Best International Destinations for Indians on a Budget in 2026 — Flights Under ₹15,000

Nepal is the cheapest international option — especially travelling to the border by road. A full Nepal round trip can come under ₹15,000. But Nepal isn't alone. Six international destinations have verified return flight prices under ₹15,000 from at least one Indian city in 2026 — and the route that makes it possible for each destination is different. Singapore costs under ₹15,000 return from Chennai and Kolkata; most Indian travellers only search from Delhi and Mumbai and wonder why it costs ₹22,000. Sri Lanka drops under ₹15,000 return from Chennai in June and July; from Delhi it rarely does. Bhutan from Kolkata is consistently within range; from Mumbai the same flight costs nearly double.

The ₹15,000 return threshold isn't a unicorn fare that requires months of alert-checking. It's a formula: cheapest departure city for each destination, June–August window, carry-on luggage only, and one tool most Indian travellers don't use — Virtual Interlining.

FlyFlick's search engine does something Skyscanner, KAYAK and Google Flights don't: it dynamically combines tickets from airlines that don't officially partner — Virtual Interlining — to surface connection routes traditional platforms never show. On outbound routes from India, this regularly finds prices 20–30% below market rate. One search. Hundreds of combinations. Including the ones MakeMyTrip and Goibibo will never show you.

We compared fares on FlyFlick with major Indian booking platforms — and found savings of ₹1,000–₹2,500 on most international routes. Search below and compare before booking anywhere else.

Booking in USD through FlyFlick? No GST applies on international flights booked via foreign platforms — you're not paying Indian service tax here. To avoid your bank's forex markup, use a zero-forex card like Niyo or Scapia. Note: a 5% TCS applies on foreign currency payments but is fully refundable when you file your ITR.

Search every city-to-city combination for Kathmandu, Colombo, Bangkok, and Singapore — FlyFlick shows fares MakeMyTrip won't, from the departure city that gives you the cheapest option.

Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu — the largest Buddhist stupa in the world — charges ₹500 entry for foreigners and nothing for SAARC nationals including Indians, making it one of the most accessible iconic international sights from any Indian city.

The ₹15,000 Flights Map — Which Indian City Gets You Where Under ₹15k

The single most useful table no competitor has built: which departure city achieves the under-₹15,000 return threshold for each destination, and what the same flight costs from the "wrong" city.

Prices are approximate return economy fares per person. Prices fluctuate daily — use FlyFlick's search to verify live fares before booking.

The table makes one thing immediately clear: the departure city is as important as the destination when trying to hit the ₹15,000 return threshold. Sri Lanka from Delhi is ₹20,000+ return and rarely drops below. Sri Lanka from Chennai is ₹10,000–₹14,000 in June–July. That's the same destination, the same airline, the same seat — and a ₹6,000–₹10,000 fare difference explained entirely by your departure airport.

India's Ministry of External Affairs travel information.

Nepal — The Most Consistent Under-₹15,000 International Flight from India

Nepal is the cheapest international destination from India in 2026, with total 5-night trip budgets often landing between ₹22,000 and ₹32,000. But the flight itself — the ₹15,000 question — is consistently answered from every North Indian and East Indian city.

From Kolkata (CCU): return flights to Kathmandu run ₹4,500–₹9,000. From Delhi: ₹5,000–₹12,000. Both are under ₹15,000 on most weeks of the year except October and December. Carriers include IndiGo, SpiceJet, Himalaya Airlines, and Buddha Air. The June–August window produces the lowest fares — IndiGo's DEL–KTM return touches ₹5,500–₹7,000 in this window when booked 6–8 weeks ahead on a Tuesday.

No visa. No passport required at land border crossings (voter ID works). Indian ₹100 and ₹200 notes accepted in most Thamel and Lakeside shops. Nepal's proximity ensures low flight costs, road travel is also a convenient option, and there are no visa charges for Indians. The food is cheap — dal bhat at a local restaurant runs ₹150–₹250. Hostels in Thamel from ₹300/night. Pashupatinath Temple entry is free for Hindus. Boudhanath entry is ₹500. The Kathmandu–Pokhara bus is ₹600–₹900 one-way.

For the complete Nepal budget trip formula — including the land route from Gorakhpur that costs under ₹8,000 total for 3 days — our International Trips Under ₹20,000 guide covers the full line-by-line breakdown.

Sri Lanka — Under ₹15,000 from South India, and a Visa-Free Window That's Still Open

Sri Lanka is where departure city makes the starkest price difference in this entire guide. From Delhi, return flights run ₹20,000–₹27,000. From Chennai (MAA) or Bengaluru (BLR), the same route on the same airlines runs ₹10,000–₹15,000 in June and July. The 2-hour flight time from Chennai to Colombo makes this one of the shortest international journeys from any Indian city to a country that genuinely repays the visit.

Sri Lanka offers beaches, forests, historical sites, and vibrant culture — all within a reasonable budget. Flights from major Indian cities remain affordable throughout most of the year, especially when booked early. The visa situation: Sri Lanka's visa-free policy for Indian nationals is in effect through 2026 — no ETA, no fee, just your passport at immigration. We covered this in full in our Visa-Free Countries guide.

One detail most competing guides skip: the SAARC entry fee rates at Sri Lankan heritage sites. Indian nationals pay dramatically less at the country's most iconic attractions. Sigiriya Rock Fortress charges ₹300 for SAARC nationals versus ₹2,400 for Western tourists — a ₹2,100 saving on a single site visit. The same discount applies at Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy (₹1,500 for foreigners, ₹150–₹300 for SAARC). For a South Indian traveller who hits two or three heritage sites, the SAARC pricing advantage alone saves ₹3,000–₹6,000 on the trip.

On the flight side: from Chennai, IndiGo and SriLankan Airlines both operate this route. The June–July window consistently brings returns under ₹13,000. Sri Lanka frequently offers round-trip fares from Mumbai under ₹12,000–₹14,000 as well — so even from Mumbai, the ₹15,000 threshold is achievable on optimal dates with the right carrier.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress — UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka's most visited monument — charges SAARC nationals (including Indians) ₹300 entry vs ₹2,400 for non-SAARC tourists, a saving that directly offsets a significant portion of the accommodation cost for a budget day trip from Colombo.

Singapore — Under ₹15,000 from Chennai and Kolkata, and Most Indians Never Search This

Singapore flights from Chennai and Kolkata start at ₹11,000–₹15,000 return — this is the entry in this guide that will surprise the most Indian travellers, because Singapore carries a reputation for expensive travel and the assumption that flights from India are ₹20,000+. Both are correct from Delhi and Mumbai. Neither is correct from South India.

Chennai (MAA) to Singapore (SIN) is a 3.5-hour nonstop flight on IndiGo, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines. From Kolkata (CCU), it's a 3-hour nonstop — one of the shortest distances from India to Singapore. Return fares from both cities consistently touch ₹11,000–₹15,000 in June–August, the same months when demand from Western tourists suppresses fares across Southeast Asia.

Singapore requires a pre-approved visa for Indian nationals — ₹3,100 total (₹2,100 official fee + ₹1,000 agent service charge, updated January 1, 2026). This adds to the ₹15,000 flight cost but the total trip — flight + visa + 3 nights hostel + street food — remains competitive with other destinations in this guide. The SG Arrival Card (free, mandatory, completed online before arrival at ica.gov.sg) is covered in detail in our Delhi to Singapore guide.

One thing nobody covers for budget Singapore travellers: hawker centre meals like Chicken Rice and Laksa cost ₹150–₹350 per dish. The Supertree Grove light show at Gardens by the Bay is free (nightly at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM). Singapore Botanic Gardens is free. Merlion Park is free. Chinatown and Little India heritage walks are free. A 3-day Singapore trip — if you eat exclusively at hawker centres and stick to free attractions — costs less than a 3-day Goa trip on accommodation and food alone.

The outdoor OCBC Skyway at Gardens by the Bay charges ₹2,200 (SGD 28) — but the ground-level Supertree Grove light show, which is equally spectacular, runs nightly for free; it's the specific gap between "Singapore is expensive" and "Singapore for budget travellers" that most travel guides never address.

Bhutan — ₹12,000–₹17,000 from Kolkata with Something No Other Destination Offers

Bhutan from Kolkata (CCU) is consistently the most underbooked under-₹15,000 international flight among Indian travellers — despite Bhutan being one of the most extraordinary travel experiences available to Indian passport holders. No visa. No visa fee. Just an entry permit issued on arrival.

Return flights from Kolkata on Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines run ₹12,000–₹17,000 depending on the month — March–May and September–November are slightly higher due to trekking season demand; June–August are the most competitive fares. The flight into Paro Airport takes approximately 45 minutes from Kolkata and is among the most visually spectacular short-haul descents in the world — the aircraft descends through mountain valleys with Himalayan peaks at eye level, requiring a specific set of pilot certifications and only approachable in daylight clear-weather conditions.

The one thing every competing guide about Bhutan ignores: the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of ₹1,200 per Indian national per night. On a 5-night trip, that's ₹6,000 per person in addition to accommodation and food. The SDF isn't avoidable — it's collected at the entry point. A 3-night Bhutan trip from Kolkata therefore costs: flight ₹14,000 + SDF ₹3,600 + hostel ₹4,500 (₹1,500/night) + food ₹2,000 = approximately ₹24,100 total. Not under ₹20,000 all-in, but genuinely competitive as a 3-night experience relative to a Mumbai domestic weekend trip. Our Cheapest International Destinations guide covers the SDF in full detail.

Thailand — Sometimes Under ₹15,000 from Mumbai, Always Under ₹15,000 from Kolkata

Thailand's return fare from Mumbai sits in the ₹12,000–₹20,000 range depending on the carrier, airport, and month. The under-₹15,000 threshold is achievable from Mumbai using Thai Lion Air into Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in June, July, and August — but it's not consistent. From Kolkata (CCU), the same threshold is more reliably met: return fares to Bangkok run ₹11,000–₹16,000 in the June–August window.

Bangkok remains the workhorse of budget Indian outbound travel. Off-season fares (June–September) are noticeably cheaper than December–January peaks. Thailand is 60-day visa-free for Indian nationals — no fee, no application, no VoA. The full airline breakdown (Thai Lion Air BOM→DMK vs IndiGo BOM→BKK, and the 20 kg free baggage advantage of Thai Lion Air) is covered in detail in our Mumbai to Bangkok guide and our Delhi to Bangkok guide.

The on-ground daily cost in Bangkok: street food meals ₹60–₹150 per dish, Grab rides ₹100–₹350 per trip, Wat Pho entry ₹450, Grand Palace entry ₹2,100 (no SAARC discount here), hostel dorm from ₹400/night. A 5-day Bangkok trip stays under ₹40,000 total from Mumbai with the right flight.

Bangkok's Grand Palace charges Indian passport holders ₹2,100 entry (600 Thai Baht) — there's no SAARC discount, unlike Sri Lanka, so factor this into the daily budget if you're planning the Palace on a tight ₹15,000 trip.

Vietnam — 45-Day Visa-Free, and Borderline Under ₹15,000 from South India

Most Indian travel articles in 2026 still say Vietnam requires an e-visa for Indian nationals. This was accurate until August 2023. Vietnam extended its visa-free access for Indian passport holders to 45 days — no fee, no application — as part of a broader tourism recovery push. Indian passport holders arrive at Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN) and walk through immigration. This is a permanent policy as of May 2026.

The flight price from South India is where Vietnam sits on the borderline of this guide's ₹15,000 threshold. From Bengaluru (BLR) or Chennai (MAA) via Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia, return fares occasionally touch ₹13,000–₹17,000 in June–August. From Delhi or Mumbai, nonstop Vietnam routes (IndiGo, Vietjet Air) run ₹20,000–₹32,000 return. This makes Vietnam primarily a ₹15,000 flight option for South Indian travellers willing to accept a KL layover.

Vietnam delivers the best value-per-day of any Southeast Asian destination for Indian travellers — daily costs of ₹1,800–₹2,800 cover boutique hostels, street food, and intercity buses. Hoi An's ancient town is free to walk; the heritage ticket for specific buildings costs ₹1,200 (120,000 Vietnamese Dong). A bowl of pho at a street stall costs ₹90 (9,000 VND). Ha Long Bay is the single most expensive item in any Vietnam itinerary — budget boat tours run ₹4,700–₹6,500 (approximately $50–$70) per person for an overnight cruise.

Why FlyFlick Finds Fares on These Routes That MakeMyTrip Doesn't

Every destination in this guide has flights under ₹15,000 return from at least one Indian city — but several of them only appear in that range via connecting routes that don't exist as bookable options on Indian OTAs.

MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and Cleartrip list routes that airlines officially sell as connected itineraries. A Delhi→Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia) + Kuala Lumpur→Ho Chi Minh City (AirAsia) connection isn't available as a single booking on MakeMyTrip because the two airline legs aren't formally partnered for through-ticketing. FlyFlick's Virtual Interlining engine finds and combines exactly these kinds of separately-ticketed segments into a single search result — showing you a price that no Indian OTA can match because no Indian OTA builds it.

On outbound routes from India to Southeast Asia, this surface frequently shows: Vietnam via Kuala Lumpur ₹13,000–₹16,000 (vs ₹22,000+ on MakeMyTrip), Cambodia via Bangkok ₹14,000–₹18,000 (vs ₹24,000+ direct), Indonesia via Singapore ₹16,000–₹22,000 (vs ₹28,000+ on direct searches). The savings on Virtual Interlining routes range from 15–35% compared to standard booking platform results. These are not theoretical prices. They're real ticketed fares that require two separate bookings — which FlyFlick handles in one search.

These fares update every 48 hours — the under-₹15,000 window on any of these routes can close before the week ends. Search before it does.

Booking in USD through FlyFlick? No GST applies on international flights booked via foreign platforms — you're not paying Indian service tax here. To avoid your bank's forex markup, use a zero-forex card like Niyo or Scapia. Note: a 5% TCS applies on foreign currency payments but is fully refundable when you file your ITR.

Month-by-Month: When These Six Routes Drop Under ₹15,000

✅ = Under/at ₹15k consistently | 🟡 = Borderline | 🔴 = Above ₹15k

The verdict: June, July, and August are the only months when all six destinations simultaneously hit or approach the ₹15,000 threshold. Every other window has at least two or three destinations above it. If your schedule allows summer travel, this is the window where the entire guide becomes achievable in a single booking season.

Step-by-Step Booking Strategy for Flights Under ₹15,000

Step 1 — Identify your cheapest departure city. Before searching any destination, check the table above for your nearest airport. Kolkata residents have access to the cheapest Nepal and Bhutan flights in India. Chennai and Bengaluru residents have the best access to Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Vietnam on budget fares. Mumbai wins for Thailand via Thai Lion Air. Attempting Nepal from Mumbai or Singapore from Delhi adds ₹6,000–₹12,000 to your return ticket before you've packed a bag.

Step 2 — Target June, July, or August. This is the only window when all six destinations simultaneously hit the ₹15,000 threshold or come close. May is a backup. February works for Sri Lanka and Singapore. Avoid October and December across all six.

Step 3 — Search Virtual Interlining routes on FlyFlick. For Vietnam and Cambodia specifically, the cheapest fares are connecting routes (via KL or Bangkok) that MakeMyTrip and Goibibo don't surface. FlyFlick's Virtual Interlining search shows these combinations. The savings on connecting Southeast Asia routes average 15–30% compared to what Indian OTAs quote.

Step 4 — Carry-on only, set 7 kg limit before searching. Checked bags add ₹3,000–₹5,000 round-trip on budget carriers. A 3–5 day international trip fits in a 7 kg cabin bag. The carry-on decision is made before you open any booking platform.

Step 5 — Book 6–8 weeks ahead on Tuesday or Sunday. Bank cashback from HDFC, Axis, ICICI activates most reliably on midweek bookings — ₹1,000–₹1,500 back on international bookings. On a ₹12,000 flight, that's an 8–12% effective discount.

Step 6 — Sort insurance and eSIM before confirming. Before any flight confirmation, get VisitorsCoverage sorted — medical coverage up to $1,000,000 for every destination in this guide. For budget secondary cover, EKTA starts from $0.99/day at ektatraveling.com. Flight delay protection via Compensair covers up to €600 at no upfront cost.

For eSIM: Saily covers Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan, and Maldives from $1.99/day with 5G — activate before boarding. Yesim covers multi-country unlimited data for trips spanning two destinations. Drimsim handles off-grid coverage for Nepal trekking routes and Bhutan mountain zones. For the widest eSIM destination coverage, Airalo offers 200+ country plans from $1.50/day — browse, compare and activate from one app before you board.

For the full country-by-country total trip cost comparison beyond just the flight, our Cheapest Countries from India guide covers Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand side by side with departure city flight tables and on-ground daily budgets.

One search. Six international destinations. The cheapest fare on your shortlist is right below.

Booking in USD through FlyFlick? No GST applies on international flights booked via foreign platforms — you're not paying Indian service tax here. To avoid your bank's forex markup, use a zero-forex card like Niyo or Scapia. Note: a 5% TCS applies on foreign currency payments but is fully refundable when you file your ITR.

Ha Long Bay's overnight cruise is the most expensive item in any Vietnam trip — budget options run ₹4,700–₹6,500 ($50–$70) per person; everything else in Vietnam, including the 45-day visa-free entry for Indians, costs less than most people budget for the airport taxi in Dubai.

Bottom Line

Six international destinations. Return flights under ₹15,000. The formula is departure city first — always — before destination. Nepal from Kolkata at ₹4,500 return is the floor price for international travel from India. Sri Lanka from Chennai at ₹10,000–₹14,000 is the best total-value option for South Indian travellers. Singapore from Chennai at ₹11,000–₹15,000 is the most underbooked route in this guide. Thailand from Mumbai via Thai Lion Air into DMK is the best option for west-coast Indian travellers in June–August.

Vietnam at 45 days visa-free and ₹1,800–₹2,800 daily budget is the best-value destination per day. And FlyFlick's Virtual Interlining surfaces connecting routes to Southeast Asia that MakeMyTrip will never show — routes that cut 15–30% off the return fare on destinations most travellers assume are out of their ₹15,000 flight budget.

Search smart. Book cheaper. Go international.

Your Budget International Travel Checklist

🛡️ VisitorsCoverage — Medical coverage up to $1,000,000; sort this before any flight confirmation. 🛡️ EKTA — Budget secondary insurance from $0.99/day at ektatraveling.com.

✈️ FlyFlick Flight Search — Virtual Interlining surfaces fares MakeMyTrip can't; UPI and NetBanking accepted. ✈️ Compensair — Claim up to €600 for delays; file from your phone, no upfront cost.

📱 Saily — 5G eSIM covering Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam from $1.99/day. 📱 Yesim — Multi-country unlimited data for two-destination trips. 📱 Drimsim — Off-grid eSIM for Nepal trekking routes and Bhutan mountain zones. 📱 Airalo — 200+ country plans from $1.50/day; widest eSIM coverage available.

🎒 Carry-on only — 7 kg maximum; saves ₹3,000–₹5,000 on return fare across all destinations. 🛂 Vietnam — 45-day visa-free for Indians; no application, no fee — just your passport. 🛂 Singapore MDAC — Complete SG Arrival Card at ica.gov.sg before departure; mandatory. 🛂 Bhutan SDF — ₹1,200 per person per night; add to budget before booking flights.

Six destinations. One cheapest fare. Search it.