Flights from Melbourne to Delhi

The nonstop is the obvious pick for most people. You leave Tullamarine, sleep or watch films for about half a day, and land at Indira Gandhi International without having to clear a transit security check or worry about a missed connection. For parents travelling alone, or anyone flying with small children, that simplicity is often worth paying a little more for.

A one-stop itinerary makes sense in a few situations:

• The nonstop has no seats left at a sensible price, which happens around Diwali and the December school holidays.
• You want a longer allowance for checked bags and a particular carrier on a connecting route offers more.
• You would like a short break in Singapore or Dubai on the way.
• Your dates simply do not line up with the days the nonstop operates.

We price both and tell you plainly where the difference in fare and travel time sits.

International flights depart from Terminal 2 at Tullamarine. Most airlines open check-in about three hours before departure, and on Delhi flights the queue can be long because many passengers are carrying the maximum checked allowance. Getting there early is a good idea.

If family are driving you out from the western or northern suburbs, the Tullamarine Freeway can be slow in peak hour, so allow extra time for evening departures. SkyBus runs from Southern Cross Station for anyone coming from the city.

Much of the demand on this route comes from Melbourne's Punjabi, Haryanvi and north Indian families. Delhi is the natural gateway for trips home to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and the hill states, as well as for visiting relatives in the capital itself.

Fares tend to climb around:

• Diwali, which falls in October or November depending on the lunar calendar.
• The Victorian summer school holidays from mid December to late January.
• North Indian wedding season, which is busiest in the cooler months.

If you are travelling for a wedding, book as soon as the date is fixed. Seats for the weeks around big family events go early, and relatives from other cities are often competing for the same flights.

International flights generally arrive at Terminal 3. After immigration and customs, the prepaid taxi counters and app-based ride pickups are signposted, and the Airport Express metro line connects to central Delhi.

In December and January, dense fog in north India can delay morning arrivals and domestic connections. If you are connecting onwards on the same day in winter, we suggest leaving a generous gap between flights rather than the minimum connection time.

Getting on to other cities

From Delhi you can connect to Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi and many other cities on Air India or IndiGo. We can put the international and domestic sectors on a single booking where possible, which helps if the first flight runs late. For Punjab specifically, see our page on flights from Melbourne to Amritsar.

Plenty of travellers from Melbourne treat Delhi as more than a transit point. If you have family in the city or a spare couple of days before heading on, the old city around Chandni Chowk and the Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar are all easy to reach by metro or car. Agra and the Taj Mahal are a long day trip by the expressway, and the Shatabdi trains are another good option.

One thing worth knowing if you are travelling with young children or older parents: air quality in Delhi is often poor from about November to January. Many families plan to spend less time in the capital during those months and move on to Punjab, the hills or Rajasthan fairly quickly. February and March tend to be more comfortable, before the heat builds from April onwards.

If you would like a few nights organised with a driver or guide, our India tour packages can be added to your flights.

Australian passport holders need an Indian visa before boarding, usually an e-Visa, unless they hold an OCI card. The airline will check this at Tullamarine and can refuse boarding without it. Our team helps with Indian visa applications and OCI applications, and it is worth starting these well before your travel date.

If a family member is travelling to Melbourne from Delhi on the way back, they need an Australian visa, often a Visitor visa (subclass 600), granted before travel. Check the official Department of Home Affairs and Indian government sites for current rules, as they do change.

A few things we see come up again and again on this route:

• Baggage: allowances vary between airlines and even between fare types on the same airline. If you are carrying wedding gifts or clothes for the whole family, check the allowance before you choose the cheapest fare.
• Senior parents: we can request wheelchair assistance at Melbourne and Delhi. It is free to request and makes a long trip far easier.
• Insurance: for older travellers especially, organise travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions if needed.
• Time difference: Melbourne is 4.5 hours ahead of India in winter and 5.5 hours ahead during daylight saving, which helps when planning pickups.

If your family is further south or west in India, you may be better served by flying straight to another city. Have a look at Melbourne to Mumbai, or see the full overview of flights to India from Melbourne. For the return leg, our page on flights from Delhi to Melbourne covers what to know heading back. You can also call our Melbourne line on 03 9012 8407.

Is there a direct flight from Melbourne to Delhi?

Air India has operated nonstop Melbourne to Delhi flights and Qantas has also flown the route. Frequencies change by season, so contact us to confirm what is running on your dates.

How long is the flight from Melbourne to Delhi?

Nonstop flights take roughly 12 to 13 hours. With one stop, expect around 15 to 22 hours depending on the connection time.

When is the cheapest time to fly Melbourne to Delhi?

Outside Diwali and the December to January holiday peak, fares are usually easier to find. We compare live options for your dates rather than quoting a set price.

Can you book my parents from Delhi to Melbourne?

Yes. We can book the flights, request wheelchair help if needed and point you to the right visa information for their Australian visitor visa.

Can I connect to Amritsar or Jaipur on the same ticket?

Often yes. We can usually combine the international flight with an Air India or IndiGo domestic sector, which protects you better if a delay affects the connection.