Cheap flights from Vancouver to Delhi: when to book, airlines and tips

Vancouver to Delhi is one of the busiest routes between Canada and India, and prices swing a lot depending on when you book and when you fly. Here’s how to find a good fare, which flights to choose, and what to know before you go.

01 Nonstop or one stop?

Nonstop is the easiest choice, especially with kids or older parents: one check-in, no missed connections, and you land in Delhi the next afternoon. Air India runs the route every day, and Air Canada has also flown it nonstop at times, so check the current schedule.

One-stop flights are often cheaper, particularly in busy months. Common connections are through London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Hong Kong or Taipei. A long layover can also break up the trip.

02 When to book

• Normal dates: book about 2 to 3 months ahead.
• December, summer holidays and Diwali: book 4 to 6 months ahead. These are the busiest times for families visiting India, and the cheap seats go first.
• Set a price alert as soon as you know your dates, so you can see when fares drop.
• For more detail, see our guide to the best time to book flights to India from Canada.

03 Cheapest time to fly

Fares are usually highest from mid-December to early January, during Canadian summer holidays, and around Diwali and the winter wedding season.

You’ll often find better prices from late January to March and from September to early October. Flying midweek instead of on a weekend can also help.

04 Flying to Amritsar or Chandigarh

If you’re heading to Punjab, you have two main options:

• Fly to Delhi, then connect on a short domestic flight to Amritsar or Chandigarh, or take the train or a taxi.
• Book a one-stop ticket straight to Amritsar through a hub such as London or a Gulf city.

Air India has run seasonal nonstop flights from Vancouver to Amritsar in the past, but schedules change each year, so check before you book. For a full comparison, see our Vancouver to Amritsar flights guide.

05 Baggage: check before you pay

Many economy fares between Canada and India include two checked bags, but not all of them — especially cheaper one-stop tickets on some airlines. If you’re carrying gifts for family, the bag allowance can matter more than a small price difference.

• Check the number of bags and the weight limit per bag.
• If your trip has two airlines, the stricter allowance may apply.
• Weigh your bags at home — overweight fees at the airport are expensive.

06 Documents and travel tips

• Passport: make sure it’s valid for at least six months after you arrive.
• Visa: Canadian citizens need an Indian visa or e-Visa, or an OCI card. Rules for Canadians have changed in recent years, so check the official Indian government visa website before booking.
• Travel insurance: your provincial health plan covers very little abroad. See our travel health insurance guide.
• Paying in India: avoid the usual 2.5% foreign transaction fee with the right card — see our multi-currency card guide.

Quick answers

How long is the flight from Vancouver to Delhi?

Nonstop flights take about 15 to 16.5 hours. With one stop, expect around 19 to 26 hours in total.

Which airline flies nonstop from Vancouver to Delhi?

Air India flies the route nonstop daily. Air Canada has also operated nonstop flights on the route at times.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Delhi from Vancouver?

Usually late January to March and September to early October, avoiding December, summer holidays and Diwali.