Updated May 2026
Delhi to Bengaluru is one of India’s busiest air corridors with 80+ daily flights covered by IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet. Direct flight time is around 2 hours 50 minutes. DEL (Terminal 3) to BLR (Kempegowda International). Typical economy fares run ₹4,000-9,500 depending on booking window. Cheapest days: Tuesday and Wednesday. Best booking window: 5-7 weeks ahead. Last-minute fares spike to ₹10,000+ on Fridays. Avoid Diwali, Christmas, and IPL match dates if you want cheap fares.
The Delhi-Bengaluru route is the spine of corporate India. Founders fly down for funding meetings, consultants shuttle weekly between client offices, and families travel for weddings, weekend getaways, and college admissions. With so many travellers competing for the same seats, fares swing wildly — a Tuesday morning ticket can cost ₹4,200 while the same seat on a Friday evening crosses ₹11,000.
This guide walks through everything you need to book smart: airlines, schedules, the cheapest booking window, airport terminals, baggage rules, and the small tricks that save ₹2,000-3,000 per ticket. We’ve pulled together what frequent flyers, corporate travel desks, and budget-conscious families ask us most often.
Delhi to Bengaluru Flight Overview
Delhi-Bengaluru ranks among India’s top three domestic routes by passenger volume, with more than 80 daily flights and over 12,000 seats moved every day in peak season. Direct flight time averages 2 hours 50 minutes. Distance is roughly 1,740 km. Four major airlines compete here, which keeps fares relatively flat outside holiday weeks.
The route works in both directions for different reasons. North-to-south, Delhi-based business travellers head to Bengaluru for tech sector meetings, startup deals, and corporate offsites. South-to-north, professionals fly up for ministry meetings, government work, and family visits. The mix means there are early-morning, mid-day, and late-night options almost every day of the week.
Weekend travel is heavily skewed. Friday evening and Sunday afternoon are the busiest blocks, and that’s exactly when fares jump. If your calendar allows weekday flying, you’ll find the deepest discounts on this route — sometimes 40-50% cheaper than peak weekend slots.
Why this route stays competitive
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International is one of India’s three largest airports by traffic. Delhi’s IGI is the largest. Both have ample slot capacity, so airlines schedule freely and pricing stays aggressive. That’s good news for flyers — supply rarely falls short of demand except during festival peaks.
Which Airlines Operate Delhi to Bengaluru Flights?
Four airlines run regular non-stop Delhi-Bengaluru flights: IndiGo (6E), Air India (AI), Akasa Air (QP), and SpiceJet (SG). IndiGo carries the largest share with 35+ daily frequencies, followed by Air India with 20+, Akasa with 12-15, and SpiceJet with 8-10. Fleet types are mainly A320 and A321 narrow-bodies, with occasional A321neo wide-cabin services.
IndiGo (6E)
IndiGo dominates this sector. You’ll find departure slots almost every hour from 5:30 AM until midnight. The airline runs both A320 and A321neo aircraft. Standard economy is no-frills — pay extra for seat selection, meals, and extra baggage. Punctuality is consistently strong on this route.
Air India (AI)
Air India has expanded sharply on Delhi-Bengaluru after its fleet modernisation. Economy fares often match IndiGo’s, and the price includes a meal and 25kg check-in baggage. Business class is genuinely worth considering if you can stretch the budget — lie-flat seats appear on selected A321neo and Boeing rotations.
Akasa Air (QP)
Akasa is the newest entrant and frequently undercuts the others by ₹200-500 on off-peak departures. It uses Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline’s strength is consistency on baggage charges and a simple, clean booking flow. Network is smaller, so options narrow if you need a specific morning slot.
SpiceJet (SG)
SpiceJet runs limited frequencies on this route. Fares are competitive when available. We’ve seen SpiceJet drop the cheapest fares during last-minute sales in our experience tracking this sector.
What Are the Flight Times and Schedule Patterns?
Non-stop flight time is 2 hours 50 minutes on average, with some Akasa and IndiGo rotations completing in 2 hours 40 minutes thanks to favourable tailwinds. Schedule density is highest between 6 AM-9 AM and 6 PM-9 PM — these blocks carry the bulk of business travellers. Mid-day slots (11 AM-3 PM) and red-eye departures (after 10 PM) tend to be 15-25% cheaper.
Peak vs off-peak slots
Early morning flights (6-8 AM) are perfect for same-day meetings — you land in Bengaluru before 11 AM. Late evening (8-10 PM) suits travellers who want a full working day in Delhi before heading down. These slots fill fastest and price highest.
The cheapest slots are usually 11 AM-1 PM departures from Delhi and 1 PM-3 PM departures from Bengaluru. These mid-day rotations skip the rush hour premium. If you’re flexible on timing, a mid-day flight can save ₹1,500-2,500.
Red-eye options
Some IndiGo and Akasa flights depart after 10 PM, landing in Bengaluru around 1 AM. These are popular with cost-conscious flyers but watch out for Bengaluru’s airport-to-city travel time at that hour — taxi availability is fine, but the airport is 35 km from central Bengaluru and the drive takes 60-90 minutes.
What Are the Cheapest Fares and Best Booking Window?
The sweet spot for Delhi-Bengaluru bookings is 5 to 7 weeks before departure. In this window, economy one-way fares typically sit at ₹4,000-5,500. Book at 2-3 weeks out and you’ll pay ₹6,000-8,000. Within 7 days of departure, expect ₹8,500-12,000. Booking 3+ months ahead doesn’t usually beat the 5-7 week window — airlines release cheap inventory in that mid-range bucket.
Fare buckets to expect
- Cheapest bucket: ₹3,800-4,500 (booked 5-7 weeks ahead, Tuesday/Wednesday flights)
- Normal bucket: ₹4,800-6,500 (booked 3-5 weeks ahead, weekdays)
- Late-booking bucket: ₹6,500-9,500 (booked 1-3 weeks ahead)
- Last-minute bucket: ₹9,500-13,000+ (within 7 days, Friday/Sunday peaks)
💡 HappyFares Tip
Set a fare alert on HappyFares two months before your travel date. We’ve found that the 5-7 week window often shows a 3-5 day drop where fares dip below ₹4,500. Most travellers miss this dip because they either book too early at ₹5,500 or wait too long and pay ₹7,000+. A fare alert flags the dip the moment it appears.
Which Days of the Week Are Cheapest to Fly?
Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly Delhi-Bengaluru, with fares running 20-35% lower than Friday and Sunday. Saturday is mid-priced. Monday morning is expensive in both directions because of business travellers heading to start-of-week meetings. Thursday evening also runs hot because corporate flyers head home for the weekend.
The weekly fare pattern
Here’s the rough weekly rhythm we see on this route:
- Monday: Expensive morning, moderate evening
- Tuesday: Cheapest overall — lowest fares all day
- Wednesday: Cheapest mid-day slots, moderate evenings
- Thursday: Moderate morning, expensive evening
- Friday: Most expensive evening of the week
- Saturday: Moderate morning, cheaper mid-day
- Sunday: Cheap morning, very expensive late afternoon-evening
Why Tuesday wins
Tuesday has the lowest leisure demand — nobody’s flying for a weekend, the work week is already underway, and the holiday flyers from the previous weekend have all settled. Airlines drop fares to fill seats. We’ve watched IndiGo and Air India release sub-₹4,000 fares on Tuesday mid-day rotations multiple times in 2025.
Which Months Offer the Cheapest Delhi-Bengaluru Fares?
February, August, and the first half of September are the cheapest months to fly Delhi-Bengaluru. Average fares in these months sit at ₹4,200-5,200. December, October-end (Diwali), and the IPL season (March-May) drive fares 30-60% higher. Monsoon months (July-August) see slight dips but watch for weather delays in Bengaluru.
Off-peak months
February falls between the New Year rush and the IPL/summer holiday surge — schools are in session, corporate travel is moderate, and airlines run sales to keep planes full. August is similarly quiet because monsoon discourages leisure trips. Mid-September (after Onam) is another underrated window.
Peak months to avoid
December (Christmas-New Year week), late October (Diwali), and the second half of May (school summer holidays) are the worst for cheap fares. Add IPL match dates in Bengaluru — when Royal Challengers Bengaluru play at home, inbound fares from Delhi shoot up 25-40% for the previous evening’s flights. Check the IPL schedule before locking your travel dates.
Delhi IGI Terminal 3 and Bengaluru Kempegowda BLR — Terminal Guide
All Delhi-Bengaluru flights depart from Terminal 3 at Delhi IGI. At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International (BLR), arrivals split between Terminal 1 (older, used by SpiceJet and some IndiGo) and Terminal 2 (newer, used by Air India, most IndiGo, and Akasa). Terminal 2 opened in 2022-23 and handles the majority of traffic now. Always check your boarding pass for the exact terminal.
Delhi IGI Terminal 3
T3 is India’s largest terminal. Plan for 2 hours before departure for security and check-in queues, especially during peak morning hours. The metro Airport Express line drops you directly at T3 and is the fastest way in from central Delhi — around 20 minutes from New Delhi station.
Web check-in opens 48 hours before departure for all four airlines. Domestic boarding closes 25 minutes before scheduled departure at T3 — don’t cut it close.
Bengaluru BLR Terminals 1 and 2
Terminal 2 is the showcase — bamboo-and-garden architecture, smoother boarding, and shorter walking distances. Air India, Akasa, and most IndiGo flights now operate from T2. Terminal 1 is functional and still handles SpiceJet and a portion of IndiGo’s older slot rotations.
From BLR to central Bengaluru, the Vayu Vajra AC bus is the cheapest option at ₹250-350. Taxi and app cabs run ₹900-1,600 depending on traffic and time of day. The airport metro line is under construction and not yet operational.
What’s the Standard Baggage Allowance Per Airline?
The standard domestic baggage allowance on Delhi-Bengaluru is 15kg check-in plus 7kg cabin baggage per passenger in economy. Air India offers 25kg check-in on most fares. Akasa and IndiGo follow the 15+7 norm. SpiceJet matches 15+7 on standard fares. Excess baggage charges run ₹500-750 per extra kilogram and add up fast.
Per-airline baggage summary
- IndiGo (6E): 15kg check-in + 7kg cabin (one piece, 55x35x25cm)
- Air India (AI): 25kg check-in + 8kg cabin on most economy fares
- Akasa Air (QP): 15kg check-in + 7kg cabin
- SpiceJet (SG): 15kg check-in + 7kg cabin on standard fares
Avoiding excess baggage fees
Pre-book extra baggage on the airline website at least 4 hours before departure. Pre-booked rates are 30-50% cheaper than airport-counter rates. For laptop bags, slings, and small handbags carried in addition to cabin baggage, the rule varies — IndiGo allows one small personal item, Air India is more lenient, Akasa is strict.
Web Check-in and Boarding for Delhi-Bengaluru
Web check-in opens 48 hours before departure for IndiGo, Air India, Akasa, and SpiceJet. It closes 60-75 minutes before scheduled departure. Use web check-in to pick your seat, generate the boarding pass on your phone, and skip the airport check-in counter if you’re travelling with only cabin baggage.
The web check-in process
Open the airline’s website or app, enter your PNR and last name, select your seat (free for some rows, paid for preferred seats and emergency exits), and download the boarding pass. Most travellers complete this in under 3 minutes.
At the airport
With cabin baggage only, head straight to security with your phone boarding pass and a valid government ID. With check-in baggage, use the airline’s bag drop counter — the queue is usually shorter than the regular check-in line. Domestic boarding gates close 25 minutes before departure at both T3 Delhi and T2 Bengaluru.
Direct vs Via-Mumbai Connecting Options
Direct Delhi-Bengaluru flights are the obvious choice — at 2 hours 50 minutes, total travel time is unbeatable. Via-Mumbai connections add 4-6 hours to your day and only make sense during fare emergencies. Connecting fares occasionally drop below ₹3,500 during sales, but the time cost rarely justifies the savings. Stick with direct unless you have a specific reason to break the journey.
When connections make sense
If direct fares spike above ₹10,000 during peak weeks, a Delhi-Mumbai-Bengaluru itinerary on different carriers can save ₹2,500-4,000. Build in a 90-minute layover minimum. Mumbai (BOM) has a separate terminal split between Terminal 1 (low-cost) and Terminal 2 (full-service), so check connection terminals carefully — terminal changes can eat your layover time.
Risks of connecting flights
If you book the two legs on separate PNRs and miss the connection due to a delay on the first leg, the second airline won’t rebook you. Always book connecting itineraries as a single ticket where possible. For families and elderly travellers, the connection hassle isn’t worth ₹2,000 savings.
How to Save on Delhi-Bengaluru Flights — Practical Tips
Saving ₹1,500-3,000 per ticket is realistic on this route with the right tactics. The biggest savings come from flexibility on day of week and time of day, followed by booking window timing. Avoid airline brand loyalty unless you’re chasing miles — on Delhi-Bengaluru, the cheapest seat changes by airline every week.
Fare alerts and price tracking
Set fare alerts 6-8 weeks before your travel date. Track at least two dates around your target — sometimes shifting your trip by a day saves ₹2,000. Check the same route on weekends if you’ve been searching weekdays, just to see how the pricing curve sits.
Off-peak hour flying
Mid-day departures (11 AM-2 PM) and red-eye flights (after 9 PM) consistently undercut peak slots. If you’re not married to a 7 AM departure, the mid-day slot may save ₹1,500-2,500.
Avoid Friday evening and Sunday late afternoon
These two slots are the most expensive on the route every week. Even shifting your return to Sunday morning or Monday morning can save ₹2,000-3,000. Corporate flyers who can extend their Bengaluru stay by one night frequently come out ahead.
Use one platform consistently
Compare prices on one trusted platform and book there. Bouncing between platforms wastes time and exposes you to dynamic pricing — search the same flight five times on the same platform and the displayed fare may creep up. Search smart: clear cookies, use private/incognito mode, and search once decisively.
Best Time to Book — Advance vs Last-Minute
For Delhi-Bengaluru, the optimal booking window is 35-55 days out (5-7 weeks). Within this window, average fares sit 25-40% below last-minute prices and 5-15% below ultra-early bookings made 3+ months out. Last-minute booking only wins when airlines run flash sales — and those sales typically happen on Tuesday nights for Wednesday-Thursday travel.
Advance booking strategy
Book at 5-7 weeks out for the cheapest predictable fares. If your travel dates are fixed and the trip is during a peak week (Diwali, Christmas, IPL), book 8-10 weeks out — peak weeks fill fast and last-minute fares cross ₹15,000.
Last-minute booking
For non-peak dates, last-minute fares within 48-72 hours can drop if airlines have unsold inventory. We’ve seen Tuesday afternoon flights drop to ₹4,500 the night before. But this is gambling — peak demand routes like Delhi-Bengaluru rarely have spare seats during business hours.
Return Journey — What to Consider for Bengaluru to Delhi
Return fares from Bengaluru to Delhi are mostly symmetric with the outbound, with one twist: Sunday evening Bengaluru-Delhi is the single most expensive slot on this route. Friday evening Delhi-Bengaluru is peak. Sunday morning Bengaluru-Delhi runs ₹2,500-3,500 cheaper than Sunday evening. Book round-trip if dates are firm — round-trip fares average 8-12% below two one-ways.
Round-trip vs two one-way bookings
Round-trip booking on the same airline often unlocks combined fare discounts. For business travellers on flexible return dates, two one-way bookings on different airlines may be cheaper — particularly if outbound is on a peak day and return is on an off-peak day.
Bengaluru airport departure tips
BLR has heavy security checks during peak morning hours (5:30-7:30 AM). Plan to arrive 2 hours 15 minutes before departure for these slots. T2 has more amenities — multiple food courts, lounges, and a calmer pre-security area. T1 is more cramped but operations are quick.
Common Questions
How long is the Delhi to Bengaluru flight?
Non-stop flights take 2 hours 50 minutes on average. Distance flown is around 1,740 km. Some Akasa and IndiGo rotations land in 2 hours 40 minutes with favourable tailwinds, while connecting flights via Mumbai or Hyderabad take 5-7 hours including layover.
What’s the cheapest day to fly Delhi to Bengaluru?
Tuesday is the cheapest day, followed by Wednesday. Fares on these days run 20-35% below Friday and Sunday peaks. Mid-day departures (11 AM-2 PM) and late-night red-eyes (after 9 PM) on Tuesday-Wednesday are the absolute cheapest slots on this route most weeks of the year.
Which airline is best for Delhi-Bengaluru flights?
IndiGo offers the most frequencies (35+ daily) and reliable on-time performance. Air India provides 25kg baggage and meals in economy. Akasa Air often has the lowest fares. SpiceJet runs limited frequencies but matches competitors on pricing. Choice depends on whether you value schedule, baggage, or cheapest fare most.
How early should I book Delhi-Bengaluru flights?
Book 5 to 7 weeks ahead for the cheapest predictable fares of ₹4,000-5,500. Booking 8-10 weeks ahead works for peak weeks like Diwali and Christmas. Last-minute booking (within 7 days) typically costs ₹8,500-12,000. Booking 3+ months ahead rarely beats the 5-7 week window.
What’s the baggage allowance on Delhi-Bengaluru flights?
Standard allowance is 15kg check-in plus 7kg cabin baggage on IndiGo, Akasa, and SpiceJet. Air India offers 25kg check-in plus 8kg cabin on most economy fares. Excess baggage costs ₹500-750 per kilogram at the airport — pre-book extra on the airline website to save 30-50%.
Which terminal at Bengaluru airport for IndiGo and Air India?
Air India, Akasa Air, and most IndiGo flights operate from Terminal 2 at Bengaluru Kempegowda International. SpiceJet and some older IndiGo rotations use Terminal 1. Always check your boarding pass for the exact terminal — they’re a 10-minute shuttle ride apart.
Are direct flights faster than via-Mumbai connections?
Direct flights take 2 hours 50 minutes. Via-Mumbai connections take 5-7 hours with the layover. Direct is always faster and usually only ₹500-1,500 more expensive. Choose connections only if direct fares cross ₹10,000 during peak weeks and you have time to spare.
Can I get cheap last-minute Delhi-Bengaluru fares?
Last-minute fares are rarely cheap on this high-demand route. Tuesday-Wednesday mid-day flights occasionally drop to ₹4,500 within 48 hours if seats are unsold. Friday-Sunday last-minute fares always exceed ₹9,000. Don’t gamble on last-minute pricing for peak travel weeks — book 5-7 weeks ahead.
What months are cheapest for Delhi-Bengaluru flights?
February, August, and early September are the cheapest months with average fares of ₹4,200-5,200. December, late October (Diwali), and IPL season (March-May) drive prices up by 30-60%. Avoid Christmas-New Year and Diwali weeks for the cheapest fares of the year.
How do I web check-in for Delhi-Bengaluru flights?
Web check-in opens 48 hours before departure on all four airlines’ websites and apps. Enter your PNR and last name, pick your seat, and download the boarding pass to your phone. Web check-in closes 60-75 minutes before departure. Use it to skip airport queues if you’re travelling cabin-baggage only.
Final Word — Booking Smart on Delhi-Bengaluru
The Delhi-Bengaluru route rewards planners and punishes procrastinators. Lock your travel dates 5-7 weeks ahead, pick Tuesday or Wednesday if your schedule flexes, and skip Friday evening and Sunday afternoon at all costs. The difference between a well-planned ticket and a last-minute one is often ₹4,000-6,000 — enough to fund a weekend stay on either end of the trip.
Start your search on HappyFares, compare across all four airlines in one view, and set fare alerts for your target dates. For deeper guides, see our best time to book flights in India guide, the Bengaluru airport guide, the IndiGo baggage policy, and our first-time flyer guide for new travellers.
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