When you’re flying from the USA to India flights, direct routes between major U.S. cities and Indian hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Also known as transcontinental flights to India, these trips connect two very different worlds — and require real planning to get right. This isn’t just about picking a cheap ticket. It’s about understanding when to book, what documents you need, and how to avoid surprises once you land.
One of the biggest things travelers miss is the India visa for US citizens, a mandatory e-Visa that must be applied for online before departure. Also known as India e-Visa, it takes about 72 hours to process and costs around $100 in 2025. Don’t wait until the last minute — delays happen, and you won’t be allowed to board without it. Then there’s health: Indian travel vaccines, including hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine shots like MMR and tetanus. Also known as travel immunizations for India, these aren’t just recommendations — they’re your first line of defense against illness on the ground. The CDC and WHO list these clearly. Skip them, and you risk getting sick during what should be the trip of a lifetime.
Flight prices swing wildly. The cheapest time to fly is usually between April and June, right before monsoon season hits. Avoid December and January — that’s peak season, and prices jump 40% or more. Airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and United offer direct flights from New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. But if you’re flexible, flying into smaller cities like Hyderabad or Ahmedabad can save you money — and give you a less crowded start to your journey.
And here’s something most guides don’t say: the time difference matters. If you leave New York at 8 PM, you’ll land in Delhi at 7 AM the next day — but your body thinks it’s 9 PM. That’s a 10.5-hour jump. Plan your first day lightly. Don’t try to hike the Taj Mahal grounds right after landing. Rest. Hydrate. Eat something light. Your body will thank you.
What you’ll find below are real, practical posts from travelers who’ve done this. You’ll see how much they paid for flights, which vaccines they actually got, how they handled the visa, and what they wish they’d known before boarding. No fluff. No theory. Just what works.
