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Flying from the US to India for Diwali? Check these things before you board that 15-hour flight
Heading to India for Diwali? Get ready with this practical checklist covering flight dates, jet lag, packing, and US customs rules.
After a long-haul flight east, you arrive at a bustling airport, where your family and one of the year’s biggest festivals await.
Naturally, you don’t want to miss one second of the Diwali celebrations. But without any travel prep, arriving in India may feel more stressful or exhausting than you’d like.
To ensure a smooth experience when flying from the US to India for Diwali, here’s exactly what to do and when. The following checklist covers everything from booking flights and avoiding jet lag to what to declare when you return home.
Diwali 2026 dates and when to leave the US
Lakshmi Puja 2026 is on Sunday, November 8, with Dhanteras falling on Friday, November 6. To arrive in time for Dhanteras, book your departure flight for November 3 or 4, since flying east costs a calendar day. Adjust a day either way depending on your route.
If you’re planning to return to the US between November 10 and 13, book your return flight at the same time as your outbound flight. Seats fill fast on flights out of India in the first few days after the festival ends.
Nonstop and one-stop flights from the US to India
The USA to India is a long journey, but if you’re flying from the East Coast, you may be able to take a direct flight. For example, Air India flies nonstop from New York JFK to Delhi, which takes around 15 to 16 hours. Check the airline’s latest schedule for Mumbai and Newark, since several US routes changed this year.
However, some nonstops have been suspended or now include a stop, such as Chicago and Washington Dulles to Delhi. Schedules on other routes, like San Francisco to Delhi, have been reduced, so check before you book.
| US gateway | To | Flight time | Nonstop? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) | Delhi or Mumbai | 16 hours | Yes |
| Chicago (ORD) | Delhi | 17+ hours | No |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Delhi | 20+ hours | No |
If you can’t find a direct route, plenty of one-stop flights go through Gulf or European hubs. However, because this increases travel time, you may need to depart half a day or more earlier than planned.
When choosing a one-stop flight, make sure your layover isn’t too long or too short. A 1.5- to 3-hour layover is ideal, as it prevents unnecessary waiting while giving you a buffer so you don’t miss your connecting flight.
Entry paperwork to check before you fly
Once you’ve sorted your flights, confirm your India visa or OCI status to avoid unexpected issues at border control.
If you’re a US citizen or national, you can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), offered by the US Department of State. This allows you to receive emergency alerts relating to your destination and registers you with the local embassy or consulate in India.
And don’t forget to complete the e-Arrival Card, which is now mandatory for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders entering India. Submit it within 72 hours of arrival via the official online portal. Then save the QR code to show at border control.
You may need to do a few other things after landing in India for Diwali. Check out our arrival-day checklist to ensure everything runs smoothly on the other end.
Managing jet lag and the long flight
The US to India route is an eastbound overnight flight, and flying east shortens your day, so it affects your body clock more than flying west.
However, you can do a few things to help avoid jet lag, such as going to bed slightly earlier in the two or three days before departure. Then, once you arrive, get plenty of daylight exposure to help your body clock adjust.
Another factor around Diwali could confuse your body clock and mind: daylight saving time.
US Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1. After this date, India is 10.5 hours ahead of Eastern Time and 13.5 hours ahead of Pacific Time. Keep this in mind when planning video calls with family and checking flight times, as departure times can shift when the clocks change.
Packing and bringing gifts to India
Here are a few additional things to know about when packing for your Diwali trip this November:
- Power adapters and converters: India uses plug type D (and sometimes C and M) at 230V, while the US uses plug types A and B at 120V. So, along with an adapter, you might need a voltage converter for any devices that aren’t dual-voltage. Check your electric hair tools, in particular, as these are often not.
- Weather in India: November in India is warm in the south but noticeably milder in the north. Temperatures can drop significantly in the evenings, so add light layers when planning your festive outfits. Also choose shoes that slip off easily as you’ll need to remove them for temple and home visits.
- India’s Baggage Rules: Under India’s current baggage rules, the value of gifts and duty-free goods you can bring into the country depends on your visitor status. Foreign tourists can bring goods worth up to ₹25,000, while tourists of Indian origin have a higher allowance of ₹75,000. If you’re a US citizen of Indian origin, confirm with Indian customs which limit applies to you.
Coming home: Declaring Diwali sweets and spices at US customs
You MUST declare any food you bring back from India, including those delicious Diwali sweets.
US Customs and Border Protection strictly enforces declaring all food products, as many are prohibited. If you don’t declare an item that customs later finds is prohibited, you may be issued a civil penalty.
Even if you think the food is allowed, you should still declare it via the customs form, the Mobile Passport Control app, or the kiosk, and let the customs officer decide.
Many packaged sweets and dry spices are allowed once declared, but meat (and sometimes dairy) products are restricted, as are many homemade snacks and meals.
Your countdown before you leave the US
Here’s your final checklist to help you prepare for a smooth, hassle-free flight from the US to India.
One week out:
- Double-check your flight bookings and make sure your return journey is sorted.
- Check your passport’s expiry date and ensure your visa or OCI status is in order.
- Check if your appliances are dual-voltage, and buy adapters.
72 hours out:
- Submit the e-Arrival Card.
- If you’re staying in a hotel rather than with family, check your hotel booking details for airport pick-up and check-in time.
- Install an eSIM before you leave so you can connect as soon as you land. Once you land, turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid India roaming fees.
- If you prefer to buy a local SIM card in India, look for SIM card kiosks at the airport on arrival.
Land in India ready to celebrate with Holafly
After 15-plus hours in the air, you want to text the family that you’ve landed, not stand in line for a local SIM. A Holafly eSIM for India installs before you leave the US and switches on when you land. You get unlimited data, 5G speeds where available, and 24/7 customer support, so booking a ride, sharing your location, or video calling relatives who couldn’t make the trip is quick and easy.
Holafly also stays with you through Always On, 1 GB of backup data every month at no extra cost. It activates automatically as long as the eSIM is installed, renews monthly, and works in 150+ destinations. If a layover runs long on the way home or your plan ends before your return flight, Always On keeps you connected to rebook, check your gate, or let someone know you’re running late.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
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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.
