How to Find the Cheapest Flights to India: Best Time to Book

With no COVID-19-related travel restrictions, more travelers are interested in visiting India, pushing the demand & prices for flights to India to an all-time high. Data from a travel search engine shows that U.S.A-to-India flight searches between July last year and January this year for travel to India have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

Everybody wants to know handy tips and the best time to book the cheapest flights to India to cut down the cost. Whether you want to visit home or travel to this diverse land to find what you seek, one of the most significant expenses is always the flight. In this blog, we have studied the latest research and trends on the best time to buy flights for India, & we will share how you can get a good deal.

DID YOU KNOW?

A recent study by Google Flights found that the average economy flight price changes at least 45 times before takeoff, which means understanding when to buy is really important. Check out Travelopod to get the cheapest flight tickets to India.

What’s the Best Time to Book?

What’s the best time to book flights to India? Our analysis shows that booking a flight 7 weeks in advance saved 26–38% and flying in January saved 20–38%. Additionally, booking exclusive phone connector deals can get extra savings.

*NOTE: The savings are compared to the yearly average price.

Tips to Get Cheapest Flights to India from the U.S.A

Booking flights in advance is usually the best way to get the lowest fares. However, when figuring out the best time to buy tickets to India, there are many variables to consider. 

1. What month of the year should you fly?
2. How far in advance should you book?
3. Non-stop versus direct?
4. Which airline should you fly with?
5. What day of the week is best to fly?

Pro Tip: How Far in Advance Should You Book Flights to India?

It greatly depends on where and when you are going. A savvy traveler can get a good deal by knowing a few important trends to get the cheapest flights to India. So, if you are a smart traveler, you should check out the tickets HERE.

For the cheapest flights to India from the U.S.A, you’d want to:

• Book at least 7 weeks in advance to get savings
• Book-exclusive and consolidator phone deals are typically 15% cheaper than online deals.
• Fly in January or February

Buying 16 weeks in advance can save you 25% on airfare. Buying only 2 weeks in advance can cost you 25% more.

What’s Generally the Best Time to Book Your Flights to India?

• The Season You are flying in Matters a lot
• Winter: The lowest prices are between 85 and 100 days before departure.
• Spring: The lowest prices are between 72 and 90 days before departure.
• Summer: The lowest prices are between 85 and 100 days before departure.
• Fall: The lowest prices are between 24 and 95 days before departure.

For instance, a flight from New York to New Delhi, 4 months before your departure would be the best time to book your flight. Below are reference fares that we found in our system.

DID YOU KNOW?

Another reason to buy early, aside from price, is that buying earlier gives you more choice over your seat. If you’re traveling with family or a group, this could mean you can all sit together.

What Month of the Year Should You Fly to India?

If you have flexibility about when you travel in India, one factor to consider would be the cheapest month to fly to India.

Major Seasons For Traveling To India

The Peak season: June 6 - July 23 & Dec 5 – 27

The Off-Season: Jan 15 – May 30 & Sep 1 – Nov 10

The Intermediate Season: July 25 – August 30 & Nov 10 – Dec 10 & Dec 28 – Jan 30

Fares are lower during the shoulder and off-season than in peak season.

• Lower Fares: April 1 to May 30. September 1 to October 31.
• Higher Fares: December 10 to 24. June 10 – July 14.

What’s the Best Day of the Week to Fly to India?

We found that the cheapest and the most expensive days to fly to India were the following:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the cheapest days to depart.
• Friday and Saturday are the most expensive days to depart.

Summary:

To get the best prices on flights to India:

• Book your flight 7 weeks in advance to save 26 – 38%.
• If you can’t book then, book your flight 3 months in advance.
• Book exclusive phone deals that can get you 15% additional savings compared to online.
• Fly in January to save 20 – 38%.
• Fly out on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
• Ask for flexible-date flight tickets.

So if you don't want to burn a hole in your pocket and get the cheapest flight tickets to India, book with Travelopod. Plan your trip and pack your bags to have a pleasant traveling experience.

About Travelopod

With the highest customer ratings, Travelopod is the go-to brand for all the travel enthusiasts. We are on a mission to offer the lowest airfare without compromising on the quality of service. Traveling to India and Europe is our specialty. Be it a family holiday, an African safari, a cruise, or just flight and hotel bookings, Travelopod is the preferred choice of millions of highly satisfied customers.

FAQs 

Is flying during monsoon season actually cheaper to India?

Yes, rain means more savings. But it's more underrated than most travelers realize. Flights are generally cheaper between February and April and again from September to early November. You can pair it with a midweek departure, and you'll be definitely receiving some of the lowest fares of the year. Always avoid booking flights during Diwali and Christmas. As these are the peak seasons, these festivities come along with travel and price spikes.

Is it cheaper to book a one-way or round-trip flight to India from the U.S.?

One-ways on long-haul international routes are never the cheaper option. Round-trip almost always wins on U.S.–India routes. And airlines weigh them when you split them up into two one-way trips. It typically costs significantly more, sometimes up to 30% extra on long-haul routes. The only time a one-way makes sense is if your return date is unknown. And, even then, an open-jaw or multi-city booking on one ticket is better than two separate purchases.

How do Google Flights price alerts actually help you book cheaper flights to India?

You just need to set it once and let it work. A Google Flights alert monitors your route continuously, and the moment fares drop, you receive a notification via email. For the U.S.A. to India routes where the booking window matters so much, this context helps a lot. It takes the guesswork out of timing your purchase.

Does your departure city in the U.S. affect how much you pay for flights to India?

Where you start your journey matters as much as when. If you are departing from U.S. cities, like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, they offer the most competitive fares due to higher route competition and more nonstop options. Travelers flying from smaller markets often find it cheaper to drive or take a short flight to a major hub and book from there.

Do flight prices to India drop closer to the departure date?

For U.S. to India flights, it’s a big no. So, don't hold out hoping for last-minute deals. For international flights like the U.S.A. to India, it’s wise to book 5–6 months ahead. It can help you save 25–30% compared to booking at the last minute. After that window closes, the prices only climb higher. The suggestion is to save the last-minute strategy for weekend road trips, not for transoceanic flights.