Heading home to Delhi or Punjab from Canterbury? Here is how the route works, which connection suits your family, and what to expect when you land.
Quick answer: how do I fly from Christchurch to Delhi?
There is no non-stop flight. The simplest route is one stop with Singapore Airlines: Christchurch to Singapore (about 10 h 50 m), then Singapore to Delhi (about 5 h 45 m). That is roughly 16 h 35 m of flying, plus your layover. You can also connect through Sydney or Melbourne, or fly up to Auckland and join a one-stop Auckland to Delhi fare. Auckland to Delhi fares start from NZD $920 per person (checked 30 September 2026, prices change daily). Call 09 973 1940 for today’s Christchurch price.
Airlines and routes from Christchurch to Delhi
Christchurch Airport has no direct service to India. Every trip to Delhi involves at least one stop. That simply means choosing where to connect, and the right answer depends on your budget, your dates and who you are travelling with.
Here are the main ways Canterbury families get to Delhi.
Route | Airlines | Flying time (approx.) | Good to know |
Christchurch – Singapore – Delhi | Singapore Airlines (A350 on the Christchurch leg) | About 16 h 35 m (10 h 50 m + 5 h 45 m), plus layover | The most direct option. One airline, one ticket, bags checked through to Delhi. |
Christchurch – Sydney or Melbourne – Delhi | Air New Zealand, Qantas or Jetstar across the Tasman, then Air India or other carriers | Around 3 h across the Tasman, then a long-haul leg of roughly 12 to 13 h, plus layover | More departures to choose from. If two airlines are involved, check that your bags are checked through. |
Christchurch – Auckland – hub – Delhi | Air New Zealand to Auckland, then Gulf or Asian carriers via their hub | About 1 h 20 m to Auckland, then a one-stop Auckland to Delhi itinerary. Two stops in total. | Widest choice of fares. Best when you have time to spare. |
These are flying times only. Your layover adds anything from two hours to a full day.
Which connection is best for you?
Via Singapore. The fastest and simplest way from Christchurch. One airline, one ticket, and Changi is an easy airport for children and elderly parents. Wheelchair help is also simpler to arrange on a single-airline booking.
Via Australia. Sydney and Melbourne have many flights to Delhi every day, so you get more choice of times and fares. The trade-off is that some itineraries mix two airlines, which can mean re-checking bags and less protection if the first flight runs late. It suits people visiting family in Australia on the way.
Via Auckland. Every South Island family asks us: “Should we just go from Auckland?” Auckland has the most India options, and the “from” fares on our homepage are Auckland departures. But add the Christchurch to Auckland flight, a second connection and sometimes an overnight stay, and the saving can shrink or disappear. Ask us to price both ways side by side.
6 tips for a smoother Christchurch to Delhi trip
1. Book the whole journey on one ticket
If your first flight is delayed and you miss the connection, the airline rebooks you. On two separate tickets, that missed connection is your expense. One ticket also means your bags go straight through.
2. Give yourself a sensible layover
Two and a half to four hours at Singapore is comfortable. It leaves time to stretch, eat and settle the children. Very short connections look good on paper and cause stress on the day.
3. Check the arrival time in Delhi
Many flights land in Delhi late at night or early in the morning. Arrange your pickup before you leave, and give family the flight number so they can track it.
4. Compare Christchurch and Auckland departures properly
Add every cost: the domestic flight, transfers, meals and any hotel night. Then compare the total for your whole group, not the headline fare for one person.
5. Sort your documents early
New Zealand passport holders need an Indian visa or an OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly, and check every passport has at least six months’ validity. Read the latest advice on SafeTravel before you go.
6. Students and teachers: join MannPass
Verified students, teachers, lecturers and education staff in New Zealand can join MannPass for free. It takes $25 off selected return international flights from New Zealand to India, including Delhi. Verify in about 90 seconds with your institutional email, student ID or staff ID, then call us to apply it. Heading home after exams in November? Read our guide to MannPass for NZ students this summer break.
Landing at Delhi Terminal 3 and getting on to Punjab
International flights, including Singapore Airlines and Air India, arrive at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. Allow one to two hours at busy times to clear immigration, collect bags and reach the arrivals hall.
Many of our Christchurch travellers are heading on to Punjab. Here are the usual options:
Fly on to Amritsar or Chandigarh. About an hour in the air. Domestic airlines use Terminal 3, 2 or 1, so check your terminal and allow at least three hours if you need to change. Ask us to add the domestic sector to your booking.
Take the train. The Airport Express Metro runs from Terminal 3 to New Delhi railway station in about 20 minutes. From there, fast trains reach Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar in roughly five to six hours.
Go by road. A pre-booked car to Jalandhar or Ludhiana usually takes six to eight hours. Book it before you leave.
Skip Delhi altogether. Some connections land straight into Amritsar. Tell us your final destination and we will check.
Flying with family from the South Island
A few things that make the journey easier for families:
Book everyone on one booking. It keeps seats together and makes any change simpler to handle.
Ask for special meals and assistance when you book. Indian vegetarian meals, bassinets and wheelchair help are much easier to arrange at booking than at the airport.
Check baggage allowances before you pack gifts. Allowances differ between airlines and fare types, and an itinerary with two airlines may have two sets of rules.
Plan around school holidays. Term 4 in Canterbury schools finishes no later than Friday 18 December. Mid-December to early January fills up early, so book by October if you can.
Pack for a Delhi winter. You leave Christchurch in summer and land in a cold Delhi December. Layers for the children, a warm jacket for grandparents.
Why book your Christchurch to Delhi flights with Mann Travel?
Our Auckland team in Papatoetoe specialises in flights between New Zealand and India. We speak Hindi, Punjabi and English, we are on call 24/7, and we help South Island families weigh up Christchurch and Auckland departures every week. Group and family bookings are what we do best. Flexible payment options such as PayLite and Afterpay are available on selected fares. Ask us, or get in touch with any question.
Let’s take you home to Delhi.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.nz/flights or call our team on 09 973 1940. We will price Christchurch and Auckland departures side by side for you.
frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Christchurch to Delhi?
No. There is no non-stop service. The most direct option is one stop via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. You can also connect through Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland.
How long is the flight from Christchurch to Delhi?
Via Singapore it is about 16 h 35 m of flying (10 h 50 m to Singapore, then 5 h 45 m to Delhi), plus your layover. Most complete itineraries take between 20 and 26 hours door to door.
Which airline flies from Christchurch to Delhi?
Singapore Airlines offers the simplest single-airline route via Singapore. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar connect to Sydney and Melbourne, where Air India and others fly to Delhi. Gulf and Asian carriers fly from Auckland.
Is it cheaper to fly to Delhi from Auckland than from Christchurch?
Sometimes the headline fare is lower from Auckland. Once you add the flight to Auckland, transfers and possibly a hotel night, the difference often disappears, especially for families. Ask us to price both.
Can I fly from Christchurch to Amritsar?
Yes. Most travellers connect through Delhi and take a domestic flight, train or car to Punjab. Some itineraries land directly in Amritsar via an Asian or Gulf hub. Tell us your final destination and we will find the best fit.
Fares, flight times and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Always check live prices and schedules before booking.
