The September rush
Late August and September are among the busiest weeks of the year on flights from India to the UK, as thousands of students start their courses at the same time. Fares rise as term approaches, and the most convenient flights into Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham fill early.
As soon as you have your offer and your visa timeline, look at flights. If you cannot book until the visa arrives, choose a fare you can change or cancel.
Our tip: Aim to arrive a few days before induction. It gives you time to collect your residence documents, open a bank account and settle in.
Choosing the right UK airport
Fly into the airport nearest your university, not automatically Heathrow. Manchester suits universities in the North West and Yorkshire, Birmingham the Midlands, and Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland. Gulf airlines fly to all of them from many Indian cities, so a single connection often beats a non-stop to London followed by a long train journey with heavy cases.
For London universities, Heathrow has non-stops from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, and Gatwick from Ahmedabad.
Booking a student flight?
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Baggage for the move
Moving for a year or more means more luggage than a holiday. Check the checked baggage allowance on your exact fare, as cheaper fares can carry less. Adding an extra bag in advance is usually much cheaper than paying at the airport.
Some airlines offer student fares or special allowances from time to time. We check what is available for your route and dates. Our baggage guide explains how allowances work.
Flexible fares for term dates
Exam timetables, resits and placements can move your dates. A fare that allows changes costs a little more but can save a great deal if plans shift. For the return home at the end of the course, a one-way or a flexible return may suit better than a fixed date.
Our one-way flights guide explains when a one-way ticket makes sense.
Going home for the holidays
Christmas, Diwali and the summer break are when most students fly home. December fares to India are high because of the winter wedding season and the Christmas peak, so book as early as you can once your term dates are confirmed.
If your family is in a city without a non-stop, a Gulf connection from your nearest UK airport is often the easiest route. See our Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad pages.
Visas and documents
Indian students coming to the UK need the right UK student visa, applied for through the official GOV.UK service. Carry your visa documents and your university’s letter in your hand luggage, as UK Border Force may ask to see them. Do not book non-refundable flights before your visa is granted.
British students going to India need the correct Indian visa for study or the relevant purpose, or an OCI card, plus the free e-Arrival card. Our e-Arrival card guide explains the form.
Arriving in the UK
Many universities run airport pick-up services during induction week, especially from Heathrow and Manchester. Check with your university before you book, and time your flight to match. If you arrive outside those times, trains and coaches link the main airports with most university cities.
Parents visiting for graduation
Graduation is a proud moment, and many parents fly over for it. Indian passport holders need a UK visitor visa, so apply early. Our India to UK flights guide explains how we book for parents, including wheelchair help if needed.
Paying and booking from either country
Parents in India often pay for flights, while students in the UK manage the details. We can take payment in the UK and send tickets to both the student and the family, and our team speaks Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English if parents want to call.
What to pack in your hand luggage
Keep your passport, visa documents, university letter, accommodation details, medicines and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. Your laptop and any power banks must travel in the cabin too. If your checked bags are delayed, you will still have what you need for the first days.
Carry a little cash in pounds for the journey from the airport, and make sure your phone will work in the UK when you land.
Travelling in a group
Students heading to the same university often travel together. We can book groups on the same flights, which helps with confidence on a first long-haul journey and makes it easier to share a taxi or a pick-up at the other end. Give us the names and dates early in the summer.
Coming to the UK in January
Some courses start in January. Flights in early January are busy with families returning after Christmas and the wedding season in India, so book as early as you can. Pack for the British winter, with a warm coat in your hand luggage for the journey from the airport.
If you are travelling from northern India, morning fog in December and January can delay flights out of Delhi, so allow a margin before your induction date.
Questions people ask
Do universities pick students up from the airport?
Many do during induction week, especially from Heathrow and Manchester. Check with your university first.
Is January a busy time to fly to the UK?
Yes. Early January is busy with families returning after Christmas and the Indian wedding season, so book early.
Can a group of students fly together?
Yes. We can book students heading to the same university on the same flights. Give us the details early in the summer.
When should I book my flight to the UK for university?
As soon as your visa timeline is clear. Late August and September are very busy, so earlier is better, ideally with a fare you can change.
Should I fly to Heathrow if my university is in Manchester?
Usually not. Fly to Manchester with one stop rather than a London non-stop and a long train journey with heavy luggage.
How much baggage can I take as a student?
It depends on the airline and fare. Check the allowance on your exact fare and add bags in advance if you need them.
Are there student fares to India?
Some airlines offer student fares or extra allowances at times. We check what is available for your dates.
Should I book before my UK visa is granted?
Only with a fare you can change or cancel. Fixed, non-refundable fares are a risk until the visa arrives.
When is it most expensive to fly home to India?
December, because of Christmas and the wedding season, and around Diwali.
Can my parents pay from India?
We take payment in the UK and can send tickets to both the student and the family.
