Booking Affordable Business Trips to India
Prioritize flying into major hubs like Delhi or Mumbai mid-week, and use domestic rail or low-cost carriers like IndiGo instead of international inter-city flights. Always book your internal transit at least 14 days in advance to secure business-class-level comfort at economy prices.
- Choose the right entry airport. Book your international arrival into Delhi (DEL) or Mumbai (BOM). These hubs have the highest volume of flights, making them significantly cheaper than flying into regional hubs like Bangalore or Chennai.
- Master the 'Last Mile' booking. Do not book multi-city international tickets that include internal legs. Book your international flight to the hub, then book a separate IndiGo or Air India flight for the connection. This typically saves $200-$400 per trip.
- Use IRCTC for rail travel. For distances under 500km, use the Indian Railways AC First Class. Register on the IRCTC website or use the 'Ixigo' app. It is faster than road travel, cheaper than flying, and allows you to work comfortably during the transit.
- Leverage ride-hailing apps. Delete your Western ride-hailing apps and download Uber and Ola. Set payment to your corporate card, but always choose 'Premier' or 'Prime' options; the cost difference is usually less than $3, but the quality of vehicle and driver vetting is significantly higher.
- Is it safe to drink the tap water?
- No. Always drink bottled, sealed water (brands like Bisleri or Kinley) or filtered water provided by hotels.
- How do I stay connected?
- Buy an Airtel or Jio SIM card at the airport arrival hall. It costs about $10 for a month of data and is far more reliable than roaming.