Flying to South India — Chennai, Kochi & Bengaluru from Australia
Chennai, Kochi and Bengaluru serve big South Indian communities in Australia. Here is how to fly to each for less, including the one nonstop option.
South India, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, is home for large communities across Australia, and the routes to Chennai, Kochi and Bengaluru are busy year-round. Here is how to fly to each for less in 2026.
Bengaluru: the one nonstop option
Bengaluru is the only South Indian city with a nonstop link to Australia. Qantas operates a Sydney to Bengaluru service, at around 12 hours, which is the quickest way in when it is running.
One important note: this service was suspended for August to October 2026 and its return was to be reviewed after that. Because schedules on this route have moved around, check the current status when you book, or ask us and we will confirm what is flying. When the nonstop is not available, Bengaluru is easily reached one-stop via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or the Gulf hubs.
Chennai: one stop, well served
There is no nonstop to Chennai, but it is one of the better-connected South Indian cities. The main routings:
- Singapore Airlines and Scoot via Singapore
- Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur
- Thai Airways via Bangkok
- SriLankan Airlines via Colombo
- Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways via the Gulf
A typical journey runs around 13 to 16 hours all-in.
Kochi: gateway to Kerala
Kochi (Cochin) also connects once, most commonly via Singapore, with a journey of around 14 hours, and also via Kuala Lumpur or the Gulf hubs. Carriers serving the route include Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, British Airways and Qantas connections.
When to book South India routes
The seasonal pattern is the same across India:
- December to mid-January is the peak (Australian summer holidays plus wedding season); book four to six months ahead.
- Fares climb before Diwali (8 November in 2026).
- Cheaper windows are roughly February to March and September to early October.
For off-peak travel, around ten to fourteen weeks ahead is best. See our full guide to the cheapest time to fly to India from Australia.
Baggage matters on the long haul
The cheapest online fare usually carries the smallest allowance, and airport excess is the priciest way to carry weight. On the fares we hold, checked baggage is generous, so you can bring what you actually need without paying at the gate. Always compare the allowance against the fare.
Before you fly
Sort your entry document early. Most Australians travel on an India e-Visa; many people of Indian origin use an OCI card. Our India visa and OCI guide explains both.
Heading north instead? See our guides to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Getting help with your booking
Tell us which city you are flying to and your dates, and we will find the cheapest sensible way to get the whole family there.
Request a callback or call 1300 629 507.