Booking Budget Flights Within India
Book your domestic flights 3 to 6 weeks in advance using aggregators like Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare, then book directly on the airline’s own website. Avoid third-party booking agents to ensure easier flight changes and direct customer support.
- Use a price aggregator. Start by searching on Google Flights or Skyscanner. Enter your departure city and destination to see which carriers fly that route, such as IndiGo, Air India Express, or Akasa Air.
- Switch to the airline website. Once you identify the best price and time, navigate directly to that airline's official website. Booking directly prevents issues with ticket confirmation and makes refunds or cancellations significantly easier.
- Check baggage allowances. Budget airlines like IndiGo often have 'Lite' fares that allow only 7kg of cabin baggage. If you have checked luggage, select the 'Saver' or 'Flex' fare during the initial booking; it is cheaper than paying at the airport check-in counter.
- Avoid seat selection fees. When prompted to select a seat, click 'Skip' or 'Continue without selection'. The system will assign you a seat at check-in for free, saving you $3 to $8 per flight.
- Use a local payment method if possible. If you have a local UPI ID (like GPay or PhonePe), use it for payment. Some Indian airline websites charge a 'convenience fee' for international credit cards, but UPI transactions are often fee-free.
- Do I need to print my boarding pass?
- No, a digital boarding pass on your phone is sufficient at all major Indian airports.
- How early should I arrive at the airport?
- For domestic flights, arrive at least 2 hours before departure. Security lines at major hubs like Bangalore and Delhi can be very long.
- Can I carry alcohol or liquids?
- Standard international rules apply: no liquids over 100ml in carry-on. Alcohol must be in checked luggage and within government-mandated state limits.