Rated 4.9 on Google
Enter your travel details and get the best fares from our India specialists
Based on historical fare data from UK airports to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad combined
Direct and connecting flights from major UK airports — London, Manchester, Birmingham & more
India fares from the UK rise sharply 10–14 weeks before Diwali, Christmas, and school holidays — book early to secure the best price
For Diwali and Christmas, 3–4 months is the sweet spot. Direct British Airways and Air India seats sell first; indirect routings via Dubai and Doha hold slightly longer but premium economy fills quickly.
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 15–20% cheaper than Friday and Saturday. On the London to Delhi route, this flexibility can save £80–£150 per person return.
For group bookings of 4 or more, calling TripNext directly often unlocks fares unavailable online. Our team knows the UK–India routes inside out, including last-minute availability on Air India and British Airways.
Everything you need to know before you fly from the UK to India
India is home to one of the world’s largest diasporas in the UK, with over 1.4 million people of Indian origin living across Leicester, Birmingham, London, Manchester and beyond. Visiting family in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Punjab or Kerala accounts for a significant share of UK–India flights each year.
British Indian families travelling to India typically carry substantial baggage — gifts, clothing and electronics. Emirates’ economy allowance via Dubai and Air India’s direct service from Heathrow are consistently popular choices for family travel, alongside Qatar Airways and Etihad for their comfort and on-time record.
India offers an unparalleled diversity of travel experiences — from the Taj Mahal in Agra and the palaces of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, the temples of Tamil Nadu and the beaches of Goa. The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) remains the most popular UK tourist itinerary, typically flown into Delhi Indira Gandhi International.
For budget-conscious tourists, January to March offers the cheapest fares with excellent weather in most of India. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Air Arabia via Sharjah frequently offer the lowest entry-point fares, while Air India direct provides the fastest and most convenient routing from London Heathrow.
India’s booming tech sector in Bangalore, financial hub in Mumbai, government and consulting activity in Delhi, and pharmaceutical industry in Hyderabad make it one of the UK’s most important business travel corridors. Qatar Airways via Doha and British Airways direct are widely regarded as the best business class options for UK–India travel.
For corporate travellers, the direct London Heathrow to Delhi service operated by British Airways and Air India is the fastest routing at around 8–9 hours. Direct services also operate to Mumbai from Heathrow. Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai require one connecting stop regardless of carrier.
Plan your flights from the UK around India’s biggest festivals, events and school holiday periods
| Event / Season | Approx. Dates (2026–27) | Key Destination(s) | Demand Level | Book By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Summer Holidays — India Season | Jul – Aug 2026 | Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kerala | Peak | 12–16 weeks ahead |
| Independence Day India | 15 Aug 2026 | Delhi (DEL) | High | 8 weeks ahead |
| Navratri & Durga Puja | Sep – Oct 2026 | Gujarat, Kolkata, Delhi | High | 8–10 weeks ahead |
| Diwali — Festival of Lights | Oct 2026 (approx. 20 Oct) | Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Varanasi | Peak | 14–18 weeks ahead |
| Pushkar Camel Fair (Rajasthan) | Nov 2026 | Jaipur → Pushkar (JAI) | High | 8 weeks ahead |
| Christmas & New Year | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | Goa, Kerala, Delhi, Mumbai | Peak | 14–18 weeks ahead |
| Republic Day India | 26 Jan 2027 | Delhi (DEL) | High | 8 weeks ahead |
| UK February Half-Term | Feb 2027 | All major cities | High | 10–14 weeks ahead |
| Holi — Festival of Colours | Mar 2027 | Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Vrindavan | High | 8–10 weeks ahead |
| Easter School Holidays (UK) | Apr 2027 | All major cities | High | 12–16 weeks ahead |
| Indian Premier League (IPL) Cricket | Mar – May 2027 | Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad | Moderate | 6–8 weeks ahead |
| Low Season — Best Value | Jan – Mar & Jul – Sep | All destinations | Best Value | Book any time |
Not sure when to fly? Call +44 20 7550 8212 to speak with our India route specialists
Call Now for Best FaresGroup bookings of 4 or more often unlock fares and seat allocations not available online
Whether you’re travelling as a family for Diwali in Delhi, attending a wedding in Mumbai or organising a corporate trip to Bangalore, booking as a group with TripNext means personalised fare negotiation, flexible seat allocation and dedicated support from booking through to boarding.
The most commonly asked questions about booking India flights from the UK, answered clearly
Which UK airport should you fly from? Compare all departure airports, airlines and routes to India
| UK Airport | Code | Indian Destinations | Airlines | Route Type | Total Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | LHR | Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata | British Airways, Air India, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Turkish | Direct (DEL, BOM)Connecting | 8–14h |
| London Gatwick | LGW | Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore | Emirates (via DXB), Flydubai, Air Arabia | Connecting | 11–15h |
| Manchester | MAN | Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Amritsar | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Air India | Connecting | 11–15h |
| Birmingham | BHX | Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines | Connecting | 12–16h |
| Edinburgh | EDI | Delhi, Mumbai | Emirates (via DXB), Qatar Airways (via DOH) | Connecting | 13–16h |
| Glasgow | GLA | Delhi, Mumbai | Emirates, Qatar Airways | Connecting | 13–16h |
| Newcastle | NCL | Delhi, Amritsar | Emirates (via DXB), Air India (via LHR) | Connecting | 13–16h |
Route availability changes seasonally. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for the latest route and schedule information on your preferred departure airport.
Compare airlines on price, baggage, routing and service quality to choose the right one for your trip
| Airline | Route Type | Economy Baggage | From (one-way) | Connects Via | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways Top Pick | Direct | 23 kg | £299 | Direct (LHR→DEL/BOM) | Speed, reliability, Avios | |
| Air India | Direct | 25 kg | £309 | Direct (LHR→DEL/BOM) | Direct service, value, baggage | |
| Emirates | Connecting | 30 kg | £319 | Dubai (DXB) | Families, baggage, comfort | |
| Qatar Airways | Connecting | 30 kg | £315 | Doha (DOH) | Business class, on-time record | |
| Etihad Airways | Connecting | 30 kg | £305 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Business class value | |
| Virgin Atlantic | Direct | 23 kg | £319 | Direct (LHR→DEL) | Comfort, direct Delhi service | |
| Turkish Airlines | Connecting | 30 kg | £289 | Istanbul (IST) | Budget-conscious travellers |
Prices are indicative. Fares vary by date, class and availability. Baggage allowances are for standard economy and may differ by fare type. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for live pricing.
Travelling to India with family gifts or for an extended stay? Here’s what each major airline allows
Entry requirements differ depending on whether you’re visiting as a tourist, on business or for family — check your category below
Entry requirements can change. Always verify the latest visa and entry rules on the official Indian Government visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in) and the UK Government travel advice page (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india) before booking. TripNext does not provide visa advice — the information above is for general guidance only.
Maximise your savings with our expert timing recommendations for UK to India flights
Jan – Mar · Jul – Sep
Oct – Nov (Diwali) · Dec – Jan (Christmas)
Book 8–12 weeks before departure for best rates on UK–India routes
Mid-week departures save up to 20% compared to weekends
Hand-picked fares from major UK airports with trusted global airlines
EconomyLondon
Delhi
LHR → DEL
EconomyLondon
Mumbai
LHR → BOM
EconomyLondon
Bangalore
LHR → BLR
EconomyManchester
Hyderabad
MAN → HYD
EconomyBirmingham
Delhi
BHX → DEL
EconomyLondon
Chennai
LHR → MAA
India isn’t just one city — explore its incredible diversity of airports and destinations from the UK
Everything you need to know about flights to India from the UK
Call TripNext on +44 7478 061159, send a WhatsApp message to +44 20 3370 6756, or fill in the booking form on this page. Our India flight specialists will compare all available fares across British Airways, Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and more to find you the best available price.
For direct flights, British Airways and Air India are the top choices from London Heathrow to Delhi and Mumbai. For connecting flights, Qatar Airways and Emirates are consistently rated highest for service, baggage allowance and on-time performance. For cheapest fares, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul frequently offers the lowest prices.
Yes. British Airways, Air India and Virgin Atlantic operate direct non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Delhi (DEL) taking approximately 8 hours 15–45 minutes. Air India and British Airways also operate direct services to Mumbai (BOM). All other Indian cities require one connecting stop via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul.
London to Delhi direct takes approximately 8 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 45 minutes. London to Mumbai takes approximately 8 hours 45 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes. Connecting flights to Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai or Kolkata take 11–14 hours total with one stop.
January, February, March and July to September are the cheapest months. Avoid October to December (Diwali, Christmas, New Year) and UK school half-term weeks for best prices. Mid-week departures on Tuesday or Wednesday save an additional 15–20% compared to weekends.
Yes. UK citizens require an Indian e-Visa before departure. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Tourist e-Visas are typically processed within 72 hours and allow stays of up to 90 days. OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) card holders do not need a separate visa. Check gov.uk and indianvisaonline.gov.in for the latest requirements before booking.
Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines typically allow 30kg in economy. Air India allows 25kg. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic allow 23kg. Always confirm your specific allowance at booking as it varies by fare type. For families travelling with gifts and clothing, the extra allowances with Emirates or Qatar can be a deciding factor.
Book Diwali flights to India from the UK at least 3–4 months in advance — ideally by July for October/November travel. Fares begin rising significantly from August for Diwali season. Delhi is particularly busy as it is the hub for connections across North India. Call TripNext as early as possible for Diwali season travel.
Explore popular routes and travel pages
Expert advice from our India travel specialists — read before you fly
Seasonal GuideWhen are fares cheapest? When is the weather best? A complete seasonal guide for UK travellers planning India trips in 2026 and 2027.
Airline GuideComparing baggage, price, in-flight comfort and on-time performance across the main airlines operating UK to India routes.
Booking TipsFrom booking windows and mid-week departures to Diwali season strategy and e-Visa tips.
Call, WhatsApp or submit the form — our UK-based India specialists are ready to find you the best fare.