Tampa to Bhubaneswar Flights

  About Tampa

Nestled on Tampa Bay is the quaint and quintessential city of Tampa in Florida's Gulf Coast. Due to its proximity to Cuba, much of the culture, cuisine and lifestyle is Cuban-influenced. Tampa is a famous tourist destination which sees a huge crowd of travellers visiting during peak season.

Best time to visit Tampa

Tampa's busiest months are from May through August as the weather is hot, just the way some people like it. However, it is the months of September to December that you should root for as the weather is very pleasant and the hotel prices are also cheap and convenient. The temperatures range from 22 degree Celsius to 31 degree Celsius, which is quite ideal if you are travelling from India. The hotel reservations in Tampa during these months are also affordable as they have discounted rates, making the trip perfect. You might even end up getting rooms facing the water, which is quite the sight. Plus, the city also sees fun events such as Oktoberfest Tampa and Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. You should know though that summer is also a good time when it comes to hosting events in the city. They have some really amazing events such as Sunset Music Festival, BeeFest and Bolts Brew Fest. Basically, Floridians of Tampa like their beer chilled and crafted. It reflects perfectly with the way they celebrate beer several times in a year. Despite being hot, the city does manage to attract a lot of crowds and along with them, heavy hotel prices.

The winter and spring months at Tampa are exquisite. Even though the temperature falls to 11 degree Celsius sometimes in January, the season still sees a good amount of tourist activity. Due to this, the flight and hotel charges are also quite steep. In fact, it would be best for you to start looking for hotels and accommodations along with your flight tickets, well in advance. You might still get expensive rates for flights and hotels in Tampa, but it always seems like you can manage to get some online deals. It is recommended that you start three months in advance to book flights and hotels in Tampa for a lush vacation. There are some fun festivals too that take place in the city such as Tampa Pride, Taste @ the Straz, Tampa Bay Beer Week, Gasparilla Pirate Fest and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. While the prices might be steep and even the streets might be full of crowded tourists, you should still opt for this time of the year for a trip to Tampa. The city's vibe is certainly something that would make you want to relax and have a good time.

Places to visit in Tampa

Tampa is ideal for a family vacation and especially for animal lovers. The place has a lot of tourist attractions that would keep anyone engaged. From the Florida Aquarium to the Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa continues to bustle with tourists as there are many natural locales to explore. You can start with the Riverwalk which is located along the Hillsborough River. You can walk it up or use a bike. The Florida Aquarium is recognised to be one of the best in the world and houses a colossal number of marine life with over 14, 000 residing within. It will take you a long time to complete your tour in the Florida Aquarium, but it will be quite an experience. You can also engage in some interesting shows at the Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Centre ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a fun expedition to explore with the family. The zoo has some beautiful animals, including African elephants, orangutans, tigers, koalas, penguins, to name a few species. You can also check out the Henry B Plant Museum, which is located on the campus of the University of Tampa.

Things to do in Tampa

Busch Gardens is a theme park which is sprawled across 297 acres of land. There are many live shows, roller coasters games and shops that would hold your attention. To enjoy the entertainment sphere of Tampa, you should try to get a ticket to watch a show at the Tampa Theatre. The theatre is recognised to be one of the most elaborate theatres in the world. The city also organises several boat tours, and all you have got to do is to pick a cruise or yacht trip and make the most of Tampa. Another fun amusement park is the Adventure Island where you can unwind with your family. Even though the beach is right there, you should visit the amusement park as your kids will definitely love the entertaining activities and rides present. Not to mention how you should indulge in some of the festivals and food tours.

Food and Restaurants in Tampa

Tampa's food is heavily Cuban-inspired. It is Cuban food and waterfront dining that the locals recommend and for all the right reasons. You can enjoy the lip-smacking seafood with Cuban flavours while watching the sunset. It is quite a sight and the ideal dining experience one can ask for. One of the best waterfront seats that you can find in Tamp is at the Oystercatchers, which is associated with Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. The place has the freshest and best seafood that you'll find in Tampa. While Oystercatchers does have a great view of the water and the best waterfront in Tampa, you can also opt for Cafe Dufrain which is located in the Harbour Island. The establishment gives a fancy spin to locally sourced dishes. For some exquisite Cuban food, you should visit Ybor City and make reservations at Columbia Restaurant. The establishment is recognised as one of the top-notch in all of Florida for serving the best Cuban cuisine. Besides Cuban, you will also find Spanish and Caribbean meals from the respective kitchen. What's fascinating is how you'll find flamenco performances while you relish the food.

La Teresita Restaurant is another fun establishment that makes lip-smacking food and offers a great vibe. For special occasions, you should visit Bern's Steak House. The dining scene of the said restaurant is exquisite, and the food is divine. Far off to the other side of the spectrum is the Rooster & the Till, which basically has beautiful farm-to-table dishes to cater to the American tapas. Ulele is also a lovely joint which is perfectly nestled on the Tampa Riverwalk. They specialise in Native-inspired cuisine which includes charbroiled oysters with garlic butter and cheese. Tampa Riverwalk also has many other food joints that would get your attention. They favour Cuban food interspersed with wood-fired pizzas. Hillsborough River is another famous point where the foodies will have a good time indulging in classic to modern dishes.

How to reach Tampa

Flight connectivity to Tampa from India is quite good. Although there are no direct flights that fly to Tampa from India, a plethora of connecting flights and layover options are available. Thanks to a slew of flights that fly to Tampa from the US as well as some European cities, travelling to Tampa is not cumbersome. Instead, it is actually very convenient. Some of the airlines such as British Airways, Swiss, United Airlines, Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines, Qatar Airways, United Airways, American Airlines, Air France, Vistara, have impeccable flight connectivity to Tampa from India. The most convenient and popular route to reach Tampa from India is by flying to Miami and getting a connecting flight from there. As both the cities are in the Florida state, travelling via domestic routes becomes easier if Tampa is the destination. From India, there are various international routes to reach Tampa, such as from London, Zurich, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Rome, Toronto and Newark, to name a few. Some of the cities require a transit visa.

Specific countries have rules that require the travellers to hold a transit visa. If you have layovers or connecting flights from cities such as Zurich, Frankfurt, Toronto, Paris, London, Newark, to name a few, you will have to produce a transit visa. This visa cannot be used to step out of the airport as it is only to showcase that you are visiting the said city's airport to board a connecting flight. Flight tickets to Tampa are not cheap. Rather, they are quite expensive. One of the main reasons why travellers opt for Miami instead of flying to Tampa is because of the expensive flight tickets. However, if you have managed to save well and have enough in your bank account to make the trip happen, then you might be able to snag some flight ticket deals to Tampa online. It would be convenient if you also booked your hotels in Tampa while booking your flights. The accommodation in Tampa is just as expensive, which means you will have to make prior bookings, probably more than six months in advance. This way you will get amazing deals online plus you will get to save up for the same in the city.

  About Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is the temple city of India and deservedly so. The City is known for its grand temples and the beautiful architecture and attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over India. In fact, Bhubaneshwar literally translates to 'Lord of the Universe'. The City is an architectural marvel. Though the City is famous for its temples, there are other reasons for you to visit the City, too. Situated in Orissa, Bhubaneswar is also home to a lot of animals like deers and White Tigers. You'll also find Museums in the City that will showcase the arts, crafts and splendid artefacts.

The Lingaraj Temple is one of the most visited temples in the City. It is ancient and has a lot of religious importance. It sees a lot of devotees who come to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva throughout the year. The Parasurameswara temple, which was constructed in 650 AD, is unique because of the one thousand lingas present in the north-west corner of the complex. The Brahmeshwara temple is yet another marvel and a great example of the Oriya architecture, that was built in the 11th century. The Ananta Vasudev temple, built by Queen Chandrika, has Lord Krishna residing in it. The Vaishnavi sculptures will leave you impressed and are a treat to the eyes.

The Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts is a must-visit for anyone who stops to appreciate and admire art whenever they get the opportunity. You'll get to see a lot of traditional costumes, jewellery, weapons, gears and farming equipment at the museum. It will leave you in awe of the artists. The Kedar Gauri Temple, which is one of the eight Asthasambhu Temples, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri. The Mahashivratri celebrations across Bhubaneswar. You will feel overwhelmed to see the processions and be a part of the festivities.

Visit the Pathani Samantha Planetarium. It is named after the famous astronomer of the same name. Catch the audiovisual shows put up by the authorities. The City is also known for Khandagiri Caves, a series of artificial caves which dates back to the 2nd century. The caves are of great historical significance.

Don't miss visiting the Ramachandi beach, which is 65 km away from the City. It's a beautiful beach that sees the Bay of Bengal and River Kushabhadra converging. It's a sight to behold and one of the best places to take pictures at, too. The beach is accessible quite easily and is a popular location for young couples, tourists and students residing in the City.

Bhubaneswar experiences extreme summers but also intense rainfalls during monsoon. However, that does not stop people from venturing out, and the rains only add to the beauty of the City. October to February is the ideal time to visit the City since the city experiences winter during these months. While you are in Bhubaneswar, make sure you try the Machha Jholo, fish curry that is a speciality here. You must also try the Cuttack chaat, Badi Choora, Rasagola and the Abadha. The vegetarian food served in temples is also a treat to your taste buds. The list of things to do and places to see in Bhubaneswar is endless. Since Bhubaneswar is the capital of Orissa, it is well-connected to all the major cities. Biju Patnaik Airport is 5 km away from the City and is the nearest airport.

Best Time to Visit Bhubaneswar

The ideal time to visit the City is during winters which are from October to February. This is a peak season for tourists and is also ideal for sightseeing. The City experiences monsoon from June to September. Bhubaneswar experiences heavy rainfall, and it is not the most favourable time to visit the City. It will definitely put a damper on all of your outdoor plans. The summer starts from March and lasts till May. The scorching heat and the high humidity make it quite unbearable for you to venture out. This is also why you shouldn't visit Bhubaneswar during summer. The afternoons can get pretty harsh during summer.

Places to Visit in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar is known for its temples. The Lingaraj Temple is one of the most popularly visited temples, and devotees of Lord Shiva come to offer their prayers throughout the year. You can also visit the Parasurameswara and the Brahmeshwara temple. Not only will you feel at peace by offering your prayers, but you will also be in awe of the expert Oriya architecture. You can also visit the Ananta Vasudev temple that was built by Queen Chandrika to offer her prayers to her deity, Lord Krishna. The City has a religious significance and is also considered holy. Devotees always leave with a smile and a sense of relief on their faces after visiting the temples.

The City also plays host to a lot of museums like the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts and the Orissa State Museum. You will know more about the City, its culture and ancient art. You will also come across a lot of untold stories during the construction of these marvels. The Nandankanan Zoological Park, established in 1960, is another place you must visit in the City. You will spot different species of tigers and other animals in the zoo. There are also a lot of wildlife sanctuaries that will appease the wildlife photographer in you. Take home all the memories of spotting exotic wildlife in these sanctuaries.

Don't miss visiting the Ramachandi Beach. The beach is quite unique since it sees the convergence of the Bay of Bengal and River Kushabhadra. It's only 7 km away from Konark and a top-rated destination among tourists, too. The City also has a lot of parks for you to visit with your family. Another location for you to take great pictures.

Things to do in the City in Bhubaneswar

Visit all the temples in the City, starting with the Lingaraj temple. Don't just offer your prayers and admire the striking architecture of the temples but also try to discover the stories inception of the temple and the religious importance of it. Find a priest or a knowledgeable person and get them to tell you the stories about the temple. You'll surely leave with a lot of information, things that you never knew before. While the rulers made some of the temples out of respect and devotion to their deities, some have mythological stories and incidents attached.

The City has a lot of historical importance and artistic significance, too. There are a lot of human-made marvels in this City. Visit the Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts that showcases the exquisite collections of 62 tribes of Odisha. Explore the culture of all of these tribes and the history of Orissa, too. You can also visit the Nandankanan Zoological Park, the Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary, the Ekamra Kanan and more sanctuaries to treat the animal lover in you.

Since it's the capital city, it's easier to find and book a hotel as per your budget and convenience. Make sure you find something closer to the tourist attractions so you won't have to spend more time travelling. While you visit the Ramachandi beach, you can sit there and admire the waves or read your favourite book. It's the perfect place to chill and embrace solitude. You won't regret visiting and holidaying in Bhubaneswar for sure.

Foods and Restaurants in Bhubaneswar

Apart from the local speciality, you will also find restaurants that serve other cuisines that you might crave for. Even though it is a city with a lot of temples, you will find certain places that serve non-vegetarian food. Do try the Machha Jholo if you are a fan of seafood. Do not leave without taking back home a pot of rasagolas. Since the City is usually always budding with tourists, finding a decent restaurant is not a tedious task. If you are craving for some South-Indian food, do stop by at Truptee Restaurant. It is famous for its variety of dosas and other South Indian snacks.

Tangerine 9 is yet another restaurant that serves mouth-watering food at reasonable prices. You can also give the Hare Krishna restaurant a try. It's a delight for vegetarians and worth every penny spent. Not just their food but even the special ghee that they serve will leave you impressed.

How to reach Bhubaneswar

By Air

The nearest airport is the Biju Patnaik International Airport and is also the only international airport in Orissa. It connects the City to all of the domestic routes and international routes as well. You can get fair flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, if you are lucky.

By Rail

The Bhubaneswar railway station is well-connected to all the major cities in the country. You will also find a taxi or a bus easily from outside the station to your hotel.

By Road

A lot of deluxe buses with AC coaches and government buses will be available from major cities and the nearby ones, too. You can also take a private cab or drive to Bhubaneswar.

  About Bhubneshwar Airport

Biju Patnaik International Airport also referred to as Bhubaneswar Airport, is the primary international airport that serves the city of Bhubaneswar which is the capital of the state Odisha. The airport is located about 4 km south-west of the Bhubaneswar Railway Station and 6 km away from the main city. The city's main airport has been named after the former chief minister of the state of Odisha, Biju Patnaik. He is a famed aviator as well as a freedom fighter. Biju Patnaik International Airport is the 15th busiest airport in the country. As for the Airports Authority of India's list of airports, Biju Patnaik International Airport falls on the 11th busiest which a registered 27.9 per cent growth in the passenger and air traffic.

The airport came into existence in 1962 and was dedicated to catering to the travel needs of the citizens of Odisha. It is the first commercial airport to be installed in the state. The airport caters to domestic and international carriers, activities of which are divided into two terminals. In 2013, the former minister of civil aviation, Ajit Singh, inaugurated the newly refurbished Terminal 1 to enhance the travelling experience of the domestic passengers. Terminal 2 was also upgraded to handle better international operations. It received international stature in 2013 and commenced operations to international destinations.

About Bhubaneswar Airport Terminal

Along with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Biju Patnaik International Airport is also recognised as a major civil aviation hub for Eastern India.

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 was refurbished and inaugurated in 2013 to accommodate a passenger capacity of 4 million in a year. Lanco Infratech built it at the cost of INR 1.45 billion. The project upgradation was developed by the Airports Authority of India as part of their scheme to enhance 35 of their non-metro airports in India. Terminal 1 is equipped with two storeys and a total area of 18,240 square metres. The new terminal comprises of four aerobridges, several escalators, four elevators, 18 check-in counters, multiple seating and three arrival baggage conveyors. Terminal 1 also houses some lounges in the departure and arrival sections. There is a total of three VIP lounges also installed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. The airport has been constructed keeping the green building standards on the check. There are sewage treatment plant and rainwater harvesting facilities located at the terminal. Reflecting the culture and tribal traditions of Odisha, the airport also has tribal paintings, sculptures, motif designs and several such artefacts.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2 is reserved for international operations and was constructed in the mid-1960s. Originally, the terminal catered to domestic flight activities in the 1960s. However, with the addition of the new airport terminal building, the domestic operations were shifted. Biju Patnaik International Airport's terminal 2 comprises of six check-in counters, four customs counters, ten immigration counters, various facilities and a slew of seating area too.

Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is a passenger terminal building that has been proposed by the airport's authority to expand its passenger handling to 8 million in a year. The terminal is set to spread across an area of 58,000 square metres for INR 9.3 billion. With this, Biju Patnaik International Airport's capacity would be increased from 3.5 million to 11.5 million. The positioning of the terminal started in 2019 with construction works to be completed in three years, as scheduled. Once completed, the terminal would be handling all domestic passenger activities with the existing 1 and 2 terminals catering to international flight activities.

About airport authority

Biju Patnaik International Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The government body was introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the Government of India and came into existence to cater to the infrastructural management and maintenance of civil aviation across the country. Overall, the airport's authority handles about 126 airports along with 11 international airports. Biju Patnaik International Airport also falls under the international airport list of the aviation body. The airport authority has brought forth several expansion, and upgradation plans to make Bhubaneswar Airport accessible and ideal for more airline activities. Much recently, they refurbished their terminals and have proposed for a new terminal that would cater to domestic operations. Meanwhile, the old two terminals would take care of international operations.

Following the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, Biju Patnaik International Airport's authority has announced that they would be changing their operations. Following the lifting of the lockdown, the airport plans to operate in a single shift that would only take place between 10 am to 6 pm. Overall, 16 flights with two flights per hour would be operated Special guidelines to avoid the abundant footfall of passengers will also be taken care of at the airport. They are handling limited cargo operations too.

Facilities at the Bhubaneswar Airport

ATMs – Biju Patnaik International Airport has installed four ATM kiosks at one spot that range from domestic to international banks. This makes it easier for international tourists to withdraw money without much hassle. It is available at the departure and the arrival sections of the terminal building.

WiFi – The airport also has WiFi facilities available. By using the local mobile number, the passengers can connect to the airport's WiFi network and avail the free services.

Child care rooms – To cater to parents travelling with infants, the airport has installed designed child care rooms. These rooms are well-equipped with baby products as well as comfortable chairs and changing tables. They also have some baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent has exhausted these products.

Lounge – An airport lounge is also present in the departure section where passengers with relevant passes can access. You can also make some payments and enter the comfortable lounge area. They provide great hospitality and good services.

Smoking lounge – As smoking is not allowed in public spaces, the airport has reserved special smoking zones for passengers. These spaces can be utilised, and even boxes of cigarettes can be purchased at the airport.

Medical services – With a view to dealing with medical emergencies, the airport has installed relevant services. There is a special team of doctors and medical professionals who are present at the airport to deal with emergency cases. Plus, there are pharmacies also present at the airport.

Baggage – The baggage services offered by Biju Patnaik International Airport are quite good. You can opt for wrapping services, porter services, conduct thorough security checks of bags and even use the trolleys.

Top airlines flying from the Bhubaneswar Airport

Currently, the airport has some of the top domestic airlines functioning from the premise. In fact, airlines that operate from Biju Patnaik International Airport include AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara. These flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport connect to major Indian cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Varanasi, Surat and Ranchi, to name a few. The airport also caters to one international airline, AirAsia, which connects to Kuala Lumpur. The services to the Malaysian capital has been suspended owing to the coronavirus pandemic. However, once things go back to normal, international flight services from the airport will be resumed.

How to reach Bhubaneswar Airport

By Bus

The city of Bhubaneswar has excellent bus facilities that are run by the state government. Called the MO Bus, the services have been rolled out by the Capital Region Urban Transport to connect Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri, in the state of Odisha. The service is known to be one of the most reliable ones in the city that has reduced the transportation challenges that one might have had to face earlier. The MO Bus also has a mobile app with provisions of the map of its routes, ticket booking options and schedules of the buses traversing within the city. The ticket fare is also quite cheap and affordable. You can easily pick a bus route from the MO Bus to reach Biju Patnaik International Airport. These buses are available in AC as well as Non-AC to add to the comfort of the passengers.

By Taxi and Ridesharing apps

The city has an abundance of taxi cab services available. You can easily hail a taxi cab from the city to reach Biju Patnaik International Airport. Besides, it is only 3 km away from the city centre, so travelling is usually not an issue. Depending on the traffic of the city and your location, the travel time might differ, but it will not exceed 15 minutes to reach Biju Patnaik International Airport. Besides, ridesharing apps can also be used within the city premise. You can book cabs on Ola and Uber to reach Bhubaneswar Airport. Normal taxi cabs can also be hailed in the city, but you will need to discuss the fare ahead of the journey. Usually, the cabs in the city-run at fixed prices so it is always safe to ask in advance about the fare and whether it is feasible.