A guide to air travel in India

Are you thinking of heading off on an Indian adventure? Read on for a guide to air travel in India.

About India

Introduction From north to south and east to west, India is a land of boundless opportunities and captivating experiences. Whether visiting on a summer vacation package tour, backpacking holiday or spiritual journey, you will surely be mesmerised by what lies ahead in the vast subcontinent, stretching from the soaring Himalayas to the beaches of Goa via colourful Rajasthan. Travel in India Being such a large country, there are numerous modes of travel in India, which range from trains to buses, private cars to motorcycles and internal flights. Depending on how much time you have to spend will determine your choice or transport. Most that fly to India arrive at either Mumbai or Delhi, from where there is easy access to all corners of the country.

Airlines

Jet Airways Highly regarded as India's best airline, Jet Airways serves all major destinations in India as well as the likes of Bhubaneswar and Madurai. Tours of India can also be arranged, including multi-city trips and hotel accommodation. See Jetairways.com for more information on flight bookings. Kingfisher Airlines Kingfisher is another respected airline serving both the popular and lesser travelled areas of the country. In addition, Kingfisher offers excellent India deals on package trips throughout the country. Check out Flykingfisher.com for the latest deals. Spice Jet For low cost flights, then Spice Jet is one of the cheapest airlines operating in India. Among others, choose from travel to Goa in the south, Jammu in the north and Kolkata in the east. More information can be found at Spicejet.com. IndiGo IndiGo is another airline specialising in budget flights. Describing themselves as India's Coolest Airline, they currently fly to 26 destinations within the country. For flight bookings, visit Goindigo.in.

When to book

Depending on how prepared that you wish to be, air reservations can be made up to one year in advance with all the India airlines. Airline rates tend to be cheaper when they are booked ahead. However, many of the companies offer special offers on flights, so keep an eye out for announcements. If you are staying in India for an extended period, then it may be an idea to wait until your arrival before making any flight bookings. India is a country geared towards tourism. Therefore, air reservations can be made at travel agencies located in even the smallest towns and villages.