After a wedding in India
Many British Indian couples marry in India, in Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan or Goa, and go straight on to the honeymoon. Booking the wedding flights and the honeymoon as one itinerary saves money and backtracking: into one city for the wedding, on to the honeymoon, and home from a third.
Others marry in the UK and fly out afterwards. Either way, the winter season from November to March is the most popular time for both weddings and honeymoons, so book early.
Rajasthan palaces
Udaipur, with its lakes and palace hotels, is India’s classic honeymoon city. Jaipur, Jodhpur and the desert camps of Jaisalmer add colour and history. Fly to Udaipur or Jaipur via Delhi or Mumbai. See our flights to Rajasthan guide.
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Kerala backwaters and hills
A private houseboat on the backwaters, a few nights in the tea hills of Munnar and a beach finish at Varkala or Kovalam make a gentle, romantic route. Add an Ayurveda couples’ massage along the way. See our flights to Kerala guide and backwater tour.
Beaches: Goa and the Andamans
South Goa’s quieter beaches and boutique hotels suit couples who want to relax. For something more remote, the Andaman Islands offer clear water, coral reefs and some of India’s best beaches. See our guides to Goa and the Andaman Islands.
Adding the Maldives
The Maldives is a short flight from Kochi, Trivandrum, Bengaluru, Mumbai or Delhi, which makes it easy to add after a wedding or tour in India. Overwater villas and private islands make it the ultimate honeymoon finish.
Most resorts are reached from Malé by speedboat or seaplane, which runs in daylight only, so time your flight into Malé to arrive in good time for the transfer. We can plan the India to Maldives flight and the return to the UK on one booking.
Our tip: Arrive in Malé before mid-afternoon if your resort uses a seaplane. Late arrivals may need a night near the airport.
Adding Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka combines well with South India: tea hills, Sigiriya and the temples of Kandy, wildlife parks and a beach finish on the south coast. Colombo is a short flight from Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi and Trivandrum. British visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before entering Sri Lanka. See our Sri Lanka flights guide.
Sample honeymoon routes
A few ideas, each bookable as one itinerary from the UK.
| Route | Length | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur | 10 to 12 nights | Palaces and history |
| Kochi, backwaters, Munnar, Varkala | 10 nights | Slow and green |
| Kerala, then the Maldives | 12 to 14 nights | Culture, then pure relaxation |
| Chennai, Andamans | 9 to 10 nights | Islands and diving |
| South India, then Sri Lanka | 14 nights | Two countries, one trip |
Business class for the honeymoon
A honeymoon is a good reason to upgrade. Business class on the long flight means a flat bed, lounge access and a calmer, more comfortable start to married life. Our business class guide explains the options from London and the regions.
When to go
November to March suits most of India and the Maldives, with dry, warm weather. The Andamans are best from about November to April. The south-west monsoon, from about June to September, brings rain to Kerala, Goa and the Maldives, although it can be a quiet, good-value time for Ayurveda and lush scenery.
Documents and names
Book flights in the names exactly as they appear in your passports. If one of you is changing name after the wedding, travel on your current passport and book in that name, as airlines match tickets to passports. British passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card, plus the e-Arrival card.
Luggage after a wedding
Wedding outfits, jewellery and gifts take up space. Check the baggage allowance on every flight, especially short regional flights to the Maldives or within India, which can be lower. Our baggage guide explains what to check.
Hill stations and mountains
For cooler air and quiet, the hill stations are a lovely contrast to the beaches. Munnar in Kerala, Coorg in Karnataka and Darjeeling in the eastern Himalaya all have romantic heritage bungalows and tea or coffee estates to stay on. Further north, Shimla and Manali suit couples who want snow in winter.
See our Darjeeling and Sikkim guide for the eastern hills.
Special touches
Many hotels and resorts arrange honeymoon extras, from flower-decorated rooms and candlelit dinners to private boat trips on Lake Pichola or the backwaters. Tell your hotel you are on honeymoon when you book, and ask what they offer. For a once-in-a-lifetime journey, a few nights on one of India’s luxury trains through Rajasthan is hard to beat. See our train travel guide.
Budget and value
A honeymoon in India can be as simple or as lavish as you like. Palace hotels and Maldives villas are at the top end, while Kerala homestays and Goa boutique hotels offer romance for much less. Flights are often the biggest single cost, so book early for the winter season, when fares rise quickly and the best seats go first.
Questions people ask
Is the Maldives easy to reach from India?
Yes. Direct flights run from Kochi, Trivandrum, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi to Malé, then a boat or seaplane to the resort.
Do we need visas for a honeymoon in India?
Yes, on a British passport. You need an Indian visa or OCI card, plus the free e-Arrival card before you land.
How long should a honeymoon in India be?
Ten to fourteen nights lets you combine two or three places without rushing, or add the Maldives or Sri Lanka at the end.
Where is the best place in India for a honeymoon?
Udaipur and Rajasthan for palaces, Kerala for backwaters and hills, and the Andamans or South Goa for beaches.
Can I add the Maldives to a trip to India?
Yes. The Maldives has direct flights from Kochi, Trivandrum, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. We book it as one itinerary.
How do I combine India and Sri Lanka?
Fly between Colombo and Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi or Trivandrum. British visitors need an ETA for Sri Lanka.
What is the best time for a honeymoon in India?
November to March for most of India and the Maldives.
Should I book in my married name?
Book in the name on the passport you will travel with. Airlines match tickets to passports.
Can you book wedding and honeymoon flights together?
Yes. Into one city for the wedding, on to the honeymoon and home from another, on one booking.
Is business class worth it for a honeymoon?
Many couples think so. A flat bed and lounge access make the long flight part of the holiday.
