Cheap flights from London to Mumbai

September is the cheapest month on this route, and it is the one to aim for if your dates are flexible. Fares climb around the school holidays and the big festival periods in both countries, and they settle again in the quieter weeks outside them. Flying midweek rather than at the weekend is usually the cheaper choice, and booking early beats leaving it to the last minute. The price calendar shows a fare for every month of the year, so compare the weeks either side of September before you commit — the gap between an expensive week and a quiet one is often wider than the gap between airlines.

The airline mix here is broad: Air Arabia, IndiGo, Wizz Air Malta and EasyJet Europe are the low-cost names, while Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian and Scandinavian Airlines are the full-service carriers. What that means in practice is baggage: on a low-cost ticket a cabin bag is usually all that is included, and a checked bag, a seat choice and food are paid extras. On the full-service carriers a checked allowance and meals normally come with the fare, so a slightly higher headline price can work out cheaper once you add a bag. Many of these airlines sell connecting itineraries, so check whether your booking is one ticket or two.

Mumbai has one main gateway, Chhatrapati S Maharaj, and every flight on this route lands there. The airport sits inside the city rather than far outside it, so the transfer is a drive through traffic rather than a long run down a motorway — allow time for it, especially in the morning and evening peaks. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the straightforward way in, and prepaid counters in the arrivals hall let you settle the fare before you set off. Airport buses and the suburban rail line near the terminals are the cheaper options if you are travelling light. Confirm your terminal before you land, since international and domestic arrivals are handled in different buildings.

Currency

INR (₹)

Power sockets

Type C, D, G · 230 V

Language

Hindi, English

Emergency number

112, 100, 101

Calling code

+91

Internet domain

.in, .بھارت

Population of Mumbai

15.4 M (2018)

Time zone

UTC+05:30 (Asia/Kolkata)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Decide which London airport you are leaving from, because Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City are not interchangeable.
• Check whether the fare includes a checked bag, since the low-cost tickets on this route often do not.
• If your itinerary connects, make sure it is one ticket rather than two separate bookings, so a delay does not leave you stranded.
• Check the visa and entry rules for India well before departure, along with the passport validity they require.
• Compare your dates against the price calendar, since September is the cheapest month and the weeks around it vary a lot.
• Allow extra time for the drive between Chhatrapati S Maharaj and central Mumbai at peak hours.