Vadodara to Sharjah Flights

  About Vadodara

Vadodara, earlier known as Baroda, is a flourishing city in the state of Gujarat. The city is nestled on the banks of the river Vishwamitri and close to NH 48 (renumbered from 8) which connects Mumbai and Delhi. Over the years, Vadodara has seen extreme infrastructural growth. Be it their extensive airport or the tourist attractions within the city, Vadodara has managed to climb up the ranks to be one of the cleanest cities in India. In fact, after Kochi, Vadodara is the second airport in India to have acquired a sustainable energy source, which makes it a green airport. Travelling to the city is quite easy as the flight connectivity to Vadodara or even rail and roadway has an excellent network.

The city is quite famous and sees tremendous tourists flocking over during weekends for a break. Aside from the beautiful structures and tourist attractions, the city also has great staycation options. You can book hotels in Vadodara for reasonable costs and benefit from their top-notch hospitality and services. The food culture of Vadodara is something that is worth talking about as it brings together a global fusion cuisine.

Best time to visit in Vadodara

Vadodara witnesses the hottest summers. In fact, it is said that the summers in Vadodara are the hottest in the entire country. Knowing this should be enough for you to contemplate whether to visit Vadodara during summer or to avoid it. The temperatures sometimes go up to 42 degree Celsius which could be too much for some people to handle. The months between April to July see the hottest temperatures. Often people are unable to leave their houses too because of the heat and the health problems that follow. It is not surprising that the flight tickets to Vadodara are quite cheap and affordable during this season. Even the accommodation scenes are affordable with hotel bookings in Vadodara dropping room charges. Unless you have the strength to deal with the harsh rays of the sun, venturing to the city is not a good option.

The city does experience monsoon as well, but it is quite moderate. However, because of the rains, the terrain becomes cool and the atmosphere, a lot more bearable. The months from July to September see temperatures ranging from 24 degree Celsius to 38 degree Celsius. While it is still on the hotter side, the air and vibe turn more agreeable. The city does not see excess rainfall so that the moderate showers wouldn't affect your travel plans.

Winters are the best in Vadodara. The city is comparatively colder and has a very refreshing environment. With temperatures between 15 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius, the city air turns pleasant. Even the winter sun is soothing and manages to put a smile on everyone's faces. October to March undoubtedly have the best weather in Vadodara. Not to mention how the months also come with festivals. From Navratri to Diwali, the festivities make the city vibrant with decorations and lit ambience. You can indulge in wearing Navratri clothes and perform Garba in the city. Also, you can taste undhiyu, a dish popularly made only during the winter season by Gujaratis. Overall, the place certainly turns into a lovely carnival. The flight to Vadodara and hotel bookings in the city automatically spike up with the peak season. However, with a little more scouting on the internet, you will be able to find some amazing online flight deals to Vadodara.

Places to visit in Vadodara

With its agreeable temperatures during winter, Vadodara has some lovely places that should be checked out. There are green gardens in the city that would definitely blow your mind. You can check out the Makarpura Palace, Sayaji Garden, Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, Sur Sagar Lake, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Nyaya Mandir, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Jambughoda Wild Life Sanctuary, Champaner and Kirti Mandir. As a city that is constantly rooting towards expansion and development, Vadodara is also acknowledged as one of the cleanest cities in India.

Things to do in Vadodara

Vadodara has some of the best gardens and parks in the city. From the famous Kabirwad to the colourful Ajwa Nimeta Dam Garden, these places are lit with exquisite maintenance. Theme parks such as Ajwa Fun World and S Cube Water Park are also cool places to unwind with the family. As for those who wish to be close to nature, you can head to the Zarwani and Hathini Waterfalls. When in the city, you must check out the Narmada Canal, which is an impressive structure.

Food and Restaurants in Vadodara

One can never go to Gujarat and not have their celebrated cuisine. Gujarati food is known to be one of the best and the Gujaratis, food connoisseurs. The state's city Vadodara is no different to this idea. Aside from catering to the diverse range of tourists and visitors, Vadodara also propagates their vegetarian food, Gujarati thalis and fascinating delicacies. Most of Gujarat follows a vegetarian diet and hence, is tough to find non-vegetarian food joints. However, here in Vadodara, you will find a handful of restaurants that serve mouth-watering non-vegetarian dishes that would make you a happy person.

At the city's barbecue junction, The Barbeque Grill, you will find some well-cooked Mughlai cuisine with kebabs, biryanis and other such dishes. Plus, they do have a buffet system too. Sasumaa's Gujarati thali is famous across the state. This chain of restaurants only have Gujarati thalis, and they are all you need to get the best of the cuisine. Not to mention how hospitable the staff is that it would further enhance your experience. Vadodara also has provision for global cuisine such as Mexican, Chinese and more. You should visit Salsa Habanero to get the best of Mexican flavours in the city. The chef of the restaurant was raised in California and surrounded by Mexican cuisine, which brought about this institution.

Some of the other places in Vadodara that should be visited include Azure, Mandap, Peshawari, Kai Asia, 22nd Parallel and San's Sizzlers. If you do manage to get time aside from checking out these restaurants, it is recommended that you also check out the street food culture of Vadodara. You will be surprised by their active food scenes on the streets.

How to reach Vadodara (Transportation)

By Air

Vadodara Airport is located 6.2 km away from the main city of Vadodara. After Ahmedabad and Surat, Vadodara is the third busiest airport in the state. The airport is touted to be the cleanest in the whole country. Interestingly, the airport recently inaugurated its international terminal and has since been witnessing a tremendous surge in passenger footfall. The flight connectivity to Vadodara is excellent as various major cities have dedicated flights flying in and out of the city. Flying to Vadodara easily becomes the best option as there are many flights to Vadodara from cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Not to mention how the flight connectivity to and from Vadodara enables easier transportation for travellers. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo have designated flights to Vadodara from Bangalore, Delhi, Indore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and more. The fact that the airport is clean and has top-notch facilities further makes it a favoured option. You can book flight tickets to Vadodara at a reasonable price, irrespective of whether it is peak season or off-season. Plus, the city has exquisite accommodation too. You can book fancy hotels in Vadodara and enhance your trip experience.

By Rail

Vadodara railway station is just as well-connected as the flights to Vadodara. You can simply travel to the city in Gujarat from anywhere in India. The railway station is known to be the biggest one in the western railways belt. The city's railway station has excellent connectivity with several domestic routes connected to Vadodara. The railway station witnesses various express trains from corners of India. Some of the regular express trains include the Howrah-Ahmedabad Express and Navjivan Express. However, it is best to book tickets to Vadodara well in advance, owing to the popularity of the place. From the railway station, you can easily venture around in the city, which is perfectly connected thanks to the auto-rickshaw, buses and cab services. You can even book a hotel in Vadodara's city centre area and be assured that transit would be convenient.

By Road

Many tourists opt for roadways to travel to Vadodara. The highways and domestic routes connecting Vadodara to other big cities are extremely immaculate. The highways and roads are regularly maintained to ensure that the aesthetic beauty remains intact. This has given many travellers the option to take up road trips to the city. Even bus rides to Vadodara are good as the scenic views, and travel duration is decent. If you do have a budget issue and need to save enough money to book a hotel in Vadodara, then you should opt for bus travel. They are comfortable and will lead you directly to the city centre. Here, close to the bus stand, you will find many accommodation options that would help with your wallet.

  About Sharjah

After Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah is the largest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. It is located close to Dubai and overlooks the gorgeous coastline of the Persian Gulf. The city is recognised to be a cultural and industrial capital.

Best time to visit Sharjah

As part of the desert country of the United Arab Emirates, winters are often the most favoured seasons to visit the city. Sharjah winters are extremely pleasant as the temperatures in the desert cool down to a favourable 20 degree Celsius. In fact, the temperatures further drop to 16 degree Celsius in the nights, which only add to the nightlife of the city. The best thing about winters in Sharjah is that there is no rain. While some of the desert cities in the Middle East experience monsoon showers in the middle of winter. However, that is not the case with Sharjah. The city does not experience winter, which only makes the visit more pleasant. It is easier to pack ideal clothes for the peak season without having to worry about the adage of an umbrella or rain boots. As peak season, the city also witnesses a surge in the prices of hotels and flights. The flight tickets to Sharjah are expensive during the winter months from December to February. Even booking a hotel in Sharjah turns expensive during winters as many tourists wish to explore the city.

The good news is that the month's March and April are also quite pleasant. Although they do start turning hot, the months are bearable and don't see the tourist crowd. As winter starts to die and summers take over, the city's tourist crowd also transitions from very crowded to a bare minimum. If you wish to plan a trip to Sharjah on a tight budget, this would be a good time for you. The flight tickets and even hotel bookings in Sharjah are cheap during March and April. However, you need to ensure that you carry appropriate clothes as the temperatures could be notorious sometimes. No matter what though, avoid the summers in Sharjah. May to August is scorching in the desert city with temperatures spiking up to 43 degree Celsius. The heat also comes with humidity which can be quite uncomfortable, especially for travelling and engaging in tourist activities. Hence, it is best to avoid the summers in Sharjah. Your flight tickets to Sharjah are cheap and very low during the summers. Unless you have a professional commitment that needs attending, avoid travelling to the desert city in summer peaks.

Places to visit in Sharjah

You can start your Sharjah travel rendezvous by visiting the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Opened in 2008, the museum glorifies the Islamic culture and brings forth some of the finest contributions made by stalwarts from the religion. You will find metalwork, carvings, glass, ceramic art ceramics, coins, calligraphy, manuscripts and more. The second-best place to check out would be the Al Noor Mosque. The mosque looks exquisite in the night as the yellow lights illuminate the structure's beauty. The city also has an interesting aquarium going by the name Sharjah Aquarium. Beautiful and colourful fish will surround you as you walk in the aquarium. If you are an art patron, you should check out the Sharjah Art Museum. The place has amazing exhibits from contemporary to modern art. Al Majaz Waterfront is actually a very alluring place in Sharjah where you can hang out to soak in all the tranquillity and serenity. IT is a perfect place for you to spend more time with your family and partner while enjoying the sunset.

Things to do in Sharjah

You should definitely take a stroll on the shores of Al Mamzar Beach street. The beach is very quaint and has less crowd. Not to mention how the tracks constructed on the shores of the beach give you an option to rent a bicycle and ride along. You can further chill by the beach as they do have small shacks or you can get in the water and cool down. Al Mamzar Beach also has a nice quaint park that has been constructed within the area to add more aesthetic beauty to the place. While you are in the park, you can definitely get in the water and relish the pristine blue shores. The stunning Al Noor Island should be on your list when you visit the city of Sharjah. The lively island is a fancy place where you can chill. Plus, it has a butterfly house too. To engage in some recreational activities, you can always visit Al Montazah Parks. The amusement water park has many rides and even a tall Ferris wheel to keep you entertained. You will have a good time, especially if you are travelling with kids. They certainly will be lost in the fun zone.

Food and Restaurants in Sharjah

To elevate your gastronomic senses, Sharjah will take you through quite the food trip. The city does have a thriving food restaurant industry with many budding establishments taking over the city streets. Despite finding some fierce competition with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah does manage to live up to the expectations by offering a ubiquitous range of international cuisine as well as authentic Arabic spread. The best thing about the food in Sharjah is the exquisite aroma and flavourful meal that many restaurants offer. While they do favour their kebabs and charbroiled lambs, the city does have a bunch of restaurants from varied cuisines too that makes quite an impact. You will find traditional Emirati food and at the same time, get a taste of food from Indian, Lebanese, Mughlai and Moroccan kitchens. It is quite an experience that would be wholesome and soul-satisfying. For your food expedition in Sharjah, you can start from Milas, the perfect place to experience authentic Emirati dishes which comes with a fun Middle Eastern twist.

Dishes such as saloonat laham, mbahar tuna and saloonat diyai, are a big hit among tourists. You should also visit El Manza to get the best Moroccan flavours on a platter. The restaurant's exquisite food, especially with the aroma of Argan oil, will intoxicate you. You will also find a plethora of dishes, but their desserts are what you shouldn't miss. Knafa bil halib is an El Manza speciality and should be tried at all cost. To get the best of Hyderabadi food in Sharjah, you should check out Gazebo. The establishment is famous for its Indian recipe and makes lip-smacking dishes such as kebabs, dum biryani and other Lucknowi delights. It is considered to be the best in the city. Plus, the atmosphere is also quite scintillating for a lovely dining experience. The city also has restaurants reserved for seafood. Seashells are one such place where you can indulge in some funky seafood. The best part about Seashells is how the food is varied with options like grilled shrimp, tuna fish, hammour, to name a few. It is also pocket-friendly. Do not miss Sharjah Dhow restaurant to experience an exquisite fine dining experience as well as Arabic cuisine.

How to reach Sharjah (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Sharjah is quite decent. There are quite a handful of flights that fly to Sharjah from India. As a Middle Eastern city, Sharjah does attract a lot of Indians with the job prospects that are prevalent there. Hence, many Indians often fly to cities in the United Arab Emirates with the hopes of finding a job or settling down. Due to this, the demand for Sharjah is just as high as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Since Sharjah is cheaper compared to the other cities, it is more favoured. Various international airlines have flights to and from Sharjah. However, often many individuals prefer getting a flight ticket to Dubai and driving down to Sharjah from there. The most popular route to reach Sharjah is from Dubai. In fact, it is the most favoured international route to reach Sharjah. The cities are only hours apart and can be reached quickly. Besides, Dubai's flight connectivity is better than Sharjah. Air India Express and Air Arabia have dedicated flights to Sharjah from India. The two airlines have direct nonstop flights to Sharjah, making travel a lot easier.

The flight duration to Sharjah is also barely a few hours. It takes three hours and fifteen minutes to reach Sharjah from Indian cities. The direct flight also comes with a perk that the cost of tickets is less. Booking flight tickets to Sharjah are quite cheap and affordable. The price range for tickets to Sharjah from India is just as much as other Middle Eastern cities. Thanks to the affordability, more money can be reserved for living expenses and travelling within Sharjah. The city is known for being notoriously expensive in terms of traversing within the city limits. The best way to save up on funds for Sharjah would be to make flight bookings and hotel reservations together. You can book your flights and hotels in Sharjah together and save up on a lot of other expenses. In fact, you might be able to snag some online flight deals too in the process. Many favourable options are available online to ensure that you get cheap and affordable flight tickets and hotels in Sharjah.

  About Vadodara Airport

Vadodara Airport, also known by the name, Civil Airport Harni, is situated in the suburb of Harni, which is in the north-east of Vadodara, Gujarat. The city is the third largest in the state of Gujarat in terms of population. The city follows Ahmedabad and Surat in the list of populated cities in the state. Vadodara was originally a domestic airport which recently received the stature of an international airport. Vadodara Airport has started operations of international flights. Additionally, the airport also has its state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facility.

About Vadodara Airport terminals

Vadodara Airport has one domestic terminal which has been named after the Maharaja of Baroda State. The terminal's decor has been inspired by the architectural nuances of mixed styles ranging from Gujarati to dome-shaped roofs, etc. As the airport is small, so is the terminal. It cannot accommodate a large throng of passengers and barely manages 250 in an hour. Hence, to expand the capacity of the terminal and to incorporate international flight operations, the airport announced to construct a new integrated terminal building in the vicinity. A competition to design the new terminal was introduced on an international scale. Following this, a US-based consortium Gensler, Frederic Schwartz Architects and Creative Group from India bagged the project to design the new terminal. Works to accommodate the new integrated terminal commenced in 2009 as the foundation was laid.

After nearly seven years of construction work, the terminal was completed and inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in the same year. The new integrated terminal sprawls across an area of 18,120 square metres and can accommodate about 700 passengers in an hour. Other features of the terminal include 18 check-in counters as well as a night parking facility. The parking bay can accommodate close to nine Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This has enabled a reduction in the burden at Mumbai Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and Ahmedabad Airport (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport). It has also made it economical for several airlines. Presently, Vadodara Airport does not accommodate cargo. It is also recognised as the second airport in the country, after Cochin International Airport, to be a green airport. In fact, the airport's new integrated terminal also holds a global record for being the only airport with the longest single sheet rooftop which measures about 164.2 metres.

About Airport Authority

The airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has been founded to cater to the upgradations, maintenance and management of various civil aviation infrastructure in the country. It is thanks to the work of the Airports Authority of India that Vadodara Airport has managed to expand its airport terminals and to accommodate both domestic and international flights. In fact, the exemplary work of the AAI has enabled Vadodara Airport to bag the Swachh Bharat Award for being one of the cleanest and safest airports in the category of airports that can accommodate passenger capacity of 1.5 million. As part of the expansion plans, Airports Authority of India has brought Vadodara Airport in the maps of one of the most accomplished and well-developed airports in India.

Facilities at the Vadodara Airport

Wheelchair accessibility – You can request for a wheelchair with your airline, and the airport would cater to the same.

Medical facility – Vadodara Airport has a designated team of medical professionals to deal with emergency cases that might crop up at the airport premise. They are trained doctors and professionals. Medical rooms are also present as are pharmacies.

Restaurants and cafes – There are quaint cafes and restaurants installed in the airport premise. They can be found in the departure sections of the airport. Smaller joints and food establishments can also be found in the arrivals section. For tea, coffee and other such beverages, you can check out some joints located in the airport.

Baggage – The baggage services at the airport include trolleys and porter systems. You can ask for a porter service, wherein an airport staff would escort your trolley of luggage and even get the security checks done on your behalf. Trolleys are available outside the airport as well as in the airport premise.

Shops – There are small shops also present at the airport premise. You can find some impeccable paintings, books, magazines, artefacts and souvenirs at these shops. They basically glorify the culture of Gujarat and also have exquisite ethnic items that you could purchase. In fact, for passengers who need to pass their time at the airport can actually visit these shops and be entertained by the lovely collection of items that they have for sale.

Lounge – The airport has a luxury lounge present in the departure section of the terminal. The lounge can be accessed by passengers who have special passes or a certain ticket type. As for others who wish to spend time in the lounge and enjoy their benefits, the airport has tariffs that the passengers will need to pay to get access to the space. There are TV sets, WiFi services, good hospitality and great lounge seats available in the lounge.

Special assistance – There are special assistance services that have been reserved for senior citizens and passengers with disabilities. These services can be availed at the airport. It is recommended that the passenger inform the airlines prior to the journey. The airport will be able to accommodate the necessary services and trained staff to cater to the same.

Smoking zones – Vadodara Airport has strict laws against smoking and to make sure that the protocols to not smoke in public are followed, they have installed zones in the premise. The airport has designated smoking zones for passengers to avail. These spaces also have cigarettes for sale. The smoking lounges are kept clean and sanitised with fresh air being pumped at every interval.

Top airlines flying from Vadodara Airport

Vadodara is a big city within the borders of Gujarat. However, it does not have excellent connectivity with other Indian cities. As an airport that only caters to domestic flights, Vadodara Airport accommodates operations of airlines namely Air India and IndiGo. These airlines fly to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore, to name a few.

How to reach Vadodara Airport

By Bus and taxi

Vadodara as a city is perfectly connected with several modes of transportation. The airport is also just as well-connected as it is very close to the city centre. You can opt for buses to reach Vadodara Airport. There are designated bus stops available in proximity to the airport. These buses can be taken from anywhere around the city. As one of the important cities in Gujarat, Vadodara's bus services are handled by the state government. Hence, the connectivity is immaculate. Aside from the buses, you can also reach Vadodara Airport by hailing a taxi cab. There are provisions of the same in the city. In fact, you can also opt for car rentals and travel in the same to reach Vadodara Airport.

By Rail

Baroda Railway Station is barely five kilometres from Vadodara Airport. Hence, if you are travelling from neighbouring towns by train and have a flight to catch from Vadodara Airport, the best way to reach would be by getting a rickshaw or taxi ride from the railway station. As it is in the city centre, you can easily find taxi cabs and rickshaws at the Baroda Railway Station to reach Vadodara Airport. It would take you about 15 minutes to reach Vadodara Airport from the railway station. Hopefully, if there is not much traffic on the street, the travel duration would further be reduced. The road conditions are rather conducive.

About Vadodara

Vadodara, popularly known as Baroda, is the third-most populous city in the state of Gujarat. The city is named after the presence of Banyan (Vad), that grow and flourish in the city. Vadodara is perched atop the banks of the Vishwamitri River and is roughly 120 km away from the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Vadodara's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer has enabled the city to have a tropical climate at all times. It is extremely hot and often deals with scorching summers too. Although the city witnesses tremendous passenger traffic owing to the industrial establishments, there are dedicated peak months when you can visit Vadodara.

The best time to visit the city is from March to April. It is considerably hot and humid, but the heat is bearable. The city is blessed with lovely temples and exquisite palaces and historic structures. In fact, it is even recognised as the cultural capital of Gujarat. Thanks to these attractions, the city witnesses tremendous tourist action. Some of the highlights of the city include the Lakshmi Vilas Palace which is the residence of Baroda Stat's Maratha regal family, the Gaekwads, from the Gaekwad Dynasty. Vadodara is home to the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The city is heavily invested in various power and oil and gas corporations.