Top Flight Booking Mistakes Tourists Make While Traveling to India

Booking a flight to India is exciting—but one wrong step can lead to costly errors, missed connections, or denied boarding. From selecting the wrong airport to ignoring baggage rules, many travelers make avoidable mistakes when planning their journey.

This guide highlights the most common flight booking mistakes travelers make when heading to India and how to avoid them for a smooth, stress-free experience.

✈️ 1. Booking Flights Without Checking Visa Rules

A major mistake is booking flights without confirming visa requirements. Some travelers book round-trip tickets and later discover they need a different visa type, e-Visa eligibility, or even a multiple-entry visa due to stopovers.

✅ What to do:

• Check https://indianvisaonline.gov.in before booking.
• Ensure your visa allows multiple entries if you plan to exit and re-enter India.
• Avoid booking non-refundable flights until your visa is confirmed.

🛫 2. Selecting the Wrong Airport in India

India has multiple cities with similar names (e.g., Delhi (DEL) and Indira Gandhi Domestic Terminal or Mumbai (BOM) vs. Navi Mumbai upcoming terminal). Some travelers mistakenly book domestic flights as international arrivals or select the wrong terminal city.

✅ What to do:

• Double-check city codes before booking.
• If your tour starts in Delhi, ensure your arrival is at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
• Avoid mixing up city names like Kochi vs. Coimbatore or Hyderabad vs. Hubli.

🧳 3. Ignoring Baggage Policies of Indian Airlines

International flights often include 2 checked bags, but Indian domestic airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir may allow only 15 kg (33 lbs) of checked luggage. Travelers switching from an international flight to a domestic one often face excess baggage charges.

✅ What to do:

• Book through fares with baggage transfer if possible.
• Review domestic airline baggage limits in advance.
• Prepay extra baggage during online check-in for better rates.

🕒 4. Not Allowing Enough Layover Time

Some travelers book international flights with tight connections in India, not realizing immigration, customs, and terminal changes can take over 2 hours. This is a common cause of missed flights and rebooking chaos.

✅ What to do:

• Keep at least 3–4 hours for international-to-domestic transfers.
• Avoid booking separate tickets for different legs unless you have visa support and baggage time.
• When booking connecting flights in India, select the same airline group if possible.

🧾 5. Booking Non-Refundable Tickets During Uncertain Seasons

India’s monsoon season, festivals, or political events can lead to sudden cancellations or delays. Booking a non-refundable ticket during these periods can lead to financial loss.

✅ What to do:

• Opt for flexible or refundable fares if traveling between June–September (monsoon) or October–November (festival season).
• Read fare rules carefully—especially if booking through third-party websites.
• Consider travel insurance with flight cancellation protection.

🌐 6. Using Unverified Third-Party Websites

Many travelers are lured by cheap fares listed on unreliable websites. These sites may have hidden charges, poor customer support, or may not issue valid tickets. Some even fail to process refunds or cancel flights without notice.

✅ What to do:

• Book directly via airline websites or reputed platforms like MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, or Expedia.
• Always verify customer reviews before using a new travel site.
• Beware of online scams and too-good-to-be-true offers.

💳 7. Payment Gateway Errors or Currency Conversion Loss

Many travelers experience payment failures or unexpected charges when booking Indian flights using foreign cards. Some banks block INR transactions or charge currency conversion fees without prior warning.

✅ What to do:

• Inform your bank in advance of an international purchase.
• Use cards that waive foreign transaction fees.
• Consider prepaid travel cards or international wallets like Wise or Revolut.

📩 When Should You Contact Indian Travel Help?

If you are:

• Stuck due to flight cancellation, delay, or wrong booking
• Dealing with a non-responsive travel agency
• Overcharged for baggage or face unexpected airport hassles
• Struggling with a booking scam or fake ticket confirmation

Then it’s time to contact Indian Travel Help for immediate support and expert guidance.

📞 Contact Indian Travel Help

We specialize in assisting travelers facing booking issues, airport mishaps, and agency fraud. Our team helps you recover losses, navigate Indian travel rules, and stay protected.

🔗 Reach Us:

🌐 Website: www.indiantravelhelp.com
📧 Email: support@indiantravelhelp.com
🕒 Support: Available 24/7

🧳 Final Thoughts

Flight booking is often the first and most important step in planning a trip to India. Avoid these common mistakes to save money, reduce stress, and start your journey on the right foot. If anything goes wrong, Indian Travel Help is here to support you every step of the way.