Cheap flights to India for 2021

India conjures up a variety of images, from the Taj Mahal and jungle wildlife, to cities bustling with delicious food. There are plenty of flight deals to India all year round, so you can explore the beaches in the south, the hiking opportunities around the Himalayas and the Ganges Range in the north. Many airlines operate with flexible departure dates and times from Australia, so pack your bags and take in all that this South Asian nation has to offer.

See our latest flight deals to India

Qatar Airways

Guaranteed flexibility on flights

Available on 2021 flights to London, Paris, India, Greece, USA and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified 7 Jan 2021

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Deal ends 30 Apr 2021

Skyscanner

Flights to India from $592 return

Available on select dates in 2021 to Kolkata, Hyderabad, New Delhi and more. Sample fare is Perth-Chennai. T&Cs apply.

Last verified 4 Jan 2021

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Deal ends 31 Jan 2021

India flight time

• From Melbourne: Approximately 15 hrs 25 mins + with a stopover, landing at Indira Gandhi Airport
• From Sydney: Approximately 12 hrs 25 mins + when flying direct to Indira Gandhi Airport
• From Perth: Approximately 12 hrs 25 min + with a stopover, landing at Indira Gandhi Airport
• From Brisbane: Approximately 14 hrs 30 mins + with a stopover, landing at Indira Gandhi Airport

Airlines that fly to India

• AirAsia
• Air India
• Jet Airways
• Malaysia Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Scoot

India insider flight tips

• India’s national carrier, Air India, operates the only direct flights to India from Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. It is worth noting that flying one-stop with an alternative five-star airline such as Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific is sometimes around the same price. Australians flying from Sydney or Melbourne can therefore choose between flying nonstop or breaking up the the 12-13 hour journey according to preference.
• A cheap way to get from Australia to India is with budget airline Scoot who offer flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast via Singapore to Amritsar and Jaipur in the north and Chennai in the south. You can also connect to 14 airports across India with AirAsia from the same Australian cities plus Darwin
• October and March are considered the best months to visit when crowds aren’t at their peak. The climate during these months is largely cool and dry, outside of monsoon season, and ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities
• Be sure to keep up-to-date with current travel advice when looking for flight deals to India. The Australian Government advises against travel to parts of the country and recommend exercising a high degree of caution overall, particularly in heavily-touristed areas. Check Smarttraveller for updates.

How to get around India from the airport

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) connects to the city centre in under 30 minutes via the Delhi Metro Airport Express Line. Buses also operate regularly and are crowded but cheap. Prepaid taxi booths are located in the international and domestic terminals and should be preferably used over metered taxis to avoid overcharging and scams. Prepaid taxis booths in Delhi are operated by Delhi Traffic Police and can also be found around the city.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) has regular trains to Mumbai city centre but you’ll need to catch a bus from the airport to the train station. Taxis can also take you to the station or directly to your destination. Rickshaws are also available if you’re tempted by the experience, but always agree on a price before getting in.

Driving in India can be dangerous due to erratic driving and poorly-maintained roads. Australian visitors require an International Driving Permit if you do decide to drive. Check you have adequate travel insurance and familiarise yourself with advice on what to do if you are involved in an accident. You can also hire a car with private chauffeur. These these are readily available and relatively cheap.