Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to India

Direct flight routes to India

Non-stop flights between Europe and India are limited to major cities and operate mainly from Western Europe.

• London (LHR) – Delhi (DEL): Air India, 8h 30m


• Paris (CDG) – Delhi (DEL): Air India, 8h 45m


• Frankfurt (FRA) – Delhi (DEL): Lufthansa, Air India, 7h 50m


• Amsterdam (AMS) – Delhi (DEL): KLM, 8h 15m


• London (LHR) – Mumbai (BOM): Air India, 9h 15m

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB): Emirates hub with frequent connections, average layover 3-4 hours. Modern facilities and duty-free shopping. Free city tours for longer layovers.

Doha (DOH): Qatar Airways main hub, efficient minimum connection time of 45 minutes. Modern airport with quiet rooms and complimentary city tours for 8+ hour layovers.

Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines hub offering competitive fares. Average connection time 2-3 hours. Free hotel for layovers over 20 hours.

Abu Dhabi (AUH): Etihad Airways base with average 3-hour connections. Free transit visa available for longer stopovers.

Time vs money

Non-stop flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. One-stop flights through Middle Eastern hubs often offer 30-40% lower fares compared to direct services.

Tips and recommendations

• Middle Eastern carriers often offer better in-flight service and newer aircraft compared to direct flights


• Book layover flights with minimum 3-hour connection time during winter to avoid missing connections due to delays


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer lowest fares on all routes


• Consider overnight layovers in Dubai or Istanbul to explore another city at no extra flight cost


• Multi-city tickets with deliberate stopovers often cost the same as regular one-stop flights

• Finnair via Helsinki offers consistently lower fares to Delhi and Mumbai, averaging 15-20% below market rates on year-round basis. Their A350 Economy class provides 32-inch pitch and 18-inch width seats, among the most spacious in the market. Helsinki’s compact airport ensures quick 35-minute minimum connection times.
• Flying from secondary European cities through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines can save up to €200 compared to direct flights. Their extensive Indian network covers 9 destinations, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Turkish operates modern B787 and A350 aircraft with enhanced air filtration systems and quieter cabins.
• LOT Polish Airlines’ new Warsaw-Mumbai route launched in February 2024 offers introductory fares up to 30% below market average. Their Boeing 787-9 features a comfortable 3-3-3 configuration in economy with 32-inch pitch. The timing allows convenient connections from Western European cities with morning departures.
• Consider Air France/KLM’s joint venture with IndiGo for seamless connections to 20+ smaller Indian cities. Single-ticket booking provides baggage transfer and protection against delays, while prices remain competitive with Gulf carriers. Their domestic connection guarantee in India saves time and hassle compared to self-transfer options.
• Gulf Air via Bahrain consistently offers the lowest fares from Southern European cities to Indian destinations. Their new Premium Economy product on A321neo aircraft provides business-class comfort at 20% above economy prices. Morning arrivals in India allow for same-day connections to regional destinations.

1. Booking the cheapest flight without checking connections Long layovers in Gulf airports or multiple-stop itineraries can add unnecessary stress and up to 10 extra hours to your journey compared to direct flights from major European hubs.
2. Flying into Delhi during winter fog season Scheduling arrivals in Delhi between December and February often leads to delays or diversions due to the notorious morning fog that affects flight operations.
3. Last-minute booking during peak seasons Waiting too long to book flights during Diwali (October/November) or Christmas periods can result in prices up to three times higher than normal rates.
4. Choosing inappropriate connection airports Selecting layovers in airports like Istanbul or Kuwait during summer can lead to missed connections due to frequent delays caused by extreme heat and overcrowding.
5. Ignoring secondary airports in India Fixating only on major hubs like Delhi or Mumbai while overlooking convenient alternatives like Bangalore or Hyderabad can result in higher fares and longer total journey times from Europe.

Emirates

Best for: Most extensive European network with connections to India via Dubai, serving 38 European airports.

Operates from major hubs like London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Frankfurt to 9 Indian cities. Economy class offers generous 32-34 inch seat pitch and acclaimed entertainment system with 4,500+ channels. Complimentary multi-cuisine meals include Indian vegetarian options. Their efficient Dubai hub ensures connections typically under 4 hours. Passengers consistently rate their Economy service 4 out of 5 stars, praising seat comfort and crew service.

Lufthansa

Best for: Most reliable schedules and punctuality among European carriers to India.

Flies from 15 European cities including Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna to 4 major Indian destinations. Economy offers standardized 31-inch pitch seats with adjustable headrests. Hot meals are served with both Western and Indian options. Their Frankfurt and Munich hubs provide quick connections, typically 2-3 hours. Passengers appreciate their consistent service quality and German precision in operations.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Highest rated Economy Class experience among airlines flying Europe-India routes.

Connects 28 European cities including London, Paris, and Rome to 13 Indian destinations via Doha. Features spacious 32-inch pitch seats with significant recline. Their Economy dining receives exceptional reviews for quality and portion size. While Doha connections can be longer (3-5 hours), the airport’s facilities make layovers comfortable. Consistently receives 4.5 out of 5 stars for Economy service.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most competitive fares while maintaining high service standards.

Serves 25 European airports including Istanbul, London, and Amsterdam with connections to 9 Indian cities. Economy offers comfortable 31-32 inch pitch seats. Distinguished by their award-winning catering featuring Turkish and Indian cuisine. Istanbul hub typically offers connections within 3-4 hours. Passengers particularly praise their value for money and quality of complimentary meals.

Save money flying to India using APAC carriers

Smart travelers can significantly reduce costs on Europe-India trips by leveraging regional Asian carriers and creating multi-leg journeys. This strategy requires more planning but can result in savings of up to 40% compared to direct flights.

Key benefits of breaking up your journey

1. Book separate tickets with budget carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, or IndiGo for the Asia segment
2. Take advantage of major APAC hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur as stopover points
3. Combine full-service carriers to these hubs with low-cost regional flights to India

Money-saving tips

Book the long-haul segment to Bangkok or Singapore with carriers like Turkish Airlines or Gulf Air, then connect to India using budget airlines. Consider scheduling a 24-hour stopover to avoid luggage transfer issues between separate bookings.

Best booking windows are typically 3-4 months in advance, with seasonal sales from carriers like AirAsia and Scoot offering particularly good value. Remember to factor in baggage fees when comparing total costs, as regional carriers often charge separately for checked luggage.