Flying to Remote Location in India: What You Must Know

Low-cost airlines have made it possible for millions of passengers to fly to tier II and tier III cities. However, India being a vast country, many cities are still not connected through a flight or at least a non-stop one. Let’s look at how you can fly to a remote location and what you should know.

Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik or UDAN, a regional connectivity scheme by the government, has made flights accessible to even the country’s remotest part. But there is still a long way to go. Passengers flying to remote locations don’t often have the luxury enjoyed by inter-urban-city travelers. Keep reading to know how to fly to a remote location and choose the best flight and travel option.

Part 1 – Knowing all the Travel Options

The first part of this is to choose the right flight. There are majorly 5 kinds of travel options to choose from here;

1. Take a Non-stop Flight:

If you are lucky, you might be able to find a non-stop flight flying right to your destination. Needless to say, this will mostly be your preferred option. However, do know that these flights are usually the most expensive option. But if you book in advance and use other techniques such as earning miles on your tickets, you can significantly bring down the total cost of travel.

2. Take a Via Flight:

Most likely, you’ll find many options that fly you to your destination via a city where it makes a pit stop for a few minutes or even hours. In this, some passengers deboard the flight, and a new set of passengers join you as the flight prepares for the onward journey. These are usually the least expensive option and also quite convenient. You don’t have to deboard the flight, manage your luggage, etc. However, the wait time at the airport (where the fight is making a pitstop) can last for hours, making it tiring and exhausting.

3. Take a Connecting Flight:

Another option you have is to opt for a connecting flight. In this, you deboard the flight once it makes a stop midway and board another one. For many of these flights, you don’t have to collect your luggage or clear security again. Moreover, with some of these flights, a delay in one doesn’t mean you miss the other. However, you need to check all the terms carefully before booking.

1. Book Two Flights Separately:

In this, rather than your booking being managed on a single ticket, you will have to make two separate bookings. A big con of this is if your 1st flight delays, you can miss the second flight. Moreover, you will have to handle your luggage on your own here and clear security again.

2. Flight + Road/Rail Transport:

Desperate times calls for desperate measure. In this, you complete the major part of the journey by flight and land at the nearest airport and then complete the rest of the journey by road or railways.

Part 2- Deciding on the Best Option: What You Must Consider

Provided you have all or some of these options available to you, make a choice after considering a few factors

1. Extra Costs Involved:

Don’t just look at the cost of flights or travel in isolation. Look at the total cost involved and compare to find the best way to reach.

2. Luggage Handling:

Handling your luggage can be a huge convenience, especially when you are traveling with a family. Choose an option that gives you the least inconvenience when it comes to your luggage handling.

3. Duration of the Journey:

Look at the duration of the journey. For instance, something like a Pune to Jaipur flight time can range between 2 hours – 14 hours by flight, depending on your choice. Look at the time it takes to reach from your point of origin to the endpoint to evaluate the best option.

4. Duration of Stop:

Closely related to the duration of the journey, the duration of the stop can add to your inconvenience. Whether you are stopping at the tarmac, airport, or outside the airport waiting for a cab to take you to your destination, the duration of the stop, if overextended, can make you tired and fatigued.

Choose the right option based on your budget but don’t give it the only weightage. If you have a non-stop flight option to your final destination, it may be worth paying a little extra for it than going through the hassles. Evaluate based on your needs, comfort requirements, etc.