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Cheap flights to
India

Save hundreds on your next flight with deals on highly rated airlines.

Flights to India overview

Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members save approximately 36% compared to normal flight prices to India.

Cheapest Going deal

$499

Average price roundtrip

$1152.80

Average Going deal price roundtrip

$738.78

Best month to fly

Going found the most deals with travel dates in October.

October

Worst month to fly

Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.

July

Top tips for finding a cheap flight to India

Book in the Goldilocks Window

We’ve developed a few tips and tricks for finding cheap flights over the years, and booking in the Goldilocks Window is one of them. This is the period where you’re most likely to find deals, as it’s not too far out from your departure date but not too last minute either. The window falls about 1-3 months before a domestic flight and 2-8 months before an international flight. And if you’re going to travel during high season, it’s best to veer on the earlier end.

Much of India’s high season is in the winter. So if you’re planning to visit in February, start looking for flights around September. While last-minute deals do exist, they’re rare, and it’s usually best to plan ahead rather than wait and hope fares drop as flights get closer. In fact, we’ve seen fares rise almost on the clock at the 21-, 14-, and 7-day marks before departure dates, so book before then if you can.

Use the Greek Islands Trick

Some airfares never seem to decrease, no matter how strategic you get with dates and timing. This is where the Greek Island Trick comes in handy. We use it to get as close to our final destination as possible, then find a budget flight or other mode of transportation to reach the last leg. As you can imagine, it works well for popular Greek islands, but it can be used anywhere.

If you’re hoping to visit the Taj Mahal next winter but flights to Delhi from the US are too expensive, try getting to London first. London offers lots of direct flights to Delhi, and often there are great deals from the US to London in January, as it’s low season there. This requires more planning and potentially an extra stop through customs but could be worth it if you can save hundreds of dollars on your flight.

Search alternative departure airports

There are only a few cities in the US that offer direct flights to India: New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, and San Francisco. Therefore, those cities often have the cheapest prices to India. If you live in Milwaukee, search for flights out of Chicago instead. Driving or taking the bus to the airport could save you money on your connecting flight. Similarly, if you live in Boston, it might be worth the trip to New York.

Fly when it’s cheaper

One of the best ways to find cheap flights is to fly during the off-season. For much of India, that’s in the summer because it’s hot and humid and there can be a lot of rain. If you don’t mind getting wet, this can be a great way to find deals. Shoulder seasons, the periods on either side of the high and low season, are also a great time to travel. The weather in much of India in November or April, for example, will probably still be fairly nice, plus you’re likely to get a better deal than traveling between December and March.

If you do plan to travel during high season, you can still try to save. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are generally the least expensive days to fly. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays, the most expensive days, if possible.

Set alerts for specific trips

Even the most diligent fare watcher can miss a deal. Luckily, there are ways to make sure that never happens. Set a fare alert for your India itinerary, and you’ll get emails when fares drop into your price range. Or, sign up for Going, and we’ll monitor all flights from your home airport and let you know when we find the best deals. Do this before the Goldilocks Window to make sure you’re getting the fares that pop up during that time.

The most-visited cities in India are well-serviced by a few US cities. Outside of New York, DC, Chicago, or San Francisco, you will have to make a connection, likely in one of those cities. In some cases, you could connect in London or elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions about flying to India

When is high season in India?

India is a large country with varying climates, so the high season depends on where you’re going. December–March, before it gets too hot or rainy, is the peak season in north India, including destinations like Delhi and Jaipur. This is also the best time to visit the south of the country, which can be extremely humid in the summer, and the best time to see wildlife in lowland national parks. The monsoon season runs from June–September, so dry mountain areas in the Himalayas get busier during this time. In fact, many hotels in the mountains close during the late fall and winter.

India also has lots of holidays and big events that draw tourists from around the country, as well as internationally. Delhi gets busy around Republic Day on January 26. In Jaipur and Agra (where the Taj Mahal is), February is a busy time due to an annual cultural carnival. Goa hosts a yearly carnival in February or March each year. Holi, which alternates dates but usually happens in March, is celebrated around the country and draws crowds for its colorful festivals. In August, Kerala hosts boat races that can bring tourism. The whole country celebrates Independence Day on Aug. 15, which could make internal travel busy, but shouldn’t cause international travel issues. Finally, Diwali, which takes place in either October or November, depending on the year, is a busy time nationwide.

When is the best time to visit India?

The best time to visit India is also the busiest time. Due to cooler and drier weather, December–March is the best time to visit Mumbai and the south of the country, as well as the temples and Delhi in the north. June–September is the best time to visit the Himalayas.

To avoid crowds and find cheaper flights, shoulder season, like November or April, is also a good time to visit much of the country. If you plan to visit the mountains in the shoulder or off-season, make sure you can reach your destination and have a place to stay. Many hotels in the area close due to snow. Transit options can also be limited.

How many airports are there in India?

There are nearly 140 airports in India, but most visitors will use a handful of major international airports. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the busiest and is where most people will fly into to reach Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, and other northern areas.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is also very large and well-serviced from the US and is where tourists will fly to reach Mumbai. Many flights to southern India also stop in Mumbai. Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Chennai International Airport (MAA) service the southern portion of the country. To get to Hyderabad, tourists will fly into Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), and to get to Kerala, they can fly into Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) or Trivandrum International Airport (TRV). There are also other airports in Goa, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh, and other cities popular with travelers, but most visitors coming from the US will likely stop first in Delhi or Mumbai.

Which city in India is the easiest to get to?

Delhi and Mumbai are the easiest cities to reach from the US. They can be reached via nonstop flights from Chicago, New York, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. If you live in Chicago, there is a direct flight to Hyderabad, and if you live in San Francisco, you can take a direct flight to Bengaluru.

Travelers in other US cities will likely have a layover in one of these cities, or in Europe or elsewhere in Asia (depending on where in the US you’re flying from). And if you’re trying to reach a destination in India that is not Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru, you will likely have a layover in one of those cities in India before moving on.

Which city in India is the shortest flight from the US?

The shortest flight from the US to India is a direct New York to New Delhi flight, which takes about 13.5 hours. The flight to Mumbai is only an hour longer. From Chicago, the direct flight to Delhi is about 14 hours, while from San Francisco, it’s about 16 hours.

Which city in India has the most direct flights from the US?

New Delhi has the most direct flights from the US, with departures from New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

What are the rules for traveling with pets to India?

If you’re traveling from the US, your pet must have a certificate from an accredited US veterinarian stating it is free from contagious diseases and has rabies vaccinations. You must also obtain a DGFT license, which should be submitted to the Indian government before travel. Upon arrival, pets must be issued a No Objection Certification document from an Animal Quarantine and Certification Station at the airport. In some cases, this form is needed before arrival. Full regulations can be found on the USDA website.

How long is the flight to India?

The flight from the US to India depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re flying from New York, you can reach Delhi in 13.5 hours and Mumbai in 14.5 hours. From Chicago, the flight is about 14 hours. The flight from San Francisco to Delhi is 16 hours, while the flight from there to Bengaluru is about 18 hours.

If you’re flying from elsewhere in the US, you will have a layover in one of these cities.

Going helps you find flight deals to India and save big. Try Going Premium today.

Number of deals

Total to India in the last month

24

Total Mistake Fares

Airline slip-ups we've caught to India

34
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* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.

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