Cheap Flights to New Delhi

When to fly to Delhi

Peak Season:
The best time to take cheap flights to Delhi is February-April when the city is blooming. August-November when the days are sunny and the nights are cool is also a great time to go. An added advantage are the many festivals that take place between September and March. These include Dussehra (September/October), Diwali (October/November), Christmas (December), Lohri (January) and Holi (March).

Off Season:
The months of December-January can be gloomy and not the time to experience Delhi at its best. Also, mid-summer (May, June and July) is scorching with temperatures upwards of 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

Overview

India’s second-largest city is often seen as a gateway city rather than a destination in itself. Even its name is believed to mean “threshold”. But travellers on cheap flights to Delhi who then connect to other places in India are missing a colourful, cosmopolitan and fascinating city.

While Delhi is one of India’s boom cities, the disparity between the old and the new – and the rich and poor – is staggering. New shopping malls share the city with street markets, cows and handcarts and gleaming SUVs share the roads, and, from newly built flyovers, the domes of Mughal temples are visible.

Old Delhi is a must-see, with snaking alleyways, busy markets, the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, and the Red Fort.

New Delhi, built on the orders of George V, has the important government offices and Parliament of India as well as the colonial-era India Gate and Connaught Place, a bustling shopping and commercial district.

How long is the flight to Delhi?

Several Candian cities offer flights to Delhi, India. Travelers can fly from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Flight times vary by both city of flight origin and the number of connecting flights necessary for the trip. Flights from Toronto to Delhi take anywhere from 16h 45m to 22h 5m; flights from Montreal take anywhere from 16h 25m to 21h 35m; flights from Calgary take from 19h 10m to over a day; flights from Edmonton take from 18h 45m to 23h 25m. Vancouver flights take the least amount of time, with average flight times of 14h 10m, but only one flight leaves for Delhi daily.

Airlines offering flights, including connections, are many. Airlines include Air Canada, SwissAir, Air India, Lufthansa, KLM, Icelandair, Finnair, Emirates Airways, British Airways, United, Delta, Alitalia, SAS, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, WestJet, Air China, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airways, and Aeroflot.

Where can you get direct flights to Delhi?

Select cities offer direct flights to Delhi, including Toronto and Vancouver. Air Canada currently offers nonstop flights from both cities. Connecting flights are required for those flying out of Calgary and Edmonton.

How do you get from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to city centre?

As India’s busiest international airport, there are several ways visitors can get from Indira Gandhi to the heart of Delhi. The city’s metro transit system features air-conditioned trains that run from the airport to the city centre every half hour. The Delhi Transportation System has buses available every half hour as well. Taxis are easy to find at the airport and prepaid options are available at international arrival areas. Rideshare apps have become increasingly popular, particularly Uber and Ola; travelers will need to have the apps installed on their smartphones in order to access these services.

What are some things to do in Delhi?

Delhi is the capital of India, so there’s never any shortage of things to do and see in the city and its outlying areas. From the iconic Qutab Minar to the breathtaking Lotus Temple, there’s always something to photograph and explore. Houses of worship are plentiful throughout the city, each with its own historic significance. The Akshardham Temple in East Delhi is one of the world’s most majestic houses of worship and Jama Masjid is the city’s largest mosque, dating back to the 17th century. Humayun’s Tomb, dating back to the 16th century, is also a popular destination.

As a capital city, Delhi is home to many striking government buildings and official palaces. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President of India’s official residence, is a must for visitors. Raj Ghat a revered national memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of India.

The city is also home to thousands of shops, markets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and more. Some of the best outdoor music can be witnessed every Thursday at Nizamuddin Darga; the Sarojini Market is the city’s most famous outdoor market. Spices galore await you at Sadar Bazaar and eateries featuring exotic seasonings are plentiful, but Little Tibet is one of the few places where you can experience genuine Tibetan cuisine.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Delhi?

Travelling to Delhi from Canada requires both a passport and a visa. Visas must be obtained prior to travel, and passports must be valid for at least 180 days after your trip to enter the country.

Getting around New Delhi

Stick to a car in Delhi if you want to avoid getting run over. Traffic is hectic, drivers have little patience with pedestrians and the few sidewalks that exist are poorly maintained and crowded. Avoid travelling in rush hour like the plague. 

Old Delhi has winding, narrow streets that could be considered walkable, but beware of handcarts and people with heavy loads. They stop for no one. Your best bet for getting around is by taxi or by hiring a car and driver. 

If you’re hailing a cab, always negotiate your fare before you board. You can ask to see the fare chart that drivers carry with them. It’s also a good idea to carry some change, since most drivers don’t carry any with them. If you’d rather hire a car and driver, check with a travel agency.   

New Delhi airport overview

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is just 10 miles (16km) outside of New Delhi. The airport opened the dazzling new Terminal 3, which handles all international flights, in 2010, but there are also a number of other terminals still in use at the airport. Passengers who used the airport prior to the opening of Terminal 3 might remember a dank and dirty affair with little to offer travellers, but all this changed when the airport was privatized and revamped.

New Delhi’s airport is well connected to cities across the world and serviced by a large number of international and national carriers. There are also quite a few low-cost carriers in residence and it’s a hub for ten Indian carriers including Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Air India.

Indira Gandhi International Airport is a natural gateway to northern India. As one of the largest and busiest airports on the Indian subcontinent, it’s a great introduction to a country full of delights, adventures and surprises.

Airport staff are friendly and always willing to assist passengers or dispense the best bargain-hunting advice for the markets of New Delhi. It has loads of facilities and shopping opportunities, and its clean interior offers an ordered, calm introduction or conclusion to a trip to New Delhi. However, if you do have to spend a lot of time at the airport, make sure you spend it in the modern Terminal 3.