Find the cheapest flights from London to Delhi in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Delhi (DEL)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 10h 15m – 14h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €580 | high |
| February | €520 | medium |
| March | €460 | medium |
| April | €490 | medium |
| May | €380 | low |
| June | €340 | low |
| July | €440 | medium |
| August | €460 | medium |
| September | €360 | low |
| October | €580 | high |
| November | €480 | medium |
| December | €680 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Air India (direct): from €420 — Check their website directly — they often match fares found elsewhere. Part of Star Alliance, useful for connecting flights within India.
- British Airways (direct): from €550 — Use BA’s fare finder to identify cheapest days. Premium Economy offers solid value on this route at €800-900.
- Virgin Atlantic (direct): from €480 — Check Virgin’s flying club miles deals — sometimes offers excellent value for redemptions on this route.
- Emirates (connecting): from €460 — Dubai connection typically adds 3-4 hours. Best prices often via their website with the ‘Explore’ multi-city tool.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €440 — Doha connection is efficient (1.5-2 hours). Book through qatarairways.com for best fares and seat selection.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €380 — Istanbul connection can be 2-4 hours. Stopover program allows free hotel for transit over 20 hours.
Booking Strategy
For London to Delhi, target 6-8 weeks advance booking for the best fares. The sweet spot is Tuesday-Thursday departures, which are typically €50-100 cheaper than Friday-Sunday flights. May-June and September-October offer the lowest prices (€300-400 for connecting, €400-500 for direct). Avoid October (Diwali) and December-January (Christmas) when prices spike to €600-800. Use Google Flights for flexible date searching, but book directly with the airline to avoid third-party fees. If flying direct, BA and Virgin typically match each other’s prices within €50. For connecting, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways offer the best balance of price and service. Set price alerts on Skyscanner but book before Thursday evening — fares often increase Friday morning.
Route Tips
- Heathrow Terminal 3 handles most Delhi flights — check-in queues can be long, arrive 3 hours early for direct flights
- British Airways operates from Terminal 5 — allow extra time if connecting from another terminal
- Indian visa: UK citizens need an e-visa (₹4,000/€45) applied for 4-72 hours before departure — print confirmation
- Delhi airport immigration can take 30-90 minutes at peak times (evening arrivals). Have your arrival card ready.
- Book Air India directly — they frequently price-match other OTAs and sometimes offer cheaper fares on their website
- For Delhi to London red-eyes, book exit row seats for more legroom — the 8.5-hour flight feels much longer in regular economy
- Consider a quick stopover in Dubai or Doha — both cities offer free city tours for transit passengers with 6-24 hour layovers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Delhi?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Delhi take approximately 8 hours 30 minutes. British Airways, Air India, and Virgin Atlantic operate non-stop services. If you take a connecting flight via Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, expect 10-14 hours total travel time including a 1.5-4 hour layover. Connecting routes via Gulf hubs typically land in the 11-12 hour range, while Turkish Airlines via Istanbul can take 12-14 hours depending on connection time.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Delhi?
Budget travelers can find connecting flights from €300-380 in low season (May-June, September). Direct flights start around €420-500 in off-peak periods. During Christmas (December) or Diwali (October), prices surge to €600-800 even for connecting options. Direct flights in peak season cost €550-750. Business class runs €2,500-4,000 depending on airline and cabin.
Are there direct flights from London to Delhi?
Yes, multiple airlines operate direct flights. From London Heathrow, British Airways (daily), Air India (daily), and Virgin Atlantic (daily during peak season) offer non-stop service. Air India also operates direct flights from London Gatwick. Flight time is approximately 8h 30m. No other London airport offers direct Delhi flights — Stansted, Luton, and Gatwick require connections.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Delhi?
June is typically the cheapest month with average prices around €340 for connecting flights and €420 for direct. September also offers excellent deals at €360-380. Avoid October (Diwali) when prices jump to €580+, and December (Christmas/New Year) when fares reach €680+. February-March and May provide the best balance of decent weather and reasonable prices.
Which airlines fly from London to Delhi?
Direct options include British Airways, Air India, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, plus Air India from Gatwick. Connecting carriers include Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Oman Air (Muscat), Etihad (Abu Dhabi), and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt/Munich). Air India and Turkish Airlines offer the best value for economy, while Qatar Airways and Emirates lead in service quality.
What airport do I fly into in Delhi?
You’ll arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), India’s busiest airport located about 16km southeast of central Delhi. Terminal 3 handles most international arrivals. The Airport Express Metro connects to New Delhi Railway Station in 20 minutes (₹150/€1.70). Pre-paid taxis cost ₹500-700 (€6-8) to downtown areas. Uber and Ola work at terminal pickups. Allow 30-60 minutes for immigration and baggage.
How far in advance should I book London to Delhi flights?
Book 6-8 weeks ahead for optimal pricing. Earlier booking (10-12 weeks) sometimes catches airline sales but risks paying for seats that later go on sale. Less than 3 weeks, prices rise sharply — last-minute direct flights can exceed €800. For Diwali (October) and Christmas travel, book 3-4 months ahead as seats sell out fast.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Delhi on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €50-100 cheaper than Friday-Sunday. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle. Sunday is usually the most expensive day to fly. For return flights from Delhi, Wednesday-Thursday offer the best value. Use Skyscanner’s ‘cheapest month’ view to identify the lowest-priced day combination for your travel dates.
Data updated: 2026-03
