Taipei to Abha Turkish Flights

  About Taipei

Taipei City is the capital of Taiwan and a city that has been developing fast. Taipei has a very welcoming feel, and the city embraces its tourists with open arms. The city will instantly make you fall in love with it. The locals here are quite helpful and very friendly. The city has a lot of historical monuments, museums, gardens and age-old temples that are worth visiting. It might not be exactly adventurous, but it is definitely worth visiting. You get to learn a lot about the lifestyle and culture that the locals here lead. The city has also quite adapted to the party scenes and makes sure you get a party if you are looking for one. Shilin Night Market and Ximending are some of the popular places in the city to shop. Taipei also boasts of housing the world's eighth tallest building which is about 508 metres tall called Taipei 101. Needless to say, the view from up there is simply breathtaking and one that you are definitely not going to forget. The city also has lush greenery and hot springs so tourists can get rid of all their stress and just relax.

Best Time to Visit Taipei City

Taipei experiences the spring season from March to May which is also the peak tourist season. You can go for a hike to the Elephant Mountain and be amazed at how beautiful the trails look, thanks to spring. The temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degree Celsius, and it even rains a little bit during spring. If you vacation clashes with The Tomb Sweeping Day, which is a public holiday celebrated in April, you will find most streets deserted at this time. Since this is peak travel season, make sure you book your hotel in Taipei several weeks in advance because availability might become an issue at the last moment. Not to mention, the hotel prices also see a surge during this season, so you will end up paying more money on accommodation that you otherwise might. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Taipei in advance.

September to November is autumn season in Taipei, and there are fewer tourists in the city. If you don't like crowds, this is the right time for you to head to Taipei. The temperature ranges from 23 to 30 degree Celsius and is quite comfortable. Hotel and flight prices also drop considerably during this time. You might get a good deal on a flight ticket to Taipei in autumn. You can take a stroll by the lakes or head to the beach, and you can enjoy exploring the city without being hassled by tourists. The locals also prefer and love this season better than the rest. While the days are warm and sunny, the nights are comparatively cool. The Moon Festival and Double Ten Day are some of the popular events that are celebrated during this time.

The city experiences summer from June to August, and the temperature reaches a maximum of 30 degree Celsius. This is a low tourist season since there is also a threat of typhoons hitting the city in summer. Though you might be able to get cheap flight tickets to Taipei and cheaper accommodations, this is not the best time to plan your vacation to Taipei. However, if you are in the city during early summer, you might be able to catch the Dragon Boat Festival. December to February is the winter season and the temperature drops to a minimum of 10 degree Celsius. It is not too cold, and a lot of tourists actually love planning a winter trip to Taipei.

Places to Visit in Taipei City

Taipei 101 is an important landmark in Taipei and one you must definitely not miss. It is the eighth tallest building in the world and is an architectural marvel. National Palace Museum is yet another major tourist spot that houses artworks and artefacts from more than 10,000 years ago. Ximending is a popular neighbourhood in Taipei and quite the party destination, too. You can also head to Shilin Night Market for some delicious street food and a satisfying shopping spree. Though you will also find a lot of fancy restaurants at the market, travellers recommend that you give the local street food stalls a shot. The Longshan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan and is mainly popular because of its markets. Xinbeitou Hot Springs is the best getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can also head to the National Taiwan Museum, which is one of the oldest museums in all of Taiwan. If you are an animal lover, you have got to visit the Taipei Zoo. It is a very popular tourist attraction for families with kids.

If you are a history buff, you are going to love a visit to the National History Museum. It was built in 1955 and showcased a lot of important collections that depict Taiwan's history. Dadaocheng Wharf has become a tourist attraction today along the Tamsui River. It used to be a major trade location before it transformed.

Things to do in Taipei City

Visiting Taipei 101 and going all the way up to the observatory must be on your itinerary. You will have to pay a nominal tariff to get up there, but it's all worth it. You can sign up for a guided sightseeing tour of the city or explore the city on your own, whichever suits you. Head over to Shilin Night Market to let your hair down, and party or you can just spend the night dining and shopping. Both are great ways to end the vacation. Sign up for a food tour of the city, if you find one. Right from the local street food to the fancy restaurants, you can pick your favourite once you've tried everything you felt like trying. In fact, you can also enrol yourself in a cooking class and learn to cook at least one Taiwanese cuisine. You can head back home after your holiday and show off your skills to your friends and family. It would be best if you headed to the Xinbeitou Hot Springs and this place will get rid of all the stress that you are going through. You can indulge in massage therapy or just enjoy the warm water and other healing therapies. You can also participate in any one of the festivals here that will help you socialise and learn more about the Taiwanese culture. The people here are very warm and welcoming so that you can feel safe here.

Foods and Restaurants in Taipei

Taipei is one city where you will find all sorts of cuisine. It is a modern city and caters to all kinds of taste buds. Though there are quite a few dishes here that are inspired by Chinese cuisine, the locals have managed to make Taiwanese food stand out. Gua bao is a popular pork belly dish that is quite popular in Taiwan; so is the oyster omelette. Taipei also has a lot of Indian restaurants like Mayur Indian Kitchen, Saffron Fine Indian Restaurant, Balle Balle Indian Restaurant and Ali Baba's Indian Kitchen. However, it is not very easy to find vegetarian food in the city. Mik-4ever Indian Restaurant is a popular restaurant that has quite a few options for vegetarian and vegan dishes. Hotpot and beef noodle soup are some of the other popularly ordered foods at restaurants here. The local street food at the night markets here are delightful, and you must try it. Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles is a very popular restaurant that you must try. The mee sua with braised pork intestine is a highly recommended dish at the restaurant. Fuhang Soy Milk is yet another popular restaurant in the city that serves traditional Taiwanese breakfast. You can also head to the Tao-Yuan Street Beef Noodle Shop for more variety in Taiwanese cuisine.

How to reach Taipei City

Taoyuan International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Taiwan. The flight connectivity to Taipei City from India is excellent. Cathay Pacific Airways, Dragonair and Singapore Airlines have frequent flights to Taipei City with layovers at Hong Kong and Singapore. If you book several weeks in advance, you will come across exciting flight deals to Taipei City online. During the offseason, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Taipei City. The Taoyuan airport is connected really well to other cities by road and rail. You can either book a cab from the airport or board a bus. You can also commute by train near the airport. The airport has premium lounges, WiFi, ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, massage services, information desks and so on. If you have to wait for a long time to board your flight, be assured that you will not get bored here. You can also book a hotel in Taipei City near the hotel for the last couple of days of your vacation, so you reach on time.

  About Abha

Located in the Aseer Province is the lush green city of Abha in Saudi Arabia. The city's proximity to the Red Sea and other intriguing geographical features give it a canvas, unlike the rest of Saudi Arabia. The city's Aseer National Park is famously known for being home to some of the exotic birds. It also houses dense juniper forests. The city is famed for its mild temperatures and is hence, a prominent tourist destination in Saudi Arabia.

Best time to visit Abha

Unlike some parts of Saudi Arabia, Abha actually enjoys some pleasant weather with equal summers and winters. In fact, it is one of the colder parts of Saudi, which enjoys a mild climate all year long. The temperatures go as high as 34 degree Celsius during summers and are surprisingly quite low during winters. In fact, there was a time when the recorded temperature crossed the negatives. While this might have happened in the past, the temperatures don't cross negatives anymore. However, it is one of the pleasant cities in Saudi Arabia with a lovely weather that makes travelling ideal for every season. The winter season in Abha is from December to February. During these months, the temperature could touch a staggering low, and you might need to carry enough parkas to ensure that you don't have trouble breathing. The city's rough climate does make it unfavourable to travel and engage in touristy activities. The season does see a drop in the hotel prices as well. If you are okay with the excessively cold winters in Abha, then you should book your tickets and hotels too.

June to September is considered to be the best season for a tourist excursion in Abha. The summers are quite decent as the temperatures don't touch beyond 34 degree Celsius. While it might seem too much for some people, it is actually quite convenient as there is less humidity in the air during this time. The hot and dry summers are tolerable as long as you carry proper bottles of water and hydrate yourself at all times. Out of the summer months, August is recognised as the best month to visit Abha. The city has perfect temperatures and doesn't require you to go beyond your limits to enjoy the vibe. The hotel prices in Abha during the peak season does see a surge though. Since many folks from around Saudi Arabia also flock over to Abha for a summer vacation, it could be a little crowded with a spike in the hotel prices. You might want to make prior bookings of flights and hotels in Abha if you want to evade the tourist crowd. Or you can avoid the tourist crowd altogether by visiting the city during spring, which is from March to May.

Places to visit in Abha

Abha's pride comes from the exquisite Green Mountain, which is located at the heart of the city. It is basically a mountain that has been lined up with green lights to complement the name. Abha Dam is another place that you should visit. The water body is surrounded by lovely land on all sides. There are many restaurants too around the dam that would add to the quaint vibe of the place. Do not miss the Art Street in Abha. It is more of a park laced with well-maintained streets and has shrubs on either side of the track. The place is beautiful, and you will have a good time hanging out here. You should also visit the Aseer National Park. Connected to the Jabal mountains, the coastal park has many cold spots. You would find the best air and vibe in the national park. Al Sahab Park is another such place that would keep you engaged. You will have to rent a car out and drive up to the amusement park. It is actually one of the first amusement parks that were constructed in Abha. The park is second to the Al Saudah Park, which is about 15 km away.

Things to do in Abha

Do not be surprised by the greenery that you will find in the desert city of Abha. As part of your excursion in Abha, you can visit Jabal Sawda by trekking up the peak. Aside from the Sawda, you should also trek up the trails of Jabal Ferwa. The two Saudi Arabian mountains would be cold, so make sure to carry a light jacket and lots of water. If trekking is not your thing, then you should visit Abu Kheyal Park. It is relaxing and has lovely floral trees lined up that adds to the beauty of the place. As the city has many parks and green spaces, you should also check out the Andalus Park. This place is especially perfect if you are travelling with kids. They can have fun on the slides while you can relax and enjoy the breeze while lying on the grass. As the city is surrounded by many parks and mountains, you will always be up for something to do.

Food and restaurants in Abha

Jalamah is a famous dish that you will find in the city. It is a traditional Saudi Arabian dish which is made from lamb. The meat is blended perfectly with Arabic spices consisting of cinnamon, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and coriander. The aromatic stew certainly brings a lot of flavour on the plate that you would enjoy. Saleeg is another famous dish of the Saudis which is basically rice porridge topped with a marinated and roasted piece of meat. It could be lamb or chicken or any meat of your choice. The lovely dish is comforting and would be a nice indulgence. Another dish that you would find in Abha, a common Saudi meal is the Martabak. A roti-like bread is stuffed with ground meat, garlic, eggs, curry, peppers and onions. It is basically a Saudi version of a paratha. You can actually eat this when you are not in the mood to eat excessively. Do leave some room for dessert as the famous Saudi savour Ma'amoul is a must-have. It is basically a dome-shaped tasty sweet made with fillings of fruits, walnuts, dates and more.

The options of indulgence in Abha is minimal. The city does not have a plethora of food joints with international or fusion cuisine. The place is humble and serves most of Saudi-inspired menu at their restaurants. Most of their restaurants are for a family setting. You can find some tasty Saudi dishes along with plates of mezze meals. Some of the main restaurants include Al-Tahy, N Lounge, Maharaj Indian Restaurant, to name a few. The Green Mountain Restaurant is actually a good place for you to hang out with your family or friends. The place is perched atop a lovely hill and illuminates the scintillating lights of the city. The breath-taking view interspersed with tasty food is definitely unmissable. You can also get coffee and cake as the establishment serves a lot of things.

How to reach Abha

The flight connectivity to Abha is quite decent. Although there are no direct flights to Abha from Indian cities, there are flights connecting to the Saudi city. The most popular route to Abha is from Jeddah and Riyadh. Both the cities are located in Saudi Arabia, and this domestic route to Abha is perfect and well-connected. Airlines such as Air Arabia, Flynas, Saudia, flydubai, Emirates, Etihad Airways, to name a few, have immaculate flight connectivity to Abha. A majority of these flights have layovers in Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai. These cities offer enough options to reach Abha and hence, are more popular. It is imperative that you get a transit visa as it is required in Saudi cities. Interestingly, Jeddah and Riyadh are the only cities where you will need a transit visa. You can either get it from the embassy, or you can apply for the same online. Saudi Arabia's embassy website has the form that you need to fill out to apply for the transit visa. The flight duration to Abha ranges from 11 hours to 13 hours approximately.

The domestic route from Jeddah is considered to reach Abha. Since flight connectivity to Jeddah is much better than Abha, it is often a better way to reach the Saudi city. The flight tickets to Abha are quite reasonable. The ticket price to Abha ranges from INR 19,000 to INR 25,000. You can actually get tickets to Abha for cheap, provided you spend time on the internet and get hold of some flight deals. A little snooping around on the internet will help you find the best flight deals to Abha online. Along with the flight tickets, you can also book your hotel in Abha. This will actually enable you to receive more discounts and offers. You will have to check for peak season as the flight tickets will be expensive during this time.

  About Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier to the country of Turkey. The airline has excellent scheduled services to destinations across Europe, North and South American, Asia and Africa. It is one of the largest mainline carriers in the world with respect to passenger destinations. Turkish Airlines is also recognised as one of the only airlines to serve non-stop flights to a plethora of destinations from a single airport. It flies to about 126 countries directly, which is more than any other airline prevalent in the world. The airport also has an operational fleet of 24 cargo aircraft. Turkish Airlines' corporate headquarters is located at the Turkish Airlines General Management Building, which is on the grounds of Istanbul Atatürk Airport in Ye?ilköy, Bak?rköy, Istanbul. The Istanbul Airport in Arnavutkoy is Turkish Airlines' main hub base. The second hubs for the airline are Ankara Esenbo?a Airport and ?zmir Adnan Menderes Airport. In 2008, the airline also became part of the Star Alliance airline carrier network.

Founded in 1933, the airline was originally called as Turkish State Airlines and worked under the Ministry of National Defence. The airline underwent tremendous issues in the 1980s and 90s and even received a reputation for extremely poor customer service and flight delays. There are hijackings and other such concerns that took over, including the 1974 crash of the Turkish Airlines Flight 981 when the aircraft's flaw in design led to a massive accident that resulted in deaths of passengers. However, the airline's officials worked on fixing all the problems one after the other. While the necessary flight-related concerns were being fixed, Turkish Airlines continued to extend its international reach by attracting codeshare agreements with airlines such as American Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines. Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Czech Airlines. Turkey's economic crisis also led to a reduction in the domestic route airline passenger traffic. Further, a war in Iraq in 2003 affected the closing of some international routes.

Turkish Airlines has grown phenomenally despite all the trials and tribulations. After much political dissonance and other complications witnessed by Turkish Airlines, the airline also recovered from its financial losses in 2017. The profitability witnessed a 35 per cent increase in turnover. Turkish Airlines has managed to find its glorious reputation of being one of the top airlines in the world yet again. Several miles and frequent-flyer programs have also been introduced by Turkish Airlines. The airline has been an official carrier to several football clubs including Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa and FK Sarajevo, to name a few. Renowned athletes like Lionel Messi, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Rooney, Kevin Costner and Didier Drogba have been roped in for sponsorship and promotions deals by the airlines. Turkish Airline has been recognised with several accolades by Skytrax. Some of the titles received by the airline include Europe's Best Airline, World's Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat and Southern Europe's Best Airline for consecutive years.

Fleet size of Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines' fleet size stands at 353 aircraft. The airline only has aircraft variants from the Airbus and Boeing family. Some of the aircrafts namely Airbus A319-100s, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A330-300s, Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 777-300ERs, Airbus A321neo and more are part of the fleet. In 2016, the airline announced that it was delaying the delivery of about 39 Boeing and Airbus aircraft due to a drop in the air traffic. Turkish Airlines was originally supposed to bring in a committed 167 aircraft including 92 Airbus A321neos, 65 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 10 Boeing 737 MAX 9s. Additionally, the airline was also slated to receive about 10-32 aircraft in 2018. However, the orders have been pushed through 2023 as the airline's outstanding orders are yet to be received. In 2019, the airline did receive its first-ever Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which was ordered back in March 2018. The airline has shown keen interest in acquiring Airbus A220 and Embraer E190/E195 to serve new destinations.

Baggage Allowance

The checked baggage allowance on Turkish Airlines is 32 kg. The passengers are allowed to carry 32 kg weighed baggage for free. The weight is applicable to single baggage that a passenger can carry. Beyond the stated baggage allowance, Turkish Airlines will not accept more. It is recommended that the passenger avoid carrying unnecessary and restricted items in their baggage. This might turn into a concern if you are travelling within a new city. Additionally, the passenger is also entitled to carry a piece of baggage that weighs not more than 23 kg. The luggage cannot exceed the weight stated by the airline. Similarly, the airline has also put forth a dimension for the baggage that needs to be followed. The dimension of the bags cannot exceed a total of 115 cm. The cabin baggage that is allowed by the airline is also cannot be more than 8 kg. As long as the piece of baggage's measurements falls under the dimension of 23x40x55 cm, the airline will accommodate the same. Along with the hand baggage, Turkish Airline also allows a small bag such as a handbag or a laptop bag that can be rested under the seat.

Passengers are allowed to carry musical instruments, sports equipment and other fragile items along with them on board. However, there are certain restrictions and rules that need to be followed by the traveller to ensure that no problem crops up. In case passengers are flying with infants, Turkish Airlines also has reservations to cater to the needs of the travellers. The airline provides spaces for strollers and other equipment too, which can be availed by passengers. Similarly, passengers who have physical disability and mobility issues can carry crutches and equipment to help them move around.

In-flight services

Turkish Airlines' in-flight services promise comfort and luxury. The seating is exquisite as the reclining chairs have a capacity to add to the comfort of the passenger. Further, the business class and economy class also offer legroom and adjustable footrest that can add to the luxury of the traveller. The seats are also capable of turning into comfortable beds with a lift-up seat design. Following the exquisite seating arrangement, the airline also offers phenomenal in-flight services. There are entertainment systems that are personalised and cater to individual passengers. The seats also come with power plug systems to help with the charging of portable electronic gadgets. For medium and long haul flights, the airline has in-flight meals too. They are complementary and can be requested to the airline ahead of the journey.

Much of the dishes that can be found in meals served in the economy class of Turkish Airlines include Turkish dishes. There are hot and cold beverages as well as snack services also available onboard. Interestingly, the airline also offers amenity kit as part of their ticket. The kit includes a sleep mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, earplugs and lip balm. The airline has reserved entertainment content for kids travelling with parents. The in-flight entertainment systems have in-built games, films, music and a range of TV channels for children. The airline also has toy sets that can be requested on board.

Popular routes and top cities for Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is known to have an immaculate domestic route and international route connectivity. The airline flies to more than 50 domestic cities and 244 international destinations that have been spread across 123 countries. Turkish Airlines has flights reserved for about 108 cities in Turkey and Europe. As for other continents, the airline connects to 64 Asian cities and 19 cities in the Americas. Outside of Turkey, Turkish Airlines sees a large number of flights serving Germany, Russia, Italy, the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Spain and the United Kingdom. These countries see the maximum number of flights being chartered by the airline. The airline also provides carrier services to Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad.

Why travel by Turkish Airlines?

Turkish Airlines has built a reputation for its excellent domestic route and international route connections. With flights catering to over 315 destinations worldwide, the airline has become one of the most sought-after options. Despite several complications and concerns that have cropped up over the years, Turkish Airlines has seen tremendous growth. It has upgraded its passenger fleet and even enhanced the facilities that make it more accessible for travellers. You can find and even book a Turkish Airlines flight on the airline's official website. Simultaneously, you will be able to find out more about the flight details such as flight status on the site. Often passengers even get their web check-in done on the official website. If you download the airline's app from Play Store, you can further get hold of details on Turkish Airlines' flight schedule. The in-flight services of Turkish Airlines also add to the world-class facilities that can be availed at the airport and the flight. The airline has dedicated first and business class lounges installed at the airports.