Tuticorin to Jeddah Flights

  About Tuticorin

Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi by the locals, is a port city in Tamil Nadu. It falls under the Thoothukudi district of the state and is approximately 40 km to the east of Tirunelveli. The city is known for its beautiful beaches and historical monuments. It is the perfect vacation spot in Tamil Nadu if you want to disconnect from your regular life and the world to relax and rejuvenate. Thoothukudi is also called as Muthu Nagaram, which literally translates to Pearl City. The primary behind the city receiving such a name is because the city thrives on pearl diving. The Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, the beaches, Our Lady of Snows Basilica, Thiruchendur Murugan temple are some of the popular spots in the port city. You can also visit the Tuticorin Port. The city also has a history of making some great leaders like Subramanya Bharathy (who was a famous poet), Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Venni Kalady and so on.

Best Time to Visit Tuticorin

Tuticorin usually sees a lot of tourists during its festivals, but October to March is considered to be the ideal time to visit the city. Winter doesn't really get too cold, but it's not too hot either. The humidity and the temperature both decrease during winter. This is the best time to go skiing or swimming at the beach. Talking a romantic walk on the beach is a favourite thing to do among locals. The climate is quite favourable for you to take up any or all outdoor activities. You will also get to be a part of the different festivals that you can attend. Join the locals in celebrating the festivals with a lot of grandiose. Since this is peak season, you will come across great flight deals to Tuticorin online. Make sure you book a hotel in Tuticorin that is either beach-facing or closer to the beach.

Monsoon in Tuticorin starts from August and goes on till October. The level of humidity increases, making it difficult for tourists to venture outside and have a good time. Though the climate might seem pleasant for nature lovers since you will get to experience the beautiful landscape of the port city, it might put a damper on your plans to go to the beach. However, the Our Lady of Snow festival is celebrated in August, and you can attend it if you are visiting the festival during this time.

April to July is summer in Tuticorin and the scorching heat makes it quite the task to take part in any outdoor activities. The heat only increases during April and May. This is not an ideal time to visit Tuticorin, courtesy of the heat. The blistering heat will tire and exhaust you, which will only make it tougher to go outside during the day. However, since it is off season, you will get cheaper flight tickets to Tuticorin during this season.

Places to Visit in Tuticorin

The Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary is a very popular tourist spot in Tuticorin. You will also spot tigers in the national park if you are lucky enough. The sanctuary is also home to Nilgiri langur, flying squirrel, lion-tailed macaque, pangolin, etc. You can either opt for a safari ride or even go trekking in a nearby area. Now, this is something that adventure and nature lovers will surely enjoy. The Thiruchendur Murugan temple is a popular place of worship and is dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Even though the temple is quite close to the sea, it has never flooded, even when a Tsunami had hit the state.

The Our Lady of Snows Basilica is one of the biggest churches in Tamil Nadu. It is inspired by Rome's Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore and is another popular place of worship in Tuticorin. Kalugumalai or Kazhugumalai, meaning 'Hill of Vultures' is a town in Tuticorin that is famous for its temple and monolithic Jain beds. You will get a scenic view of the city from the hill, and the area was used as a trade route during the ancient times. The Ettayapuram palace is another tourist spot in the city that will stun you. One of the interesting facts about the palace is that no one knows which ruler in Tuticorin lived in the palace. You must also visit the Sri Vaikuntam temple in the city. It is one of the nine sacred and holy Vishnu temples in the country. Manapad is a tourist destination in the city you must visit, and you will fall in love with this coastal village. It is not as explored as the other tourist spots and is also the best spot to try leisure activities and water sports.

Things to do in Tuticorin

Go trekking at the Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary. While you can also opt for a safari ride at a certain fee, a lot of tourists who are into adventure and nature go for the trek. Thoothukudi also has quite a few beaches. You can either go for a walk at the beach or a swim. During peak season, you will also get to indulge in a lot of water activities. The city also has temples and churches that are worth visiting. The Thiruchendur Murugan temple is not only an architectural marvel but also one of the most popular places of worship in the city after the Our Lady of Snows Basilica church. The locals celebrate festivals in the city in a very grand manner, and you wouldn't want to miss being a part of all the celebrations. Not to mention, the food you get during these festivals is simply mouthwatering. While you indulge in the celebrations, you can also communicate with the locals and get to know more about their lifestyle and culture. The city was ruled by the Dutch and the Portuguese at one point, which also reflects in the architecture. You will come across these when you visit the palaces and the beaches, too. Not to mention, you must also catch the beautiful sunset by the beach.

Food and Restaurants in Tuticorin

Tuticorin is known for its authentic South Indian delicacies and seafood. Since it is a coastal city, it is pretty obvious that the seafood here is mouthwatering. The Meen Kuzhambu (Fish Sambhar), Meen Varuvai (a type of fish fry) and Karuvaddu Kuzhambu (a type of dry fish curry) are some of the popular seafood preparations here. For vegetarians, the Vatthal Kuzhambu (a type of Vattha curry) is something you must try here. Venthaya Kali is a top-rated breakfast preparation here. The city is also known for its desserts like the Tuticorin Macaroon, made of cashews, and the Ulunthang Kali, made of black urad dal. You must also try the street food here that serves biryanis and parottas. There is a particular street in the city with restaurant names that are followed by the word 'Nightclub'. While it does not meet your usual parameters that qualify as a nightclub, it gets really crowded by late evening and night.

While there are very few restaurants and cafes in the city, the very few of those stand out. Capsi Family restaurant is popular for its quick service, good food and the fact that it is surrounded by a garden. Aardvark Cafe is yet another place where you can treat yourself to delicious cakes and coffee. You must also visit the Anjappar Chettinad and Sri Krishna Restaurant to enjoy a good meal. Don't forget to pack a few macaroons to take back home for your friends and family.

How to reach Tuticorin (Transportation)

By Air

The Tuticorin Airport is about 15 km away from the main city. The flight connectivity to Tuticorin is quite limited. Changing flights from Chennai International airport is a popular route to Tuticorin. Spicejet and Indigo Airlines run flights to Tuticorin quite frequently. Flights to Tuticorin are quite affordable, too. There is a high possibility of you getting cheap tickets to Tuticorin during off season. You can also fly to the neighbouring cities like Madurai, Coimbatore and take a train or bus from here. It might prove to be a tad bit more time consuming, which is why the Chennai International airport is the apt option for you. You can check out a few flight deals to Tuticorin that have an accommodation combo.

By Rail

The Pearl City Express leaves Chennai to Tuticorin every morning and evening. Trains from Bangalore and Mysore are also well connected to Tuticorin railway station. You can take a flight to Chennai and then a train from there to Tuticorin. It will be quite convenient and less time-consuming. There are several other trains also that connect to Tuticorin.

By Road

While buses run quite regularly from Chennai and other parts of Southern cities to Tuticorin frequently, finding a private taxi or a bus from the northern part of the country can prove to be time-consuming and expensive. Make sure you are travelling by road during the right season. Monsoons can be quite tough down South and travelling by road this time might get difficult.

  About Jeddah

Jeddah is the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia and is also very close to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Its proximity to these cities is what attracts most tourists and pilgrims to Jeddah. It is also the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia. The country is known for standing by its customs and traditions strongly. You will get to witness the Islamic culture and their lifestyle first hand on your trip to Jeddah. There are, however, quite a few rules that every tourist must follow. But apart from these, Jeddah is also known as one of the hottest shopping destinations after Dubai. Jeddah is right along the Red Sea and also has beaches that tourists can access. You can either head to the beach to watch the sunrise or catch the sunrise by the beach. You can also make the most of all the water-based activities that the city has to offer to tourists. You can sign up for a tour of the city or explore it on your own. Jeddah is also known for its luxurious dining experience. You will find a lot of restaurants with a palatial decor and services that make you feel like royalty.

Best Time to Visit Jeddah

While Jeddah experiences summer and winter, it has very little chance of seeing rains throughout the year. August is the hottest month in the city, and January is the coldest one. It is recommended that you head to the city in the colder months. October to March is the best time to head to Jeddah. The days are warm, but the nights get really chilly. Make sure you pack your warm clothes while heading to Jeddah during winter. You will also have to book your hotel in Jeddah several weeks in advance since availability can be quite the issue at the last minute. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Jeddah well in advance before the prices increase at the last moment. Summer begins from April and lasts till September. While the early spring or summer is not all bad owing to the increase in temperature, if you can't bear the chilly nights, this is the perfect time to plan a trip to Jeddah. If you are travelling during the summer, make sure you carry an extra sunblock with you and stay well-hydrated. With Jeddah being a desert, the weather doesn't get too humid as such in summer. It's scorching hot, and it will only leave you too exhausted to venture out. The city does see a lot of tourists who are visiting Jeddah mainly to head to Mecca and Medina. Since winter is the high tourist season for Jeddah, a lot of restaurants and museums will have long queues. However, if you visit during early spring or late autumn season, you will find interesting offers and discounts here. You can attend the Red Sea International Film Festival in March, Al-Hemma Celebrations, Fireworks Shows and Kingdom of Stars in September. These are a few additional reasons for you to plan your trip to Jeddah in winter instead of summer. The temperature can reach a maximum of 45 degree Celsius during summer.

Places to Visit in Jeddah

Apart from its proximity to the holiest cities, Jeddah has quite a few things in store for tourists. The Al-Rahma Mosque and Bait Al Balad are some of the popular tourist spots in the city. Al-Rahma mosque boasts of Venetian-style architecture and is also called 'The Floating Mosque'. It was built in 1985 and is one of the most important places in the city. Jeddah Corniche is another tourist attraction in the city that you just can't miss. You can enjoy the scenic view of the Red Sea along with the fountains, sculptures and recreational areas that are present in the area. This is the perfect place to end your day at and make sure you catch the sunrise from here. Jeddah also has museums for all the art and history lovers in town. Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum of Jeddah is another tourist spot you won't regret visiting at all. It has a castle, mosque in it along with a museum that showcases the Pre-Islamic and Islamic artefacts. It is located in the centre of the city and reaching the museum will not be troublesome at all. Mecca Gate, which is also known as Quran gate, is located on the Jeddah-Makkah highway and was built back in 1979. The gate resembles the holy Quran to tourists and passengers headed to Mecca for their pilgrimage. It would be best if you also visited the Jeddah Waterfront, an important seaport in Jeddah. It has been serving as one for centuries now. It is also called the 'Bride of the Red Sea'. Don't be disappointed thinking that you won't be able to satisfy the shopaholic in you. Head over to one of the malls, especially the Red Sea Mall, and you can shop till you drop. It would be even better if you visit the malls during the sales season.

Souq-al-alwali is one of the best places in the city to go on a shopping spree. You will find genuine Islamic art, clothes and Arabian jewellery at a reasonable price if you know how to bargain. Naseef House used to be the royal residence of King Abdul Aziz. It is a restored coral house and a very beautiful one at that, too. However, make sure that you call ahead and make an appointment before you leave your hotel.

Things to do in Jeddah

You can either sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city or explore the main tourist spots in Jeddah yourself. Dune Bashing at the desert is a popularly taken up activity in Jeddah, and you will certainly not regret it. You can also opt for camel rides along the desert. A lot of tour companies will also be organising overnight camps at the desert that you can sign up for if you are up for it. Head over to the Red Sea to enjoy the most beautiful sunset. Al-Shallal is a theme park that attracts not only tourists about locals of the city but also the locals. Al-Shallal is a theme park and has quite a few human-made waterfalls and lakes. You can also go o a food tasting tour of the city and try some of the most delicious shawarma at the local food stalls. You can also have lots of beach fun while you are in Jeddah. If you love water and want to explore marine life, you can join the Desert Sea Divers and sign up for guided snorkelling or diving tours to the coral reefs of the Red Sea. You can also participate in other water-based activities like windsurfing, jet skiing, boating and fishing. Jeddah is known for making sure that tourists don't leave the city without falling in love with the traditional middle eastern cuisine. Sign up for a food tour of the city and dine at some of the finest restaurants in Jeddah.

Food and Restaurants in Jeddah

Middle Eastern cuisine is popular all over the world, and there is nothing better than experiencing it in the Middle East itself. Jeddah has an extraordinary culinary scene with kebabs and sushi with a touch of middle eastern spices. Al Khayam is a popular restaurant in Jeddah where you can dine like a king. Red and gold colours dominate the decor of the restaurant. You will find a variety of kebabs and masto-khiar here with a selection of caviars. Piatto prides itself in serving authentic and the most delicious Italian cuisine. For all you vegetarians out there, The Bellevue is a diner that serves not only middle eastern food but also has vegetarian food on its menu. You can head over to Ajji next door to try sushi and other Asian food. Toki is another popular restaurant that serves Chinese, Malaysian and Thai food. You can also head to Ginza I Chome if you are craving for some sushi. You can also try some authentic Turkish cuisine at Khayal. Don't forget to save some room for kunafa dessert if you are visiting this restaurant.

How to reach Jeddah (Transportation)

King Abdulaziz International Airport is the main airport in Saudi Arabia. The flight connectivity to Jeddah from India is excellent. Gulf Air, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines have frequent flights to Jeddah with layovers in Manama, Muscat and Al Madinah. If you book your flights well in advance, you might come across decent flight deals to Jeddah. In fact, you will get cheap flight tickets to Jeddah quite easily. The airport has a separate Hajj terminal for the pilgrims who are travelling to the city to head to the holy city of Mecca. Jeddah is quite close to Mecca, which is a very important place of worship for Muslims. The Hajj terminal can accommodate up to 80,000 passengers at a time and has facilities for people to perform their rituals for the annual Hajj.