Cheap flights from Chennai to Kathmandu — book online with FlightGPT
Quick answer: Chennai to Kathmandu non-stop flights take about ≈ 5h 30m – 8h (1-stop, including layover), operated by IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express (all 1-stop), with around No non-stop — daily 1-stop options via Delhi or Bangalore direct departures a day. Indian passport holders should check the visa requirement summarised below. Use the live search above to compare today's cheapest MAA–KTM fare across every airline, OTA and travel agent in one place.
Last reviewed June 2026 by the FlightGPT flights desk · route facts cross-checked against DGCA and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) · fares are live — verify the final price in search before booking.
Looking for cheap flights from Chennai to Kathmandu? FlightGPT compares live MAA to KTM fares across every connected source — Indian carriers, Gulf hubs, OTAs and trusted travel agents — and shows the cheapest options side by side. Whether you want a Chennai to Kathmandu non-stop tomorrow, a last-minute weekend deal or the lowest price three months out, every active Chennai-Kathmandu fare is one search away.
Chennai to Kathmandu flights — quick facts
- Distance: ≈ 1,770 km (great-circle)
- Non-stop flight time: ≈ 5h 30m – 8h (1-stop, including layover)
- Direct flights per day: No non-stop — daily 1-stop options via Delhi or Bangalore
- Airlines flying Chennai Kathmandu: IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express (all 1-stop)
- Visa for Indians: Visa-free for Indian nationals — carry valid passport or voter ID
Airlines flying Chennai to Kathmandu
There is no non-stop flight from Chennai to Kathmandu. The most common routing goes via Delhi, where IndiGo operates 5+ daily MAA–DEL flights connecting to its DEL–KTM service. Air India also connects via Delhi or Bangalore with same-airline through-ticketing. Air India Express offers budget-friendly options via select hubs. IndiGo's high frequency on both legs gives the best schedule flexibility. Book on a single ticket wherever possible so bags transfer and you are covered if a connection is missed at Delhi.
Cheapest time to fly & book
Nepal's trekking peak is October–November (post-monsoon clear skies) and March–April (spring), when fares firm up. The monsoon months of June–August and the cold winter lull of January–February are typically cheapest. As of May 2026, indicative round-trip economy fares range roughly ₹12,000–25,000 depending on season and advance booking. One-ways from around ₹6,000 appear on IndiGo sales. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for peak trekking season. Indicative only — check live fares in the FlightGPT chat.
Flight duration & routing
The fastest single-stop journey takes about 5h 30m–8h total, most efficiently via Delhi (a ~2h 50m MAA–DEL leg, a layover, then ~1h 30m DEL–KTM). Great-circle distance is roughly 1,770 km. Kathmandu is only 15 minutes ahead of India — Nepal's unique UTC+5:45 time zone means you barely adjust your watch. A morning departure from Chennai can land you in Kathmandu by early afternoon if connections align tightly. Via Bangalore the journey is slightly longer but works well for those in south Chennai.
Baggage & fares
On IndiGo domestic legs, standard economy includes 15 kg checked plus 7 kg cabin. On the international DEL–KTM sector, IndiGo typically allows 20–25 kg checked depending on fare bucket. If booked on a single through-ticket, the international allowance usually applies to the whole journey. Air India economy generally includes 25 kg checked on India–Nepal routes. If you plan to trek, keep gear within the checked allowance — excess baggage fees are steep at the airport. Vegetarian meals are available on request.
Airports & terminals
Chennai (MAA) — since the first leg is domestic (to Delhi), you depart from Terminal 1 or Terminal 4 depending on airline. Delhi (DEL) — IndiGo domestic arrivals and international departures both use Terminal 1; Air India uses Terminal 3. Check your boarding pass carefully. Kathmandu (KTM) — Tribhuvan International Airport has a single passenger terminal about 6 km east of Thamel. The airport is small and can get congested. Taxis from KTM to Thamel cost about NPR 500–800 and take 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Visa & entry for Indians
Indian nationals enjoy visa-free entry to Nepal — no visa, no fee, no advance application. You can enter with a valid Indian passport or even a voter ID card (though a passport is recommended for air travel). There is no limit on the length of stay for Indians. Children need a birth certificate or passport. Note that while you don't need a visa, you do pass through immigration and will receive an entry stamp. For trekking in restricted areas like Upper Mustang or Dolpo, a separate trekking permit is required. See the Visas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Chennai to Kathmandu flight?
There is no non-stop. The quickest 1-stop journeys run about 5h 30m to 8h total, most efficiently via Delhi (a ~2h 50m leg to Delhi plus ~1h 30m onward to Kathmandu, plus layover).
Which airlines fly Chennai to Kathmandu?
No airline flies non-stop from Chennai. The best 1-stop options are IndiGo and Air India via Delhi, with IndiGo offering the most daily connections. Air India also connects via Bangalore.
How much is a Chennai to Kathmandu ticket?
As of May 2026, indicative round-trip economy fares range roughly ₹12,000-25,000 depending on season and advance booking. One-ways from around ₹6,000 on IndiGo sales. Indicative only — check live fares in the FlightGPT chat.
Do Indians need a visa for Nepal?
No. Indian nationals enjoy visa-free entry to Nepal with no fee. You can enter with a valid Indian passport or voter ID. There is no limit on length of stay. Separate trekking permits are needed for restricted areas.
Cheapest month to fly Chennai to Kathmandu?
The monsoon months of June-August and the winter lull of January-February are typically cheapest. Avoid October-November and March-April (peak trekking seasons) for the best fares.
Is there a non-stop Chennai to Kathmandu flight?
No. Every Chennai to Kathmandu itinerary involves at least one stop, most commonly in Delhi. The total journey runs about 5h 30m to 8h depending on the connection time.
Find the cheapest Chennai to Kathmandu flight
The cheapest Chennai to Kathmandu airfare on any given day depends on three things — your travel date, your airline preference and how far ahead you book. Use the FlightGPT search box above to compare Chennai to Kathmandu ticket prices across IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express (all 1-stop) — typically the lowest fare today differs from the lowest fare 30 days from now by 25-40 percent. We surface every option so the lowest Chennai-Kathmandu price wins.
Last-minute Chennai to Kathmandu flights
Need a last-minute Chennai to Kathmandu flight for tomorrow, this weekend or in the next seven days? Our live MAA-KTM search pulls real-time fares — last-minute deals do appear on this route, especially on red-eye departures and shoulder days. Tap Search on FlightGPT with your date and we will return the cheapest last-minute Chennai Kathmandu options instantly.
Chennai to Kathmandu non-stop and direct flights
Most travellers prefer the Chennai to Kathmandu non-stop option. The direct Chennai-Kathmandu flight time is ≈ 5h 30m – 8h (1-stop, including layover). If you are flexible, 1-stop alternatives through major hubs can be 15-30 percent cheaper. FlightGPT lets you filter by "Direct only" or compare both side by side — useful when you want the cheapest Chennai Kathmandu ticket but are open to a layover.
Chennai to Kathmandu airfare — what to expect
Chennai to Kathmandu ticket prices on the FlightGPT live grid update by the minute. The lowest-priced Chennai Kathmandu airfare today might be on a low-cost carrier; the best deal next month might be on a full-service IndiGo flight bundled with checked baggage and a meal. We compare fully-bundled all-in fares, never base fares with surprise add-ons.