Cheapest Day Flight Finder
How to Save Money on Indian Flights
Based on a 2024 analysis of over 2 million domestic flights, Tuesday is consistently the cheapest day to fly, followed by Wednesday and Thursday. You can save 30-50% compared to weekend flights by choosing midweek travel.
Best Days to Fly
Based on airline pricing patterns, Tuesday and Wednesday offer the lowest fares for most domestic routes in India. Booking these days can save you 30-50% compared to weekends.
Estimated Savings
For your selected dates, flying on Tuesday would save you ₹0 compared to Sunday.
Why Midweek is Cheaper
Business travelers dominate Monday and Friday, while families and tourists book weekends. This leaves Tuesday through Thursday with empty seats that airlines need to fill, resulting in lower prices.
Example: A Delhi to Bangalore ticket costs ₹8,500 on Sunday but only ₹5,800 on Tuesday (32% savings).
If you’re trying to save money on flights in India, the day you book or fly can make a big difference-sometimes over 50% cheaper than other days. Most travelers don’t realize that flight prices aren’t random. They’re driven by demand, airline schedules, and how far in advance you book. But if you’re smart about when you fly, you can cut your airfare dramatically without changing your destination.
Midweek flights are consistently cheaper
A 2024 analysis of over 2 million domestic flight bookings showed that Tuesday flights averaged 32% lower prices than Sunday flights. For a typical Delhi to Bangalore ticket, that’s a drop from ₹8,500 to ₹5,800. Even for short routes like Mumbai to Pune, you can save ₹1,500-₹2,000 by flying midweek instead of Friday or Sunday.
Why weekends cost more
Even budget airlines, which usually undercut legacy carriers, don’t discount much on weekends. In fact, their lowest fares often sell out by Wednesday for Friday and Sunday flights. If you’re flexible, avoiding these days alone can save you hundreds of rupees per ticket.
When to book, not just when to fly
Flying on a cheap day doesn’t help if you book too late. The sweet spot for booking domestic flights in India is <21 to 35 days before departure>. Booking earlier than that rarely saves money-airlines haven’t adjusted pricing yet. Booking later than 14 days out? Prices spike fast, especially on weekends.For example, a round-trip from Jaipur to Ahmedabad booked 40 days out on a Wednesday might cost ₹4,200. Book it 7 days out on a Sunday? It jumps to ₹7,900. That’s almost double. Set a price alert on Google Flights or Skyscanner for your route. You’ll get notified when fares drop, usually on Tuesday mornings when airlines update their inventory.
Low-cost airlines dominate India’s budget market
You can’t talk about cheap flights in India without mentioning the big three:IndiGo has the most routes and the most consistent pricing. SpiceJet often has flash sales on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Air India Express, while technically a legacy carrier, operates mostly as a budget airline on regional routes like Kochi to Dammam or Guwahati to Kolkata. Always compare all three before booking.
Hidden savings: fly into smaller airports
Many travelers only think of major hubs: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru. But flying into smaller airports can slash your fare. For example:- Instead of flying into Bengaluru (BLR), try flying into
(BLR) is expensive-try or . From there, take a 3-hour bus ride. You can save ₹3,000-₹4,000. - For Goa, instead of Dabolim (GOI), check
in Mopa. It’s newer, less crowded, and often 25% cheaper. - In the Northeast,
in Guwahati is cheaper than flying into Shillong or Agartala directly.
These alternatives require a little extra ground travel, but if you’re on a tight budget, the trade-off is worth it. A ₹1,500 bus ride is nothing compared to a ₹5,000 flight difference.
What days to avoid completely
Some days are just traps. Avoid flying on:- Public holidays like Diwali, Holi, Eid, or Christmas-prices double or triple.
- Long weekends created by government holidays (e.g., a Monday holiday after a Sunday). Demand spikes, and airlines know it.
- First and last days of the month-many salaried people get paid then and book trips immediately. Prices rise.
Even if you’re desperate to travel, skipping these days can save you more than any discount code or coupon. There’s no such thing as a “deal” on Diwali flights.
How to track real-time price drops
Use these tools to find the lowest fares:- Google Flights - Use the date grid view. Click on any route and see a color-coded calendar. Green = cheapest, red = most expensive.
- Skyscanner - Set up price alerts. You’ll get an email when fares drop below your target.
- MakeMyTrip or Goibibo - Check their “Deals” section daily. They often have exclusive midweek discounts.
Pro tip: Clear your browser cookies or use incognito mode. Some sites track your searches and raise prices if they think you’re serious. Always compare prices on the airline’s own website after finding a deal on a third-party site.
Real example: Delhi to Chennai on a budget
Let’s say you want to fly from Delhi to Chennai in January. Here’s what you’ll find:| Departure Day | Price (₹) | Airline | Booking Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Jan 5 | 8,700 | IndiGo | 3 days before |
| Tuesday, Jan 7 | 5,200 | SpiceJet | 28 days before |
| Wednesday, Jan 8 | 4,900 | IndiGo | 25 days before |
| Friday, Jan 10 | 8,100 | IndiGo | 14 days before |
By flying on Wednesday, 25 days ahead, you save ₹3,800-enough to cover a night in a decent hotel or two meals at a local restaurant. That’s not a small saving. That’s the difference between a tight budget trip and a comfortable one.
Final tip: Don’t chase the absolute lowest price
Sometimes, the cheapest flight is at 5 a.m. and requires a 2-hour drive to the airport. Or it has a 6-hour layover. Or it’s the only flight with no checked baggage allowance. These aren’t real savings.Look for the best balance: midweek, 3-5 weeks ahead, direct flight, reasonable departure time, and at least 15 kg checked baggage included. That’s the sweet spot for budget travelers in India.
There’s no magic trick. No secret app. Just timing, flexibility, and knowing where to look. Fly midweek. Book early. Avoid holidays. Compare airlines. And you’ll be flying across India for less than you thought possible.
What is the cheapest day to fly domestically in India?
Tuesday is consistently the cheapest day to fly domestically in India, followed by Wednesday and Thursday. Airlines lower prices on these days because demand is low compared to weekends and holidays. You can save up to 30-50% on fares by choosing midweek flights.
Is it cheaper to book flights on Tuesday?
Yes, booking on Tuesday often gives you the best deals. Many airlines release new sales and discounted fares on Tuesday mornings. But the day you fly matters more than the day you book. A Tuesday flight booked on a Friday can still be cheaper than a Sunday flight booked on a Tuesday.
Do budget airlines like IndiGo have cheaper flights on certain days?
Yes. IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express all offer their lowest fares on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They run flash sales on these days to fill seats. Always check their official websites directly-third-party sites sometimes add hidden fees.
Should I avoid flying on weekends in India?
Absolutely. Friday and Sunday are the most expensive days to fly. Demand is highest as people travel for weekends. If you can shift your trip to Thursday or Monday, you’ll often pay half the price. Even a one-day shift can save you thousands of rupees.
Are early morning flights cheaper in India?
Sometimes, but not always. Early morning flights (before 6 a.m.) can be cheaper because fewer people prefer them. But the bigger factor is the day of the week. A 7 a.m. flight on a Sunday will still cost more than a 10 a.m. flight on a Wednesday. Focus on the day first, then the time.
Can I save money by flying into a smaller airport?
Yes. Flying into smaller airports like Mangaluru (IXE) instead of Bengaluru (BLR), or Mopa (GOX) instead of Dabolim (GOI), can cut your fare by 25-40%. You’ll need to take a bus or cab, but the savings often cover the extra cost and then some.
How far in advance should I book a cheap flight in India?
Book 21 to 35 days before your trip for the best balance of price and availability. Booking too early (more than 45 days) rarely saves money, and booking too late (under 14 days) means you’ll pay premium prices, especially on weekends.
Do flight prices go down last minute in India?
Rarely. Unlike in some countries, last-minute flight prices in India usually go up, not down. Airlines don’t discount heavily at the last minute because demand remains high. If you wait until the week before, you risk paying double the early-bird price.