Holi is one of the biggest festivals in North India, and flights on key routes spike during the long weekend. Whether you're heading home to celebrate or traveling to experience Holi in Mathura/Vrindavan, here's how to book smart.
Holi 2026 Dates
Holika Dahan: Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Holi: Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
With a midweek Holi, many people take Thursday-Friday off for a 5-day break. Peak travel: February 28 (outbound) to March 8 (return).
Popular Holi Travel Routes
- Mumbai/Bangalore → Delhi/Lucknow: North Indians heading home for the festival
- Delhi → Mathura/Agra: The famous Mathura Holi experience (fly to Agra or Delhi + drive)
- Delhi → Jaipur: Rajasthan's colorful Holi celebrations
- Mumbai → Udaipur: Royal Holi celebrations at Udaipur palaces
- South → North routes: Bangalore/Hyderabad/Chennai to Delhi, Lucknow, Patna
Booking Timeline
- Best time to book: 4-6 weeks before Holi (January end to February)
- Fares rise from: 2 weeks before Holi
- Peak fares: March 1-3 outbound, March 5-7 return
Tips to Save
- Fly on Holi day itself: March 4 (Holi day) flights are often cheapest as most people travel before
- Return on Monday: March 9 return is cheaper than March 5-7
- Alternate airports: For Mathura Holi, Agra airport has limited flights — fly to Delhi and take a 3-hour drive/train
- Book round-trip: 10-15% cheaper than two one-ways during festival periods