Quick fare snapshot — Delhi to Northeast India (one-way)
| Airport (code) | State served | Cheapest fare | Peak fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guwahati (GAU) | Assam, Meghalaya | ₹3,500 | ₹9,500 |
| Bagdogra (IXB) | Sikkim, North Bengal | ₹3,800 | ₹10,500 |
| Dimapur (DMU) | Nagaland | ₹4,200 | ₹11,000 |
| Imphal (IMF) | Manipur | ₹4,500 | ₹11,500 |
| Agartala (IXA) | Tripura | ₹4,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Aizawl / Lengpui (AJL) | Mizoram | ₹5,500 | ₹13,000 |
| Pakyong (PYG) | Sikkim (limited) | ₹6,500 | ₹14,000 |
Fares are 2026 averages from Delhi, booking 30-45 days in advance. Mumbai and Bangalore typically add ₹500-1500 over Delhi prices. Kolkata is consistently the cheapest origin (subtract ₹1000-2000).
The 5 best months to fly cheap into Northeast India
Northeast India fares are seasonal. Here are the windows where fares routinely drop 30-50% below peak:
- February (₹3,500-4,500 to GAU) — winter is dry, no monsoon risk, post-New-Year lull.
- July-August (₹3,500-4,200 to GAU) — monsoon, but Meghalaya is gorgeous and uncrowded. Avoid hilly road trips.
- Late September (₹4,000-5,000) — monsoon ending, festivals haven't started.
- Mid-January (₹3,800-4,800) — after the New Year peak, before the Bihu / Hornbill rush.
- Avoid: December 20-31, October 1-15, April 1-15. Fares double during these windows.
Booking tips that actually save money
1. Use a flight meta-search, not a single OTA. Aviasales / Skyscanner / Hotellook compare 200+ booking sites in one query. MakeMyTrip and Goibibo show their inventory only — usually 5-15% pricier on the same routes.
2. Book Tuesday-Wednesday, fly Tuesday-Wednesday. Both booking and flying mid-week is consistently 8-15% cheaper than weekend bookings.
3. Set price alerts. Aviasales sends an email the moment a route drops below your target. Set alerts 6-8 weeks before your trip. We've seen Delhi-Guwahati flights drop from ₹6,200 to ₹3,650 within 3 days during alert windows.
4. Consider a Kolkata layover. Delhi-Kolkata-Guwahati split tickets can save ₹1,500-3,000 vs a direct flight, even with one airline change. Kolkata is also the rail-cheap-fallback if flights spike.
5. Avoid airport taxes by flying domestic-only. All NE India airports are domestic; no foreign-leg taxes. If your origin is international, fly to Delhi or Kolkata, then book the NE leg separately — usually ₹2,000+ cheaper than a single ticket.
After landing — get to your destination cheap too
Flights are only half the trip. Most NE travelers underestimate the airport-to-destination leg. Here's a quick reality check:
- Guwahati → Shillong — 100 km, 3 hours. Shared Sumo: ₹500/seat. Private taxi: ₹3,500-4,500. Full Shillong transfer guide →
- Bagdogra → Gangtok — 124 km, 4 hours. Shared cab: ₹400/seat. Private: ₹3,500.
- Dimapur → Kohima — 75 km, 3 hours. Shared Sumo: ₹350/seat. Private: ₹3,000.
- Imphal Airport → Imphal city — 8 km, 20 min. Pre-paid taxi: ₹250-400.
- Aizawl Airport (Lengpui) → Aizawl city — 35 km, 1.5 hours, ₹600-800 private taxi.
Hotels & stays — book at the same time as flights
Booking your flight and hotel together saves planning time and lets you snag accommodation in the prime areas before they fill (especially for Tawang, Lachung, and Cherrapunji where good homestays book out weeks ahead).
FAQ — flying to Northeast India
Are direct flights available to all 7 NE airports?
Direct flights from Delhi/Mumbai exist for Guwahati, Bagdogra, Dimapur, Imphal, Agartala, and Aizawl. Pakyong (Sikkim) currently has limited direct flights — most travelers fly to Bagdogra and drive 4 hours.
Which airline is cheapest for Northeast India?
IndiGo dominates the Northeast routes (60-70% of capacity) and is usually the cheapest base fare. Air India and Vistara/Air-India-Express are the alternatives. SpiceJet has occasional sales on Delhi-Guwahati. AirAsia India retired in 2024.
Do I need a permit to fly into Northeast India?
No permit needed for the flight itself, but Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian citizens. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP). See full permits guide →
Can I use credit-card miles for Northeast flights?
Yes — IndiGo (6E Rewards), Air India (Flying Returns), and most domestic airlines partner with HDFC/SBI/ICICI rewards. Domestic NE redemptions are typically 5,000-12,000 points one-way. Best value when fares spike during peak season.