Finding the best flight deals to India can save you a lot of money. While flights aren’t cheap, there are plenty of ways to cut costs, if you know where to look. The key is knowing when and where to book, along with using the right tools.
Book at the Right Time
The timing of your booking can make a huge difference. Generally, booking two to three months in advance gets you the best deal. However, for major holiday periods like Diwali or New Year’s, it’s smart to book four to six months ahead.
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Avoid booking too early though. Airlines often release seats with high prices and then drop them after a few weeks. Watching price trends for a bit and being ready to buy when you see a dip in prices can help.
Aim for Midweek Travel
Flights that depart on Tuesday or Wednesday are usually cheaper than those leaving on Fridays or Sundays. People prefer to travel over the weekend, so midweek flights carry fewer passengers, leading to lower prices.
Buying at Unconventional Times
Some studies suggest booking on Tuesdays or early Wednesday mornings offers better deals. Airlines often update their prices Monday night or early Tuesday, meaning you could snag a lower fare if you’re flexible with booking times.
Use Flight Comparison Tools
Don’t just rely on one airline’s official website. Use comparison tools to search multiple airlines at once. These tools monitor and display prices across various carriers, making it easy to spot the cheapest option.
Top Flight Comparison Tools
- Google Flights: One of the best tools to compare flights. You can look at price trends over the month, set up alerts for price drops, and see which days offer the best deals.
- Skyscanner: A go-to for many seasoned travelers. It lets you search flights across various airlines and often shows budget airlines you might miss elsewhere.
- Momondo: Another good tool that sometimes picks up smaller airlines. It can display monthly views of when flights are cheapest and also provides flight insights from previous users.
- Kayak: A long-standing favorite for comparing flights. It also offers features like fare alerts and flexible date searches for trips to India.
Book Directly with the Airline
Once you’ve found a good price on a comparison tool, it’s a good idea to check the airline’s website directly before booking. Sometimes airlines offer exclusive discounts or deals not available through third-party sites.
If you don’t find a better price on the airline’s site, booking through the third-party aggregator is still safe, but always read the fine print. Make sure that cancellation policies or baggage fees aren’t hiding in there.
Consider Layovers
Flying directly to India can be expensive, especially from locations like the United States or Europe. Considering a layover can help lower the cost.
For example, layovers in the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha) are common. Flights with stops in these cities tend to offer lower fares compared to direct flights. Plus, you can use this as an opportunity to explore an additional destination.
Avoid Too-Short Layovers
While layovers can save you money, make sure you give yourself enough time between connecting flights. Airports like Dubai and Doha are huge, and if anything goes wrong, you don’t want to risk missing your connection. A minimum layover time of two to three hours is usually safe.
Search Airline Deals Directly
Many airlines have regular deals or promotions. Frequent flyers can sign up for newsletters or follow your favorite airlines on social media for flash sales or discount codes. Here are a few airlines that often have good deals for flights to India.
- Qatar Airways: Known for competitive fares and high-quality service, Qatar Airways often runs promotions, especially from Europe and North America to various cities in India.
- Etihad Airways: Etihad offers solid deals into India, especially if you’re flying from their Abu Dhabi hub. Watch for their sales or use miles, if you have them, for a good discount.
- Emirates: Emirates often runs flash sales, and its hub in Dubai makes for a great stopover location. Keep an eye on seasonal discounts.
- Air India: As India’s national carrier, Air India has direct routes from many international destinations. They also have sales around big events like Independence Day or Republic Day.
- Singapore Airlines: A fantastic airline with frequent deals. If you’re flying from Asia, they often offer great prices through their hub in Singapore to India.
Consider Local or Regional Carriers
If you’re flying within Asia, looking into smaller regional airlines can sometimes score you a great deal. Airlines like IndiGo and Vistara frequently offer competitive rates within and to neighboring countries. This is especially true for routes from the Middle East or Southeast Asia to India.
Use Points and Miles
If you’re part of a frequent flyer program—or you have credit card points—you can potentially fly to India for free or at a discounted rate. Most major airlines have partnerships through alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or oneworld, allowing you to use miles even across different carriers.
Points can make a huge difference, too. For example, BA Avios points can be transferred to Qatar Airways or other carriers, which can save you a lot of money. Even if you don’t have enough points for a free flight, you can often use miles for upgrades or to reduce the cash cost of your ticket.
Be Flexible with Airports
Flights to India are usually cheaper if you land in bigger cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore. However, being flexible with arrival cities can sometimes save you money. It might be worth flying into a smaller city like Hyderabad or Kochi if the fare is lower, and then using local carriers like IndiGo or GoAir to reach your destination.
Similarly, if you’re located in a city with several nearby airports (for example, in the New York or London regions), checking flights from all the different airports can sometimes find you a much lower fare.
Check Budget Airlines for Regional Flights
India has several budget airlines that offer domestic routes at very low prices. If you’re planning to fly within India, check these airlines after your international flight lands.
- IndiGo: A major low-cost carrier in India with extensive routes across the country, including key cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
- SpiceJet: Another popular budget carrier offering competitive prices on major domestic routes and some international flights.
- AirAsia India: A subsidiary of the popular budget airline AirAsia, offering low-priced flights within India.
- Go First: Originally known as GoAir, this low-cost airline primarily operates on domestic routes but offers cheap fares.
Set Fare Alerts
Most flight comparison websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak will let you set fare alerts. These alerts notify you by email when there’s a price drop on your selected route.
Setting up fare alerts in advance for your trip to India is a great way to stay informed without constantly checking prices yourself.
Be Aware of Extra Fees
It’s easy to get lured in by a low ticket price, but make sure to check for extra fees. Some airlines, especially budget carriers, charge additional fees for things like checked baggage, seat selection, or meals.
Make sure to include these extra costs in your overall ticket price calculation, so you don’t get surprised by higher costs at the final checkout screen.
Be Flexible with Dates
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you’re more likely to find a good deal. Flying midweek or during low seasons will often lead to lower prices.
Use flight comparison tools that allow you to search for flights “by month” instead of setting specific dates. This way, you can spot the cheapest days to fly to India.
Conclusion: Stay Patient and Keep an Eye Out
The best flight deals to India won’t always appear right away. By knowing the right time to book, using effective comparison tools, and being flexible with your plans, you can save a lot of money.
Flight prices fluctuate constantly, so it’s important to stay patient and keep an eye out for deals. Whether you’re using points, flying with a layover, or simply waiting for that perfect price drop, cheap flights to India are possible—you just have to know where to search.
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