Anyone used Cosmic Air?

Manto

Hi,

We're flying between Delhi and Kathmandu with Cosmic Air in Oct. Has anyone used them before?

We received confirmation by email that the seats are booked and to the collect tickets at the sales desk at Delhi airport when we arrive.
We're a bit scared that they will sell on the tickets as they have taken no deposit from us. As much as we could walk away from it as we have not paid, does this mean they are equally able to just sell on the tickets before we get there?

Any advice / experiences of them that anyone has would be great?

Cheers!

fxas

Hi Manto,

I am going to Kathmandu from Delhi too in Dec.
I am thinking of using Indian Airlines or Sahara.
They sell around USD $180 one way (incl tax).
How much did Cosmic Air charge you?

Manto

It 'cost' us $141 each inclusive of taxes, one way.

Although we haven't paid anything upfront for it, nor have they taken any credit card details.

I'm just a bit worried we'll arrive in Delhi without an onward flight.

Tapestry

I can't really speak to your ticket question, but I'll say I've had good experiences with cosmic air and that's the airline I usually choose when flying between Delhi and Kathmandu. I've never had any problems with them before.

Manto

Thanks Tapestry.

Did you usually pay anything upfront e.g. deposit?

Tapestry

I think my tickets on cosmic air in the past were booked through a travel agent, so were paid for before I flew. That's why I figured my post may or may not be helpful as I haven't shared your exact situation, but my association with cosmic air is good since my experiences with them in the past have consistently been fine.

Tapestry

Another thing to note - for your flight between delhi and kathmandu one side of the plane will get you significantly better views of the Himalayas than the other, so if your seats haven't been chosen you can ask them for the mountain view side of the plane. If you can manage it, you'll be rewarded with great views!

Manto

Thanks for the tip -we'll definitely do that!

Much experience of Nepal then? Wanted to then work our way overland back to Delhi over two weeks -any advice?

Tapestry

I don't have experience with overland travel between Nepal and India, I just used to be based in Kathmandu and now am based in Delhi, hence the flying between the two. I'm sure there are numerous IMers who have done it, though. You could start a new thread about that part of your trip if you have lots of questions or are looking for tips since your query about going overland might not be noticed here. But Nepal is a very beautiful place and, barring any major breakdown of the peace process, you should really treasure that part of your trip.

Manto

I think I will. It's getting quite close and I'm starting to get a bit worried with the lack of planning we have done especially as I've jusy found out that it will be diwali when we are there!

cheers for your help!

markuk

I have used them a number of times, Kathmandu - Phokara, no problems at all.

mercuria69

We flew with Cosmic Air Delhi to KTM on the 30th of October, and the reality of their schedule seems to be that 2 flights per day are supposed to fly, but because they've just reopened as of the 17th of October (they were literally building the office in Delhi while we were buying our tickets) they haven't been able to get organized enough to fill the flights yet, so one flight a day has been getting cancelled. apparently it's usually the morning flight. it's worth phoning ahead to check that out. also, if you haven't paid for your ticket, definitely call to reconfirm at least once.
the flight itself was fine, except that the sandwich they served made me super sick in the middle of the night.
so - do not eat cosmic air sandwiches.
i hope that's helpful...

karuna

Bit late for the OP, but in case anyone else is interested...from the Nepal side, yes. Super long post, I hope it's useful.

Don't go to Lumbini. My friend who lives in Kathmandu warned me not to, and I didn't listen. She was right.

Firstly, no matter what your bus ticket says, even if it's from the lovely people at Greenline (Thamel, KTM and Lakeside, Pokhara) there are no buses from Pokhara (or KTM) to Lumbini. They will kick you out 24 kms away at Bhairawa and you'll have to get a local bus, or, as in my case, you'll arrive when there's a strike and have to shell out on a taxi. Buses do go direct from Pokhara to the border at Sunauli. Unless you like your eardrums blasted off with 20-minute long screechy Nepali songs turned up so loud they're distorted, bring earplugs.

Secondly, Lumbini is really, really, really not very impressive at all (imho). Thirdly, mosquitoes. Fourthly, you have a choice of approximately two (2) hotels. Lumbini turned into hotel nightmare town for me, but that's another story.


It's a long bus journey from Pokhara or KTM to the border; if you're doing that, you could break it at Bhairawa. When I escaped from Lumbini I stayed there at the Hotel Glasgow, and the staff (particularly Vishnu Choudhary) were really, really helpful and friendly. They can arrange taxis across the border to Gorakhpur if you've had it up to the ears with buses, which I had. The border is quite chaotic but the immigration offices are well-signposted.

If staying in Gorakhpur, I don't recommend hotel Vivek which is in LP. I ended up in a really nice place opp. the station. Its name escapes me, but it was behind a row of shops and on the right as you went through a gate. You can see the sign for it from the road though. Google tells me that there's a Hotel Standard opp. the station, that might be it. It was nice.

If you are interested in buddhist stuff I'd recommend Kushinagar as a worthwhile day trip from Gorakhpur, and definitely 100% over Lumbini. There's a UP tourism hotel if you want to stay overnight.

I think I may have posted you to death. I hope it was useful anyway!

atala

Karuna, it appears to me that you have not been inside Lumbini Garden in the monastic zone to see the many Buddhist monasteries. Some are under construction, others are finished. It is really well worth a visit. To solve your Hotel problem (you stayed in Buddhanagar instead of inside Lumbini Garden where the monasteries are), go to Korean monastery where you can stay for a donation and have three meals (included) for 3 days.

details here
pokhra trip