Why baggage matters so much on India trips
Very few people fly to India with a small bag. Families take gifts for relatives, wedding outfits, sweets, medicines for parents, and often bring as much back again. A fare that looks cheaper online can end up costing more once you add a second bag at the airport.
That is why we always ask what you are carrying before we compare fares. Two tickets with the same price can carry very different amounts of luggage, and the difference only shows when you get to the check-in desk. If parents are flying on their own with heavy cases, our assisted travel service can arrange help at both airports.
Fare types: the same seat, different bags
Most airlines now sell economy in several fare types. They have different names on each airline, such as basic, light, saver, classic, value or flex, but the idea is the same. The cheapest type usually has the smallest bag allowance and the strictest change rules, and the higher types add bags, seat choice and flexibility.
On some airlines the cheapest long-haul fares include no checked bag at all. On others they include one bag but at a lower weight. Allowances also change from time to time, so always look at the allowance shown for your exact fare when you book, rather than what a friend had last year.
- Check the number of bags and the weight per bag.
- Check whether the allowance is by piece or by total weight.
- Check the cabin bag limit, which is often around 7 kg in economy.
- Check the rules for sports kit, wheelchairs and baby equipment if you need them.
Carrying a lot? We price the fare that actually fits your bags.
Tell us where your family is and when you want to go. We check every airline and we’ll beat any quote*.
Piece or weight: two different systems
Airlines use one of two systems. With the piece system, you are allowed a set number of bags, each up to a maximum weight, for example two bags of up to 23 kg each. You cannot put 30 kg in one bag and 16 kg in the other.
With the weight system, you get a total weight, for example 30 kg, and you can usually split it across bags as you like, as long as no single bag is too heavy for the handlers. Both systems are common on routes between the UK and India, so it is worth knowing which one applies before you pack.
Our tip: Weigh your cases at home. A cheap luggage scale costs less than a few kilos of excess at the airport.
Flights inside India: the 15 kg trap
Many trips do not end at the first Indian airport. You might fly into Delhi and on to Amritsar, or into Mumbai and on to Rajkot. On a separate domestic ticket, Indian airlines commonly allow around 15 kg of checked baggage in economy, which is far less than most international fares.
If your domestic flight is on the same ticket as your international flight, the international allowance usually applies all the way through. If it is a separate ticket, you will normally pay extra for anything above the domestic limit. This is one of the main reasons we try to keep the whole journey on one booking.
A single ticket also protects you if the first flight is late. See our guide to changing planes in Delhi and Mumbai for how connections work on arrival.
A quick comparison
This shows the questions to ask, rather than exact allowances, because airlines change them regularly. We check the current allowance for every quote.
| Booking | What usually applies | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| UK to India, one airline, one ticket | The allowance for your fare type | Number of bags and weight per bag |
| UK to India with a Gulf connection, one ticket | The allowance of the main airline on the ticket | Whether bags go through to India |
| International plus domestic, one ticket | Usually the international allowance throughout | That the domestic leg is really on the same booking |
| International plus domestic, separate tickets | Each airline’s own rules | The domestic limit, often around 15 kg |
Things to keep in your hand luggage
Keep anything you cannot be without in your cabin bag: passports, visa or OCI documents, medicines in their original packaging, phone chargers, and a change of clothes in case a checked bag is delayed. The Foreign Office advises carrying medicines in their original packaging when you travel to India.
Jewellery, cash and important papers are also better kept with you. Power banks and spare batteries must go in the cabin, never in checked bags. The Civil Aviation Authority also says not to charge a power bank during the flight, and many airlines limit how many you can carry.
Bringing things back from India
The return journey is often heavier than the outward one. If you are bringing back clothes, sweets, spices or presents, check your allowance in both directions and leave some room in your cases. There are restrictions on bringing meat, dairy and other animal products into Great Britain, so check the official guidance on food before you buy.
If you know you will need an extra bag, it is usually cheaper to add it in advance than at the airport. Tell us when you book and we will add it or choose a fare that already includes it.
Questions people ask
How much baggage can I take to India?
It depends on the airline and the fare type. Allowances range from no checked bag on some of the cheapest fares to two large bags on others. We check the allowance on every fare we quote.
Is the baggage allowance different on the way back?
It is usually the same on a return ticket, but check both directions on your booking, especially if you bought two one-way tickets.
Why do domestic flights in India allow less baggage?
Indian airlines commonly allow around 15 kg in economy on domestic tickets. If your domestic flight is on the same ticket as your international flight, the international allowance usually applies.
Can I combine weight between two bags?
With a weight-based allowance, usually yes. With a piece-based allowance, each bag has its own limit and you cannot move weight between them.
Is it cheaper to pay for an extra bag in advance?
Usually, yes. Paying at the airport tends to cost more. Tell us what you are carrying and we will add it at the time of booking.
Do babies get a baggage allowance?
Many airlines give infants a small allowance and let you take a pushchair or car seat free, but the rules vary. See our guide to flying to India with children.
What should never go in my checked bag?
Passports, medicines, valuables, cash and power banks. Keep them in your hand luggage.
