Finding cheap flights to India and booking tickets to India is only the beginning of a grand adventure in a country with tall Himalayan peaks and a vast Indian Ocean coastline. Travel to the bustling capital city of New Delhi and experience first-hand the culture and rhythm of India. In addition to stunning architecture at the Taj Mahal and the Lotus Temple, Mumbai is a centre of the arts, dance and music due to Bollywood. Visit the sacred Ganges River, which meanders through the valleys. With Netflights, it is easy to find flights to India. Our team of travel experts can always help you any flights to India, ranging from last-minute deals to business class flights. Cheap tickets to India from the UK are always available, so start planning your 2024 / 2025 trip today.
When is the cheapest time to fly to India?
The best time to get cheap flights to visit India occurs between October and March when the weather is warm, dry and suitable for travelling. India has three main seasons: summer from March to May, monsoon from June to October and winter from November to February. The end of the monsoon season is when the country is the greenest. Ticket prices tend to rise during holidays, such as Diwali and Christmas.
When is the best time to book flights to India?
It's best to book your flight to India between two and six months before you travel. Booking early is usually the key to getting cheap air tickets to India. Travelling during the week instead of on the weekend can also help you find lower airfares. If you want to fly last minute you might get lucky, as airlines sales and discount prices can appear about a month ahead of time.
Which airlines offer flights to India?
Many airlines fly to India, but most flights from the UK to India are indirect and will require at least one stop. It's also possible that you'll need to switch airlines during your layover. You can fly to India with the likes of Air France, Emirates and Swiss. Only British Airways, Jet Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer direct flights to several Indian cities from London Heathrow Airport.
How long does it take to fly to India?
The travel time to India is as fast as 8 hours and 30 minutes with a direct flight from London Heathrow or Birmingham Airport. The shortest single-stop flight is 10 hours, departing from Manchester Airport and arriving in New Delhi. Within that same amount of time, you can also travel to Kempegowda International Airport from London Heathrow Airport on a direct flight. Various single-stop flights can reach India in less than 12 hours.
Which Indian airports can I fly to from the UK?
India is rapidly expanding as a travel destination, both domestically and internationally. To accommodate all the new travellers, several recent upgrades have been made to many of India’s airports to provide modern comforts and an inviting atmosphere.
Delhi Airport
The Indira Gandhi International Airport is located in Palam, which is about 16 kilometres outside of India's capital, New Delhi. As the busiest airport in India, it's the primary aviation hub for the Delhi region. Air India, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Jet Airways and Virgin Atlantic all offer flights to Delhi. You'll find that all direct flights depart from London Heathrow Airport, with the exception of one weekly direct flight from Birmingham. Flights from other UK airports require one or two stops.
Mumbai Airport
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the second-busiest airport in India and serves the Mumbai metropolitan area. Downtown Mumbai is only 7 kilometres away. Flights to Mumbai are serviced by airlines, such as British Airways, Emirates, K.L.M Royal Dutch Airlines, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Jet Airways and Qatar Airways. Only flights departing from London Heathrow Airport are nonstop; the other airports like Manchester Airport and Edinburgh Airport only provide flights with one or two stops.
Goa Airport
Also known as Dabolim Airport, the Goa International Airport, is closest to the city of Vasco de Gama, which is located 4 kilometres away from the airport. The city of Margao is approximately 23 kilometres away from the airport. Air India, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Thomas Cook Airlines and Qatar Airways all offer flights to Goa. Goa Airport also operates domestic flights in India to cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi.
Chennai Airport
Chennai International Airport, the fourth-largest in India, primarily serves the city Chennai, which is about 20 kilometres away. Flights to Chennai are offered by airlines like Air India, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Jet Airways and Qantas Airways. Only one direct flight to Chennai exists, from London Heathrow with British Airways. The other airports in the UK, including Belfast and Newcastle, only have flights to Chennai with one stop or multiple stops.
Bangalore Airport
Kempegowda International Airport is the third-busiest airport in India. Located 40 kilometres out the city of Bangalore, flights to Bangalore are serviced by the following airlines: British Airways, Emirates, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Qatar Airways, Qantas Airways and Jet Airways. British Airways has only one nonstop flight to Bangalore, which departs from Heathrow Airport and is served by British Airways. All other airports near cities, such as Birmingham and Glasgow, in the UK have multiple stops scheduled.
Hyderabad Airport
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is 19 kilometres away from the city of Hyderabad. Flights to Hyderabad are fulfilled by airlines such as Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Brussels Airlines, Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Jet Airways. British Airways offers only one direct flight to Hyderabad from London Heathrow Airport. All other flights will require at least one stop along the way.
Getting around the airports
Every international airport in India provides travellers with basic services and amenities, ranging from food and shops to toilets and information station. Terminals differ from airport to airport in number and function. For New Delhi, the airport has a total of three terminals; Terminal 3 is reserved for international flights. The airport located near Mumbai has two terminals that are five kilometres apart, so it is important to verify your terminal before arriving at the airport. Terminal 1 is for domestic flights, while Terminal 2 is for international flights. For Goa, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, each airport only has one terminal.
Getting to the cities from the airports
All the airports in India have several transportation options available for travelling to the nearest city. The three most common options are taxis, bus services and car hires. Bus services can be either public or long-distance, such as the ones at Hyderabad. The airports for Goa, Delhi and Chennai airport all have a metro rail system and trains in place.
Do you need a visa to travel to India?
Before travelling to India, it is a good idea to go to a currency exchange or a bank to get Indian rupees for the trip. If you are unable to do so before your flight, there will be currency exchanges at the airport. India requires visitors to apply for a visa before they enter the country. A double entry e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) is required for all tourists. This visa will allow you to stay in India for up to 60 days. The window to apply for the e-TV opens 120 days prior to your departure date and closes four days before your trip. In addition, your passport must be valid for at least 180 days when you apply for the visa. Visitors are only allowed to apply for a e-TV twice a year.