Flying from Australia to India for Diwali? What to sort before you board, and before you fly home

There’s nowhere that celebrates Diwali better than the homeland: glistening diyas in every window, endless boxes of mouthwatering sweets, and that warm, communal feeling as families come together for the occasion.

Yet with a long flight north to get there, flying from Australia to India for Diwali requires a little prep.

But don’t worry. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what to sort before you leave Australia and before you fly back, so your trip runs smoothly both ways.

Diwali 2026 dates and when to land

In 2026, Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday, November 8. However, since Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, it’s best to arrive before this much-loved shopping tradition. 

And don’t forget that flying from Australia to India means crossing multiple time zones, especially if you’re traveling from the east coast. So buffer in some time to recover from jet lag by planning your arrival for no later than November 5.

Of course, this is a busy time to travel, as many people will be arriving around this date. Flights before, during, and shortly after festival week fill up fast, so lock in both your outward and return flights as soon as you can.

Can’t make it to India this year? Melas, celebrations, and fireworks displays are happening in all major Aussie cities, so you can celebrate Diwali in Australia and still feel like you’re in India.

Flights from Australia to India this Diwali

A direct flight will get you to India significantly faster than a layover flight. 

Air India offers daily nonstop flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Delhi. In addition, Qantas is bringing back two of its direct routes in time for Diwali. Neither runs daily, so check the schedule if you want to fly directly.

If your flight involves a layover, you may need to fly a day earlier than planned to have enough buffer time to land and recover before joining in the festivities. 

Also, make sure your connection time isn’t too short (less than 1.5 hours), because if your first flight is delayed, you could miss your connecting flight.

Entry paperwork to check before you fly

Don’t wait until the night before departure to confirm your India visa or OCI status. Confirm it before booking your flights so you have time to sort out any issues. 

The Indian e-Arrival Card is now mandatory for foreign nationals and OCI cardholders. Submit it within 72 hours of arrival, and save the QR code to show at the immigration counter.

For a full breakdown of what to do after landing in India for Diwali, read our arrival-day checklist here.

Time zones, jet lag, and the long flight

The number of time zones you’ll cross when flying from Australia to India will depend on your departure city. 

In November, when most of eastern Australia is on daylight saving time, India is:

• 5.5 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne
• 4.5 hours behind Brisbane
• 2.5 hours behind Perth 

With that in mind, you’ll likely experience the most jet lag flying from the East Coast, as you’re crossing more time zones. The good news, however, is that you’ll be flying west on your departure flight, and flying west is typically easier on the body clock.

Still, what you do before and during your overnight flight will determine how you feel for the first 48 hours after you arrive. 

• Try to go to bed later and wake up later for 2-4 days before your departure.
• If your flight arrives in the AM, sleep on the plane as much as possible.
• If your flight arrives in the evening, avoid sleeping too much prior to arrival.
• Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol on the flight as this worsens jet lag symptoms.

If you arrive during the day, another simple way to avoid jet lag is to spend time outside in daylight after you arrive, as this helps your body clock adjust to the new time zone.

Packing for a festive trip, plus gifts and customs

Here are a few tips for packing for your Diwali trip:

• Pack for the weather: November in India is warm in the south but mild in the north, with the temperature dropping significantly after sunset. So bring some light layers for the evenings. 
• Don’t forget a power adapter: India uses plug type D (and sometimes C & M), while Australia uses type I. Both run on 230V, so you only need an adapter.
• Check India’s Baggage Rules: India updated its baggage rules in February 2026, with different rules for foreign tourists and tourists of Indian origin. Foreign tourists can bring up to ₹25,000 in gifts/duty-free goods, while tourists of Indian origin, including OCI cardholders, can bring ₹75,000, up from ₹50,000.

Coming home: Diwali sweets and Australian biosecurity

With all the mouthwatering sweets you can find in India during Diwali, you’ll surely want to bring some back to Australia. But before filling your luggage with treats, get clear on what you can and cannot bring into Australia.

Packaged sweets and chocolates are generally fine, but those with nuts may not be. Nuts are a biosecurity risk, so declare any products containing nuts for inspection.

Similarly, if you are traveling with many dairy-based sweets such as burfi, pedas, and rasgulla, they could be flagged for inspection. This doesn’t mean your sweets will be confiscated, but it may mean extra time at customs.

If you’re unsure, declare your sweets by marking “yes” on the Incoming Passenger Card, especially if they’re homemade or from small bakeries. This matters because if customs determine they aren’t allowed and you didn’t declare them, you could be fined.

Your countdown before you leave Australia

Here’s a final checklist to help you have a smooth, stress-free flight to India.

One week out: 

• Confirm your flights, including your return flight.
• Check your passport’s expiry date and visa or OCI status.
• Buy adapters and gifts.

72 hours out:

• Submit the e-Arrival Card.
• Install an eSIM so you’re online when you land. After arrival, turn off data roaming on your Australian SIM to avoid India roaming fees.
• If you’d rather buy a local SIM card in India, locate the SIM card kiosks at the airport once you land.

Fly to India connected with Holafly

Between the long flight, the festival crowds, and a family group chat that won’t stop buzzing, the last thing you want after landing is a hunt for Wi-Fi. With a Holafly eSIM for India, you install it at home in Australia, switch it on when you land, and skip the SIM counter queue. You get unlimited data, 5G speeds where available, and 24/7 customer support, so sharing photos of the diyas or video calling family back home is quick and easy.

What’s more, every Holafly eSIM comes with Always On, 1 GB of backup data each month at no extra cost. It activates automatically while the eSIM stays installed, renews every month, and works in 150+ destinations. If your plan runs out on the drive back to the airport or a connection gets tight on the way home, Always On keeps you online to check your gate or message whoever’s picking you up.

Peace of mind before you fly

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Michaela Park

Travel & Events Writer

Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.

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