Sydney to Aurangabad Flights

  About Sydney

Located in New South Wales is the city of Sydney, one of the largest cities in Australia. The city is famously known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, originally designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The structure was eventually finished by an Australian team of architects. The city has massive harbours that connect with many Asian and Oceania countries.

Best time to visit Sydney

Sydney has two diverse seasons which are perfect for a trip. From September to November and March through May, the temperatures are very amiable, especially for tourists. For Sydney, the peak tourist season is between December to February as the temperature ranges between25 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. Not only is the summer pleasant but also tourist-friendly. However, it does come with a cost, that being the expensive flight and hotel costs in Sydney. The temperatures are warm enough for Australians to flock over to the continent's capital, but for an outsider, the prices could be quite steep. Hence, the months leading up to the summer and the ones leading up to winter are ideal for tourists with a budget constraint. Between September and November, the number of tourists in the city is considerably less, giving you ample time and space to soak in the beautiful city's spirits. Plus, the season also brings some amazing festivities such as Sydney Fringe Festival, Night Noodle Markets, Taste of Sydney, Sculpture by the Sea and Festival of the Winds. The events are undoubtedly perfect for invoking the foodie in you.

Similarly, even March through May sees alluring weather with decent temperatures and fewer tourists. With less crowd, the city certainly brings a whole new vibe that would go well with tourists who prefer solitude. Not just the temperatures but even the number of tourists starts to drop during these months while the city prepares to welcome the winters. For those who wish to make the most of the season and have a liking towards the wildlife, you will also enjoy this time. It is known to be the start of the whale-watching season in Sydney, and if you're interested in something like this, then you should plan your trip according to this time. Sydney also rings in some lovely events and festivals such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and Vivid Sydney, to name a few. The city bustles with vivacity during this period, and you would thoroughly enjoy being part of all the fanfare. Plus, the additional perk of choosing this season is a drop in the hotel and flight ticket prices. You can book your flights to Sydney as well as accommodations without worrying about exorbitant costs.

Places to visit in Sydney

Sydney's primary location for tourists to head is either the Sydney Harbour or the Bondi beach, but there are far too many things that should also be explored in the city. You can actually start with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is quite close to the Opera House. Since the area brims with many tourist attractions, it is the best way to kick off the tour. From the bridge, you can further head to check out the harbour. It is touted to be the most beautiful harbour in the entire world right now. Through the harbour, you can swing past the Sydney Opera House. It would be something to actually get tickets to a show at the Opera House. For the beach bums, beaches such as Manly Beach, Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach are big highlights. These places are always packed with tourists or even the locals who cannot do without water. Aside from the Sydney Harbour, the Darling Harbour is just as alluring and is located close to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Do not miss out the Royal Botanic Garden, which spews fresh air to the city.

Things to do in Sydney

The best way to spend time in Sydney would be not just to indulge in visiting new places but also to engage in some cruising fun. You can make some prior bookings for a cruise and set off from the Sydney Harbour. The cruise can even take you to the Blue Mountains, which is one of the natural wonders of the world. Further, you can actually book a hotel in the vast green mountains and complete the trip. You can also take up various activities at the beaches from surfing to strolling to sunbathing. Most importantly, do a little gallivanting around the city and find some impeccable food establishments as well as watering holes. If everything seems too much for you to do or if you need a day off to just relax, you can visit The Rocks and opt for a leisure stroll instead of the heart-thumping adventure fun. You can do the same at the Royal Botanic Garden as well.

Food and restaurants in Sydney

Sydney's cuisine is majorly influenced by European and Asian cuisine. Since the country does have many immigrants residing from these continents, the food also celebrates their cultures. The elements from these cultures have brought forth some of the finest food establishments in the city. You will find a sizeable galore of Asian and European dishes in places such as Fortune Village Chinese Restaurant, The Spice Room and Medusa Greek Taverna. These places bring about the finest culinary classics which would definitely be the best to go on your trip. Aside from these, you can also visit more ethnic cuisines that are district specifics, and these include, Little Saigon and Cabramatta in the Italian-rich region of Leichhardt and the famous Chinatown area. While these places do favour international cuisine, you can also go in deep to explore some of the rich and traditional Australian meals.

Despite some of the classic Australian dishes that will be at your perusal, they all do have influences in terms of cooking styles and flavours that go back to the international cultures. You will notice that meat is the base of every dish. The Aussies like to involve meat in all their dishes. It reflects perfectly well with their meals. If you do enjoy variations in meat, you will be happy to know that they have such provisions made. In fact, the cattle business is high in this region due to the constant demand for cattle meat of all kind. Sydney is also high on seafood as it is located close to the harbour. In fact, you can visit Darling Harbour's Cargo Bar, Sydney Opera House's Opera Bar and to get some amazing breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. You can further extend your food expedition by visiting the city during their food festivals. From Sydney's Night Noodles Markets to Taste of Sydney, these festivals celebrate food, and you will get to savour the most.

How to reach Sydney

Flight connectivity to Sydney from India is quite good with multitudes of flights flying in and out of the country regularly. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Sydney and requires changing of routes. The most popular route to Sydney from India is via Hong Kong. Airlines such as Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific use the Hong Kong international route to reach Sydney. By flying from these airlines, you will have only one flight to change to reach Sydney. From Hong Kong, you can change flights to Sydney and make it in about 18 hours. The layover in Hong Kong is usually for two hours. There are airlines that take the Singapore route as well to reach Sydney. Airlines such as Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines use this international route to reach Sydney and have layovers of about an hour or two before they fly from Singapore. The flight duration to Sydney from Mumbai, via the Singapore route, would take approximately 15 to 18 hours to reach. However, sometimes, due to unavailability of direct flights to Sydney from Singapore or Hong Kong could lead the airlines to take a second layover at Melbourne so they can connect to the country's capital.

Travelling to Sydney is rather time-consuming, but the flight tickets are decently priced. If you book your flight tickets to Sydney well in advance, you will be able to enjoy some amazing online flight deals. There might be some discounts for tickets to Sydney, which you can avail as long as you make the right choice of flights and airlines. Make sure that you also book your hotels in Sydney while you're getting your travel sorted. There are a plethora of cheap flights to Sydney that you will find if you peruse through thoroughly. Depending on the season and peak time, the ticket costs will see a spike and drop. You will have to ensure that you make a note of these things before you make your flight bookings. The city has multitudes of options for hotel accommodations. It ranges from ultra-exquisite to cheap and decent, for you to choose from. Again, booking your hotels in Sydney, well in advance will only be beneficial to you as that would give you many offers and deals to enjoy.

  About Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra, especially because of the Ajanta and Ellora caves. The caves have been appointed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983. You would also want to check out the Aurangabad caves. They are not as popular as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, and they are totally worth visiting. The caves were carved out of soft rocks in the fifth-sixth century. The city was initially called Khadki which was later changed to Fatehnagar after Fateh Khan, who ruled the city then. The city got its name, Aurangabad, after Mughal Prince Aurangzeb was made the Viceroy for the second time. Interesting fact: Aurangabad was a part of Hyderabad until 1956. It was during this year that the city was officially declared as a part of Maharashtra.

Apart from the caves, the city is also popular for Bibi Ka Maqbara, which is also known as the second Taj Mahal of India. The mausoleum is a tomb that was made for Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's first wife Dilras Banu Begum who was called Rabia Daurani posthumously. The two of them had five kids together, and sadly, she passed away a month after delivering their fifth child, due to complications that came with the delivery. A grief-stricken Aurangzeb later decided to create a mausoleum as the final resting place of Rabia Daurani and called it Bibi Ka Maqbara which translates to Tomb of the Lady.

The city also boasts of several temples like the Bhadri Maruti Temple and Jyothirlinga Grishneshwar temple. The latter is believed to be one of the last Jyotirlinga temples in the world. Apart from these, there is also the Daulatabad Fort and a couple of gardens that were made during the Mughal era that you can visit. Aurangabad is one of the most notable tourist hubs in Maharashtra, and you will not regret it one bit. Not to mention, you can treat yourself to the best Maharashtrian food in the city. A delicious Maharashtrian Thali for lunch and some moong dal pakoda is just what you need to make your day.

Another interesting fact about Aurangabad is how the place was called the City of Gates since it boasted of 52 gates, out of which only four have survived now. Bhadkal Gate is one of the oldest, biggest gates that has survived and you'll come across it near the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams.

Best Time to Visit Aurangabad

The city experiences summer from March to May. The maximum temperature during summer is 31 degrees Celsius, and it's not too hot, but tourists avoid travelling to Aurangabad during this season. Monsoon hits the city from June to September. It doesn't rain too heavily, but it wouldn't hurt to carry an extra umbrella or raincoat. Winters are quite pleasant and start from October through February. Winter is also the best time to visit the city, and you'll have an enjoyable trip at all of the places you choose to visit during this time.

Places to Visit in Aurangabad

The Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of the most important places to visit in Aurangabad. The Ajanta caves depict the artistry of the Buddhist monks who used simple tools to paint and sculpt stories from the Jataka Tales. While you'll find a lot of stories carved on the caves at Ajanta, the Ellora caves throw light on three religions, namely Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The intricate work on the walls of the caves will surely leave you speechless. You will be mesmerised by the beauty of these caves.

Aurangabad has a lot of stories to tell from the past right from its inception. Visit the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams to find out more about the lifestyle of the royals who lived here. You can also visit the Bhadkal gate, one of the four gates (of 52 total) that have survived now. The Bibi Ka Maqbara, also popularly known as India's second Taj Mahal, is a popular tourist attraction of the city. It depicts Aurangzeb's love for his first wife and chief consort, Rabia Daurani. The tomb is her final resting place and was completed three years after her demise. You can also visit the Siddharth Garden Zoo. You will find wild animals like crocodiles, hyenas, snakes and much more. Take this opportunity and pack a picnic basket to make a fun memory of a picnic in the garden with your family.

Embrace your spiritual side at the Bhadra Maruti temple, which was made to worship Lord Hanuman and the Jyotirlinga Grishneshwar temple where you can offer prayers to Lord Shiva and other Gods and Goddesses. It is the last of the Jyotirlinga temples in the world. It's popular among pilgrims, too. Closer to the Ellora caves, you'll also find the Valley of the Sufi Saints which is the resting place of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb and a lot of other Sufi saints. It's a holy shrine built in their honour. It's not very difficult to reach here. You'll easily find a bus, taxi or a rickshaw that will drop you to the Valley of the Sufi Saints.

Things to do in Aurangabad

You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach the Ajanta and Ellora caves from Aurangabad. You'll also find quite a lot of tour guides in the area who will tell you tales of every carving and every cave that you visit here. Just a fair warning, there might be a few caves with an overwhelming smell since these have bats living in them. It's also known to be one of the best places to take loads of pictures. You can either make use of your photography skills to get more likes and followers on Instagram or make memories with all the selfies you take with your family or friends. It would be best if you also tried the thali at Bhoj, one of the most popular restaurants in the city. You can also visit the Shrimant Chatrapathi Shivaji Museum. Be amazed to look at a 500-year-old war suit and 400-year-old Paithani sari and lots of other artefacts that are from the Mughal era and of the Marathas.

Make sure you do visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara. Though it's not as popular as the Taj Mahal, the designs and structure are quite similar to it. Aurangabad also has a lot of upcoming and new places for the youngsters to go chill or party. You'll find a lot of hip restaurants and party spots in the city, too. Though they are not widely popular yet. Aurangabad also has an amusement park that goes by the name H20 Water Park. Spend an entire day with your family or friends. This place is a delight to all the water babies who love floating on tubes or getting on those fun water slides.

Food and Restaurants in Aurangabad

You'll find everything that you feel like eating in Aurangabad. While there are places that serve traditional Mughlai and Maharashtrian food, there are also restaurants that specialise in continental, Chinese and other types of foods that you love. Bhoj Thali Restaurant is one of the most popular places in the city. You must eat here at least once before you leave the city. The Green Leaf restaurant is yet another place that has gained popularity over time. You must try the rabdi jalebis here.

Yalla Yalla is a new restaurant that has become a rage among the locals and tourists, too. It specialises in North Indian food and is like heaven for non-vegetarians. The achari chicken, prawn koliwadas and the mutton dum biryani are only some of the most popular dishes in this restaurant. Don't hesitate to try the street food in the city. Grab a plate of moong dal pakodas with a glass of chai to add to a perfect evening.

How to reach Aurangabad (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is the Aurangabad airport, and the flight connectivity to and from Aurangabad to all the major cities is also impeccable. However, you will not find a direct international flight from here and will probably have to figure out which city you want a connecting flight from. It's easier to get cheap flight tickets to Aurangabad from the major cities of India like Delhi, Udaipur, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune and Nagpur.

By Rail

The Aurangabad railway station is well-connected with all of the major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Pune, Amritsar, Madurai, Bhopal, Chennai, Rajkot and so on. Trains run to and from Aurangabad’s domestic routes quite regularly, and it will not be difficult for you to get the train tickets. You won't even have to wait a lot to get your tickets to or from the city.

By Road

Government and private buses are running to and from the city. You'll also get AC buses that run from major cities that stop at either Central Bus station or the CIDCO bus station in Aurangabad. The two bus stops are 6 km apart, and you can pick whichever one is closest to and can further book your hotel room in Aurangabad.