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.
DEL, Mumbai BOM, Bengaluru BLR, Hyderabad HYD, Kolkata CCU, Chennai MAA, Ahmedabad AMD, Goa GOI, Kochi COK, Pune PNQ, Lucknow LKO, Srinagar SXR, Jaipur JAI, Varanasi VNS, Kozhikode CCJ, Thiruvananthapuram TRV, Raipur RPR, Amritsar ATQ, Leh IXL, and Madurai IXM.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air India Express, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air, Flynas, and FlyDubai, and VietJet Air.
Flights to India
from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to India. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to India, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Direct flights from the US to India are about 13-15 hours long. When opting for a nonstop flight, American travelers can only choose from a limited range of flight operators: Air India, American Airlines, and United Airlines.
- India is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to India with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL, DallasDFW, DenverDEN, ChicagoORD, Los AngelesLAX, Las VegasDFW, MiamiMIA, SeattleSEA, HoustonIAH, New YorkJFK, and San FranciscoSFOin the United States and TorontoYYZ, VancouverYVR, CalgaryLAS, and MontrealYULin Canada. - The best airlines to fly to India 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.
40–80% off flights to India
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What is the best time to book flights to India?
The best time to book flights to India is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for India flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Airfare prices for India flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales.
Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays including holidays in India. If you must travel during peak times, book your flight well in advance.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to India less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to India, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. This is the “Prime Booking Window.” After some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 a.m.) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand—most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Flights to India from Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to India — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to India are about 7-9 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to India - among them are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Warsaw, and Zurich. Those flights arrive at either Delhi or Mumbai, and are operated by Air India, Air France, British Airways, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, SWISS, Vistara and Virgin Atlantic
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to India include Air France, Air India, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, and 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 India 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.
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The cheapest time to fly to India
The cheapest time to fly to India 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 India 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 India.
If you can bear the heat and rain, traveling India 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 India airport with DigiYatra app
DigiYatra (DY) is a digital service that allows passengers to navigate through major airports in India (including India 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.
To use it at Indian 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 India).
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.
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 India. 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 India 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. India 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).
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 India 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 India 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.
Indian airport customs rules
Flying to India 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 Indian airport to declare your goods.
Airlines of India
Most domestic routes in India are operated by local airlines. When traveling within India to popular tourist destinations – such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra, Goa, Jaipur, Kashmir, Ladakh, or Varanasi – you’ll be flying with one of the Indian airlines.
India is the world’s third-largest civil aviation market and has seven main airline carriers. The government-owned Air India is the largest international carrier, while its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express offers no-frills flights on domestic and short-haul international routes. IndiGo has the largest fleet size and is ranked the best Indian airline. The newest addition to the Indian domestic market – Vistara – is quickly becoming popular for its affordable airfares coupled with premium hospitality.
SpiceJet is ranked fourth in the country (in terms of the number of domestic passengers carried each year) and despite being a low-cost airline it also offers premium services under the banner of SpiceMax fare. Another budget carrier, Go First (previously GoAir), has a frequent flyer program GO CLUB which offers a free upgrade to business class. Incredibly low prices can be found at AirAsia India (a subsidiary of Malaysia’s AirAsia) – repeatedly named Asia’s best low-cost airline.
Flights to India
from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand offer robust flight networks to key APAC locations, India included. While domestic carriers like Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand provide solid options, several major international airlines also serve these routes. These include ANA, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways — expanding your choices for travel between Australasia and Asia.
There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to India. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia. - Airlines have different pricing strategies for different routes. Depending on airline partnerships, demand, and even the time of year, a flight to India could be significantly cheaper from Sydney than from Melbourne.
Compare fares from main international airports in Australia: SydneySYD, BrisbaneBNE, MelbourneMEL, PerthPER, AdelaideADL, CairnsCNS, Gold CoastOOL, CanberraCBR, DarwinDRW, and in New Zealand: AucklandAKL, WellingtonWLG, ChristchurchCHC, and QueenstownZQN. - If you’re looking to save, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a primary Asian hub, then catch a connecting flight to India with a regional budget airline such as Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air India Express, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air, Flynas, and FlyDubai, and VietJet Air.
For the initial leg of your trip, full-service airlines such as Qantas or Virgin Atlantic offer premium comfort and exceptional service, albeit at a premium price. However, many Asian airlines, including budget carriers, operate out of Australia and frequently feature sales and promotions. For instance, AirAsia runs deals to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Cebu Pacific to Manila; Scoot to Singapore; VietJet Air to Ho Chi Minh City; Jetstar to Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo; Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing; Batik Air to Jakarta and Singapore.
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Flights to India
from 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 India 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 India 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 AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet. 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.
Flights to India dataset
