India is vast, diverse, and unforgettable — but getting there affordably starts with choosing the right European hub. Whether you’re flying to Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, or Bangalore, some cities in Europe consistently offer better prices and more convenient routes than others. Here’s your ultimate guide to flying cheaply from Europe to India.
🇹🇷 1. Istanbul (IST) – The secret low-cost hub
- Top destinations: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Ahmedabad (AMD)
- Airlines: Turkish Airlines
- Why? Turkish Airlines connects to more Indian cities than most European carriers. Fares are often hundreds of euros cheaper, and the service is excellent.
- 💡 Tip: Fly with Pegasus to Istanbul and connect with Turkish Airlines for further savings.
🇩🇪 2. Frankfurt (FRA) – Reliable and frequent
- Top destinations: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru
- Airlines: Lufthansa, Air India
- Why? Germany’s busiest airport offers daily nonstop flights to major Indian cities with good service quality and often fair pricing.
- 💡 Best time to book: Around 2–4 months in advance for Lufthansa deals.
🇳🇱 3. Amsterdam (AMS) – Compact, efficient, direct
- Top destinations: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
- Airlines: KLM, Air India
- Why? Nonstop flights with KLM and codeshares via SkyTeam partners. Amsterdam is also great for short connections.
🇬🇧 4. London (LHR/LGW/STN) – Best for variety
- Top destinations: Nearly every major Indian airport
- Airlines: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Vistara, Air India, IndiGo
- Why? Massive South Asian diaspora = high flight volume and frequent deals. Even regional cities in India (like Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi) are directly accessible.
- 💡 Hack: Fly from Brussels or Amsterdam to London with a low-cost airline and catch a long-haul deal from there.
🇫🇷 5. Paris (CDG) – Ideal for western & southern India
- Top destinations: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai
- Airlines: Air France, Vistara
- Why? Air France has improved its India connections, and fares are competitive compared to other western European hubs.
🇦🇹 6. Vienna (VIE) – Underrated gateway
- Top destinations: Delhi, Mumbai
- Airlines: Austrian Airlines, Air India
- Why? Austrian offers direct connections to Delhi and Mumbai. Less crowded than other hubs, often with smoother transfers.
🛫 Middle Eastern Carriers: Budget-Friendly Kings
- Qatar Airways (via Doha) – consistent quality and frequent India routes
- Emirates (via Dubai) – huge Indian network
- Etihad (via Abu Dhabi) – especially good for South India
- Oman Air and Gulf Air – smaller hubs, often cheaper
💡 Insider tip: Flights via the Gulf are often €150–300 cheaper than direct flights.
🎒 Tips for Cheap Flights to India
- 📅 Travel off-season (May–September or post-Diwali)
- 💸 Use Google Flights + Indian sites like Cleartrip or MakeMyTrip for hidden deals
- 🧳 Double-check baggage allowance with Gulf carriers
- ✈️ Be flexible with arrival/departure airports — India is well connected internally
🧭 Conclusion
Flying to India doesn’t have to be expensive. Start from cities like Istanbul, Frankfurt, or London, and you’ll find yourself saving money without compromising on convenience. Combine smart routing with reliable airlines — and let your journey to the heart of South Asia begin on the right foot.
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