When one way makes sense
One-way tickets are the right choice in a few common situations: you are moving to India to live or work, you are staying for several months and do not know your return date, you are travelling on to another country, or you are flying out on one airline and back on another to suit your dates.
They are also common for parents who spend a long winter in India and fly back when the weather or family plans suit them.
Why a return is often cheaper
On many routes between the UK and India, a one-way fare costs more than half a return, and sometimes almost as much as a full return. Airlines price returns for visitors, so for a standard trip of a few weeks, a return is usually better value.
If you might need to change the return date, a return fare that allows changes can still work out cheaper than two one-way tickets. We compare both for your dates before you decide.
Our tip: Ask us to price a flexible return alongside the one-way. The difference is often smaller than people expect.
Not sure whether to book one way?
Tell us where your family is and when you want to go. We check every airline and we’ll beat any quote*.
Visas and onward travel
If you are travelling on a British passport, you still need an Indian visa or an OCI card, and the free e-Arrival card. Airlines and immigration officers may ask how you plan to leave India if you arrive on a one-way ticket and a short-term visa.
Make sure your visa allows the length of stay you plan. Overstaying is illegal, and the Foreign Office advises leaving before your visa expires or applying for an extension where that is allowed.
- Check your visa covers your full stay.
- Carry evidence of onward or return plans if you have them.
- OCI cardholders have more flexibility, but check the rules for long stays.
Open-jaw: a smarter alternative
If you are flying into one Indian city and home from another, you do not need two one-way tickets. An open-jaw ticket, for example London to Delhi and Mumbai to London, is usually priced like a return and avoids backtracking across India.
It suits touring holidays and visits to relatives in different states. See our Rajasthan and Kerala guides for ideas.
Moving to India
If you are relocating, baggage matters more than usual. Higher fare types and premium cabins carry more, and extra bags are cheaper when added in advance than at the airport. For larger moves, shipping household goods separately is often more sensible than flying with them.
Our baggage guide explains how allowances work.
Long winter stays for parents
Many grandparents spend three or four months in India over the winter. A one-way out, then a one-way back when they are ready, gives flexibility, but a flexible return can be cheaper and keeps everything on one booking. Check that their travel insurance covers the full length of the stay, as many policies have trip limits.
We can arrange wheelchair assistance at both ends. See our page on assisted travel for elderly passengers.
One way from India to the UK
The same applies in the other direction. If relatives are coming to the UK for a set period on a visitor visa, a return is usually wiser. For people moving to the UK on a longer-term visa, one way can make sense. Our India to UK flights guide explains how we book from India.
Changing your mind later
If you book one way and later want to come home on a particular date, you buy a new one-way at the fare available then. Close to busy dates such as Christmas, the end of the wedding season or the summer holidays, that can be expensive. Booking the return early, even with a change fee, can protect you from that.
How we help
Tell us your plans, how sure you are of the dates and what you are carrying. We will compare one-way, return, flexible return and open-jaw options, and explain the rules on each. And we will beat any quote*.
Travel insurance on a one-way trip
Many single-trip policies need a return date, and annual policies often limit each trip to a few weeks. If you are moving or staying for a long time, look for long-stay or expatriate cover, and check that it starts on the day you travel.
If you will live in India, check what local health insurance options suit you once you arrive. Our travel insurance guide explains what to look for.
Booking a one-way for someone else
Families often book a one-way ticket for a relative moving to India or returning after a long stay in the UK. We can book from the UK and send the ticket to them, arrange help at the airport and talk to them directly in their language. ATOL protection applies to flights booked with us.
Travelling on to another country
If India is one stop on a longer journey, for example on to Sri Lanka, Nepal or South East Asia, a one-way to India plus an onward ticket is normal. Keep proof of the onward flight with you at check-in. Our guides to Sri Lanka and Nepal cover the nearby routes.
Questions people ask
Can I book a one-way ticket for a relative in India?
Yes. We book from the UK and send the ticket to them, with airport help if they need it.
Does travel insurance cover a one-way trip?
Not always. Many single-trip policies need a return date. Look for long-stay cover if you are moving or staying for months.
Can I fly to India on a one-way ticket?
Yes. You still need a valid visa or OCI card, and you may be asked about your plans to leave India.
Is a one-way flight to India cheaper than a return?
Often not. One-way fares can cost more than half a return, so for a normal visit a return is usually better value.
What is an open-jaw ticket?
A ticket into one city and home from another, priced like a return. It avoids backtracking and is not two one-ways.
Should parents on a long stay book one way?
A flexible return is often cheaper and keeps things simple. Check their insurance covers the whole stay.
Can I change a return date later?
On many fares, yes, for a fee and any difference in fare. We will explain the rules on each option.
Do I need proof of onward travel for India?
Airlines or immigration may ask about your plans, especially on a short-term visa. Carry any onward bookings you have.
Is one way better when moving to India?
Usually yes. Check the baggage allowance carefully and consider shipping larger items separately.
