India covers a vast area, and the city you fly into can shape your entire experience. For many UK travelers, the journey begins with picking the right arrival point. Each of India’s major international airports connects to different regions, cultures, and travel styles. Choosing the one that matches your plans can save time, reduce extra travel, and make the trip feel more balanced from the start. With so many routes now available from the UK, it’s easier than ever to build a trip that starts where you actually want to be, instead of passing through multiple cities just to reach your first destination.
Northern Gateways: Delhi and Amritsar
Delhi is the busiest entry point for UK travelers and a common first stop for anyone heading to northern India. The city offers a mix of historic landmarks, lively markets, and easy access to nearby destinations like Agra, Jaipur, and the Himalayan foothills. Flights from London, Manchester, and Birmingham operate daily, and many are non-stop, which helps reduce travel fatigue.
Amritsar is another northern option, especially for travelers visiting Punjab. While smaller than Delhi, it has good international links and can be a practical choice if you are planning to stay mainly in that region or visit family there.
Western Hubs: Mumbai and Ahmedabad
Mumbai is India’s financial capital and one of its busiest airports. It’s a natural choice if you want to explore western India, including Goa, Maharashtra, and parts of Gujarat. The airport has frequent direct services from the UK and excellent domestic connections, which makes it a good starting point for multi-stop trips.
Ahmedabad is another strong option, particularly for those visiting Gujarat. It has grown as an international hub in recent years, offering more direct flights and smoother connections than before. Flying directly there can save a domestic leg if Gujarat is your main focus.
Southern Cities: Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi
Southern India has its own character, and starting your trip there can give a completely different experience from the north. Bengaluru is known for its mix of modern tech culture and old markets. It’s a good base if you plan to explore Karnataka or the hill regions nearby.
Chennai is a gateway to Tamil Nadu, home to coastal cities, historic temples, and UNESCO sites like Mahabalipuram. Kochi, in Kerala, is ideal if you want a slower start, with access to the backwaters, tea plantations, and beaches of the south. These cities all have direct flights from the UK or smooth one-stop routes through Middle Eastern hubs.
Booking Smarter on Long-Haul Routes
Choosing the right arrival city can also affect the price of your ticket. Some airports see more competition between airlines, which helps keep fares lower. Delhi and Mumbai often have the most competitive pricing, while smaller airports can be slightly higher but save money on domestic transfers.
If you want to find good deals and build a route that matches your travel plans, it can be worth checking options for Flights India with a specialist. Agencies that focus on long-haul routes often have access to fares that don’t appear on comparison sites, and they can help piece together multi-city itineraries.
How to Link Destinations Within India
If you want to visit more than one region, open-jaw tickets are useful. This means flying into one city and out of another. For example, you might fly into Delhi, travel through Rajasthan, and fly home from Mumbai. This saves backtracking and can reduce the number of domestic flights you need to book separately.
India’s domestic network is extensive, with frequent flights between most major cities. Booking these in advance can save money, but it’s also possible to keep your schedule flexible if you prefer to decide as you go.
Timing Your Arrival
Your choice of arrival city can depend on the season too. Northern cities like Delhi and Amritsar are best between October and March, when temperatures are cooler. Southern destinations such as Kochi or Chennai work well in the winter months but also stay warm through the spring.
During the monsoon season from June to September, Mumbai and Kochi get heavy rain, while cities in the north can still be humid but less wet. Being aware of regional weather can help you choose the destination that gives you the best conditions for your trip dates.
Picking the Right Starting Point
Where you land in India can shape the flow of your trip. Arriving in a smaller city can give you a quieter start, while a major hub can help you dive straight into the energy of daily life. There’s no single best option — it depends on your plans and what kind of experience you want.
By thinking carefully about your first stop, you can save time in transit and begin your journey closer to the places you actually want to see. With more direct and one-stop routes than ever before, flights from the UK now make it possible to start your Indian adventure on the right foot.