I need to get to India.

[Master Yoda]

This is a little cheeky, I know, but I've been invited to go to India for a hindu wedding on the 23rd December this year, I'm no Indian by any means.

Actually, the furthest I've ever been before is Tenerife on a Lads' Holiday which was fine but a bit like Blackpool abroad, and that was 2 years ago!

Being stuck in London for that time is nooooo fun, I tell ya! Before I crack up I need a break. :ouch:

I probably wont get another opportunity to go this far as I'm a poor city boy :(

Basically, can any of you generous PPruners who work for an airline get me a discount or know where I won't need to spend the full £850 - £1100 to get to Bangalore for say 2 - 3 weeks from Heathrow around the 15th(ish) Dec to 10th(ish) of Jan.

I'll certainly subsidise any help! (Financially now, I'm no rent boy!!)

Thanks

:sad:

[Notso Fantastic]

More than a 'little' cheeky.

[PilotsPal]

Have you really done your research on all flight options properly? I can't believe it can't be done for less than £850, even though this is over the Christmas/school holiday period.

[Spearing Britney]

Contrary to popular belief not many airline employees have access to cheap tickets beyond those for their immediate family - often their is a choice of having spouse and kids OR parents on the concessions. In any case at that time of year all flights, especially to India, will be chock full so even some staff will be going full fare...

On a more positive note www.dialaflight.com has 15.12 to 10.01 for £665 inc all taxes routing from London City with Lufthansa...

You could also try some India specific travel agencies in Indian areas of town who may have cheap (pre-purchased by them) tickets too...

[redfred]

everyone wants a freebee with an airline employee!

[Hartington]

Remember you need a visa for India. Last I heard queues were long and slow and cost was high.

[bladums]

instead of Visa for India.........try a Mastercard or Amex:D

[longarm]

If you're really wanting something cheap then could be worth trying a package holiday to Goa from LGW and then not using the hotel. From Goa Jet Airways fly daily to Bangalore (I think Indian Airlines do as well). What ever you do you won't fly direct to Bangalore and Goa is a lot easier to fly in then out of than Delhi or Bombay. Hope this helps.

[rsoman]

Hartington

Remember you need a visa for India. Last I heard queues were long and slow and cost was high.


True the otherway round also my friend! The most memorable (and adventorous) part of my year spent in UK a couple of years back was waiting 48 hours outside the locaal British consulate in pouring rain just to have the privilege of an interview! My passport still bears the scars! (Indian passports arent made of water proof paper!)

I made it through, but then it will make me think twice before I contribute another 20 grand to prop up the UK economy. However I should say the great time I had it at the end of it all at Cranfield went a long way in healing the wounds!

Anyway as I understand, now the waiting is more civilised , and spending a night or two on the pavement outside is no longer part of a pre requisite for the precious visa. But from what I gather, it took a few well aimed stones landing inside the consulate launched by some poor frustrated souls who had to wait in the que for a week without success to get in to wake up the "coated and suited" to reality!

Now back to the topic! The cheapest flights are to Mumbai and Delhi! Try your bet with Royal Jordanian, Qatar , Aeroflot or Syrian or a whole lot of others. Personally if you arent insisting on tbe lowest possible, I would recommend Qatar as their service is excellent and fares reasonable.

From Mumbai (and also Delhi), there is India's first (and so far the only) no frills carrier, Air Deccan. The flights are operated by Airbus 320s and and the fares are defintely cheaper . Of course everything on board has to be purchased (but at sensible prices!).
Air Deccan also flies to Goa from Bangalroe but that particular flight is operated by an ATR 42. You can check them out at www.airdeccan.net


Cheers

[PsychedelicGoat]

Search on google for Air express brick lane. Also as one poster said above, try the Indian owned travel agencies where Indians tend to live in the uk, like wembley or southall.

I know Uzbekistan airways are dirt cheap to dhaka, £360 + tax tops ..they may fly to your destintation, good luck :cool: