India flights - cheap international flight tickets and hacker fares to Delhi, Goa, Kolkata
Flights to Bengaluru. Book plane tickets to Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore.

India is open to international tourism

India reopened for tourism on November 15, 2021. Leisure travelers from all countries are allowed to enter India quarantine-free. Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to provide a negative PCR test result, while unvaccinated passengers must present a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

To enter India, you must have a valid passport, an Indian visa and a return/onward ticket. For tourism-related visits of 30 days or less, you can apply online for ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to arrival.

Transiting through Indian airports is allowed for a period no longer than 24 hours. You should have an onward ticket and stay inside the airport’s authorized Transit Area.

Arriving in Delhi

  • If you are flying to Delhi from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportIndira Gandhi International Airport DEL (also known as Delhi Airport). It is the busiest airport in India in terms of daily flight traffic.

    Delhi Airport has 3 terminals: Terminal 1 is dedicated solely to domestic flights (with Terminal 1D for departures and Terminal 1C for arrivals), Terminal 2 serves low-cost carriers and domestic flights, while Terminal 3 handles arrivals and departures of both domestic and international flights. The distance between T1 and T2 is around 8 km (free shuttle is available every 20 min), and T2 is just around 500 meters from T3 (a 5-minute walk). If you are arriving by an international flight and changing to a domestic flight, you will need at least 60 minutes from the arrival to the moment of check-in for the domestic flight
    .

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Delhi. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Delhi, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, and AirAsia India. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Delhi can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air India Express, Batik Air, Flynas, and FlyDubai, and VietJet Air. If you have a layover in Delhi and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Delhi

Best airports to fly into Delhi: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Delhi has one international airport – Indira Gandhi International Airport DEL (also known as Delhi Airport). It is located about 15 km southwest of the city center, and is well-connected to the main Delhi spots with by taxi, metro, or bus.
Things to know before flying to Delhi
Airlines flying to DelhiAeroflot, Aeronomad, Air Arabia, Air Astana, Air Austal, Air Canada, Air France, Air India, Air India Express, Air Manas, AirAsia, Aksa Air, ANA, Alliance Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Batik Air, Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Drukair, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Finnair, FlexFlight, FlyArystan, FlyBig, FlyDubai, Flynas, Garuda Indonesia, Go First, Gulf Air, Iberia, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, Jazeera Airways, JetBlue Airways, Kam Air, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, LOT, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Maldivian, MIAT, Myanmar Airways, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Somon Air, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Vistara
Indian airlinesAir IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, AirAsia India, Jet Airways, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Star Air, FlyBig, IndiaOne Air
Airports in DelhiIndira Gandhi International Airport DEL (also known as Delhi Airport)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €400 – €550 (from Europe)
✈ $600 – $800 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Delhi (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Delhi

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

The cheapest time to fly to Delhi

The cheapest time to fly to Delhi is during the off-peak months: from May to September. The low demand from tourists during this summer/monsoon period compels airlines to offer substantial discounts to fill their vacant seats. Between May and September, several popular routes to Delhi are priced 20-40% lower than during the high season.

However, the cheapest fares come with some drawbacks. The summer months of May to June can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching almost unbearable levels. Meanwhile, the monsoon months of July to September bring abundant rainfall to Delhi.

If you can bear the heat and rain, traveling Delhi between May to September is a great way to avoid crowds and save money. Besides the cheapest flights, you will also enjoy great discounts on accommodation, tours, and ground transportation.

Fast-track your way through Delhi airport with DigiYatra app

DigiYatra (DY) is a digital service that allows passengers to navigate through major airports in India (including Delhi Airport) using facial recognition as their sole form of identification.

To use the service, passengers must be registered with DigiYatra and have their identity verified through biometric facial recognition technology (FRT). The passenger’s face is linked to their boarding pass, and they can quickly pass through all the airport’s checkpoints, including airport entry, security clearance and boarding gates, simply by showing their face.

India airport - using Digiyatra app
DigiYatra app: Faster movement to boarding gates with face recognition technology

To use it at Delhi airport, you must download the DigiYatra app on your mobile device and create an account. When you arrive at the airport, scan your boarding pass or e-ticket to validate your passenger details. After validation, you can take advantage of paperless and contactless movement within the airport.

Currently, only Indian nationals can register and use the DigiYatra system.

Air India’s 25% discount for students and senior citizens

Air India makes it a bit easier for students and senior citizens to fly around India. Through its Concession Fares program, the airline offers a 25% discount on Economy Class fares for all domestic flights operated by Air India (including flights to and from Delhi).

To qualify for this discount, students must be under the age of 26 and enrolled in a full-time course in India for at least one academic year. Senior Indian citizens must be 60 years of age or older.

To book a flight with a 25% discount, simply visit the Air India website, select a flight, and click the “Book Now” button. On the next page, select the “Student Discount” option and enter your student ID number. The discount will be automatically applied, and you can proceed to the payment page.

For seniors, the discount is applied during the booking process based on the date of birth provided.

Next tips

Flights to Delhi from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Delhi. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Delhi, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. New Delhi is the most connected city in India for nonstop flights from the United States and Canada. Direct flights from North America to Delhi are about 14-16 hours long, depending on your point of departure: New York, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal. When opting for a flight without layovers, American travelers can only choose from a limited range of flight operators: Air India, American Airlines, and United Airlines
  • Delhi is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Delhi with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada. The most convenient layovers for connecting flights from the US to Delhi are Mumbai, Dubai, Doha, London, and Frankfurt.
  • The best airlines to fly to Delhi from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Air India, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

US and Canada to Delhi.Ticket prices in November 2023.

View today’s prices or learn how to cut costs with flexible dates:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Trains beat flights for short trips

India has an extensive railway network that covers almost the entire country, and there are several train stations in Delhi. Traveling by train is usually cheaper than flying for distances up to 500-600 kilometers (310-370 miles), which is considered a short distance in India. On average, train fares are priced at least 20-50% less than the cost of a one-way flight ticket.

However, it may not be a viable option if you’re in a rush. Even the fastest trains like the Rajdhani Express or Shatabdi Express will need 6-8 hours to cover a distance of around 500km – compared to just 1 hour and 30 minutes by air.

You can book a train ticket through the IRCTC website, at a local ITB (International Tourist Bureau) office, or in person at the Delhi railway station. There are usually several classes with different levels of comfort to choose from: basic sleeper cars, open-plan carriages, air-conditioned coaches, executive class with larger seats, luxurious first class, etc.

Best airlines for domestic flights in India

India has a thriving airline industry, operating thousands of flights each week between a plethora of cities across the subcontinent. Delhi is one of the major airports in India, and you’ll have no trouble finding local airlines offering domestic flights.

There are three full-service carriers (FSC) in India: Air India, Vistara, and Jet Airways. Additionally, there are more than 10 low-cost carriers (LCC), including IndiGo, GoFirst, SpiceJet, Air India Express, AirAsia India, Akasa Air, and Alliance Air.

For those seeking unparalleled comfort and high quality service at a reasonable price, Air India stands out as the best option. This government-owned carrier flies to all major airports in India. It offers roomy seats, delicious complimentary meals, and the greatest baggage capacity among all airlines (25 kg in Economy Class).

Flying in India. Low cost airline Akasa Air operate domestic Indian routes.
Akasa Air, new Indian LCC, promises sustainability, affordable prices, and great customer service

If you’re looking for cheap tickets, these are the four Indian LCCs we recommend:

  • IndiGo. The undisputed leader in the domestic market, offering flights to 76 domestic destinations. Despite low-cost pricing, it is renowned for punctuality, safety, and good customer support. However, it does not provide complimentary meals on domestic routes. IndiGo is the only Indian airline listed in World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines by Skytrax, securing an impressive 5th position.
  • SpiceJet. India’s second-largest low-cost carrier. They offer premium services such as extra legroom and priority baggage handling under their SpiceMax brand. The only drawbacks are a recent drop in on-time performance and limited access to their hotline.
  • GoFirst (formerly Go Air). Provides some of the cheapest domestic fares available in India. Additionally, they have a frequent flyer program known as Go Club with free upgrades to “Go Business” (front row with the middle seat left empty). Customer support is limited.
  • Akasa Air. A new airline, entered the Indian market in 2022. Currently, it flies to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Chennai. According to customers, it offers great value on airfares, punctuality, quieter cabins with comfortable seating, and great customer service.

Know your time zone

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket to Delhi and on the boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.

India has only one time zone, despite being a large country that stretches almost 3000 kilometers and nearly 30 degrees longitude. It observes Indian Standard Time (IST) all year, which is UTC+05:30 time zone. As a result, clocks in Delhi are 5 and half hours ahead of London and 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of New York. IST does not have an associated daylight saving time.

Delhi airport customs rules

Flying to Delhi from overseas? Make sure you know the limits for bringing in certain items.

India is serious about the duty-free concession – alcoholic drinks such as spirits, wine, or beer cannot exceed 2 liters per person, and you can carry only 100 cigarettes (or 125g of tobacco). In addition to personal items, you may also carry items up to a value of ₹15,000–50,000 ($190–$620), depending on your origin. While there is no currency limit for foreign currencies, it does need to be declared if it is above the amount of $5,000.

If you exceed the mentioned limits on items, head to Red Lane at the Delhi airport to declare your goods.

Next tips

Flights to Delhi from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Delhi — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Delhi are about 7-9 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to India - among them are London, Birmingham, Frankfurt, Munch, Paris, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Milan, Warsaw, Vienna, and Zurich. Those flights arrive at the main Delhi airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport DEL and are operated by Air India, Air France, British Airways, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, SWISS, Vistara and Virgin Atlantic.

    If you are opting for a connecting flight from Europe to Delhi, the most convenient (and the cheapest) options are flights with a layover in one of the biggest Indian hubs: Bengaluru BLR, or MumbaiBOM. Qatar Airways also has fairly priced flights from Europe to Delhi with a short transit in Doha DOH
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Delhi include Air France, Air India, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Delhi from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Delhi: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Europe to Delhi.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

Check prices, see how to save big if your travel dates are flexible:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Last-minute flights to Delhi. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Delhi almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

Last-minute flight cost spike
Late booking penalty: The flight prices rise as departure draws near. Last-minute flights are almost always more expensive than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Delhi is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Looking for the best deals for Delhi? Check different departure airports.

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Delhi from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Delhi, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Delhi, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

The same goes for long-haul flights to Delhi from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Domestic flights from Delhi

Most domestic routes in India are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata from New Delhi Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Air IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, and AirAsia India.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Indian destinations.

Flights to Delhi from Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand to Delhi.Flight ticket prices today.

Check prices and find out how date flexibility equals big savings:

View pricesSave 40—80%

“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Delhi, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.

Booking group flights to Delhi

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Delhi can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Delhi and can help with logistics and scheduling.

Flights to Delhi from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Delhi look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Delhi will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting India and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Delhi — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

Delhi from major Asian airports.Flight prices in November 2023.

View today’s prices and learn how flexibility can save you hundreds on airfare:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from India to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of India and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)

Fly now, pay later

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.

The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).

When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Delhi, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.