Documents for each child
Every child needs their own passport, even a newborn. For British citizens, the Foreign Office says the passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive in India and have at least two blank pages. Children’s passports last five years, so check expiry dates early.
Children travelling on a British passport also need permission to enter India, in the same way as adults: either an Indian visa or an OCI card. Apply in good time, because a baby’s first visa or OCI application can take longer than you expect. Our India visa and OCI help page explains the options.
Each child also needs an e-Arrival card, which a parent can fill in online in the 72 hours before the flight. Our e-Arrival card guide explains how.
- A passport in the child’s own name.
- An Indian visa or OCI card for the child.
- An e-Arrival card for the child, completed before you fly.
- A birth certificate, especially if surnames differ.
Travelling with only one parent
If a child is travelling with one parent, a grandparent or another relative, UK government advice is to get permission from everyone with parental responsibility first. A letter from the other parent, with their contact details and the trip details, is usually enough, and you may be asked for it at a border.
If you are a single parent and your surname is different from your child’s, carry the child’s birth certificate, and a marriage or divorce certificate if that helps show the link. It is better to carry papers you never need than to be held up at immigration with tired children.
Our tip: Keep the letter and certificates with the passports, not in a checked bag.
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Babies, child fares and seats
Babies under two usually travel on a parent’s lap with an infant ticket, which costs much less than a seat. Each adult can normally hold only one baby, so two babies need two adults. From the age of two, children need their own seat.
On long flights, many airlines offer a bassinet, a small cot fixed to the wall in front of certain seats. There are only a few on each aircraft and they have size and weight limits, so ask for one as soon as you book. We request it for you and confirm the seat.
Most airlines let you take a pushchair to the aircraft door and a car seat or travel cot free, but the rules differ, so check before you pack. Our baggage guide explains how allowances work.
Choosing the right route
With children, the cheapest route is not always the best one. A non-stop flight, or one connection that keeps everyone on the same airline, makes the day much easier. A connection that lands in the middle of the night, or a very short change, is the opposite.
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Non-stop from London | The shortest day, no change of plane | Only some cities, and some only on certain days |
| One stop in the Gulf, one airline | A break halfway, bags checked through | Night-time connections with tired children |
| Via Delhi or Mumbai with a domestic flight | Reaching smaller cities | Collecting bags and changing terminals in India |
On the day
Get to the airport early, because queues with children always take longer. Many UK airports have family security lanes. Keep a small bag with nappies, wipes, spare clothes for the child and for you, snacks, a favourite toy and any medicines.
- Feed babies or give them a drink during take-off and landing to help with ear pressure.
- Pack a change of clothes for adults as well as children.
- Download films and games before you leave home.
- Keep passports and boarding passes in one easy pocket.
Health and staying well
Check the vaccine advice for India on TravelHealthPro at least eight weeks before you travel, and speak to your GP or practice nurse about your children. Bring children’s medicines in their original packaging, along with a thermometer and rehydration sachets.
Air pollution in northern Indian cities can be severe from October to February, which matters for children with asthma. Make sure your travel insurance covers every child for the whole trip. See our travel insurance guide.
Coming home
Return journeys are often harder than the outward trip, because children are tired after a busy holiday and the flights home from India tend to leave in the early hours of the morning. Where we can, we choose a return flight that leaves at a more civilised time, or a connection that gives a proper break.
Leave plenty of time to reach the airport in India, as traffic around the big cities can be slow and unpredictable. Keep the children’s passports and visas or OCI cards together with yours, and check that nothing has expired during a long stay. If you are bringing extra luggage home, add the bags before the day.
When to go
School holidays are the busiest and most expensive time to fly to India, especially Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays, and Diwali when it falls in the October half-term. If you are tied to school dates, book as early as you can for the best fares and the best seats together.
For families heading to Gujarat, the non-stop from Gatwick to Ahmedabad is often the easiest way. See flights to Ahmedabad.
Questions people ask
Does my baby need a visa for India?
Yes, if your baby travels on a British passport. Every child needs their own visa or OCI card, as well as their own passport.
Does a child need an e-Arrival card?
Yes. Each traveller on a foreign passport needs one, including babies. A parent can complete it.
Do I need a letter if only one parent is travelling?
UK government advice is to get permission from everyone with parental responsibility, and a letter is usually enough. Carry it with the passports.
At what age does a child need their own seat?
Usually from two years old. Babies under two normally travel on a parent’s lap with an infant ticket.
How do I get a bassinet seat?
Ask when you book. There are only a few per flight and they have size limits. We request it and confirm the seat.
Can I take a pushchair and car seat?
Most airlines allow a pushchair to the aircraft door and a car seat free, but the rules vary, so we check them for your airline.
What is the best route to India with young children?
A non-stop flight, or one connection on the same airline at a sensible time of day. Avoid very short or night-time connections.
