Diwali is the most expensive time to fly in India. Fares on popular routes can jump 200-400% compared to normal times. But with the right strategy, you can still find reasonable deals. Here's our proven approach.
When Is Diwali 2026?
Diwali falls on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The peak travel window is October 18-25 (outbound) and October 25-November 1 (return). Prices start rising from the first week of October.
Most Expensive Routes During Diwali
Pattern: Routes from work cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad) to home states (Bihar, UP, Jharkhand) see the biggest spikes.
When to Book Diwali Flights
- Ideal window: 6-8 weeks before Diwali (August end to September)
- Still okay: 4-5 weeks before (October first week)
- Last minute: Fares peak 1-2 weeks before Diwali — avoid if possible
- Key rule: The earlier you book, the more you save. Don't wait for a sale.
Money-Saving Strategies
1. Fly on Off-Peak Days
- Fly 2-3 days before Diwali (not the day before or day of)
- Return 2-3 days after Diwali (not the immediate day after)
- Tuesday/Wednesday departures are cheapest even during festivals
2. Consider Alternate Routes
- Nearby airports: Fly to Varanasi or Lucknow instead of Patna, then take a bus/train
- Connecting flights: Delhi → Kolkata → Patna can be cheaper than Delhi → Patna direct
- Multi-city: Book one-way segments separately — sometimes cheaper than round trip during peak
3. Use Price Alerts
- Set fare alerts on TheBookFlight for your route 2 months before
- Check fares at different times of day (early morning often shows lower prices)
- Compare across all airlines — don't assume the usual cheapest will be cheapest during Diwali
4. Be Flexible
- Check +/- 3 days around your preferred dates
- Red-eye flights (midnight departures) are typically 20-40% cheaper
- Consider combining flight + train (e.g., fly to Varanasi, train to Patna)
What Airlines Do During Diwali
- Extra flights: Most airlines add special Diwali flights on high-demand routes
- Dynamic pricing: Fares change multiple times per day during peak period
- Cancellation charges: Higher during festival season — check fare rules before booking
- Web check-in early: Airports are crowded — web check-in 48 hours before saves time
Start Searching Diwali Flights Now
The sooner you book, the more you save. Search Flights on TheBookFlight