Where to transit when going to India? Important notes when transiting

India, a country of a billion people with an ancient civilization of 5,000 years, is the cradle of Hinduism and Buddhism, the homeland of the legendary Taj Mahal, the magnificent Rajasthan palaces, and the majestic Himalayas. From the ancient city of Varanasi to the poetic backwaters of Kerala, from the Thar Desert to the beaches of Goa, India offers diverse experiences from deep spirituality to vibrant culture.There is now a direct flight from Vietnam , but transit is still common to save costs or to reach cities other than Delhi.

Current flight situation

Direct flight routes from Vietnam (Latest):

• VietJet Air: Ho Chi Minh City → New Delhi (6.5 hours)
• IndiGo: Ho Chi Minh City → New Delhi (6.5 hours)
• Trend: Airlines are expanding routes

Advantages of direct flights:

• Save time, no transit risks
• Competitive prices with transit routes
• Transit visa not required

Disadvantages:

• Only to Delhi, domestic flight needed to go to another city
• Few flight time options
• Do not accumulate miles with major airlines

India's major international airports

New Delhi (DEL) – Indira Gandhi International:

• India's largest and most modern airport
• Hub for Air India, Vistara, IndiGo
• Primary gateway for the Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur)

Mumbai (BOM) – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International:

• Financial and Bollywood hub
• Hub for Air India, IndiGo
• Gateway to Western India

Bangalore (BLR) – Kempegowda International:

• “Silicon Valley of India”
• Modern, less congested airport

Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD), Kochi (COK)– Other important regional gateways

Most popular transit points

Southeast Asia (Convenient, small time difference)

Bangkok (BKK/DMK), Thailand:

• Thai Airways, Air Indiafrom BKK to DEL, BOM, BLR (4-5 hours)
• Advantages: Close to Vietnam, many flights, reasonable prices
• Important note: Thai Airways often at BKK (Suvarnabhumi), AirAsia at DMK (Don Mueang) –avoid airport confusion

Singapore (SIN):

• Singapore Airlines, Air India Express, IndiGoto DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA (4.5-6 hours)
• Advantages: Changi Airport best in the world, free 5-hour city tour, little time difference
• Disadvantages: Ticket prices may be higher

Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia:

• Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia Xto DEL, BOM, BLR (4.5-5.5 hours)
• Advantages: AirAsia has cheap prices, extensive network across India
• Note: Malaysia Airlines at KLIA, AirAsia at KLIA2 – completely different terminalsdifferent terminal

Middle East (Premium service, wide network)

daily flights to CGK, DPS (8-9 hours)

• For longer international journeys, you can fly by daily flights to DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA, CCU (4-4.5 hours)
• Advantages: World-class service, modern Hamad airport, competitive prices
• Disadvantages: May have long waits between flights

has 4-5 daily flights (1.5 hours)

• - Fastest route:2-3 flights/day to DEL, BOM, BLR, CCU (3.5-4 hours)
• Advantages: World's most modern airport, excellent duty-free shopping
• Disadvantages: Ticket prices are usually higher

Istanbul (IST), Turkey:

• Hanoi Istanbul Ammanflights to DEL, BOM (7-8 hours)
• Advantages: Competitive prices, modern new airport
• Disadvantages: Longer flight time

Suggested route from Vietnam

Option 1: Direct flight (Optimal for Delhi)

Ho Chi Minh City → New Delhi DEL

• Hãng : VietJet, IndiGo
• Time: 6.5 hours
• Cost: $400-800$USD
• Advantages: Fastest, no transit risk

Option 2: Via the Middle East (Good price, high service)

Vietnam Doha DOH/Dubai DXB Delhi DEL/Mumbai BOM

• Hãng : Qatar Airways, Emirates
• Time: 12-15 hours + waiting
• Cost: $600-1.200$USD
• Advantages: Good service, many destinations, stable flight schedule

Option 3: Via Singapore (Balanced)

Vietnam Singapore SIN Mumbai BOM/Bangalore BLR

• Hãng : Singapore Airlines, Scoot
• Time: 10-13 hours + waiting
• Cost: $500-1.000$USD
• Advantages: Great airport, little time difference

Option 4: Via Bangkok (Economical)

Vietnam Bangkok BKK Delhi DEL/Mumbai BOM

• Hãng : Thai Airways, Thai Smile
• Time: 8-11 hours + waiting
• Cost: $400-700$USD
• Advantages: Cheapest price, close, many flights

Safe transit time

Same ticket/same alliance:

• Southeast Asia (SIN/KUL/BKK): Minimum $2-3$ hours
• Middle East (DOH/DXB): Minimum $2-3$ hours
• Châu Âu: Minimum $2.5-3$ hours

Other tickets (self-transfer):

• Southeast Asia: Minimum $4-6$ hours (5-6 hours if changing airports BKK DMK)
• Middle East: Minimum $5-6$ hours
• Enter India then connect domestically: $3-4$ hours

Seasonal contingency:

• Peak season (10-3): Additional$30-60$ minutes for crowded
• Delhi Fog (12-1): Additional$1-2$hours for delay
• Mumbai Monsoon (6-9): Additional$1$ hours buffer

Visa and required documents

India e-Visa (Highly Recommended)

Popular e-Visa Types:

• 30 days single entry: $25$USD
• 30 days multiple entry: $40$USD
• 1 year multiple entry: $80$USD
• 5 year multiple entry: $80$USD

How to Apply:

• Official website: indianvisaonline.gov.in (avoid fake websites)
• Processing Time: 3-5 business days
• Validity: 120 days from the date of issue
• Maximum Stay: 90 days/entry

Required documents:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages
• 51x51mm color photo with white background
• Passport information page scan
• Round-trip air ticket
• Accommodation details (first hotel)
• Important: Must print e-Visa and carry a hard copy

Transit Visa:

• Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand: No visa required if transiting airside for less than 24 hours
• UAE/Qatar: No airside transit visa needed
• Always checkspecific requirements by nationality

Health and Vaccinations

: Permethrin-treated

• Hepatitis AHepatitis A, B
• Hepatitis BImportant
• Typhoid fever: Essential due to food hygiene
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis : Booster update

Vaccinations by region:

• Yellow Fever: Mandatory if coming from endemic areas
• Japanese Encephalitis: Rural areas during monsoon
• Malaria: Prophylaxis for Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala

Prevention of digestive diseases:

• Golden Rule: “Cook it, peel it, or forget it”
• Only drink bottled water
• Avoid ice cubes, raw salads
• Be careful with street food

Health insurance:

• Recommendation: Minimum $100.000$USD
• Inclusions: Emergency, treatment, medical repatriation

Currency and costs

Currency:

• Official: Indian Rupee (INR)
• Exchange rate: $1USD\approx 83INR$
• Limits : Do not carry more than$25.000$ INR in/out

Estimated cost (budget traveler):

• Round-trip air ticket: $400-1.200$USD
• Hostel/guesthouse: $5-15$USD/night
• Mid-range hotel: $20-50$USD/night
• Eating street food: $1-3$USD/meal
• Mid-range restaurant: $5-12$USD/meal
• Total cost for 14 days: $600-1.500$ USD/person

Payment methods:

• Cash: Still mainstream
• Digital payment: UPI, Paytm are very popular
• Credit cards: Hotels, large restaurants
• ATMs: Available everywhere, fees around$2-4$ USD/time

Best time

Winter (Nov-Mar) – Best:

• Weather: $15-25°C$, dry
• Advantages: Ideal for sightseeing
• Disadvantages: Peak season, prices 30-50% higher

Summer (Apr-Jun):

• Weather: $30-45°C$, extremely hot
• Advantages: Lowest prices
• Ideal: Hill stations, Kashmir

Rainy season (Jun-Sep):

• Weather: $25-35°C$, heavy rain
• Advantages: Lush green nature
• Ideal: Kerala backwaters

Safety and culture

Safety:

• Crime: Low on violence, high on scams
• Women: Dress modestly, be more careful
• Common Scams: Fake travel agent, gem scam, taxi overcharge
• Emergency number: 100(police)108(emergency)

Culture:

• Language: Hindi and English (widely spoken in tourist areas)
• Religion: Hindu 80%, Islam 14%
• Greetings: “Namaste” with folded hands
• Temples: Remove shoes, dress modestly
• Tipping: 10-15% restaurants

Preparation checklist

Documents:

• Passport valid for 6+ months with 2-3 blank pages
• India e-Visa (printout required)
• Round-trip air ticket
• International travel insurance
• Notarized copies of important documents

Health:

• Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid vaccination
• Digestive medicine (Imodium, ORS)
• SPF 50+ Sunscreen
• Personal medications with English prescription

Technology:

• Adapter Type C/D/M (3 different types)
• SIM card: Airtel, Jio – buy at airport
• Useful apps: Ola/Uber (taxis), Zomato (food delivery), MakeMyTrip (train tickets)

Finance:

• Credit cards (inform your bank beforehand)
• USD cash for INR exchange
• E-wallets if available

Booking tips and practical notes

Smart booking:

• Book 6-8 weeks in advance, especially during peak season (March-May)
• Prioritize tickets from the same airline/alliance for layover protection
• If self-transfer, choose daytime transit with sufficient buffer time

Luggage and procedures:

• Low-cost airlines often do not transfer luggage between flights
• Buy checked baggage online to save money
• Prepare accommodation address for immigration forms

Airport notes:

• Bangkok: Check BKK vs DMK
• Kuala Lumpur: KLIA vs KLIA2
• Mumbai/Delhi: International/domestic terminals may differ

Conclusion

India is the most diverse and rich destination in the world, worthy of the name"Incredible India" From the legendary Taj Mahal to the poetic Kerala backwaters, from the majestic Himalayas to the Rajasthan desert, each region offers a unique experience.

Optimal choice:

• Direct flightBest for Delhi (VietJet, IndiGo)
• Via Middle EastPremium service, many destinations
• Via SingaporeBalanced price-quality
• Via BangkokMost economical

Most important preparations:

• e-Visa via the official website indianvisaonline.gov.in
• Vaccination Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid
• Health insurance comprehensive
• Prepare yourself for cultural differences

India can be a culture shock, but it is also a life-changing experience. Come with an open mind and be ready for the wonders of "The Land of a Thousand Colors".

Note: Visa information and entry requirements may change. Always check the official website and the Indian Consulate before departure.