel prices remain high, along with the flight rates. Make sure you carry a lot of layers of warm clothes. The temperature ranges from -1 degree Celsius to 4 degree Celsius. March to May is the spring season and one of those times that you will find hotel rooms at affordable prices. The temperature ranges from 0 to 17 degree Celsius. It also rains a lot in May, so you might want to pack your umbrella, too, if you are travelling to Zurich in May. You can enjoy sightseeing and other activities that spring has to offer to you and leave the city right before the high season begins. Apart from the heavy showers in May, the weather remains quite pleasant during the spring and autumn seasons.

Places to Visit in Zurich

The Fraumunster Church is one of the major tourist attractions in Zurich. It translates to Women's Church and has quite an interesting piece of history attached to it as well. You can also visit St Peter's Church that has the largest clock face in Europe. It is an old church that dates back to 1880. Zurich is also home to several museums like the Rietberg Museum and Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (also called the Swiss National Museum). You will have to pay a certain entry fee to get inside the museums and a little extra if you want to hire a guide. The museums have preserved a lot of the history of the city be it objects that were used every day in the prehistoric times or handicrafts. You will also find Swiss masks and cult objects from across the world. There are objects from South America, and there is Buddhist Art from Asia and a lot of stunning sculptures from Africa. Both of these museums are highly recommended tourist attractions in Zurich. They are also a part of tour packages that are offered to you in the city. You can also visit the Money Museum to catch a glimpse of antique coins and currencies. The Zurich Opera House is another marvellous tourist spot in the city. If you are lucky, you might even catch a performance here.

If you are a fan of performance art, you can head to Theatre Neumarkt. The theatre also hosts plays that are apt for kids, in case you are travelling with your little ones. Chinese Garden is another tourist attraction in Zurich that you must visit. It is a beautiful Chinese temple garden that also has a beautiful pond and a small island inside. The Zurich lake is one of the main reasons why tourists decide to stop in the city for a day or two before they head to the mountains. If you are travelling to Zurich in summer, you can swim in the lake or go sailing with your family. You can also catch a mesmerizing sunset by the lake in the evening. You will certainly be treated to a beautiful view of the Alps from here.

Things to do in Zurich

One of the major and popular activities is taking a day trip to Mount Titlis. You can opt for a cable car ride that offers you an amazing view of the mountains. Zurich is also known for its beautiful churches and museums. Zurich is one place where you can really splurge since it is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. You can also go out partying; the nightlife scene in Zurich is excellent. You can even go bar hopping with your friends and have the craziest night of your vacation. One thing the city is famous for is the Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolates. You can go cheese tasting or even visit a chocolate factory, pack some of these to take back home to your friends and family. You can also plan a picnic by the Zurich lake or go swimming if it is summertime.

Foods and Restaurants in Zurich

Zurich is known for its cheese and chocolates, but there is more to food here than just Swiss cheese and chocolates. A lot of cuisines in Zurich have German roots since it is quite close to the German border. You can try the Nach Zurcher art, which is made of meat, mushrooms, butter, potatoes and cream. If you want to try traditional Zurich cuisine, you can go to Old Town and try a few restaurants there. You can try Zeughauskeller or Haus zum Rüden or Kindli. Make sure you try the rosti, which is basically shredded fried potatoes and burli, which is crusty bread rolls. You will also find a lot of spots where you can try traditional cheese fondue. Zurich also has a Fondue Tram that you must certainly try. It travels throughout the entire city from November to February. Swiss Chuchi Restaurant and Kreis 8's Chasstube Rehalp are some of the popular restaurants to try authentic Swiss cheese fondue. Make sure you also pack some chocolates to take back home if you are taking a tour of the chocolate factory. Make sure you also try Champagne truffles in Zurich at Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland. Since Zurich is also known for its nightlife, you will also find a lot of pubs here.

How to reach Zurich

Zurich International Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland and a preferred way to reach the city, too. The flight connectivity to Zurich from India is excellent. Since Zurich is the hub for Swiss International Air Lines, you will also find direct flights to Zurich from India. Though they aren't very frequent, there is at least one direct flight to Zurich every day. Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines are some of the most numerous airlines that you can pick. While it is difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Zurich, you might come across interesting flight deals to Zurich online. If you are covering other European cities as well, taking a train from Germany, France, Netherlands or Italy are some of the popular routes to Zurich. The international airport in Zurich has quite a few facilities for your convenience like shopping areas, lounges, buses or taxis from the airport and guided tours, too, in case you need it. The services offered here are excellent.