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 Kolkata

  • If you are flying to Kolkata from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport HYD, located approximately 17 km (10.5 miles) northeast of the city center. The Kolkata Airport has one passenger terminal, which operates both domestic and international flights.

    There are several transportation options for arriving passengers, including taxis, Kolkata Metro, public buses, and rental cars. The journey to the city center by car takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions
    .

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Kolkata. 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 Kolkata, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air IndiaIndiGoVistara, 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 Kolkata can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Asia India, Batik Air, FlyDubai, FlexFlight, and Thai Smile. If you have a layover in Kolkata 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 Kolkata

Best airports to fly into Kolkata: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)
Kolkata has one international airport – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport CCU, also known as Dum Dum Airport, located approximately 17 km (10.5 miles) northeast of the city center of Kolkata. The airport is situated in the Dum Dum area, close to the suburb of Salt Lake City.
Things to know before flying to Kolkata
Airlines flying to KolkataAir France, Air India, Air India Express, Air Mauritius, AirAsia India, Alliance Air, Batik Air, Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, DrukAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, FlexFlight, Flyadeal, FlyBig, FlyDubai, Go First, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Myanmar Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, SWISS, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Turkish Airlines, US-Bangla 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 KolkataNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport CCU (CCU)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €550 – €700 (from Europe)
✈ $600 – $800 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Kolkata (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Kolkata

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

The cheapest time to fly to Kolkata

The cheapest time to fly to Kolkata 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata.

If you can bear the heat and rain, traveling Kolkata 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 Kolkata airport with DigiYatra app

DigiYatra (DY) is a digital service that allows passengers to navigate through major airports in India (including Kolkata 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata).

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 Kolkata from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Kolkata. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Kolkata, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. The most convenient layovers for connecting flights from the US/Canada to Kolkata are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, London, Paris, and Frankfurt.
  • Kolkata is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Kolkata 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 best airlines to fly to Kolkata from the US and Canada are: Air India, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Singapore 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 Kolkata.
Ticket prices in March 2024.

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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 Kolkata. 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 Kolkata 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. Kolkata 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata 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.

Kolkata airport customs rules

Flying to Kolkata 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 Kolkata airport to declare your goods.

Next tips

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

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Kolkata — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Kolkata include Air India, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.
  • 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata: 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 Kolkata.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

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Last-minute flights to Kolkata. 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

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

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Kolkata 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 Kolkata, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Kolkata, 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata

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

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Kolkata. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.

    Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Kolkata. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.


    There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Kolkata.
  • Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Kolkata, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, and in New Zealand – Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, and Dunedin DUD.
  • For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Kolkata via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Kolkata are Air Asia India, Batik Air, FlyDubai, FlexFlight, and Thai Smile.

    For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).

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

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“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 Kolkata, 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 Kolkata

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Kolkata 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 Kolkata and can help with logistics and scheduling.

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

  • Many popular tourist destinations in Asia have convenient direct flights to/from Kolkata: Bangkok BKK/DMK, Hanoi HAN, Ho Chi Minh SGN, Kuala Lumpur KUL, Phuket HKT, Singapore SIN, Yangon RGN
  • 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata 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 Kolkata — 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.

Kolkata from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.

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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 Kolkata, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.