Tirupati to Los Angeles Flights

  About Tirupati

Tirupati or Tirumala as a lot of people call it, is one of the most visited temples in India. It's also one of the richest shrines in the country. Tirupati is the place of worship for Lord Balaji or Sri Venkateshwara, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hundreds and thousands of devotees visit Tirupati daily to offer their prayers. It is a tradition among a lot of people to shave their heads and offer their hair at his feet to seek his blessings. It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth as Balaji to save mankind from all the troubles in Kali Yug. People wait for hours in a queue to get a glimpse of God and offer their prayers. The temple is located on seven hills in Andhra Pradesh, which is yet another speciality about the temple. Though Tirupati is majorly known for its religious significance, there is a lot more than you can do here.

You can visit the Sri Venkateswara National Park after your darshan. The beautiful landscape and view of the valleys will take your breath away. The Sri Venkateswara National Park was built in 1989 and was declared a National Park in 1998. The national park is home to a lot of exotic animals like the Nilgai, Flying Lizard, Hyena and Golden Gecko. You have to pay a certain price for tickets to enter the park and spending some time here will definitely be a treat to the eyes and the mind. If you are in Tirupati with your family and kids, the little ones will definitely be delighted to spot the animals. In addition to this, the holy place also boasts of a Deer Park. You'll find different species of deer and might even get to feed them. You'll find solace from the crowd and spend some time with nature and nature's best here.

You can also immerse in the holy waters of Papavinasam Theertham. It is believed that taking a dip in this holy water will rid you of your sins. Just being here calms your mind and takes you to your happy place. You will also find a lot of waterfalls like the Talakona waterfall, Vaikuntha theertham and so on. There will be several places in the complex where you can sit and meditate. The early morning aarti is one of the most overwhelming and divine feelings. The chants and devotional mantras echo through the hills early in the morning. Swami Pushkarini lake is also a highly recommended place to visit in Tirupati.

Though you will have to adhere to certain decorum and rules when visiting the temple. A strict dress code to wear something traditional must be followed in the temple vicinity. You are also not allowed to consume alcohol or non-vegetarian food while you are in the temple premises. Not to mention, the queue can tend to get on your nerves, so avoid getting into any fights or heated arguments. You will not be allowed to bring any of your gadgets like the camera or phone. While a lot of people believe that shaving their head off and donating their hair is essential, it entirely depends on you and whether you want to do it. It will be fairly easier for you to find and book a hotel in Tirupati.

Best Time to Visit Tirupati

September to February is an ideal time to visit Tirupati. This is when the city experiences winter and the weather is quite pleasant during the day. It can get quite nippy in the night and early mornings can be quite chilly though. The summer will be pretty unpleasant to handle since the southern part of India does experience scorching heat during April and May. It rains in Tirupati from July to September, and while monsoon does make the weather quite pleasant, it won't be the best time to climb the hill even by a car or bus.

Places to Visit in Tirupati

Apart from the main temple of Tirumala Balaji, it is also mandatory to offer your prayers at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple. It is believed that your prayers will not be complete unless you pray to the Goddess, and according to scriptures, it is important that you pay respects to the Goddess first before heading to Tirumala. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple is not very close to Lord Balaji's temple. After offering your prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Temple, you can visit the Srivari Museum to know more about Tirupati's inception and how it became one of the most popular temples in the country.

Head over to Papavinasam Theertham to take a dip in the holy water. It is believed that it will wash away your sins, and it also calms your mind instantly. It's the sheer sanctity of the place that makes you embrace your spiritual side. Tirupati is also home to many exotic animals. The Sri Venkateswara National Park houses animals like Hyenas, Nilgai, Golden Gecko and more. You can visit the National Park with your family or alone. You must also visit the Deer Park that has deers of different species, and they're quite friendly, too. If you're lucky, you might get to feed the deers.

Take a tour of the Srivara Museum. You'll get to read more stories about the inception of the temple and the Gods and Goddesses. Since the temple is located on seven hills, each hill has been named after a God or devotee of mythological importance. There is Vrushabhadri, which is also called as the Hill of Nandi, the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva and also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Anjanadri is the Hill of Hanuman, Neeladri is the Hill of Neela Devi, Garudachalam is the Hill of Garuda, Seshadri is the Hill of Sesha, Narayanadri is the Hill of Narayana and Venkatadri is the Hill of Venkateswara.

There are also a lot of sub-temples and shrines that you can visit along with the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari and Sri Venkateswara temples.

Things to do in Tirupati

Find a spot in the temple after your darshan and just sit in peace to meditate for a while before you make your itinerary. Do not forget to take the famous Tirupati laddoo that is served as the prasad. The temple also serves puliogare, a savoury rice, that is also served as the prasad. The temple city can get noisy, so get away from the hubbub of the crowded places and visit one of the famous waterfalls. You can quietly sit and admire the nature around you. The serene aura of the place and the breathtakingly beautiful scenario makes for the perfect place to take pictures, too.

The National Park and the Deer Park make for the perfect locations to put your wildlife photography skills to the test. While a lot of people rent a car or take a bus to get up to the hill, some even walk or climb all the way up. Though some do it because they love a nice trek, a lot of people do it out of pure devotion to the Gods. Don't just go to Tirupati to offer your prayers to God but also make the most of it by getting to know more about the place and visiting all of the other places mentioned here. Being close to nature is also one of the best places and moments to introspect or to just leave all your worries behind and live in the moment. You will surely be able to leave all your worries behind and be optimistic effortlessly once you visit Tirumala.

Food and Restaurants in Tirupati

While there will be no non-vegetarian food served within the temple premises or on the hilltop, you will find restaurants serving non-veg food a little away from Tirumala. Andhra Spice and Hyderabad House are some of the popular restaurants that serve non-vegetarian food. It goes without saying that it will be quite easy to find South Indian food in the area, and the food will not disappoint you one bit.

How to reach Tirupati (Transportation)

By Air

While there is no international connectivity of flights directly, the domestic flights frequently run to and from Tirupati Airport. You will get pretty good flight deals and cheap flight tickets, too, if you book at the right time. Don't forget to look for offers on flights online. You can also land at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad and take a bus or hire a cab from the airport to Tirumala.

By Rail

Tirupati Railway station is connected to domestic routes like Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakapatnam and Madurai. Renigunta station is also quite close to Tirupati and an easier way to get to Tirupati.

By Road

You will find multiple bus services that run from cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and every part of Andhra Pradesh to Tirupati. It is advisable to carry a few medicines or chocolates with you if you suffer from motion sickness because the way to go up the hill is going to be full of twists and turns.

  About Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States of America. Even though it is majorly popular for Hollywood and a tour of the Paramount Pictures Studios and Warner Bros. Studios, there is more to LA than that. It is one of the fanciest cities to live in and worth every penny spent. LA also has the Malibu, Venice and Santa Monica Beaches that offer a couple of water activities. You can also go hiking at Griffith Park and Angeles National Forest. A lot of tourists prefer a guided tour of the city, but it can take a while since it's a big city. It would, however, help if you plan in advance and make a list of things you want to do and places you want to visit in LA. You also need to make sure that you book your hotel in Los Angeles way in advance. For all you know, you might even run into your favourite celebrity here in LA.

Best Time to Visit Los Angeles

LA is one city that you can visit whenever you want and is at its affordable best if you have planned the trip well in advance. June to August is summer in LA, and it is also a high season. The temperature ranges from 15 to 29 degree Celsius. Booking a hotel in LA during the high season is quite expensive, and you won't even get cheap flight tickets to LA if you are flying during this season. However, if you are not wound up by a budget or have no trouble bearing the heat, summer is ideal for visiting LA for you. You can also be a part of LA Pride that happens in June and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in August. Since the city is buzzing with tourists, it will also be difficult for you to enjoy some quiet time for yourself. You will constantly find a lot of tourists, almost every place you go to.

March to May is the spring season in LA, and though the prices don't really drop during this season, it is an ideal time to visit the city. The weather remains pleasant, and there are fewer tourists as compared to summer, which makes it all the more better. Though you might not be able to book a hotel in LA at an affordable price, you will come across quite a few discounts and flight deals to LA online. You can attend events like the Los Angeles Marathon, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Jazz Reggae Festival and so on. With fewer tourists, you will also enjoy the Hollywood tour more than you would with tourists overcrowding the city. The temperature ranges from 10 to 23 degree Celsius and makes for quite a pleasant day. The evenings are perfect for you just to take a stroll around the city or the beaches if you are planning to visit any.

September to November is another best time to visit LA since this is when the tourists leave. The weather turns quite pleasant, hotel prices drop and so do prices of flight tickets to LA. The temperature ranges from 11 to 28 degree Celsius. You won't have to worry about splurging more than your budget or stepping out in the sun a lot if you are visiting in autumn. If you are lucky enough, you might even get a chance to attend the Emmy Awards or at least the red carpet as a fan. Make sure that you have your passes arranged in advance. December to February is winter and temperature range from 8 to 20 degree Celsius. It rains quite a lot during winter and LA is not as cold as the other cities in the US like New York or Boston. However, you will bump into celebrities here since the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Grammys are also hosted during this season. Don't forget to catch the Hollywood Christmas Parade if you are going to be around during the festival.

Places to Visit in Los Angeles

A Hollywood Tour is a must when you visit Los Angeles. Paramount Pictures Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Warner Bros. Studios are popular tourist attractions in the city. You can go on a guided tour of the studios and might even run into your favourite celebrity. If you want to spend a day near the ocean, you can head to Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, Zuma Beach or Malibu Beach. You can also head to the Universal Studios. Not only will you get to visit popular movie sets here but you can also try the movie-themed rides that the place has to offer. Be it The Simpsons, Harry Potter, Walking Dead or Transformers, you can try whichever one is your favourite or all of them. The Museum of Jurassic Technology is another tourist attraction in LA that you would not want to miss. It's a blend of fact and fiction and has very little to do with dinosaurs. If you are heading to the Los Angeles Zoo, you can also visit The Griffith Observatory later. It is a planetarium that lets you observe the moon and stars through a Zeiss telescope.

Take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now you don't have to hire a guide here necessarily if but you might come across interesting stories if you do. You can head to the Chinese Theatre later on that has hand and footprints of popular actors. Disneyland is another famous attraction that you can visit with your friends or family. It has two waterparks and four theme parks. You can also visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art if you are an art lover. LACMA, as it is called, opened in 1965 and showcases artefacts from Islamic to European artists. If you want to do a little window shopping or go on a shopping spree, head over to Rodeo Drive, you will come across a lot of high-end designer stores, and you will also spot a lot of expensive, fancy vehicles.

Things to do in Los Angeles

Park near Lake Hollywood or go on a hike at Griffith Park to take a picture with the iconic Hollywood sign in the background. It is one of the most popular landmarks in LA. Griffith Park is one of the most popular places to go hiking in Los Angeles. Venice is an eccentric neighbourhood in Los Angeles, and you might want to catch the sunset at Venice Beach. You will find numerous street vendors, tattoo parlours, international cuisines and a few street performers. You will have a great time here. You can also try bicycle tours in the city, a very eco-friendly way of getting around the city. You can reserve a day for museum tours and other sightseeing tours, another day for studio tours and another one for Disneyland. Heading to the beach and indulging in water activities in another popular thing to do in LA. You will certainly not get tired of living the luxe life here.

Food and Restaurants in Los Angeles

LA has a very diverse range of cuisines, and since it is a famous place for celebs to be at, you will find a lot of restaurants here that are either owned by celebrity chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Gino Angelini. You will also find celebrity chefs recreating their signature dishes at other restaurants. If you want to grab a quick bite instead of waiting around at a restaurant, you can try the food trucks that serve sushi burritos, quinoa bowls and loaded hot dogs. You can also sign yourself up for a guided food tour since LA is known for its eclectic dining scene. The city is also known for its nightlife. You can head to The Varnish and ETA, and they are some of the best cocktail bars in the city. Diddy Riese Cookies is a fast food place that serves you delicious food. If you are in the mood for Italian food, you can try Raffaello Ristorante or Angelini Osteria. Tocaya Organica is the place you go to for Mexican or Latin food. Karl Strauss Brewing Company is an amazing brewpub.

How to reach Los Angeles (Transportation)

The Los Angeles International Airport is about 30 km away from Downtown LA. It is the world's third busiest airport. The flight connectivity to Los Angeles from India is excellent. Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airways are some of the popular airlines that fly to LA with layovers at Istanbul, Singapore, Hong Kong and London. The frequency of flights to LA from India is quite good, and you will get to choose from a lot of them. The LA Airport is well-equipped, and you can expect first-class treatment even if you are not a VIP. There are restaurants, cafes, duty-free shopping areas, taxi services, almost everything that you need here. You can also chill at the airport lounge while you wait for your flight.

  About Los Angeles Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is located in Westchester, about 30 km away from Downtown Los Angeles. It is the primary airport that serves Los Angeles county and all the metropolitan that surrounds it. The airport is recognized to be the third busiest airport in the world with respect to passenger traffic, domestic and international. It is also the second busiest airport in the United States and follows Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airport is easily the largest international airport on the West Coast of the US.

In fact, Los Angeles International Airport also serves as a major getaway for international flights and operations to the US. The airport is also renowned for its status as the world's busiest origin as well as the destination airport. This means the airport sees travellers either commence or conclude their journey than use it for connecting flights. Los Angeles International Airport also operates the four legacy carriers of the US, American, United, Alaska and Delta. Hubs have been designated to the airlines.

About Airport Terminals

Los Angeles International Airport has a total of nine passenger terminals which comprises of 132 gates in total. The arrangement of the gates is in the form of the letter U and have been numbered to make it easier for the passenger. Tom Bradley International Terminal is completely out of the equation though. With the expansion of the Midfield Satellite Concourse North, international flights can now be accessed from the Tom Bradley Terminal (TBIT). With TBIT, 12 new gates have been added to the Midfield Satellite Concourse North. The terminal and runway have also undergone tremendous improvement. Terminal 1 is reserved for domestic flights as well as international check-in counters are also available. Terminal 2 has been allotted to Aer Lingus Airlines, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, West Jet and Delta Air Lines. Virgin Atlantic also has a Clubhouse that has been installed in the terminal premise. The structure has a luxurious overview that has been inspired by the West Coast luxe lifestyle. Terminal 3 has recently been given wholly to Delta Air Lines. The airlines plans to make some extensive upgrades to accommodate better passenger experience. The terminal also has check-ins of airlines such as Interjet and Virgin Australia, Avianca and Copa.

Terminal 4 has been taken over by American Airlines. The upgrades to the terminal were recently completed and with ticketing counters, restaurants and a direct connection from the terminal to the newly opened Tom Bradley International Terminal. The link has been created to enhance connectivity for passengers who need to reach the other terminal for connecting flights. Terminal 5 sees airlines such as Hawaiian Air, Air Canada (only arrivals), American, American Airlines, Allegiant Air and Frontier. They have recently upgraded the face of the terminal with additional restaurants and ticketing lobby. New baggage carousels have also been installed. Terminal 6 has the departures for Air Canada and all operations of Alaska Airlines, Boutique Air, Thomas Cook, Viva Aerobus and Mokulele Airlines. Latest check-in kiosks have been installed as well as numerous security screening points. Even the lobby's decor has undergone alterations. Terminal 7 is again reserved for domestic airlines, United Airlines and United Express. A new United Club Terminal 7 lounge has recently been opened. Terminal 8 also has flights of United Airlines and United Express with better ticketing lobby and enhancing seating.

About Airport Authority

Los Angeles International Airport is owned and operated by the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWAL). LAWA is actually a branch of the city of Los Angeles and has a team of seven members on the Board of Airport Commissioners. They govern the management and administer the airport's functions. The statutory body owns Los Angeles International Airport as well as Van Nuys Airport, which is located in the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles World Airport was acquired in 1928 by the Los Angeles Department of Airports to take up operations of Los Angeles Municipal Airport (as it was named earlier). Later in 1997, the Department of Airports took on a new identity and named itself Los Angeles World Airports. The organization was previously owned and operated by Palmdale Regional Airport along with Ontario International Airport. However, it is now an independent body. The authority has managed to bring about tremendous changes in upscaling the passenger experience and infrastructure of the Los Angeles International Airport. They even received the Sustainability Award after the renovation of their Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Los Angeles World Airports has enabled its department of police that go by the name Los Angeles Airport Police. They are often referred to as LAXPD or LAWAPD too. The department is recognized as the fourth largest law enforcement entity in Los Angeles County. There are about 1,100 law enforcement, staff and security personnel employed by the LAWAPD. They sometimes even patrol jointly with the county's police department (LAPD). Additional police personnel have been assigned to LAX security too.

Top airlines flying from Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport caters as the focus city to airlines such as Air New Zealand, Qantas, Volaris, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Meanwhile, it is also known to be the only airport in the United States to cater to all four US legacy carriers, namely, American, Alaska, United and Delta. In fact, designated terminals have been allotted to accommodate these airlines at the Los Angeles International Airport. Aside from the legacy carriers, the airlines also see tremendous action on the international front. Airlines such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Copa, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris and WestJet, have dedicated flights flying to Los Angeles Airport on a regular basis.

Facilities at the Los Angeles International Airport

Nursing stations - Nursing stations or child care rooms are present at the airport for mothers with infants. The room is regularly sanitized and kept clean to ensure that it doesn't cause discomfort to the mother or the baby.

WiFI - WiFi connections can also be availed at the airport for free. You can get details of the same at the information desk. The WiFi services are unlimited so you can use it for as long as you want.

ATMs and currency exchange - Dedicated ATM kiosks and currency exchange counters are also present at the arrivals of the airport.

Medical services - Medical centres and emergency rooms are also available at the Los Angeles International Airport. You can make medical purchases. In case of an emergency that takes place at the airport terminal, there are paramedics available to immediately tend to the case.

Animal relief centre - There are provisions of animal relief areas where travellers flying with pets can visit. The areas are reserved specifically to help out pets and their family.

Art programs - The airport has a one of a kind art experience where they host programs that travellers can indulge in.

Lounges - Los Angeles International Airport has exquisite lounges and VIP rooms. The lounge is available for VIPs as well as first-class and business-class. The hospitality is great while the lounge also offers spas and other such services.

How to reach Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is well-connected to the city centre and has various modes of transport available to and from the airport. You will be able to reach the Los Angeles International Airport with much easy if you simply opt for FlyAway bus service that is available at the official website of the airport. The service basically helps bridge the gap between Los Angeles International Airport and Union Station. It also caters to other locations in the city so you can easily reach the Los Angeles International Airport without much hassle. The buses also work on regular schedules so you might have to learn a bit about the same before you plan your travel options. Los Angeles International Airport's website has already shared the bus schedules on their website so you can peruse through the same to get answers. 11:40 PM is the last bus while it starts at 5:40 AM. The timings can change depending on the air traffic and other such conditions. There are free shuttle buses that can reach you to different terminals within the LA Airport premise.

Car rentals and taxis are other options you can choose to reach the Los Angeles International Airport. You can either book them on apps such as Uber, or you can also hail a taxi from the street. The chances of getting those might be limited in LA, but you can always try. As for rentals, if you have just landed at Los Angeles International Airport, you can find rental booths at the arrivals area. You can make your car rental bookings here and leave for the city.