How to get to India: airports, flights and border crossings

Pick the airport that matches the trip you have already decided on, not the cheapest fare. India is large and internal flights or overnight trains add a day each way, so a cheap ticket into Bengaluru for a Rajasthan trip usually costs more in time than it saves.

Delhi (DEL) is the default for a first visit: the Delhi–Agra–Jaipur triangle, Varanasi, Amritsar and the Himalayan north all connect from here. Mumbai (BOM) suits the west coast, Goa and Maharashtra, and has good long-haul links. For Kerala, fly into Kochi (COK) or Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) rather than crossing the country by rail.

Chennai (MAA), Bengaluru (BLR) and Hyderabad (HYD) are the main southern gateways and have strong Gulf and Southeast Asian connections. Kolkata (CCU) serves the east and the northeast. Goa has two airports, Dabolim and Mopa, with seasonal charters and Gulf flights.

Most travellers reach India nonstop from Europe, the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Australia, or with one stop through a Gulf hub (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha), Istanbul, Singapore or Bangkok. Gulf connections are often the cheapest from North America and Europe, at the cost of a middle-of-the-night arrival.

From the US east coast, nonstops to Delhi run roughly 14–15 hours; west coast routes are similar or slightly shorter. From the UK, London–Delhi is about 8–9 hours. From Australia, Sydney–Delhi is around 12–13 hours nonstop. From Canada and New Zealand, expect at least one stop, usually via a US, Gulf or Asian hub; total time depends on the connection, so check the itinerary rather than a rule of thumb.

Fares swing hard with season. Late October to November (Diwali) and mid-December to early January are the most expensive; late January to March and the monsoon months of July–August are usually cheaper. Book 2–4 months ahead for winter travel.

India has land borders with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan. The Nepal crossings are the most used by travellers: buses and shared jeeps link Kathmandu and Pokhara with Sunauli, Raxaul and other points, then Indian trains continue south. The Bhutan border at Phuentsholing and the Bangladesh crossings at Benapole and Petrapili are used but slower, with more paperwork.

The Myanmar border is restricted for foreign travellers and the Pakistan border is generally closed to third-country nationals; do not plan on either. Land borders can close at short notice after floods, landslides or political events, so confirm before travelling to a remote crossing.

By sea, India is a cruise destination rather than a ferry one. Ships call at Mumbai, Kochi, Goa (Mormugao) and Chennai, mostly on repositioning or regional itineraries. There are no regular international passenger ferries into India; check with the cruise line for visa and port rules.

Indian airports split international arrivals into immigration, baggage and customs. E-visa holders use dedicated counters at the major airports; have the printed approval and your return ticket ready. Immigration queues at Delhi and Mumbai run long at peak arrival times, so allow 45–90 minutes.

Prepaid taxi counters and app cabs (Uber, Ola) are the reliable way out of the airport; ignore drivers approaching you inside the terminal. At Delhi, the Airport Express train runs to New Delhi station, and at Mumbai a metro line links the airport to the city.

Buy or activate an eSIM before you land, or pick up a local SIM at the airport with your passport. Carry some rupees in small notes for the first taxi and tips; airport ATMs and exchange counters work but give poor rates on small amounts. See the money and eSIM pages for detail.

Match your arrival to the season for the region you are visiting, not to the whole country. Delhi, Rajasthan and the north are best October to March; Kerala and Tamil Nadu are best November to February; Ladakh is only practical June to September. Arriving in the north in May means 40 °C-plus days.

For winter travel, book international flights 2–4 months ahead and domestic flights or trains as soon as your dates are fixed. Indian Railways opens reservations about 60 days ahead and popular routes sell out; see the getting around page for how to book.

Apply for the visa only on the official government portal. Third-party sites charge extra and sometimes issue nothing. Check the visa page for the current categories and processing times.

Fares, flight times and border status change. Treat every time and price here as a 2026 estimate and confirm with the airline, railway or border authority before you commit. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is worth having for a country this size.