Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Air
Your first, important decision is whether to begin exploring Gujarat in Ahmedabad or
Bhuj. That will determine your transportation choices. There are two cities commonly used
to begin a Gujarat visit: Bhuj, and Ahmedabad, both accessible by air. Several International
airlines fly to/from Ahmedabad. Domestic travelers can fly into both Bhuj and Ahmedabad
on one of the only two airlines that serve these cities, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines,
both excellent.
We bought International round trip tickets on United Airlines from Chicago-Frankfurt
and used miles to get two, free
First Class Lufthansa tickets
from Frankfurt to Mumbai
(BOM). There are some great fares to India if you surf the Internet. Try: Hot Wire, Orbitz,
Vayama, Fare Buzz, just to name a few.
International ticketing accomplished,
Domestic
air was needed, from Mumbai (BOM)
to Bhuj (BHJ), and Ahmedabad (AMD) back to Mumbai (BOM). Since there was very little
difference in cost between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airways, I chose by departure times
and booked online.
TIP:Saveyourhard-earned miles forFirst orBusiness Class
on long-distance flights (the only way we can afford to fly in
those sections) and economy on shorthauls. It may only be
20,000 miles for a short-haul ticket.
No lollygagging is allowed when you fly India's domestic airlines. They load, check
manifest and
leave
if everyone is on board
.
Sometimes, 10 minutes
ahead
of schedule. If
you're not on board, you'll hear announcements until departure time. After that, tough luck.
Flying Internationally OUT of India
Pay attention to what time your outbound flight
leaves
. International Airlines usually leave
Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata at ungodly hours in the wee, small hours of the morning. For ex-
ample, Lufthansa flies out of Mumbai back to Frankfurt at
3:25 a.m
.
Even IF
, a big
if
, your
India trip ends in one of those three cities, you still have decisions to make:
Pay the hotel for a late check-out and stay in your room until midnight;
Check out and wile away the time
somewhere
;
Drive to the airport and attempt to enter. India airports usually
will not let you enter
untilthreehoursbeforeflighttime
. Airports have, what I refer to as, a “holding pens” out-
side the main terminals to sit in with toilet facilities, and food concession; and/or
