The cheapest way to book domestic flights in India (2026)
By Diya Verma (Diya Verma flies from Tier-2 Indian cities and chases every possible fare hack — reposition flights, hidden-city ticketing, mileage runs and OTA bundle tricks. She has booked 200+ international trips out of Lucknow, Indore and Jaipur.) · Published · 9 min read
The cheapest domestic flights in India come from IndiGo, Akasa Air and occasionally Air India Express — but which platform you use to book, and when you book, matters almost as much as which airline you choose. Here is a practical guide to the full process.
TL;DR — cheapest domestic flight booking in India
For domestic routes in India, IndiGo and Akasa Air are almost always the cheapest carriers on any given route. Book three to six weeks before departure for the best fares; avoid school holidays and festival windows. Book directly on the airline site (IndiGo.com or akasaair.com) to avoid OTA convenience fees, pay by UPI to skip surcharges, and skip seat selection and meal add-ons unless you genuinely need them.
Which airlines are cheapest for domestic routes in India?
As of 2026, IndiGo holds the largest domestic market share in India and consistently prices its base fares below Air India and SpiceJet on most routes. Akasa Air, still a relatively young carrier, has been aggressively undercutting to grow its network — and on routes where it flies (Delhi–Mumbai, Bangalore–Hyderabad, Chennai–Delhi, among others), its base fares regularly beat IndiGo's by ₹200–₹800.
Air India's main airline tends to price at a premium for its full-service domestic routes. Air India Express is more competitive, but it primarily serves South Indian cities and Gulf connections rather than pure domestic routes.
SpiceJet still operates, though its network has contracted. Check it for routes IndiGo and Akasa do not cover — it may be the only option on thinner routes, but it is not usually the cheapest choice where competition exists.
The practical rule: check IndiGo and Akasa first, then fill in the gaps. If neither flies the route, check what is left.
Where to book — airline site vs OTA vs search engine
Here is the honest breakdown:
- Airline sites (IndiGo.com, akasaair.com) — no convenience fee, sometimes exclusive web fares, and your booking is directly with the carrier (which matters if you need a refund or schedule change). The interface is functional if not beautiful.
- OTAs (MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Goibibo) — add ₹200–₹450 per booking as a convenience or service fee. Useful for comparing multiple carriers side by side, and occasionally have exclusive coupons that offset the fee. The hotel + flight bundle deals can be worth it for short leisure trips.
- Search engines (FlightGPT, Google Flights, Skyscanner) — show fares from multiple carriers without booking directly. Use these to find the best price and date combination, then book on the airline site directly. This is the best workflow for most travellers.
The OTA coupon game is real but requires attention. EaseMyTrip frequently runs ICICI Bank or HDFC card offers of ₹500–₹1,000 off. If you have the right card and the offer is live, booking via OTA can be cheaper than direct. But chasing coupons for every booking is exhausting — the airline-direct default is simpler and usually within a small margin.
When to book domestic flights for the best price
The domestic booking window that consistently produces the lowest fares is three to six weeks before departure. Airlines release initial inventory at introductory fares, then adjust upward as seats fill. In the three-to-six-week window, enough inventory has typically been released to see competitive pricing, and seats are not yet scarce.
Buying more than eight weeks out is not always advantageous — airlines sometimes hold back cheap inventory until they can gauge overall demand for the route.
Buying less than a week out almost always hurts. The remaining seats are priced for last-minute business travellers who have no flexibility. Domestic last-minute fares on popular routes like Delhi–Mumbai can hit ₹15,000–₹20,000 one-way on a route that cost ₹3,500–₹5,000 six weeks earlier.
Peak windows to avoid booking into if you care about price:
- April 10 – June 15 (school summer holidays)
- Diwali and the ten days after (October/November depending on year)
- December 20 – January 5
- Holi weekend and Eid weekend (exact dates shift yearly)
If you must travel in these windows, book as early as possible — ideally eight to ten weeks out — because fares climb steeply as the date approaches.
Which add-ons to take and which to skip
Indian LCCs make a significant portion of their revenue from ancillary upsells. Being thoughtful about these saves real money without sacrificing comfort:
- Cabin baggage (7 kg included on IndiGo/Akasa base fares): enough for a carry-on and a personal item for most 2–4 day domestic trips. If you are travelling for a week or more with checked luggage, buying baggage at booking time is cheaper than adding at the airport (typically 30–50% cheaper).
- Seat selection: skip it unless you have a specific need (window for a child, extra legroom). You will be assigned a seat automatically and most domestic flights are short enough that the seat barely matters.
- Meals: domestic flights under 90 minutes do not need a meal. Even on longer flights, airport food is almost always cheaper and better. Pass.
- Flexi fares: worth considering if there is a genuine chance your plans change. The premium over a Super Saver or Saver fare is typically ₹800–₹2,500, which is less than the change fee on a locked fare if you actually need to reschedule.
Payment methods that save money
Payment method choice quietly affects the final price:
- UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm UPI): accepted on all major airline sites and OTAs with zero surcharge. Use this by default.
- Net banking: also typically free, though the payment experience can be slower.
- Credit cards: attract a 1.5–2% fee on many airline sites and OTAs. On a ₹10,000 ticket that is ₹150–₹200 in surcharges. The exception is if you are earning card rewards that exceed the surcharge — some premium cards (HDFC Infinia, Axis Magnus) give 3–5% back in points that more than offset the fee.
- Card-linked OTA offers: EaseMyTrip, MakeMyTrip and Goibibo regularly partner with banks (ICICI, HDFC, SBI) for flat ₹500–₹1,000 off on flight bookings. These appear in the payment step — watch for them, but do not assume they are always live.
Bottom line
The cheapest domestic flight booking in India follows a simple pattern: use FlightGPT or Google Flights to find the best date and price, confirm on IndiGo.com or akasaair.com directly, pay by UPI, and skip the add-ons you do not actually need. That combination typically beats the OTA checkout price and keeps the booking relationship directly with the carrier.
Search domestic fares on FlightGPT. Also read: 12 tricks for low-price flight tickets, cheapest time of day to fly from India, and why fare prices differ per passenger.
Fares and fees change — check the live price before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is IndiGo or Akasa cheaper for domestic flights in India?
On routes where both operate, Akasa often undercuts IndiGo by ₹200–₹800 as it aggressively builds market share. Check both before booking — the difference depends on the specific route, date and how far in advance you are buying.
Is it cheaper to book domestic flights on the airline site or via MakeMyTrip?
Airline sites usually come out cheaper because they do not charge OTA convenience fees (₹200–₹450 per booking). The exception is when OTAs have live bank card offers of ₹500–₹1,000 off — those can tip the balance. Check both before confirming.
What is the cheapest domestic route in India right now?
Fares change constantly — a fixed answer would be outdated within days. Short routes like Bangalore–Hyderabad, Delhi–Chandigarh and Mumbai–Pune (when IndiGo or Akasa have a sale) can drop to ₹999–₹1,499 base fare. Search FlightGPT or Google Flights for the current cheapest options.
How much in advance should I book for summer holidays?
Eight to ten weeks ahead for summer holiday travel (mid-April to mid-June). Fares in this window climb steeply as the school break approaches, and last-minute prices can be three to four times the early-bird fare.
Can I get a refund on a cheap domestic ticket?
On IndiGo and Akasa Super Saver fares, refunds are either not permitted or attract a cancellation fee that exceeds the refund amount. Flexi and higher fares offer better cancellation terms. Always check the fare rules before buying — the cheapest fare is often non-refundable.