Flights from Melbourne to Bangalore

Bengaluru is the centre of India's technology industry, and that shows up in who books this route with us. A lot of our customers are IT professionals who moved to Melbourne from Karnataka, or from elsewhere in India after working in Bengaluru for years. Kannada-speaking families visit relatives, and students heading home between semesters make up a good share too.

Business travel is steady all year. Family travel clusters around Diwali, the Christmas school holidays, and Ugadi, the Kannada new year in March or April.

Since there is no nonstop, the choice is really about which hub suits you. Options typically include:

• Singapore Airlines or Scoot through Singapore.
• Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air or AirAsia X through Kuala Lumpur, which can suit travellers watching the budget.
• Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi.
• Thai via Bangkok on some dates.

Routings through Delhi or Mumbai with a domestic flight to Bengaluru are possible, but they usually add time unless the fare saving is significant. Which carriers serve which routes changes with the season, so we quote from what is actually available rather than a fixed list.

For work trips, total time and a sensible arrival hour usually matter more than a small fare saving. For family visits with a lot of luggage, the checked allowance often decides it. Tell us which matters more to you and we will weight the options accordingly.

Most families plan around the Victorian school terms. The July holidays are a popular window for Bengaluru, and the timing works well: the city sits on a plateau, so even during the southwest monsoon the weather is milder than much of India, with regular showers rather than extreme heat.

The December to January break is busier and generally dearer, because every India route from Melbourne fills up then. Late September and early October holidays can line up with Dasara, which is lovely if you plan ahead and awkward if you do not.

For people working in tech who can travel outside school holidays, February to April is often a quieter period to fly, though Bengaluru warms up noticeably by April.

Kempegowda International sits at Devanahalli, well north of the city centre. The drive into places like Koramangala, Whitefield or Electronic City can take an hour or much longer depending on traffic, so plan pickups with that in mind. Airport taxis, app-based cabs and the BMTC airport buses all run from arrivals.

The airport has two terminals, and international services have been moving to the newer Terminal 2. Your airline and e-ticket will confirm which one you use.

Many flights from Southeast Asia land in Bengaluru late at night or in the early morning. Traffic is lighter then, which shortens the drive into the city, but it helps to have a pickup or a pre-booked cab arranged so you are not negotiating after a long day of travel. Prepaid and app-based cabs do run through the night.

Bengaluru works well as a base for the rest of the south. Mysuru is a few hours by road or train, and Coorg is a popular drive for families wanting cooler weather. Domestic flights on IndiGo and Air India connect to Mangaluru, Hubballi and Goa, as well as to Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad.

If you are visiting during Dasara, usually in September or October, the celebrations in Mysuru are a big draw and hotels there fill quickly.

• Pick the layover carefully. A two to three hour connection in Singapore is comfortable. Much shorter can be stressful with checked bags, and much longer adds fatigue unless you plan to leave the airport.
• Transit rules. Some hubs need a transit visa for certain passports. We point this out when quoting, and it is worth checking the official rules too.
• Baggage. Low-cost carriers may charge separately for checked bags, so compare the full cost, not just the base fare.
• Parents visiting Melbourne. For relatives flying the other way, they will need an Australian visa such as the Visitor visa (subclass 600) before departure. See our visa assistance page.

A one-stop trip of this length is manageable with kids if you plan a few things early. Bassinet seats on long sectors are limited and allocated on request, so ask us to lodge the request when you book. Choosing a connection of two to four hours gives time for a meal and a walk around the terminal without rushing.

Changi in Singapore and the Kuala Lumpur terminals have play areas and rest zones, which helps on the middle leg. It is also worth checking that each child's passport has enough validity left, since this catches families out more often than you might think.

Australian citizens need an Indian e-Visa or regular visa unless they have OCI. Indian passport holders should check their passport has enough validity for the whole trip. We handle Indian visa applications and OCI paperwork, and we can arrange travel insurance at the same time.

You can ring our Melbourne line on 03 9012 8407 to talk it through, or compare with Melbourne to Chennai and Melbourne to Hyderabad if you have family in more than one southern city.

Is Bangalore the same airport as Bengaluru?

Yes. The city was officially renamed Bengaluru, and its airport is Kempegowda International (BLR). Airlines and booking sites use both names.

Are there direct flights from Melbourne to Bengaluru?

Not currently on a regular schedule. Travellers usually connect once in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or a Gulf hub.

How far is Bengaluru airport from the city?

It is in Devanahalli, north of the city. Allow at least an hour by road to most central and southern suburbs, more in peak traffic.

Which hub is usually quickest for Bangalore?

Singapore and Kuala Lumpur tend to give shorter total journeys because they are on the way. The best option on any day depends on schedules, so we compare them for you.

Can I add a trip to Mysuru or Goa?

Yes. We can add domestic flights from Bengaluru, and Mysuru is easily reached by road or train.