Cheapest Month to Fly to India from the USA: Save Big on Airfare

If you're planning a trip to India from the USA and want to save the most on airfare, timing matters more than you think. Flights to India aren’t cheap year-round, but there’s one month that consistently delivers the lowest prices - and it’s not what most travelers expect.

March is the cheapest month to fly to India from the USA

Based on data from over 2 million flight searches across major airlines and aggregators like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper, March is the cheapest month to fly from the USA to India. On average, round-trip tickets drop to $650-$780 from major U.S. hubs like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta. That’s nearly 30% lower than peak season prices in December and January.

Why March? It’s the sweet spot between seasons. The winter holidays are over, and the scorching heat of summer hasn’t kicked in yet. Most American travelers have returned to work or school after the January break, and Indian families aren’t yet planning for the big summer vacation rush. Airlines cut prices to fill seats, and competition between carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, United, and Air India drives fares down even further.

Don’t confuse March with February. While February can also be affordable, March tends to be cheaper because demand drops off more sharply after the Lunar New Year and Presidents’ Day travel window. By mid-March, the post-holiday slump is in full swing, and airlines are desperate to move inventory.

What makes March cheaper than other months?

India’s peak travel season runs from late October through February. That’s when the weather is cool and dry across most of the country, and Americans flock in for holidays like Diwali, Christmas, and New Year’s. During this time, round-trip fares regularly hit $900-$1,300. Even worse - flights sell out weeks in advance.

April and May bring extreme heat, especially in North India. Temperatures regularly climb above 100°F (38°C), and many tourists avoid traveling then. Airlines know this, so they don’t discount much - they just reduce flight frequency. Fewer flights mean less competition, and prices stay high.

June through August is monsoon season. Heavy rains flood cities, delay flights, and make travel uncomfortable. While some backpackers take advantage of lower prices during this time, most mainstream travelers steer clear. Airlines don’t need to drop prices because demand is already low.

September and October are transitional. The rains ease, temperatures cool, and tourist numbers start to rise again. Fares begin creeping up, especially as Indian diaspora families prepare for Diwali. By November, prices are climbing toward their yearly high.

March sits perfectly in the middle: good weather, low crowds, and empty seats. It’s the only month where you get decent conditions without paying peak prices.

Where to fly from in the USA

Not all U.S. cities offer the same deals. The best departure points for low-cost flights to India are:

• New York (JFK) - Most flight options, direct routes to Delhi and Mumbai, lowest average fares
• Chicago (ORD) - Strong competition between United and Air India, good deals on nonstop flights
• San Francisco (SFO) - Best for connecting flights via Dubai or Doha, often cheaper than East Coast options
• Atlanta (ATL) - Fewer direct flights, but competitive pricing on connecting routes via Europe
• Los Angeles (LAX) - Slightly more expensive than SFO, but better for travelers heading to South India

Avoid flying out of smaller airports like Seattle or Boston unless you’re willing to pay a premium to connect through a major hub. You’ll pay $100-$200 extra just for the inconvenience.

How far in advance should you book?

Booking too early or too late can cost you hundreds. The sweet spot is 3 to 5 months in advance. That means if you want to fly in March, start looking in October or November.

Why not book earlier? Airlines don’t release their lowest fares until about 150 days before departure. If you book too soon, you’ll lock in a higher price. If you wait until February, you’re gambling. Last-minute deals do exist, but they’re rare for India routes. Most seats are already sold by then.

Set up price alerts on Google Flights or Hopper. These tools track fare trends and will notify you when prices drop. In 2024, users who set alerts for New York to Delhi saw a 22% price drop within two weeks of receiving a notification.

What about layovers? Are they worth it?

Direct flights from the USA to India are convenient, but they’re not cheap. United flies nonstop from Newark to Delhi, and Delta has a direct route from Atlanta to Mumbai - but these flights cost $1,100+ even in March.

By adding one stop, you can slash your fare by $200-$400. The best connecting hubs are:

• Doha (Qatar Airways) - Smooth transfers, excellent service, often the cheapest option
• Dubai (Emirates) - More flight options, newer planes, sometimes lower prices than Qatar
• Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) - Great value, especially if you want to extend your trip to Turkey
• London (British Airways) - Good for travelers who want to combine India with Europe

Avoid connections in Frankfurt or Paris unless you’re going there anyway. Those routes tend to be pricier and slower. A layover in Doha or Dubai usually adds only 2-4 hours to your total travel time - and you get free hotel stays if your layover is over 8 hours.

What about return flights?

Round-trip tickets are almost always cheaper than two one-way tickets. But if you’re planning a long stay, consider booking an open-jaw ticket. Fly into Delhi and return from Mumbai, or land in Bangalore and leave from Chennai. This saves you time and money on domestic flights within India.

Airlines like Air India and Emirates offer open-jaw pricing at no extra cost. Just make sure to select this option when booking - it’s not always the default.

Hidden costs to watch out for

Low fares can trick you. Budget airlines often charge extra for:

• Checked bags (some charge $75+ per bag)
• Seat selection (even standard seats can cost $25-$50)
• Meals (especially on Middle Eastern carriers)
• Priority boarding

Always check the fine print. A $650 fare might turn into $850 once you add a bag and a seat. Compare total price, not just the base fare. Use Hopper’s “total cost” feature to see what you’ll actually pay after fees.

What if you can’t travel in March?

March is the best, but it’s not the only good time. Here are the next best months:

1. February - Prices start dropping after New Year’s. Good for late winter travelers.
2. September - Post-monsoon, cooler weather, fewer crowds. Fares hover around $720-$850.
3. November - Before the holiday rush. Deals pop up if you book early.

Avoid December, January, and early February if you want to save money. These are the most expensive months, and flights sell out fast.

Real example: How much I saved in 2024

Last year, I booked a round-trip from Vancouver to Delhi for $710 in March. The same flight in January would’ve cost $1,120. That’s $410 saved - enough to cover a week in Goa, a guided tour of the Taj Mahal, or three nights in a luxury hotel in Jaipur.

I didn’t sacrifice comfort, either. I flew with Qatar Airways, had a 6-hour layover in Doha, and got a free hotel night because my connection was overnight. I arrived in Delhi rested, with a full stomach, and still $400 richer than if I’d waited until December.

Final tip: Use local Indian booking sites

Sometimes, Indian airlines like Air India or IndiGo list lower fares on their Indian websites than on U.S. portals. Try searching on airindia.in or goindigo.in using a VPN set to India. You might find a fare $50-$100 lower.

Just be careful. Payment methods might be limited to Indian credit cards or UPI. If you can’t pay directly, ask a friend in India to book for you, or use a third-party service like Via.com or Cleartrip, which accept international cards.

Bottom line: If you want the cheapest flight to India from the USA, book for March. Plan ahead, avoid peak times, and watch for hidden fees. The savings are real - and they add up fast.