Vishakhapatnam to Belfast Flights

  About Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam also called as Vizag in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the oldest port cities in the country and is known for its beautiful beaches. Not only is it one of the best holiday destinations in the country, but it is also quite affordable. Holidaying in Vizag will not burn a hole in your pocket. Yarada Beach, Katiki waterfalls, the Submarine Museum, Rishikonda beach, Ross Hill church are some of the places in the city that you can visit. There is more than these, and it's like paradise for beach bums who cannot get enough of the beaches and caves. For the ones who love mountains, Araku Valley in Vizag is the place for you to go.

Best Time to Visit Visakhapatnam

October to March is the most ideal time to plan a trip to Vizag. The temperature is just right for this vacation destination that is on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It won't affect your beach time or your plans to experience other outdoor activities, too. Book a hotel room in Vizag with a beach view to make the most of the weather. Winter starts in October and lasts until March. The temperature ranges from 15 to 27 degree Celsius. You will also get to be a part of festivals like the Visakha Utsav, Pongal and other beach festivals that are celebrated here. This is also considered to be the best time to indulge in water activities and competitions that are hosted here. You will also find decent flight deals to Vizag during this time.

Monsoon starts from July till September end. The port city receives moderate to heavy rainfall during this time, and the temperature ranges from 27 to 35 degree Celsius. The weather is quite humid, and the heavy downpour will only make it difficult for you to venture out. Although, if you are planning a staycation of sorts, this might be the perfect time to do so. You will get cheap flight tickets to Vizag since it is offseason. You can book a hotel in Vizag with the beach view or that of the Araku Valley to feel rejuvenated.

April to June is when the city witnesses summer. The scorching heat makes it quite exhausting and unbearable to hit the beach. The temperature ranges from 22 to 41 degree Celsius during this time. You will not be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city or explore other parts of the city during this time. It is best to plan a trip during the winter only.

Places to Visit in Visakhapatnam

Since Vizag is a port city that is situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, it is known for its sparkling blue beaches. Yarada beach is popular for its spectacular view. The Rama Krishna Mission Beach is yet another beach that you must visit to feel all rejuvenated. It will feel like the best, most peaceful escape from your hectic life. The Rishikonda Beach is called the Jewel of the East Coast, and you won't deny it when you visit the place. The beach also has water sport activities for the adventure lover in you. It is called the Rishikonda beach since it is overlooked by the Rushikonda Hill and is a popular spot for tourists to visit. The Bheemili beach is where the Gosthani river meets the Bay of Bengal. The beach and the area around it reflects the Dutch era and was built in the 17th century. Make sure you check out the remnants of the old forts and cemeteries. This is the perfect place to go to if you want to avoid being in a city. Lawson's Bay beach is a top-rated beach and an extension of the Ramakrishna beach. It is also a secluded beach and the best one if you want to unwind, relax and enjoy the tranquillity.

Apart from the beaches, Vizag also has hills and wildlife to experience for tourists. Araku Valley is a must-visit if you love and want to be around greenery. You will find coffee plantations in the valley, and this place is also like paradise for nature lovers. It is also a great spot to take beautiful pictures. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 71 square kilometres area and is named after the mountain Kambalakonda. You will come across endangered species of animals like the Indian Leopard, Russell's Viper, Indian Muntjac and so on. You won't regret planning a trip to the Araku valley at all. The Katiki Waterfalls is another popular tourist spot in the city near the Araku Valley. You can also go trekking at this location.

Things to do in Visakhapatnam

One thing is certain, you will never get bored in Vizag, even if you have nothing planned for the entire day or if you have run out of things to do. If you are done with all your sightseeing and outdoor activities, you can always either sit by the beach with a book or take a walk at the Ramakrishna beach followed by the Lawson's Bay beach. It will rejuvenate your mind and take you to your happy place. The sunset, especially, is so pleasant and enchanting that you wouldn't even have to put in efforts to create a romantic setup. Catch the Dhimsa performance, a dance act that is performed by artists in Araku Valley's cultural event. You'll be stunned with all the expert moves and the colourful performances. You can also go visit the coffee plantations along with the mesmerizing waterfalls in the valley. It is overwhelming and will certainly make you happy. Of course, it also calls for a lot of pictures.

Check out the water sport activities available at the Rushikonda beach like water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and so on. If you go during the right season, you might get to try all of it. You can also just go for a swim if adventure sports is not your thing. Not to mention, the snacks and seafood stalls around the beach serve the most delicious food. Kailasagiri is a hilltop that is popular for its large idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. You can either reach the hilltop via the cable car or trek up to the top.

Food and Restaurants in Visakhapatnam

Food in Vizag is a combination of all the cities and cultures around it. Hyderabadi Biryani is a favourite among the locals here and tourists, too. You'll get North Indian food with a blend of Andhra cuisine. It goes without saying that dosas, idlis and upmas are popular in the city. But apart from these, people also love the pickles, chutneys, Appadams, Pachadi, Pappu Koora, Vepudu and Garelu. Muri Mixture is also a very popular snack in the port city. The food here in Vizag will instantly lift your spirits. While a lot of the Andhra-inspired cuisines will be spicy and tangy, you also get Chinese, Continental and other cuisines because it is a popular vacation spot. The desserts, too, are worth a try.

If you get a Biryani craving at around midnight, make sure you head straight to Greenpark Midnight Biryani. The menu doesn't change very often here, but the food is mouthwatering, and the ice cream with gulab jamun is highly recommended after you are done savouring the biryani. Sri Sairam Parlour is another restaurant that is popular in Vizag. You can head here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or evening snacks, too. It won't burn a hole in your pocket, the food is delicious, and it serves only vegetarian food.

How to reach Visakhapatnam (Transportation)

By Air

Visakhapatnam is well-connected to a lot of other cities in the country by air. The Visakhapatnam Airport is about 8 km away from the city. Flights from Visakhapatnam fly to domestic cities but also to a few international locations like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The flight connectivity from Vizag is excellent. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Vizag well in advance if you are travelling during the peak season. You might also come across decent flight deals to Vizag if you book in advance.

By Rail

Visakhapatnam Junction is connected to all major cities in India like New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and so on. You will find the Janmabhoomi Express, Konark Express, Samta Express and a couple of other trains stopping at Vizag. From the railway station, you will get a taxi or a bus from outside the station without any hassle. You might have to book your train tickets well in advance to block better seats because it might get difficult to get a decent one at the last moment.

By Road

Domestic routes to Vizag are from cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Vijayawada, Puri and Kolkata. You will get quite a few buses and taxis that will drop you to or leave from Vizag. It's not one of the most popular ways to travel, but it's not an inconvenient option, too. The NH5 is a popular route to Vizag that connects the port city to Kolkata. The travel time depends on which part of the country you leave from and which route you take.

  About Belfast

Belfast is a city in Northern Ireland that you must visit at least once in your life. Add the City to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to Ireland. One of the major attractions in Belfast is the Titanic Studios where Game of Thrones was shot. The City is also known for its music festivals, art, lush greenery and the friendliest people in the world. No one parties harder than Irish people, and you will love every second of it. You will leave the City with a lot of friends in your phonebook. No matter what your budget is, you can book a hotel in Belfast that is luxurious, in your budget and fits all of your necessities. The City is also popular for its mighty mountains and a captivating view of the City from up top. You will also find stunning, breathtaking castles in the City. Belfast is also known for murals of the Peace Wall. You will want to extend your holiday by a few more days the moment you reach Belfast.

Best Time to Visit Belfast

Summer is considered as one of the best seasons to visit Belfast and is a high season here. It is every traveller's dream destination, especially in summer. The City experiences summer from April to June. Not only will you get to attend a lot of music festivals and events during this time, but it is also a great time to go pub crawling and make loads of friends. You can also attend the Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival in May that is quite popular here. You will come across a lot of maritime-themed restaurants, shows and activities in the City during this time. The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon also takes place in May and is the perfect activity for all sports and fitness enthusiasts. A lot of beer festivals and outdoor pub events also happen in summer, and being a part of those will only spruce up your vacation. Booking a hotel in Belfast during this time can be quite hectic if not done in advance. Please make sure you also book your flight tickets to Belfast well in advance since it is peak season and getting tickets at an affordable price at the last moment will be difficult.

July to October is autumn season in Geneva, and the heat becomes bearable for tourists. The number of tourists does drop, but the weather remains pleasant, making it yet another ideal time for tourists to head to Belfast. Since it is the onset of winter, the weather can get a tad chilly, so make sure you pack your jacket, too, to keep you warm in the evenings. Since it is not the high tourist season, you will get cheap flight tickets to Belfast in autumn. You will get a great deal on flights to Belfast and affordable accommodation, too. August has a lot of open-air festivals in store for you and the Inn Farmers' Market, too.

Winter sets in from November to February. January and February are the coldest months in Belfast, and it is not the best time to visit the City. Even though the City does not witness heavy snowfall, the temperature drops below 0 degree Celsius, and there is mild snowfall. However, if you are in the City during winter, you will love the Christmas and New Year celebrations here. The City is also adorned with fairy lights and decorations for the festive spirit. February to April is the spring season in Belfast, and it is a pleasant time to plan a holiday here. The City looks far more beautiful in spring, and you will love it here. Make sure you also attend the Belfast Film Festival in April if you are a movie buff. Make sure you also attend the Spring Fair and Flower Show. It is a great place to take your kids to, and you will also get to binge on some great food. Flight tickets to Belfast are comparatively cheaper since it is not tourist season yet. If you want to avoid crowds, spring and autumn are the ideal seasons to plan your trip to Belfast.

Places to Visit in Belfast

If you are visiting Belfast in summer, you must go for a stroll at Victoria Park. Starting your day with a morning walk at the park is the perfect start to a great day in Belfast. Cathedral Quarter is known as Belfast's mini village and is the perfect place to experience the City's tradition. From pubs and restaurants to the cobbled street walkways and a picturesque landscape, it makes for a perfect getaway. Grand Opera House is another popular tourist attraction here. You will find yourself admiring the Victorian-styles walls along with the performances. St Anne's Cathedral is one of the main reasons behind the inception of Cathedral Quarter's name. The cathedral was constructed in 1904, and the architecture is simply marvellous. Not only will you love the view from outside the cathedral but also from inside. Crumlin Road Gaol is a historical site and had once served as a jail. You can learn all about the history of the place, the prisoners it housed and what led to its closing.

The City Hall is located in the centre of Belfast, and you can go on a guided tour here. If you have sightseeing planned for the day, make sure you also add City Hall to it. City Hall is near Queen Victoria's statue and the Titanic Memorial site. If you are in the City with your family or want to get to know the City better, head over to the five-storeyed Ulster Museum. Titanic Belfast is one of the best attractions in the City and a highly recommended one, too. The City also has botanical gardens that you cannot miss if you love nature. Queen's University and Naughton Gallery is next to Botanic Gardens and is one of the most beautiful campuses in the United Kingdom. Victoria Square is yet another tourist spot that is quite popular here. Belfast Castle is another popular tourist in the City that you must visit.

Things to do in Belfast

You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of the City, or you can explore the City on your own. Put on your fanciest outfit and head over to attend a performance at the Grand Opera House. You can either head to the opera house after dinner or go for dinner at the fanciest restaurants after catching a performance at the opera house. Put all of your photography skills to use at City Hall and the cathedrals in Belfast. The City is also known for its vibrant nightlife and going on a pub crawl is mandatory. The Irish are known for being the friendliest people, and they do know how to party. You can either try the traditional, older places in the City or head to the new clubs. Go on a hike at the Black Mountain, which is one of the most popular attractions here. You can head to Titanic Studios and take a tour of the place where Game of Thrones was shot. You can also sign up for a special Game of Thrones tour if you are a fan of the show.

Foods and Restaurants in Belfast

Not just pubs and bars but Belfast is also known for its cuisines and restaurants. Be it grilled steak, fresh seafood or a variety of vegetarian food, and you will find everything here. Molly's Yard is a popular place to try authentic Irish food. It is located near Queen's University and is almost always full. The food here is also quite affordable. Hadskis, in Cathedral Quarter, is a popular restaurant for delicious European and British delicacies. Head over to Belfast for its unique food cocktail menu. Make sure you try their fish soaked in gin. The restaurants here serve you fresh seafood, right out of the shores of Ireland. You can visit Coco for delicious salted caramel pudding and cocktail.

How to reach Belfast

Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport are the two airports that serve the City. The flight connectivity to Belfast from India is excellent. Aer Lingus, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways are some of the airlines that fly to and from Belfast quite frequently. However, there are no direct flights to Belfast. Layover at London or a change of flight from London is one of the popular routes to Belfast. If you book in advance, you will get cheap flight tickets to Belfast. If you are planning a multi-city tour of the United Kingdom, you can also reach Belfast by rail or road. It is well-connected to the other cities in Ireland and the UK, though reaching the City by air is the most preferred and convenient way to reach. If you want to experience the lush greenery and magnificent views through your journey, you can take a taxi or train from another city to get to Belfast. Travelling within the country is quite convenient.

  About Visakhapatnam Airport

Visakhapatnam Airport is a recognised custom airport that is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The airport also operates as a civil enclave on an Indian Navy air base called INS Dega. The airport is sandwiched between the locales of NAD Cross Road as well as Gajuwaka. Over the years, the airport has witnessed significant growth after entering the 21st century. A new terminal was constructed with a concrete runway and provisions for international flight operations. The airport is sprawled across 350 acres of land in the coastal city. In the 1990s, Visakhapatnam Airport was undergoing a redevelopment phase which resulted in low air traffic. Not to mention, the airport only catered to one daily flight. However, in the following ten years, the airport saw some extensive redevelopment. The runways were extended from 6,000 ft to 10,500 ft, allowing narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 to land. The same year, an instrumental landing system was also installed which enabled night landing facilities at the airport. Initially, Visakhapatnam Airport only used this for military operations. However, the ILS soon became operational for passenger aircraft. In 2009, the airport finally inaugurated its new terminal which started functioning, the same year.

About Visakhapatnam Airport Terminals

The airport has a domestic terminal and a cargo terminal. The airport's domestic terminal operates services for regional cities. Basically, the airport caters to services from around the country. While Visakhapatnam Airport started by accommodating single flights in a day, it soon rose to become a sought-after airport with more domestic flights. Various airlines such as Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo, along with a few more, operate from the domestic terminal. The airport connects to a vast number of major and minor cities in India. These include Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi and Patna, to name a few. The terminal has been divided into two sides, one that opens to the city side and the other that goes straight to the airside. A designated cargo terminal is also available at the airport. The cargo terminal basically caters to import and export services from international cities such as Colombo and Dubai. The two leading cargo airlines to connect to Visakhapatnam Airport include Expoair Cargo and Naki Air. The carrier offers transportation of goods to and from India to two international cities.

About airport authority

Visakhapatnam Airport is owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India while the Indian Navy also plays a pivotal role. Management functions and operations are primarily taken care of by the Airport Authority of India. The airport is recognised as the second busiest in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Currently, the airport is said to function between 8 am and 8 pm only as they are yet to accommodate night flights. Visakhapatnam Airport is a non-towered airport that is often integrated with the latest air traffic control system. There are a total of 11 parking bays located in the airport premise while it has the capacity to handle 300 passengers arriving and 700 passengers departing. The aviation operations of Visakhapatnam Airport was started by the Indian Navy in the late 1970s. They constructed four helipads that are adjacent to the civil airstrip. The airport's operations were then transferred to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in 1981. Following the transfer of management, the airport added hangars, maintenance facilities and an operational complex. Eventually, though, the airport's management operations were taken up by AAI.

Facilities At Visakhapatnam Airport

Baggage - The airport has installed hi-tech baggage facilities to scan the bags as well as to upscale its security. There are X-ray scanners that the bags need to be put in for security checks. The whole idea behind installing high technology bag scanners is to ensure that the bags are preserved, and the airport's safety measures are followed. Aside from the scanners, Visakhapatnam Airport also has special baggage services available. You will find trolleys at every junction of the departure and arrival section of the terminal. Plus, there are wrapping services also available at the airport to safeguard your bags from mishandling and theft.

Restaurants and cafes - Within the airport premise, there are small food establishments as well as restaurants available. Famous food joints such as Subway and McDonald's are present at the premise of the airport. Not to mention, there are quaint food joints located as well as beverage points. You can find coffee and tea stalls within the airport premise.

Special assistance - Visakhapatnam Airport offers special assistance to passengers who have mobility issues or require to be escorted in the airport premise. You can inform the airlines about the requirement, and the airport will find an ideal professional to help you with assistance.

Duty-free shops - As an airport that caters to cargo services, there are duty-free shops also available in the premise. You can find these shows at the departure as well as the arrival sections of the terminal. Dry Fruit Shop and garment shops are also present at the airport, in case you need to purchase some last-minute gifts for family members and friends. There are convenience stores also available that you can peruse through as you wait for your flights.

ATMs - There are provisions for ATMs also prevalent at the airport. To ensure that the passengers are able to withdraw money or even make other bank-related transfers.

Lounge - There are dedicated VIP lounges and basic lounges available at the airport. The VIP ones are usually reserved for the passengers who have special tickets or memberships. Basic lounge facilities are also available at the departure area for passengers to wait at before boarding the flight.

Medical services - With a view to helping out medical emergencies, Visakhapatnam Airport has installed rooms and facilities. There are medical emergency rooms available, as well as pharmacies. For last-minute medication purchases, the airport does offer the same services.

Smoking rooms - As smoking is an offence in the public space, the airport has also reserved smoking lounges. Travellers can access the smoking lounges at the airport's departure and arrival sections of the terminal.

Top airlines flying from Visakhapatnam Airport

As of 2020, Visakhapatnam Airport caters to a few domestic airlines and international ones too. The airport accommodates airlines such as AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air and IndiGo. These airlines operate from Visakhapatnam Airport to major cities in the country. Much of the cities though are limited to southern states. Cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Rajahmundry, Port Blair, have flights flying to and from Visakhapatnam Airport. Along with this, Visakhapatnam Airport also caters to flights flying to and from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Besides these cities, the airport connects to a few international destinations as well. Air Asia and Scoot are the two international airlines that operate from Visakhapatnam Airport. Further, the flights from these international airlines connect to cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Dubai.

How to reach Visakhapatnam Airport

By bus and taxi

The central bus stand of Visakhapatnam is approximately 18.5 kilometres away from the Visakhapatnam Airport. Although reaching the Visakhapatnam Airport from the bus is challenging, there are cabs and taxi services that can reach the bus stand without much hassle. There are no dedicated bus stands that are located in the proximity of the airport. Travellers often choose to reach the Visakhapatnam Airport by first reaching the bus stand. Since it has interstate bus services, often from the bus stand, there are provisions of taxi cab services to reach Visakhapatnam Airport. It is essential to discuss the fare with the taxi cab drivers ahead of the journey. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to reach Visakhapatnam Airport from the bus stand. However, it does depend on the traffic situation.

By Rail

The Visakhapatnam railway station is just seven kilometres away from the airport. Hence, it is considered to be one of the most sought-after modes of transport to reach Visakhapatnam Airport. The railways have good connection within the city and the state. Hence, travellers opt for railways as a convenient and affordable means to reach the Visakhapatnam Airport. The taxi cab fare also reduces considerably from the railway station to the airport. It is also very comfortable and convenient in terms of travel time.

About Vishakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is known to be the largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is located on the coast and is sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats. After the decentralisation of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Visakhapatnam was appointed as the administrative capital of the state. It is the fourth most populous city in South India. Visakhapatnam Port is also recognised to be one of the most important ports in the country and the fifth-busiest cargo port. It is also the headquarters to the Indian Navy's Eastern Command. The city is a big tourist hub in Andhra Pradesh and is especially known for its gorgeous beaches and lovely shores.