Finding flight tickets to India can be one of the most costly parts of your trip. Fuel costs and struggling airlines drive up the cost and make discounts more difficult to find for the average passenger. However, if you have patience and a little creativity, cheap flight tickets are within your reach.
One of the lesser known ways of traveling inexpensively is known as air hitching. This may be organized through a specific company, or it can simply be arranged between individuals. Air hitch provides discounted air tickets to people who are flexible about their travel dates and exact destinations. Most flights leave the airport with a number of empty seats, either because the tickets were never sold or the passengers holding them did not show up. Many airlines will sell these unused tickets to air hitchers at a significant discount in order to get some money off the empty seat. Flying this way can be frustrating, since you have to show up early to get on the standby list and may not end up with a flight the first time to you go to the airport, but for those looking for truly cheap airline tickets, especially to distant locations like India, air hitching can be a good option.
Another lesser known way to travel cheaply is as a courier. International shipping costs are high, and if companies can find a less expensive way, they will. If you are willing to give up your baggage space, including carry-ons and checked luggage, the company will pay for part or all of your flight. You will never be asked to transport illegal substances by a reputable courier service. These flight tickets are usually for only one person, since few companies will use more than one courier per trip, so if you're traveling in a group, this may not be for you. However, if you only need tickets to India for yourself, courier flights may be the way to travel.
Charter flights, private airlines that only operate for part of the year, may also offer inexpensive flight tickets to India. These airlines are less commercial, have little to no budget for advertising, and frequently travel out of lesser known airports. If you are willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries usually found on airlines, such as in-flight movies and meals, under booked charter flights can be a good option. You can find similar discounted airline tickets on self proclaimed "no frills" flights, which provide the most basic service possible for a lower price.
There are many ways for the savvy traveler to find cheap flight tickets to India. Keep in mind, the flight is one of the least exciting parts of a vacation. Its worth sacrificing a few luxuries on the trip over in order to have more spending money once you actual reach the country. With a little research and a lot of flexibility, you can save a good amount of money on your international travel and enjoy more activities and luxuries throughout the rest of your trip.
