IndiGo Delhi to Phuket & Bangkok for Families: Direct Flights, Infant Policy, Seat Tips & Thailand e-Visa 2026
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer writes offbeat destination guides for Indian travellers — places that work in monsoon, shoulder-season picks, and the cities Indian first-time international travellers underrate. Based in Bangalore, perpetually mid-mid-itinerary.) · Published · 11 min read
IndiGo's direct Delhi–Phuket service and its Bangkok routes have quietly become the go-to option for Indian families heading to Thailand without wanting the hassle of a connection. The infant and child policies on these international sectors differ meaningfully from IndiGo's domestic rules, seat selection on a narrow-body A320 matters more with kids, and the Thailand e-visa situation for Indian families has its own quirks in 2026.
IndiGo's Direct Delhi–Phuket and Bangkok Services in 2026
IndiGo operates direct flights between Delhi (DEL) and Phuket (HKT) — this is the DEL–HKT service that launched and has been popular with Indian families who want to get to the Thai islands without stopping in Bangkok first. Flight time is roughly 4.5–5 hours, which is manageable even with younger children.
For Bangkok specifically, IndiGo operates DEL–DMK (Don Mueang, Bangkok's secondary airport) which is the city's low-cost airport, and this is where the codeshare picture gets slightly complex. Don Mueang is fine — it's well-served, the ARL rail link to central Bangkok runs from Suvarnabhumi (BKK), not DMK, so budget for a taxi or bus from DMK. If your family is continuing to Phuket after Bangkok, note that domestic Thai flights from Bangkok typically operate from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) not DMK — you'd need to cross Bangkok between airports, which takes 1–2 hours depending on traffic. Worth accounting for in your itinerary.
From cities other than Delhi, IndiGo has Bangkok connections through its hub. Mumbai (BOM) to Bangkok is also served directly by IndiGo and Air India, which gives you a choice. For families flying from South India (Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad), the options typically involve a connection — either at Delhi or through a partner. Check current schedules on FlightGPT for the latest direct vs connecting options from your departure city.
International vs Domestic Infant Policy on IndiGo: Key Differences
This is where IndiGo trips families up, because the international infant rules are genuinely different from what you're used to on domestic IndiGo flights. Here's what changes:
Infant definition: Same as domestic — under 2 years old on the date of travel. From the child's 2nd birthday, they need a full child seat.
Infant fare on international: On IndiGo's domestic routes, the infant fare is a small fixed fee per segment. On international routes, IndiGo typically charges a percentage of the adult fare for the infant (often around 10% of the adult base fare, plus applicable taxes). This can vary by route and season. Check the exact infant fare at the time of booking on the IndiGo website — the difference between a ₹0 token domestic infant fare and an international infant fare in the ₹2,000–5,000 range per leg is meaningful for a long trip.
Bassinet / skycot: IndiGo's narrow-body A320 family aircraft (which operates DEL–HKT and DEL–DMK) does have bassinet positions, but these are limited — typically 2–3 on the aircraft. They attach to the bulkhead wall. These seats sell out fast. Book as early as possible and specifically select a bulkhead seat during online check-in or seat selection. If the bassinets are gone, you'll be holding the infant for 4.5 hours. That's a long time.
Checked baggage for infant: On international IndiGo, infants travelling on lap (no seat) are typically allowed one check-in bag of up to 10 kg plus a collapsible stroller/pram. The stroller is accepted at the aircraft door and gate-checked — you get it back at the aircraft door on arrival, which is genuinely convenient. Verify this with IndiGo at booking as policies can be updated.
Seat Map for Families: Which Rows Actually Work?
IndiGo's A320 on international routes has a cabin configuration that's worth knowing before you dive into seat selection. The aircraft typically has around 180 seats in a 3-3 layout (no business class on IndiGo international). Here's the practical family breakdown:
Row 1 (bulkhead): Most legroom, bassinet mounts here. The catch: no seat pocket in front of you, so your carry-on bag goes in the overhead during takeoff and landing (harder with a baby). Armrests don't fully fold up in row 1 on some A320 variants. If you have an infant and need the bassinet, this is still your best option — just know the tradeoffs.
Exit rows (typically rows 14 and 15 on most IndiGo A320s): Excellent legroom, genuinely useful for adults. But exit rows cannot seat children (DGCA/ICAO rules — anyone seated in an exit row must be able to physically operate the exit in an emergency). If you're a family, don't book here.
Mid-cabin rows 10–12: A reasonable family zone if the bulkhead is taken. Seat pocket in front, nothing special, but functional. The 3-3 layout means a family of four takes two rows of 3 with one middle seat unused (buy all six or accept being separated — I'd take the middle seat and be mildly annoyed for 5 hours over separating from a 4-year-old).
Last rows: Near the galley/lavatory on international narrow-bodies — seats don't fully recline in the last row, and the galley noise at night is a problem if kids are sleeping. Avoid.
IndiGo charges for advance seat selection. For a family of four on two return legs, the seat fees add up. Budget for it — a family separated across an aircraft with young children because 'we'll pick seats at the airport' is a guaranteed stress situation.
Baggage Allowance on IndiGo International: The Numbers Worth Knowing
IndiGo's international baggage is fare-class dependent — not flat-rate the way it used to be. On DEL–HKT and DEL–DMK, the basic economy fare typically includes a checked baggage allowance in the range of 20–25 kg per adult passenger (verify at booking — this changes with promotions). Higher fare classes or pre-purchased baggage include more.
For a family of four (two adults, one child, one infant on lap), the checked baggage picture roughly works out as: two adult allowances + one child allowance (usually similar to adult) + the infant's 10 kg. That's potentially a significant total weight, which is useful. The problem: families travelling to Phuket for two weeks tend to pack heavy — beach gear, kids' things, sunscreen you're not going to pay Thai airport prices for. Pre-purchase extra baggage at the time of booking if you think you'll need it; it's typically much cheaper than paying at the airport or adding it later.
One thing IndiGo international is strict about: carry-on limits. 7 kg per adult passenger in the overhead bin is the international IndiGo rule (this matches domestic). With a baby bag, a stroller gate-checked, and carry-ons for two adults, you can eat through that 7 kg quickly. Weigh your bags before you get to the airport.
Comparing with competitors: Air India on the same route typically includes 25 kg checked per adult at standard economy, with slightly more generous carry-on policy. The fare gap and the baggage difference together make the Air India vs IndiGo comparison genuinely route-specific. For this reason, always compare total trip cost (fare + bags + seats) not just base fares when you're searching on FlightGPT.
Thailand e-Visa for Indian Families in 2026: What You Need to Know
Thailand changed its India visa policy recently and the situation in 2026 is worth confirming before you book, because it directly affects whether you need to apply for an e-visa or can rely on visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry.
As of early 2026, India and Thailand have a visa exemption arrangement that allows Indian passport holders to visit Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days (sometimes extended in duration — verify the current validity on the official Thai e-Visa portal or the Royal Thai Embassy website in India, as bilateral agreements can be modified). This has made the Thailand decision dramatically easier for Indian families — no visa application queue, no fee for short trips.
However: if you're staying longer than the exemption allows, or if the exemption has changed by the time you're planning, Thailand's e-visa is available online at the official Thai e-Visa system. The e-visa process for a family of four means each passport-holder (including children with their own passports) needs a separate application. Children under 5 in India typically don't have their own passport and travel on a parent's passport — in that case, the parent's visa/exemption covers the child. Confirm this with the Royal Thai Embassy or the official e-visa portal, especially if policies have updated.
Practically: even with a visa exemption, you'll go through Thai immigration on arrival and they'll ask for proof of return/onward flight and accommodation. Have your IndiGo return booking and hotel booking on your phone, accessible offline.
Phuket vs Bangkok: Choosing the Right Destination for Your Family
If you're flying direct to Phuket, you're optimising for the beach — Patong, Kata, Karon, and the island's interior. Phuket with kids works well if your family is happy spending 70% of the trip at a beach resort. The infrastructure for families is excellent — water parks, kid-friendly resorts, boat trips to Phi Phi and James Bond Island, elephant sanctuaries. The downside: Phuket is pricier than Bangkok, and May–June is Andaman Sea rainy season — not every day is great, though it's rarely a wash-out.
Bangkok is the opposite — it's sensory overload in the best possible way for older kids (say, 6+), but genuinely exhausting for families with toddlers if you're doing temples and markets in 38-degree heat. Bangkok for families works best when you intersperse the street-food chaos with mall days (Siam Paragon is a genuine multi-hour destination for kids) and day trips. Fly into Don Mueang on IndiGo, get your family settled in a hotel with a pool, and plan from there.
For the long weekend from Bangalore or the week from Delhi, Phuket direct is usually the better family call. For families who've 'done Bali' and want Southeast Asia with a bit more variety, Bangkok + Pattaya or Bangkok + Hua Hin is a strong alternative. Either way, check the FlightGPT destinations section for the current fare landscape and see also the summer holiday booking calendar for timing advice.
Codeshare Options and What They Mean for Family Bookings
IndiGo has codeshare partnerships with several carriers. On the Thailand routes, this can mean an IndiGo flight number on what's operated by a Thai partner (or vice versa). The implication for families: the operating carrier's rules apply to your flight, not necessarily IndiGo's. Baggage allowances, infant policies, and seat availability are governed by who's actually operating the plane.
When booking, always look at the 'operated by' information on the booking screen. If it says 'operated by IndiGo', you're on IndiGo aircraft and policies. If it says operated by a codeshare partner, verify that carrier's family-relevant policies separately.
For families, this matters most for bassinet allocation (codeshare partners may have different bassinet availability), child meals (IndiGo doesn't serve hot meals on most routes by default — you pre-order; a partner carrier may have different service), and the check-in process.
The safest bet for a family where you want predictability on a 4–5 hour flight: pick one operating carrier whose policies you've verified, book directly with them (or through an OTA that shows the operating carrier clearly), and confirm all family-specific add-ons before travel day.
Frequently asked questions
Does IndiGo have direct flights from Delhi to Phuket in 2026?
Yes, IndiGo has operated direct Delhi (DEL) to Phuket (HKT) services. Flight time is approximately 4.5–5 hours. Schedules and frequency can change seasonally, so verify current availability on the IndiGo website or through a flight search on FlightGPT before planning your trip.
How much is the infant fare on IndiGo's international flights?
IndiGo's international infant fare is typically calculated as a percentage of the adult base fare (often around 10%) plus applicable taxes — unlike the domestic sector where infant fees are a smaller fixed amount. On a DEL–HKT round trip, the total infant fare can range from roughly ₹3,000–8,000 depending on the adult fare class. Check the exact amount during the booking flow on IndiGo's website, as it varies by route and season.
Can I take a stroller on IndiGo international flights?
Yes. IndiGo accepts collapsible strollers as a gate-check item on international flights — you take it to the aircraft door and collect it at the aircraft door on arrival. The stroller does not count against your checked baggage allowance for infants (IndiGo allows one piece up to 10 kg for lap infants on international routes, plus the stroller). Verify these specifics at the time of booking as policies can be updated.
Do Indian families need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
As of 2026, Indian passport holders can visit Thailand visa-free for short stays under a bilateral visa exemption arrangement (typically 30 days). However, bilateral agreements can change — always verify the current status on the Royal Thai Embassy website in India or the official Thai e-Visa portal before booking. For stays beyond the exemption window, a Thai e-visa can be applied for online.
Which seat rows on IndiGo's A320 are best for families with young children?
The bulkhead row (typically row 1) is best for families with infants who need the bassinet — it offers the most legroom and has the skycot mount points. For families without infants, mid-cabin rows (around 10–12) offer seat pockets and decent comfort. Avoid exit rows (children cannot be seated there under ICAO rules) and avoid the last 2 rows nearest the galley, which are noisy and have non-reclining seats on many A320 configurations.
Is IndiGo or Air India better for a family trip from Delhi to Bangkok or Phuket?
It depends on the total cost including baggage and seats, not just the base fare. Air India typically includes 25 kg checked baggage per adult in standard economy and offers a slightly more generous carry-on allowance. IndiGo can be cheaper on base fare but baggage and seat selection fees add up for a family. For a family of four on a 2-week Thailand trip, the difference in total cost can be under ₹5,000–10,000 between carriers, with Air India's full-service experience being a meaningful plus on a 4–5 hour overnight flight. Run the numbers on FlightGPT to compare total costs for your specific dates.