Vienna to Ahmedabad Flights

  About Vienna

Austria's capital, Vienna, is recognised as one of the most romantic and historically rich cities in the world. The city is known to have contributed significantly to the intellectual and art world with legends like Mozart, Sigmund Freud and Beethoven, the architecture is pristine. With the Danube river flowing through the city of Vienna, there are impeccable locales that should be visited. The Hungarian city is a big hit among tourists around the world. In Austria, Vienna is easily the economic, political and cultural hub for the country. It is also the sixth-largest city in the European Union. Predominantly a German-speaking city, Vienna has a thriving food culture that deserves to be checked out. The city experiences a great number of tourists every year. Not to mention how Vienna is also recognised to be one of the liveable cities in the world.

Best time to visit Vienna

Vienna's backwaters can best be experienced in the months April to May and September to October. Although the summer months are a big hit among a majority of tourists who flock over to enjoy the cool but fresh summer breeze, spring and autumn are ideal. During spring, which falls on the months of April and May, the city experiences chilly weather transiting to hot summers. The temperatures vary between 15 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, which is ideal for engaging in touristy activities. As the peak season for tourists is later in the summer, this time makes it perfect for checking out some of the biggest attractions without having to deal with the long queues. It is also the best time to book hotels in Vienna as the prices are quite cheap and affordable. Even the flights flying to Vienna are cheap and come with impeccable deals. You should know though that the summers are when some of the best festivals take place, and the city streets are full of lively purveyors. Events such as Vienna Festival, Rainbow Parade and Danube Island Festival keep the spirits high of the locals as well as the tourists.

September to October, which is fall in Vienna, is again a lovely time to visit the city. Even though the temperatures fluctuate between 14 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, it still manages to maintain a favourable climate that would keep the tourists happy. It is advised that you book your hotel rooms in Vienna a few weeks in advance to avoid any surge in price. In fact, it would be ideal to even get your flight tickets to Vienna booked so that you don't have to worry about the expensive prices. Don't worry, though as you will find some astounding rooms facing breath-taking views to elevate your experience in the city. Plus, the city also witnesses some big festivals such as Vienna Fashion Week, Viennale Vienna International Film Festival and Long Night of the Museums, that attract a lot of crowds. Hence, even though the city might not be too hot for tourists to enjoy the weather in the city, it certainly would give them quite the experience. Winters are also good, provided you are okay with the chilly breeze and the frigid weather.

Places to visit in Vienna

Vienna's fame doesn't just come from the personalities that the city offered to the world (Mozart, Sigmund Freud, to name a few), but also the rich history and architecture that it preserves. You should start your trip from St Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic structure that has seen various times of history as it was constructed back in the 12th century. You should also visit the Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate the artwork of European stalwarts Velasquez, Rubens, Titian and Van Dyke. Another important location would be the Schönbrunn Palace, which has historical significance for being a hunting lodge turned palace. House of Music (Haus der Musik) is another famous location in the city where revered musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Haydn and Strauss once lived. It is a fascinating museum that cherishes the life and works of the elite musicians of Vienna. While in the city, do not miss Tiergarter, known to be the oldest zoo in the world which houses over 750 animal species ranging from lemurs to tigers. Hofburg Palace is also a beautiful structure that should check out when in the city.

Things to do in Vienna

From Vienna, you can take up a day tour to the Danube Valley and Melk Abbey as a way to unwind from the city's tourist attractions. These places are more nature-friendly and bring about calmness and serenity to a person. You should also try to book yourself a ticket and catch a show at the Vienna State Opera for it holds a very important position in Austria. Another fun activity to indulge in would be to check out the Naschmarkt. It is known to be a big market that comes together for the sale and purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are some food stalls and joints here too that will amaze you. Vienna sells history, and you should try to soak in as much as you can. The place bustles with beautiful palatial structures and cathedrals with stunning architectural works. It would be a shame to not explore more of the city. You can rent a bicycle to do the same.

Food and restaurants in Vienna

Austrian cuisine is predominantly meat-based. The city's cuisine is something one should definitely indulge in, but it might be difficult for a vegetarian to survive. Much if their dishes come from their love for meat, which is something that a vegetarian cannot enjoy. Hearty meals such as Austrian taverns, also known as beisls, are basically hefty portions of boiled beef (tafelspitz), goulash (a stew prepared from potatoes and beef) and a schnitzel (deep-fried wiener). To get the best and authentic flavours of an Austrian meal, you should check out Lugecj and Ofenloch, located within Innere Stadt. Of course, if you need to save some money because you're following a strict budget, then you should leave Innere Stadt and walk up beyond the city centre. Innere Stadt is quaint and extremely posh, which would only work for you if you have to the bucks to splurge.

To get some cheap and affordable food that continues to express the culture of Austria, then you should visit Gmoakeller in Landstrasse and Motto in Weiden. Although it is recommended that you savour in as much Austrian, you can indulge in some international cuisine too. In the city, you will find Asian and Italian cuisine to continue your food expedition. Remember to carry enough cash for your food as most of their restaurants and food establishments do not accept credit or debit card. Vienna's streets have cafes, desserts and patisseries galore which would leave you in awe of their gugelhupfs (Bundt cake) and apple strudel. Everything they consume is incomplete without wine, so do not hesitate to pick a fine wine for your dining. Or you can call for some beer too to complete your meal.

How to reach Vienna

There is an abundance of flights available that fly to Vienna from India. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Vienna from India. However, thanks to some of the airlines, there are layovers and connecting flights that fly to Vienna. Airlines such as Lufthansa, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, LOT Polish Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, to name a few, have regular flights to Vienna. The most popular route to Vienna often picked by tourists is the one connecting from Istanbul. The duration via this route is the least and hence, is the most convenient. Some of the other cities where layovers take place are Warsaw, Doha, Munich, Cairo, Frankfurt, Muscat and Dubai. The duration of flights to Vienna from India is close to 11 hours from Mumbai. However, depending on the airlines that you pick, the duration can extend accordingly. The flight tickets to Vienna are also decently priced, but it might be steep for you if you have a lot of other cities in Europe that you plan to travel to from Vienna. Flight deals to Vienna might be available online provided you book in advance and get more miles.

As a holiday destination, there is a high demand for Vienna from India. People mostly opt to travel to a plethora of cities as part of their European trips. Hence, they start from one place in the EU Union and then travel within the continent. When using this method, Vienna is best reached via Munich by train. Either Munich or Zurich, there are fancy trains that traverse to the beautiful Austrian city. Booking your hotels in Vienna is key to getting great discounts and cheap deals. The city is always crowded with tourists, thanks to its popularity. It is also one of the cheaper vacations one can look for, which makes the accommodations a tad bit difficult to find. If you are planning for a trip, especially during peak season, it is best advised to book rooms in Vienna to avoid the surge in prices.

  About Ahmedabad

The city of Ahmedabad is known to be the fifth largest in India and is quite the commercial hub of the state. It is easily one of the fastest-growing cities in India, which also plays a centre for education and various industries. Even though it is not the capital of the state, Ahmedabad has immense scope for development and has been rapidly growing. The city plays an excellent host to a traveller who wishes to experience more of the city's history, development and spirituality. While the development sphere continues to expand in the city, the authorities are further following the Swachcha Bharat campaigns to maintain a neat town.

Ahmedabad is impeccably connected with the rest of the major cities in India. Besides, the international flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is excellent. Reaching the city is easy from all means of transport. As for accommodations, abundant options are ranging from luxury hotels to hostels for all kinds of travellers. You can opt for a fun staycation by booking your hotels in Ahmedabad and make the most of your time in the city. The city also has some great educational institutions that one can consider. In fact, the student crowd in Ahmedabad is rising as the opportunities are immense.

Best time to visit Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad's summers can get pretty rough and hot, but the monsoon and winter are equally pleasant. Interestingly, the Gujaratis actually have specific dishes for every season. For summer, aam ras and dishes made from mango. As for winter, their famous undiyo takes over the kitchens and streets! The monsoon also has some cool street food that one can indulge in, when in the city.

Monsoons are typically dedicated to fun street snacks such as roasted corn, boiled corn and some essential roasted dishes. You can primarily find these on the streets as several vendors indulge in selling smokey flavoured street snacks. During this time, the city also welcomes festivals such as Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami, which are celebrated with gusto.

Undoubtedly though, winter becomes the best season to visit Ahmedabad as it comes with a plethora of cultural relevance as well as sublime atmosphere. The temperature actually drops down to 5-20 degree Celsius, so do pack thermal wear for your trip. Not to mention how festivals such as Navratri, Diwali also take place during the winter months. This means you can actually indulge in some fun Garba as well as dress up for the occasion. Navratri food is another reason why you would want to take a trip to Ahmedabad during the winters.

Places to see in Ahmedabad

Gandhi Ashram

The Sabarmati Ashram, popularly known as the Gandhi Ashram is the place founded by Mahatma Gandhi. What makes this one of the major tourist attractions of Ahmedabad is the rich historical relevance it holds. The premise of the ashram has teachings of Gandhiji etched on the walls. Interestingly, the ashram continues to work with the principles set by the freedom fighter as the premise also contributes to the handicrafts market with their handmade products. In fact, the ashram also has a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory located within the premise.

ISKCON

The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama is prevalent in many parts of the country and even the world. The inspiring stories of the two deities as well as their teachings resonate with many followers. The temple is beautiful and has a festive air which will soothe your soul.

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum

Established by Muni Shri Punyavijayi and Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the museum is a haven for a bibliograph as it is an abode to priceless book collections, manuscripts and text materials from a long time ago. From Vedic scriptures of Jainism to poetic verses written in ancient India, the manuscripts and published literary work would be of interest to you if you're an avid reader or someone interested in history.

Auto World Vintage Car Museum

At the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, you will find yourself in awe of some of the swanky rides owned by Shri Pranlal Bhogilal, who opted to convert his private collection to public viewing. Not only will you get to see some fancy rides such as Maybach, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Chrysler, Lincoln, etc. but will also get to take one for a spin! Of course, you'll have to pay a token to take one of the cars out for a drive.

Bhadra Fort

The Bhadra Fort was once a pristine palace with lush gardens and gorgeous sights. Built back in 1411, the fort vicinity also has a temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. The fort has some historical significance as well as some spiritual relevance. One can take up a stroll around the Bhadra Fort and learn more about the rich backstory.

Calico Museum of Textiles

Ahmedabad or rather Gujarat, in general, is known for their contribution to the textile industry. In fact, they are the frontrunners in the textile industry. Many might assume that credit goes to Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, which enabled them to opt for handwoven khadi garments and produce the same. However, Ahmedabad's history with textiles dates back to the 1700s! Please take a tour through the Calico Museum of Textiles to learn more about their history and more.

Things to do in Ahmedabad

Drive-in theatres are a big hit here. You can probably rent a vehicle and head straight to Drive-In Road in the city but ensure to check the show timings before making a plan to watch a movie. Law Gardens is a bustling capital for the shopaholic in you. As long as you can handle some impeccable haggling, Law Gardens is the best place to shop Gujarati ensembles and clothes representing their culture. From glasswork on the fabric to shimmery outfits, you will have a lot of options to pick from at this shopping street.

A heritage walk is usually conducted in the city where you are taken through a tour of some of the historical streets of the town. The walk is organised by Ahmedabad's municipal corporation and happens daily. The walk starts at Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur and stretches up to the Jama Masjid. You can choose a day of leisure by hanging out at the Victoria Garden. It is close to the Bhadra Fort.

Food and Restaurants in Ahmedabad

Gujaratis fondness towards food is no big secret. They love food and are always game to explore the variety. In fact, much recently, a man found fame for selling pineapple and rabdi sandwiches! Speaking of which, if you do wish to check out this melange of flavours then you should head to Manek Sandwich in the city's Manek Chowk. For lip-smacking Gujarati thalis, you should check out Vishala. Tadka Punjabi, Sankalp is also some famous food joints in Ahmedabad with impeccable cuisines. While you're here, you should undoubtedly visit Havmor ice cream parlours and get some of that action.

There is something known as Kathiyawadi Food which is an Ahmedabad speciality. In case you're in the mood for some adventure, this is an excellent way to go about your gastronomical journey. Visit Bardi at CG Road for the same. There are more options available at CG Road such as Choice Snacks, Mirch Masala, to name a few that you can check out.

How to reach Ahmedabad (Transportation)

By Air

Ahmedabad has impeccable flight connectivity as various domestic as well as international airlines have flights in and out of the city. The main airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located approximately 15 km from the city centre. The airport is looking at some significant expansion plans to bring in more space for international airlines. Some of the global flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is with cities such as Kuwait, London, Doha, Singapore and Muscat, to name a few. As for domestic destinations, the flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is brilliant as a majority of the domestic airlines have flights in the city. You can fly to a majority of the metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Surat, Goa, Kolkata and more.

By Rail

The Ahmedabad Central Railway Station is also well-connected in terms of daily availability of transport. There are dedicated trains from Mumbai heading to Ahmedabad regularly with multiple connections to other major cities such as Rajkot, Pune , Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, etc. Other important junctions include the Sabarmati Junction and Maninagar Railway Station which connect to the central railway station.

By Road

Driving up to Ahmedabad is actually a fun ride as the roads are exciting and the highways are not risky. You can either book a bus ticket for yourself or rent a car or even drive yourself. People travelling from Maharashtra, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh often opt for buses as the best option if railway tickets aren't confirmed. The buses are comfortable too as you have options such as semi seater and sleeper to choose from. You can easily reach Ahmedabad from any corner of the country.

  About Ahmedabad Airport

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves as an international airport to the city of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in the state of Gujarat. The airport is about 9 km to the north of central Ahmedabad. The airport has been named after the First Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It falls in the top ten list of busiest airports in India with respect to passenger traffic. In fact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport stands at the seventh spot for being one of the busiest airports in India. According to reports received in 2018-19, the airport recorded a whopping passenger capacity of 11.17 million in a year. Ahmedabad Airport also serves as the focus city for GoAir airline.

The airport was originally set up in 1937 for domestic operations. However, the airport eventually received its international operations stature in 1991. In 2000, Ahmedabad Airport was added in the category of international airports in India. In the same decade, works to create a new terminal also commenced. In 2010, the airport's new terminal 2 came into existence, and it was inaugurated to handle international passengers.

Further, a towering 18 foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was also erected at the airport. The airport has been recognised internationally for its world-class facilities and modern amenities. In fact, it also received an award in 2017 for being the 'Most Improved Airport' in Asia-Pacific, by the Airports Council International.

About Ahmedabad Airport terminals

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 caters to domestic operations and comprises of two floors. The design and layout of the terminal are exquisite and is capable of handling 1400 passengers during peak hours. The terminal has also reserved spaces for parking cars which can accommodate 250 at one go. It comes with various facilities, including WiFi services and several food establishments. There are about 32 check-in counters as the terminal is sprawled over 480,000 square feet. Just recently in 2018, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport opened a new Plaza Premium lounge in the domestic terminal 1. The lounge is located right next to Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal building. The lounge has world-class facilities and caters to Priority Pass. You can also use other select bank cards to get access to the lounge. Business-class passengers depending on the airlines that they fly from will also get access to the lounge.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2, also known as T2, was inaugurated in 2010 and commenced operations the same year. Thanks to the exquisite Steel Structure built by the management, the terminal won accolades for the same at the 2009 edition of National Structural Steel Design and Construction Awards. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport's Terminal 2 accommodates four aerobridges with 32 check-in counters. The terminal's floor area sprawls across 41,000 square meters approximately.

With this, the terminal has the potential to accommodate over 1,600 passengers at all times. Similar to the terminal 1 lounge, terminal 2 also has a new Plaza Premium, which was opened in 2018. The new lounge at the terminal has been reserved for business class and first-class passengers. In fact, passengers who have special Priority Pass and other bank card are also given access to the terminal 2's lounge. Along with great facilities, the terminal also accommodates a 51,975 square metre long apron that enables parking bays for nine A-321 and four ATR-72 types of aircraft.

Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is located next to terminal 1 and is used for domestic flight activities. The terminal is yet to start functioning, but as of 2019, the airport has managed to lay the foundation. Construction work has already commenced for the new terminal. The terminal building is set to accommodate a parking facility of 200 cars and will predominantly be used for Hajj season.

Terminal 4 - Terminal 4 is reserved for cargo activities. The airport has the capacity to accommodate about 51,637 tonnes of cargo, this includes gold and silver. Sixty per cent of the cargo is derived from various domestic sources. Presently, cargo airlines such as Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo operate from Terminal 4 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

About Airport Authority

Airports Authority of India is the owner and played as the operator of the Ahmedabad Airport. However, in 2015, they announced to privatise the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Until 2015, much of the airport's management and operations were handled by the Airports Authority of India. Following a bid to transfer the ownership or rather operations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Adani Group has become the management now. Plans of expansion and upgradation under the operations of Adani Group have not been revealed yet.

Facilities at the Ahmedabad Airport

Lounge – The international and domestic terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have dedicated lounge services. Called the Plaza premium lounge, the two lounges have great hospitality and comfortable facilities.

Medical services – With a view to handle medical emergency cases, the airport has installed medical services and first aid rooms too. These are present in the domestic as well as international terminals.

WiFi – The airport offers free WiFi facilities for passengers. One can avail the free internet services without having to pay an extra tariff of any sort. Also, the internet connection is strong and can be utilised from various spots in the airport premise.

Currency exchange - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is an international airport and hence has a foreign exchange counter available in the terminal. You can get your currencies exchanged for a decent rate and also get money transfers done.

Child care rooms – There are provisions for parents travelling with kids to relax at the child care room. These rooms have been installed specifically to help parents calm their kids and to cater to their needs. The rooms are private in nature and have facilities such as changing tables, comfortable chairs and more. They also have baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent runs out of these essentials.

Spa – Ever since the airport has undergone upgradation, they have installed some interesting new features. One of them is a spa service. You can avail the spa services at the airport's terminals and relax ahead of the flight. They are mostly present in the international terminal.

Restaurants – There are dedicated food courts available at both the terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. You can find famous restaurants and food joints from around the world at the airport. Famous establishments such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC, to name a few, are also part of the airport terminals. Affordable food joints and beverage points are present at the airport as well. You can pick from the most upscale establishments to the cheap and affordable ones at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

ATMs – The airport facilitates various ATM kiosks of local banks at selected spots in the international and domestic terminals.

Top airlines flying from Ahmedabad Airport

As one of the most important airports in India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport accommodates several domestic and international airlines. The domestic airlines that operate from Ahmedabad Airport include Air India, AirAsia India, Air Deccan, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines connect to major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pune, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Kozhikode, Kochi, Bagdogra, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Dehradun, to name a few. Meanwhile, the international airlines that operate from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia X, Druk Air, Emirates, flydubai, Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. These airlines connect to international destinations such as Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Paro, London, Baghdad, Kuwait, Doha Singapore, Jeddah, Dubai, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, to name a few.

How to reach Ahmedabad Airport

By Bus

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is approximately 8n km away from the bus stand. From the bus stand, you can easily find taxis and private buses that will directly reach you to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. There are several prepaid taxi booths also available near the bus stand for you to reach Ahmedabad Airport. Reaching Ahmedabad Airport from the bus stand is quite convenient and comfortable. You can also find transportation facilities on Ola and Uber to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It would take approximately 20 minutes to reach Ahmedabad Airport. However, depending on the city traffic, the duration can vary.

By Rail

The railway station is also located about 8 km from the airport. If you have a flight to catch from Ahmedabad Airport and if you are travelling to Ahmedabad from other parts of Gujarat, it would be a comfortable journey. You can get various taxi cabs and other such vehicle services at the railway station to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Private cabs are available at the station and would take you around 20 to 25 minutes to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.