With careful searching, you can find cheap flights to Madruai, a stunning city in India. There are five airlines that operate out of Madurai Airport, including Jet Airways, IndiGo and Air India. There are also daily Madurai flights from Chennai, so if your cheap flight to Madurai has a stopover in Chennai, you won't have to wait long to get to your final destination. Madurai airport is about 9.5 kilometres from the city, so you will need to figure out travel arrangements once your Madurai flight disembarks. The cheapest way to get to the city from the airport is to take a train or bus. You can also choose the more expensive option of hiring a taxi.

Madurai is a small town, so walking is a great way to see what the city has to offer-- and it's free. If you're getting tired or travelling further than the town centre, there are plenty of taxis and auto rickshaws available, the rickshaws being the cheaper transportation option of the two. There's also a local bus that runs to and from the airport, but it's rarely on schedule. Another, more expensive, but convenient option is to hire a car with a private driver. Although this is the most expensive way to travel around Madurai, it's a good way to navigate the town because your driver will happily give you tips on where to go and what to see.

The main attraction in Madurai is the magnificent architecture and religious significance of the Sri Meenakshi Temple, which is an enormous complex. Within the temple's complex is an astounding museum with 1,000 pillars, called the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam that should not be missed. When entering the temple, remember to remove your socks and shoes to enter and prepare for crowds. 

Madurai holds a lot of cultural significance, as it is the location where Gandhi first chose to don a loin cloth as his only form of attire. There is a great Gandhi Museum here that tells the story of India's independence from Britain, as well. In fact, the cloth Ghandi was wearing when he was assassinated is on display at this museum. To experience other parts of the city, try the Storytrails Madurai tour.

Possibly due to Gandhi's influence, Madurai is filled with cloth and tailor shops. To get great fabrics, visit Puthu Mandapam, where there are also rows of capable tailors. Other good shop locations include West Veli Street and the Hajeemoosa, which has spun out fashion since the 1800s. 

The best way to experience the cuisine that Madurai has to offer is by taking the Foodies Day Out at Madurai tour, which takes you on an adventure to many food stands and restaurants. Not only do you get to eat a lot, but you also learn about the food culture. Other good places to eat include Surya Restaurant and the Taj Garden retreat, both of which have delicious food and great views.

The nightlife in Madurai is very low-key and relatively quiet. One bar that you can visit is the Apollo 96. Be sure to arrive early as it closes at 0:00.