Cheap flights to
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.