The best budget airlines for Indian travellers

Flying with a budget airline can be significantly more affordable than full-service airlines, which means more money left over for the actual holiday.

Planning your next holiday but not keen on blowing your entire budget on flights? Budget airlines are your best friends. Yes, you will pay extra for checked baggage, meals and seat selection — but the base fares more than make up for it. Here is everything you need to know about the best budget airlines available for travel to and from India.

Best budget airlines in India

India's domestic aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, and Indian budget carriers now collectively hold over 70% of total domestic seat capacity. Whether you are hopping between metros or exploring a smaller city, these are the low-cost carriers to know.

IndiGo

India's largest passenger airline, IndiGo operates over 2,200 daily flights connecting 141 destinations, of which 45 are international. Its all-Airbus A320 family fleet keeps fuel costs low and fares competitive. Meals, checked baggage and seat selection are all paid extras, but the no-fuss, on-time service makes IndiGo the go-to choice for millions. It was awarded Best Airline in India & South Asia at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025.

Air India Express

Air India Express is an Indian low-cost airline owned by the Air India Group. As of March 2026, the airline operates more than 500 flights per day to 45 domestic and 17 international destinations, with its primary hubs at Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. It is especially strong on routes to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It's the second-largest low-cost carrier in India after IndiGo.

Akasa Air

India's newest major carrier is also one of its most exciting. Akasa Air launched its commercial operations in July 2022 and has since expanded to 31 destinations including 25 domestic and six international as of January 2026. The airline launched international flights to Qatar in March 2024 and later added flights to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. It operates an all-Boeing 737 MAX fleet with an economy-only configuration and offers paid meal, seat selection and priority boarding options. Akasa Air is also evaluating new routes to East African destinations such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt as part of its international expansion.

SpiceJet

SpiceJet is the fourth largest airline in India by number of domestic passengers carried, with a market share of 4%, connecting 73 destinations including 60 Indian and 13 international. SpiceJet connects popular leisure destinations and is known for its SpiceMax seats that offers extra legroom at a reasonable price compared to the other budget airlines in India.

People at airport departure lounge

Popular international budget airlines

If you are travelling internationally, these are the budget carriers worth watching — particularly those with connections from India or useful for multi-city trips abroad.

Scoot

Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary is one of the best options for Indian travellers heading to Southeast Asia or Australia. Scoot serves 82 international destinations across 18 countries as of early 2026 and operates from several Indian cities including Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam. Its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet makes for a comfortable long-haul budget experience. Scoot was voted the Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline in the World by Skytrax in 2024.

AirAsia

The Malaysian budget airline remains one of the world's most recognised low-cost carriers. It operates flights to over 165 destinations across 25 countries and connects India to the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and China, as well as Australia. AirAsia has repeatedly been named the world's best low-cost airline and serves several Indian cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Ryanair

If you are planning a multi-country trip to Europe, Ryanair should be your first stop for fares. The Irish low-cost carrier connects over 34 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East and serves major airports including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon and London Gatwick, among many others. While Ryanair does not fly directly from India, it is an invaluable tool for hopping between European cities once you arrive.

EasyJet

Ryanair's closest European rival, EasyJet operates on over 800 routes across more than 30 countries. Like Ryanair, it is ideal for budget inter-Europe travel. Its relatively young fleet and wide coverage of both major and secondary European airports make it a smart pick for itinerary flexibility. EasyJet does not fly from India but is excellent for European legs of a longer trip.

VietJet Air

Vietnam's most popular low-cost carrier is increasingly relevant for Indian travellers. VietJet Air flies to 19 domestic destinations and 42 international destinations from its bases in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. For Indian travellers, it is a smart option for exploring Vietnam affordably and connecting onward to destinations across Southeast Asia. The Bengaluru–Ho Chi Minh City route, currently a seasonal service, is expected to be upgraded to daily flights, and VietJet Thailand has also been expanding services from Bangkok to Indian cities including Kolkata and Chennai. Fares are kept very competitive, making it a great pick if Vietnam or a broader Southeast Asia itinerary is on the cards.

Tips for getting the cheapest fares

Getting the best price with any budget airline comes down to a few smart habits. Start by searching across all airlines and travel providers on Skyscanner to compares prices from over 1,200 trusted partners in one place, so you never have to juggle multiple tabs. Use the Whole Month view to pinpoint the cheapest day to fly on your chosen route. Once you have found a fare you like, set up a Price Alert and Skyscanner will notify you by email or app notification the moment the price rises or falls, so you can book at exactly the right time. You can also use the Explore Everywhere tool if your destination is flexible — simply enter your departure city and let Skyscanner show you the cheapest places to fly to on your chosen dates.

And if you want all of this in your pocket, the Skyscanner app gives you access to Price Alerts, Saved Lists and exclusive in-app fare drops of 20% or more on the go.

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FAQs about the best budget airlines in India

Budget airlines in India typically include only your seat and a small piece of cabin baggage — usually 7 kg — in the base fare. Checked baggage, meals, seat selection, priority boarding and extra legroom are all paid add-ons. The key is to factor these in when comparing prices. A budget fare with one checked bag added can still work out significantly cheaper than a full-service fare, but it is worth doing the sums before you book. If you are travelling light with just cabin baggage, budget airlines almost always offer the best value.

Yes, but the fees can take a significant bite out of your fare. Most budget carriers in India allow changes and cancellations, but charge a fee per passenger per sector, and the closer you are to the departure date, the higher the fee.

Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages of flying budget in India. The Indian government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme has incentivised airlines including IndiGo, Air India Express and SpiceJet to launch subsidised routes connecting smaller cities and towns that were previously underserved by air travel. Destinations like Darbhanga, Hindon, Jharsuguda, Rupsi and Shillong are now accessible by air at very reasonable fares thanks to this scheme. If you are planning to visit a less obvious destination, it is worth searching on Skyscanner — you may be surprised by what is available.

Want more budget travel tips?

Travelling on a budget is easier than you think. Start with inspiration from our guide to the super packing checklist for travel. Then keep costs down by timing your booking right with our guide on when flight prices drop, and bring it all together with our Dream international destinations from India article, packed with tips and inspiration for your next trip.

Looking for cheap flights? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels, and car hire deals for your next trip.