Travel Guides & Articles
Air India and Kazakhstan’s Air Astana sign new codeshare agreement to expand travel connectivity
The agreement allows cooperation on key routes between India and Kazakhstan, specifically flights between Almaty and Delhi, and Almaty and Mumbai.
Under the agreement, Air India will place its “AI” code on Air Astana flights to and from India, giving customers easier access to Almaty, a growing business and tourism hub in Central Asia.
“With this, Air India will place its ‘AI’ designator code on Air Astana’s flights to and from India, providing its customers convenient access to Almaty, a rapidly growing tourism and business hub in Central Asia,” said Air India said in an official release.
Both airlines already have an interline partnership that began earlier this year. Unlike a codeshare, an interline agreement allows passengers to book connecting flights on different airlines under a single itinerary, but codeshare arrangements provide a single-ticket experience with baggage check-through to the final destination.
Air India passengers travelling to Almaty from points beyond Delhi and Mumbai will now be able to book a single ticket and check in their baggage through to Almaty.
Currently, Air India has 21 codeshare partnerships and 88 interline agreements, including the new agreement with Air Astana.
Travel Guides & Articles
How Bairabi-Sairang Line, Mizoram’s First Railway Link, Will Cut Travel Time & Boost Local Economy | India News
Last Updated:
Conceptualised 26 years ago, the 51.38 km railway line traverses one of India’s most difficult terrains and includes 48 tunnels stretching almost 13 kilometres in total
Aizawl will be the fourth north-eastern capital after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh to be linked to the national rail network. (All India Radio)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated Mizoram’s first railway line, the Bairabi-Sairang line to the nation, highlighting how it will be a “lifeline of transformation” by helping people avail better services and local businesses will get access to the rest of the country.
“This is not just a railway connection, but it is a lifeline of transportation. It will revolutionise the lives and livelihoods of people of Mizoram. Farmers and businesses of Mizoram can reach more markets across the nation,” the prime minister said.
Calling the inauguration of the railway line a “historic day”, PM Modi said: “This is a historic day, particularly for the people of Mizoram. From today, Aizwal will be on India’s railway map. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to lay the foundation stone for the Aizwal railway line. Today we proudly dedicate it to the people of the nation.”
Architectural Marvel
Conceptualised 26 years ago, the 51.38 km railway line traverses one of India’s most difficult terrains.
The railway line includes 48 tunnels stretching almost 13 kilometres in total, along with more than 40 bridges. One of the most remarkable is Bridge No. 196, which towers 104 meters above the ground—42 meters higher than the Qutub Minar in Delhi. Carved through thick forests, rugged hills, and areas vulnerable to landslides, the line stands as a testament to determined engineering and careful planning.
Aizawl will be the fourth north-eastern capital after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh to be linked to the national rail network.
How does it help commuters?
Until now, the journey between Bairabi and Sairang meant long, difficult road travel through mountainous terrain. The new rail line cuts travel time between Aizawl and Silchar to just three hours, compared to seven by road.
In July, News18 had reported that the ministry is planning to introduce Vande Bharat and Rajdhani services from Aizawl based on feasibility and demands. These trains will allow the people of Aizawl to easily reach the country’s major cities, and it will be convenient for them to come and go during festivals.
“Mizoram had no train link till now. This project will transform connectivity in the Northeast,” said KK Sharma, CPRO, Northeast Frontier Railway.
The state government also estimates that tourist arrivals will increase by 50 per cent within the next five years which will help push up sales in hotels, homestays, handicraft markets and transport services.
Apart from the tourism and trade perspectives, the new railway line strengthens India’s border infrastructure in a region close to the India-Myanmar border, critical from a national security perspective. It could potentially support military logistics and disaster response in this sensitive border region in case of an exigency.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Mizoram, India, India
September 13, 2025, 12:18 IST
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Travel Guides & Articles
Indian travel blogger shares budget hacks, exact cost of 2-week Italy trip: ₹46K flights, ₹38K stay and total expense…
Dreaming of a vacation in Italy but not sure where to begin – or how much you need to save? From flights and accommodation to food, sightseeing, and hidden expenses, planning a trip to Europe’s most sought-after destination can feel overwhelming.
Also Read | Packing 101: Everything you need to download before a vacay
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To make things easier, a travel creator, who goes by the Instagram handle Taking Window Seat (hereby referred to as TWS), has shared his experience of traveling through Italy, complete with a detailed breakdown of expenses. In an Instagram video posted on August 12, he explained accommodation and travel charges, including how much money he spent on food, paid attractions, inter-city travel and much more. He also provided affordable, money-saving tips for those on a budget.
Total expenses
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The travel blogger spent two weeks in Italy and according to his estimates, it is an expensive travel destination. He provided a complete cost breakdown of his trip, starting with round trip flights from India to Milan and back from Rome to India, which amounted to a total of ₹46,000. In addition to flight expenses, he also paid ₹13,500 for travel insurance and Schengen visa.
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The travel blogger spent two weeks in Italy and according to his estimates, it is an expensive travel destination. He provided a complete cost breakdown of his trip, starting with round trip flights from India to Milan and back from Rome to India, which amounted to a total of ₹46,000. In addition to flight expenses, he also paid ₹13,500 for travel insurance and Schengen visa.
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“We explored three cities in Italy: Milan, Florence, and Rome. And while staying in these cities, we also took some day trips, such as to Lake Como, Cinque Terre, and the entire Tuscan region,” said TWS, and added, “For inter-city travel, we paid a total of ₹2,000, and we booked all tickets 2 months in advance from the official websites because train prices here increase with time.”
Based on his experience, accommodation turned out to be the biggest expense. The blogger continued, “We stayed in Airbnbs in every city, with an average price of ₹6,500 per day, except Milan, which was for ₹8,000.” He also pointed out affordable alternatives for those on a tighter budget, recommending hostels that cost around ₹4,000 on average.
The travellers visited some paid attractions in the cities which amounted to a total of ₹15,000, as well as the Champions League semi-finals in San Siro for ₹15,000. Other miscellaneous expenses included, “ ₹3,000 for daily food and drinks, ₹1,000 for an e-SIM, and ₹800 for a travel pass in every city except Florence.”
The overall expenditure for the trip amounted to ₹1,68,100 per person.
Also Read | 30 kg luggage trolleys: Large capacity suitcase to accommodate heavy packing
Budget saving hacks
TWS didn’t just break down expenses – he also shared a few smart money-saving hacks for exploring Italy on a tighter budget.
- Staying in a hostel is not only affordable but also provides a chance to socialise with fellow travelers or locals. Some hostels recommended by the travel blogger are:
Milan: Ostello Bello Grande, YellowSquare Milan
Florence: Plus Florence, Ostello Bello Firenze
Rome: The RomeHello, YellowSquare Rome
- Cooking at your Airbnb saves quite a bit of money, and it is quite accessible because supermarkets are everywhere.
- TWS recommends booking trains directly from Trenitalia or Italo in order to skip extra fees, and avoiding Omio or Trainline.
- Buying wines from supermarkets is much cheaper than ordering at bars.
- Florence is a walkable city, so spending money on local transport is not required.
- In the cities that have metro or trams, using a travel pass is cost-effective.
- Avoid taxis since they are very expensive in Italy.
- Watch out for Service Charges at dine-in restaurants; takeaway for budget meals is preferable.
- Milan and Amalfi are expensive, so TWS recommends planning your days ahead.
- He suggests using Zero Markup Cards like Scapia to avoid TCS and conversion charges.
- Avoid buying airport SIM cards, instead carry an eSIM like Matrix Cellular.
- Visa should be applied six months in advance.
- The best months for budget travel are March, April, and October.
Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.
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Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Travel Guides & Articles
Finland permanent residency for Indians work benefits family sponsorship healthcare education travel
Finland, known as the happiest country in the world, is offering Indians a chance to apply for permanent residency. From work and study benefits to family sponsorship, PR opens the door to a secure and fulfilling life in Europe.
Did you know that Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for eight years in a row? From the magical Northern Lights to the modern city of Helsinki, the country is famous not only for its beauty but also for its quality of life. Now, Indians have the opportunity to become permanent residents of Finland. The Finnish government has made it possible for eligible candidates to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit (PR), which allows them to live, work, and settle in the country for good.
WHY CHOOSE FINLAND FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY?
- Getting PR in Finland comes with several benefits:
- You can live and work in Finland indefinitely.
- You can sponsor your family members to join you.
- PR holders get access to Finland’s social security, healthcare, education, and pension schemes.
- Travel becomes easier as PR allows short visits to most Schengen countries.
- Access to housing benefits, unemployment support, and better credit options.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FINLAND PR
- To qualify, you must meet specific conditions:
- You should have lived in Finland for at least 4 years on a continuous residence permit (A permit). From January 2026, this period will increase to 6 years.
- You must have lived at least 2 years physically in Finland during this time.
Additional requirements include:
- Minimum annual income of 40,000 (about 41.3 lakh), OR
- A recognised master’s/postgraduate degree with 2 years of work experience, OR
- High-level Finnish/Swedish language skills with 3 years of work experience.
- Applicants must also have a clean criminal record.
DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO APPLY
Before applying, make sure you have:
- A valid passport and passport photos
- Proof of financial stability
- A copy of your passport’s ID page
- Consent form if applying as a child
- Any documents proving education, employment, or language skills.
HOW TO APPLY FOR FINLAND PR
The application process is straightforward:
1. Check your eligibility and gather all required documents.
2. Fill out the application form online via Enter Finland or submit a paper application.
3. Pay the application fee ($240 online / $350 paper / $180 for under 18).
4. Book an appointment at the Finnish Immigration Service or VFS Global to give biometrics.
5. Track your application online for updates.
6. Once approved, collect your residence card from the embassy or service centre.
COST OF APPLYING FOR PR
- Electronic application: 240 (24,800 approx)
- Paper application: 350 (36,100 approx)
- Under 18 applicants: 180 (18,600 approx)
Finland’s Permanent Residency program is a golden chance for Indians who dream of living in Europe. With its strong social systems, beautiful environment, and welcoming culture, Finland offers not just a home but a better quality of life.
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