Every year, thousands of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Canada look forward to flying home for Diwali, the festival of lights — a time for family reunions, traditional feasts, and festive celebrations. But as magical as the season is, airfare from Canada to India can often skyrocket around Diwali, Christmas, and New Year.If you’re planning to travel during the festive rush, don’t worry — you can still save big with a little strategy.
Here are some tried-and-tested NRI travel secrets to help you find the best flight deals to India during Diwali and beyond.
1. Book Early — But Not Too Early
The golden rule for getting affordable Canada–India flights is perfect timing. Booking too early (six months or more) may not always guarantee the best rate, as airlines often release competitive fares around 10–12 weeks before departure.
For Diwali, which usually falls between October and November, start monitoring fares from July onward. Contact Metairfare to stay updated on fare fluctuations.
Pro Tip:
Set fare alerts for multiple Indian cities — sometimes flying into Delhi or Mumbai is cheaper than smaller airports like Amritsar or Ahmedabad.
2. Be Flexible with Travel Dates and Routes
Flexibility is your best friend when booking festival-season tickets. Avoid traveling two to three days before Diwali, when demand (and prices) peak. Instead, consider flying a week earlier or returning a few days after the holiday rush.
Try exploring multi-city or connecting routes — flying from Toronto to Doha or Dubai, and then onward to Delhi or Bangalore, can often cut your airfare by hundreds of dollars. Airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines frequently offer competitive stopover deals for NRIs.
Travel Hack:
Use the “flexible dates” feature on flight search engines — even shifting your flight by one day can save up to 20%.
3. Leverage Airline Loyalty Programs and Credit Card Rewards
If you frequently fly between Canada and India, joining a frequent flyer program can unlock significant savings. Carriers like Air Canada (Aeroplan), Emirates Skywards, and Etihad Guest let you accumulate points for future discounts, upgrades, or free tickets.
Pair this with a travel rewards credit card that offers cashback or points on flight purchases. Cards like American Express Cobalt, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, or Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite often include travel insurance, lounge access, and exclusive fare discounts.
Pro Tip:
Redeem points during off-peak periods like January or February, when fares drop post-holiday season.
4. Look Out for Festival-Specific Promotions
Many airlines and travel agencies release special Diwali travel offers targeting NRIs in Canada. Keep an eye on limited-time promotions announced around August and September.
Websites like Metairfare often partner with airlines to provide festival discount codes or cashback offers. Additionally, Indian carriers such as Air India, Vistara, and Indigo sometimes launch “Fly Home for Diwali” campaigns with bundled perks like free extra baggage or meal upgrades.
Travel Hack:
Subscribe to airline newsletters or join Telegram/WhatsApp flight deal groups — you’ll be the first to know when a flash sale drops.
5. Compare Alternative Airports and Airlines
Flying out of Vancouver or Montreal instead of Toronto can sometimes lead to cheaper fares due to regional price variations. Similarly, explore secondary airports in India — landing in Hyderabad or Chennai might cost less than Delhi or Mumbai during peak season.Also, don’t overlook lesser-known carriers like LOT Polish Airlines, Oman Air, or Kuwait Airways, which often run competitive routes between Canada and India with convenient layovers and lower base fares.
6. Travel Light and Smart
Festive travel usually means carrying gifts and sweets — but extra baggage fees can be steep. Always check your airline’s baggage policy before booking. Some airlines offer special baggage allowances during festival months, so it’s worth asking before finalizing your ticket.
Pro Tip:
Ship heavier items home via courier before your trip — it’s often cheaper than paying overweight baggage charges at the airport.
Final Thoughts
Traveling from Canada to India during Diwali doesn’t have to break the bank. By booking strategically, staying flexible, and taking advantage of NRI-specific offers, you can save big while celebrating with your loved ones.
So light your diyas, pack your bags, and get ready to experience Diwali — not just as a festival, but as a homecoming filled with warmth, nostalgia, and joy.