Let’s face it—flights to India from Australia aren’t exactly cheap, especially when you’re travelling as a family of four like us. But after doing a heap of digging (and a few late nights on Google Flights), I’ve figured out when to book flights to India without breaking the bank.
Craig and I always try to save on flights so we can splurge a little more on food, experiences, or an extra comfy hotel (Hilton loyalists here!). So, if you’re dreaming of vibrant street markets, spicy curries, or just visiting family back in India, here’s what you should know to score a great deal.
So, When Is the Best Time to Book?
We crunched the numbers, and it turns out you don’t need to wait for a “super sale.” Just good timing will do. On average, booking your flight around 7–10 weeks in advance can save you between 25% to nearly 40%, depending on where in India you’re headed.
Let me break it down for you:
- Mumbai: Book 10 weeks ahead and save 27%
- Delhi: 8 weeks ahead saves you about 25%
- Hyderabad: 8 weeks can save you a lovely 33%
- Bangalore: 9 weeks? Boom—up to 37% savings
- Cochin: This one shocked me—8 weeks ahead can get you 47% off!
Basically, don’t leave it too last-minute, but no need to book six months out either. Somewhere between the two works best.
Cheapest Month to Fly? You’ll Love This
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, try to fly in September. It’s easily one of the cheapest months across the board.
For example:
- Cochin in September = 32% savings
- Hyderabad = 22%
- Chennai = 20%
It’s shoulder season in India, so prices are lower, but the weather’s not too bad either. Honestly, it’s a sweet spot for both your wallet and your comfort.
Understanding India’s Travel Seasons (So You Can Outsmart Price Hikes)
India generally has three travel seasons:
- Peak Season (Nov to Feb): Great weather, high prices
- Shoulder Season (Mar to May + Sep to Oct): Mild weather, good deals
- Off-Peak (Jun to Aug): Monsoon rains, but also the cheapest flights
If you don’t mind a bit of rain and want the lowest fares, June to August is your friend. But if you’re travelling with kids like us and want a balance between comfort and cost, September and October are brilliant.
Practical Tips for Booking Cheaper Flights
Alright, let’s talk hacks—because who doesn’t want to save a bit (or a lot) on flights? After years of family trips and plenty of trial and error, these are the tricks we use every single time we book a flight to India.
1. Book Early, But Not Too Early
The sweet spot? 6 to 10 weeks before departure. If you book way too early, you might miss the sales. Wait too long, and prices go through the roof.
We once waited till three weeks out… never again. Paid almost double what we could’ve, and Craig still won’t let me live it down!
2. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
This one’s a game-changer. Try to avoid weekend departures—Tuesdays and Wednesdays are almost always cheaper. And if you can fly just before or after school holidays, you’ll likely see a big drop in prices.
Use flexible date search tools on Google Flights or Skyscanner to scan prices across a few weeks.
3. Use Incognito Mode
Yes, really. Open a private or incognito browser when searching for flights. Sites can track your searches and bump up the prices if they sense you’re keen. It sounds a bit shady, but it’s real.
4. Set Fare Alerts
Tools like Hopper, Kayak, and Google Flights let you set alerts on your preferred routes. They’ll ping you when the prices drop. Super handy if you’re not ready to book just yet.
5. Consider Layovers
Non-stop flights are convenient, but they’re often pricey. If you’re okay with a short layover, you can save a chunk. Some routes via Southeast Asia or the Middle East offer great deals and solid service.
Australia to India Flight Booking Tips
Planning your budget friendly Australia to India flight from cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth? Here’s what I’ve learned from hopping this route more times than I can count.
- Watch for sales from Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Thai Airways. They often run promotions with decent stopover times.
- Qatar Airways and Emirates are pricier, but if you find a flash sale or use points, you might score a bargain.
- Scoot and AirAsia are solid budget options—great if you don’t mind flying light and stopping in Southeast Asia.
- September and October are some of the cheapest months to fly out of Australia to India. We flew in September and paid 30% less than peak December rates.
- Check Indian consolidator deals via Aussie-based travel agents—sometimes calling them directly gets you hidden prices you won’t find online.
America / USA to India Flight Booking Tips
Flights from the US to India are long—and expensive. But with a few tricks, you can cut the cost:
- Book 8–12 weeks in advance for the best deals.
- Cheapest months to fly tend to be September and February.
- Air India, Qatar Airways, and Etihad often have good roundtrip deals from major hubs like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
- Look at lesser-known departure cities too—flying out of Newark or Boston instead of JFK can sometimes save hundreds.
- If you’re visiting family during Diwali or Christmas, book at least 3–4 months ahead, or you’ll pay through the nose.
Pro tip: Use a VPN to check prices from other countries—some deals vary by location.
Europe to India Flight Booking Tips
Europe has tons of flight options to India, but they’re not all created equal:
- Flying from London or Frankfurt is usually cheaper than smaller airports.
- Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, and Lufthansa regularly run great deals.
- Wizz Air and Air India Express sometimes have budget-friendly one-ways if you’re doing a multi-leg trip.
- September again stands out as the best time to go. It’s shoulder season in both Europe and India—win-win!
- Try multi-city searches: flying into Delhi and out of Mumbai (or vice versa) often opens up more options and better pricing.
Quick Tip for All Regions:
Don’t forget travel credit cards. We paid for our last flight to Bangalore entirely on points saved up over a year. It’s worth it!
Budget Airlines That Fly to India
You don’t have to fly full-service to get there comfortably. There are a few low-cost carriers that offer great deals:
- IndiGo: Huge network, reliable and cheap.
- SpiceJet: I’ve never flown it personally, but friends say it’s solid value.
- AirAsia: A favourite for international legs—worth watching for flash sales.
- Go First: Great for domestic routes once you’re already in India.
If you’re doing multi-city travel, mixing full-service for your long-haul and budget for your domestic legs can be a money-saver.
Final Thoughts (From One Budget-Conscious Mum to Another)
Booking cheap flights to India doesn’t need to feel like a part-time job. With a little planning (and knowing when to hit “book”), you can shave hundreds off your airfare. And that means more money for delicious thalis, train rides, and maybe even a cheeky upgrade at your hotel.
We’ve got a trip to India coming up soon ourselves—taking the boys for their first Diwali experience in Delhi. Can’t wait!
If you’ve found a great deal or have a go-to airline, I’d love to hear about it. Drop us a message or comment on our blog. Sharing is caring!
Until next time,
Rochelle
