Flights from Delhi to Melbourne

The Air India nonstop is the option most families ask about first, because it removes the transit. For an elderly parent flying alone, one boarding and one landing is a real advantage. It is also a popular flight, so seats in peak periods can go early.

Qantas has also operated nonstop flights between Melbourne and Delhi at various times. Whether that service is on sale for your travel dates is something we confirm when we quote.

When the nonstop is full or priced high, one-stop routings are the usual fallback. Options typically include:

• Singapore Airlines or Scoot via Singapore
• Malaysia Airlines or Batik Air via Kuala Lumpur
• Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi
• Thai via Bangkok, or Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, depending on season

A one-stop fare can make sense for a younger traveller who is happy to stretch their legs in transit, or for someone carrying extra luggage where a particular airline's baggage allowance is more generous.

You do not need to be in India to buy the ticket. Send us the traveller's name exactly as it appears in their passport, their date of birth and passport number, and your preferred dates. We come back with fare options, and once you choose, you pay in Australian dollars and we issue the ticket.

A few things we check at this stage save trouble later:

• The name on the booking must match the passport. A missing middle name or a swapped surname is the most common error we fix.
• If the card holder is not the passenger, some airlines ask for extra verification. We tell you in advance if that applies.
• Change and refund conditions vary a lot between fare types. If a parent's visa is still being processed, a more flexible fare is often worth the difference.

Melbourne families can call our Melbourne line on 03 9012 8407 to talk it through.

Indian citizens need an Australian visa before they board. For parents visiting children in Australia, that is usually the Visitor visa (subclass 600). The airline will check it at Delhi check-in, and a passenger without a valid visa will not be flown.

We generally suggest holding off on a non-refundable fare until the visa is granted, or choosing a fare with reasonable change terms. Our Australian visa assistance page explains how we can help with the paperwork. Visa conditions, including any requirement for health insurance, are set by the Department of Home Affairs, so always read the grant letter and check the official website. We also arrange travel insurance for visiting parents.

International flights arrive at Terminal 2 at Tullamarine, about 20 kilometres north-west of the city. After landing, passengers go through immigration, collect their bags, and then pass through the biosecurity and customs area before reaching the arrivals hall where family wait.

Older travellers sometimes take a while to come out, particularly if their bags are selected for inspection. It helps to tell family members to wait patiently rather than worry after the flight shows as landed. If a relative is continuing to regional Victoria or another state, domestic terminals are next door and a short walk away, although a separate domestic ticket means collecting bags and checking them in again.

Parents coming from Delhi often underestimate Melbourne's winter. June to August can bring cold mornings, wind and rain, and the weather can change within a day at any time of year. A warm jacket in the cabin bag is sensible, since arrival halls and the drive home can be chilly.

Food is the other thing to think about. Many visitors bring homemade sweets, pickles or spices. All food must be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card, and biosecurity officers may inspect it. Some items, such as seeds, fresh produce and certain dairy or meat products, may not be allowed in. Declaring is always the safe choice, because undeclared items can lead to fines. The Australian Government's biosecurity website lists what can and cannot be brought in.

Plenty of parents make this trip alone. We can add a request for wheelchair assistance to the booking, which covers help from check-in in Delhi through to the aircraft, and from the aircraft through arrival formalities in Melbourne. It is best requested when booking, and no later than a couple of days before departure.

Other requests we add to the booking:

• Meal preferences, such as Hindu vegetarian, Asian vegetarian or Jain meals, where the airline offers them
• Seat preferences near the aisle or close to the toilets, subject to the airline's seating rules
• Paid meet-and-assist services at Delhi airport, where a staff member helps with check-in and emigration

We also suggest parents carry a printed copy of their visa grant, the family's Melbourne address and a phone contact in their handbag, not in the checked luggage.

Melbourne is a major study destination, and our busiest student periods are ahead of the February and July semester starts. Students often need a one-way ticket and a generous baggage allowance, so we compare checked bag limits across airlines rather than just price.

New permanent residents moving from Delhi have similar needs, plus flexibility if their move date is not fixed. If you are an Australian heading to India instead, see our Melbourne to Delhi flights and flights to India from Melbourne pages. Families in NSW can see Delhi to Sydney.

Is there a direct flight from Delhi to Melbourne?

Air India has operated a nonstop Delhi to Melbourne service, and Qantas has also flown the route at times. Schedules change, so ask us which nonstop flights are running on your dates.

Can I pay in Australia for my parents' flight from Delhi?

Yes. We quote in Australian dollars, you pay us here, and the e-ticket is sent to you and the traveller. We only need their passport details and travel dates.

Do my parents need a visa to visit me in Melbourne?

Yes, Indian citizens need an Australian visa before travel, usually the Visitor visa subclass 600 for a family visit. The airline checks this before boarding in Delhi.

Can I request a wheelchair for my mother on the Delhi to Melbourne flight?

Yes. We add a wheelchair assistance request to the booking so airline and airport staff help her at both ends. Let us know at the time of booking if possible.

Can my parents bring Indian sweets to Melbourne?

They must declare all food on arrival. Some packaged items are allowed after inspection while others may be refused, so check the Australian biosecurity rules before packing.