Hi all,

As a college graduation present I would like to buy my wife and I a couple of tickets to go to Inida this winter. What is the optimal time to visit India and when should we avoid? Also, how much would tickets from Boston generally run and are any deals available?

Thanks!

I just purchased tickets on roughly this routing for December. I was looking at flights in the December/January timeframe, and prices were running around $1300 for economy and $3400 for business. Obviously the prices vary with travel dates and routings; I did recently see some much lower business fares for travel in September. You can also probably get some much lower fares going through a consolidator. Coming from the US, my favorite time to visit India has been the winter, since the low temps are what I consider quite comfortable and the high temps are what I consider tolerable. Personally I find May-July to be a little too hot and humid for my comfort level.

xxxxx

At least as far as the timing of your visit is concerned, depends on where exactly in India you're headed to, and what your interests are. PM me if you want some specific dope...

• BOS-FRA-BOM all on LH.
• BOS-LHR-BOM. Either AA+BA, all BA or AA/BA + 9W (Jet)
• EWR-BOM on CO. I'll let you figure out EWR-BOS.
• BOS-AMS-BOM on NW/KLM
• BOS-CDG-BOM on AF.

Pick based on the alliance you prefer to earn in. I have excluded Kingfisher (IT) and Air India (AI). IT is reducing their international coverage, so the LHR-BOM route might be axed. Not up to speed on where they are.

November (late October)to February are the best times to visit most parts of India, except Kashmir and other laces in the mountains. If you like to be there for the Holiday (Hindu/Muslim) season Oct/Nov is good. Avoid monsoon season, which roughly covers June to August. Monsoon arrives earlier in the south than in the north. In the northern planes, it's already hot in April. Between May and early July, avoid popular "hill stations" in the north, which are now crowded, filthy tourist traps. We can provide you more information once we know which part of India you intend to visit. If you are going to Bombay, Dec. to Feb. is good. as Bombay winters are warmer than fall in mid Atlantic states.
Tickets should cost between $900 and $1600 in coach depending on the traveling season. Fares would be towards the lower end between Nov and May/June except Dec 10 to Dec 25th and the first week of January. Availability, at its worst in December, can be bad on certain dates (Holidays) in Oct and Nov also.

am i insane to go to India during the summer? so from the post above it's apparently monsoon season? I'm starting to think about it for next year after i graduate as well..graduation present for myself with my miles. ..unfortunately it's the only time that works in with my schedule. I was thinking middle east + india

not insane at all...its weather for all seasons!