Traveling to India
Home to more than a billion people, India ping pongs between fascinating and frenetic. The colorful sights, chaotic energy and all in all, beautiful country of India has been dazzling travelers for centuries and its charms aren't wearing off anytime soon.
Housing nearly 1 billion people, with a coastline spanning nearly 7,517 km, India is a massive country with so much to offer. Many seek out India for some sort of spiritual or philosophical awakening, and rightly so--4 of the world's major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism) originated here. It's the contrast of buzzing street bazaars and spice markets, to the sleepy, lantern-lit villages, that gives India such a unique feel.
Many travelers seek out the serene Himalayan backdrop of Darjeeling; others are after the frenzied street bazaars and spice markets of Delhi; the philosophical migrate to Mumbai's sacred Banganga Tank district; and those looking for a little R&R make their way down to the the shimmering cliff-side beaches of Varkala. No matter what you're after, you're sure to find it in this scenic and culturally rich country.
Best Times for Traveling
As mentioned above, India is a vast country so climate conditions vary with each region. October to mid-February is one of the most pleasant times to visit India. By this time, the summer heatwaves have died down and and the typically wet areas of the Northeast dry up a bit. There are also plenty of festivals during these months, including Durga Puja and Diwali. March to May is summer in India, and they tend to very humid. June to September is monsoon season, so keep that in mind when booking airfare to India during these months.
Major Airports in India
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
BOM is the largest and busiest airport in South Asia. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial and entertainment capital of the country, which means many international carriers fly in to BOM daily. Naturally, the biggest carrier at BOM is Air India, but plenty of other international carriers operate here including Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, among others.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
DEL is the primary airport of Delhi, the national capital of New Delhi. It is located 16 km southwest of New Delhi's city center and over the last few decades has become South Asia's primary aviation hub. The national carrier, Air India, has the most international flights, but quite a few other major airlines operate to DEL, including American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Continental Airlines, KLM Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic Airlines.