KittyKautz

I would like to plan a trip to India and would like to know if anyone has an idea as to whether most people fly into and out of Delhi, or into Delhi and out of Mumbai (or vice versa). I understand it depends on how you plan your itinerary, but I would like to secure my flight before planning. It seems most airlines use the Delhi airport instead of Mumbai...

Thanks!
KittyKautz

Jaya

It largely depends on what your own itinerary is. Where do you need to be?

Cicerone

I don’t think it matters what most people do, it only matters what is best for you. (I would disagree with the notion that most airlines use Delhi, most airlines service both about equally; US airlines may service Delhi a bit better, but there are lots of other choices out there. Most with far better service and nicer aircraft.) I would say to have a rough idea of your itin first and then look at international flights; rather than securing flights and then trying to plan an itin around it.

Unless you are going to south India or west coast (or possibly Udaipur, for which there are usually good connections out from Mumbai for int’t flights), you probably don’t need to go to Mumbai. However, there is no real reason to go into and out of Delhi either. Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai have good service to major cities in Asia and Europe, from where you could connect to/from a US flight. In season, you can fly to/from Bangkok and Varanasi, which may work well if you get good flights from Bangkok to/from your home airport (or just want to spend time in Bangkok). Trivandrum in the south has non-stop service on various airlines to Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai, any of which may work well for connecting to or from a US flight. Entering India via a smaller airport and a smaller city may be an “easier” introduction to India. There are lots of ways to do this. Mumbai and Delhi are not the only ports of entry.

vp_singh

It depends upon your tour itinerary. There is no point in landing in Mumbai if you aspire to do north India. Delhi gives you better access to any tours like Varanasi, Darjeeling & the north east or if you wish to add a destination like Bandhavgarh or Kanha with a normal cultural-architectural tour of Rajasthan. However, if your sights are aligned on south India, Aurangabad, Goa & Kerala on the western ghats, than Mumbai will be more convenient & a bit economical as well.
You could also fly into Delhi & fly out from Mumbai if you do wish to combine north with a bit of relaxation down south.
Very best for your plans!

KittyKautz

Thanks everyone; great points! We have decided to stay in the North so in and out of Delhi it is...