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Original poster

Flights to Pondicherry India?

22 replies

soupyspoon · 29/10/2025 19:02

I had a little search for these as I thought I might like to go there next year but they all seem to have a stop and some of the flights are like 38 hours due to 2 stops!!!

I cant be doing that, has anyone been there or to Chennai airport (that also had overly long stops) from London based airports with no stops, what time of year was it?

thanks

OP posts:
RoundandSad · 29/10/2025 23:20

We had to search for these ages ago

it was a nightmare which ever way you went bsck then

I remenr best option was Chennai and a train, but we didn't go it took up too much holiday time which was a shame because we wanted to visit someone but not wortj it for us

it was 2 full days travel

ProfessorLayton1 · 29/10/2025 23:38

British airways go direct to Chennai. Either stay in a nice resort en route to Pondicherry and head direct to Pondicherry by car.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 30/10/2025 07:20

ProfessorLayton1 · 29/10/2025 23:38

British airways go direct to Chennai. Either stay in a nice resort en route to Pondicherry and head direct to Pondicherry by car.

I didnt find any direct flights to Chennai, was looking February but not sure if it changes throughout the year. I was looking on skyscanner

But even then its a really long jaunt to Pondicherry

OP posts:
100Otters · 30/10/2025 08:03

There is one direct BA flight a day to Chennai. Try their website.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 30/10/2025 08:08

I'll take another look after work. I would like to go if possible. I suppose I could book a transfer from there to Pondicherry

OP posts:
Bineganzeameendee · 30/10/2025 08:10

soupyspoon · 30/10/2025 07:20

I didnt find any direct flights to Chennai, was looking February but not sure if it changes throughout the year. I was looking on skyscanner

But even then its a really long jaunt to Pondicherry

Show quote history

There are daily direct flights with BA to Chennai in Feb.

KnickerlessParsons · 30/10/2025 08:16

I’ve just typed “what’s the best way to get to pondicherry from London into chat GPT and it gave me several options with times and costs. Too much to copy and paste, but you can do the same yourself.

ProfessorLayton1 · 30/10/2025 09:16

BA definitely flies to Chennai throughout the year. Stay in Mahabalipuram , Taj Fisherman’s cove resort for a day - worth it if you want to break the journey. Mahabalipuram Shore temple is a UNESCO world heritage site and worth the stay to visit the place and recover from the long flight. Head to Pondicherry the next day - not sure of your reason to go there. Book your stay in Auroville in Pondicherry if possible.

OhDear111 · 31/10/2025 18:22

@ProfessorLayton1 I second everything you say. There are other great temples around Chennai too. Pondicherry is interesting with its French heritage but nowhere near as interesting as the temples and I’d recommend these above anything else.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 31/10/2025 18:25

I looked again on sky scanner and the flights to Chennai are there, thats straight they didnt come up initially

So its a 9 hour flight and then around 3 hours to Pondicherry

I hadnt realised it was such a long journey and thats without all the waiting around. Not sure that is feasible for a week

OP posts:
suburberphobe · 31/10/2025 18:35

Welcome to India!

I would love to go to Auroville, so have a great time.

I did a taxi from Delhi to Agra for the Taj Mahal. It was 10 hours and cost a hundred Euros. Door to door. It was great, especially passing an elephant and his mahoot on the road.

I love it - such a different land, lovely people and fascinating culture - and food! but we can get that here thank god.

notimagain · 31/10/2025 21:13

soupyspoon · 31/10/2025 18:25

I looked again on sky scanner and the flights to Chennai are there, thats straight they didnt come up initially

So its a 9 hour flight and then around 3 hours to Pondicherry

I hadnt realised it was such a long journey and thats without all the waiting around. Not sure that is feasible for a week

As you've worked out Pondicherry isn't well served, ex-UK as others have mentioned your best bet might be BA ex London non-stop to either Chennai or Bengaluru- the latter might provide more options for the shorter sector with better timings...

Despite the French connections I don't think even Air France do a service to/from Paris.

OhDear111 · 31/10/2025 22:56

@soupyspoon it’s not worth it for a week. Bengalsru to Pondicherry is 6 hours!

If you can spend longer the standard Delhi, Agra Jaipur is doable. But there’s quite a time difference. I’d say South Africa is the best long haul choice as little time difference and flights are overnight both ways. Cape Town area is great for a week.

Aintnosunshinenowitsgone · 01/11/2025 03:31

soupyspoon · 31/10/2025 18:25

I looked again on sky scanner and the flights to Chennai are there, thats straight they didnt come up initially

So its a 9 hour flight and then around 3 hours to Pondicherry

I hadnt realised it was such a long journey and thats without all the waiting around. Not sure that is feasible for a week

My DH goes to Chennai for a week .

Hard work, but doable.

notimagain · 01/11/2025 07:01

@OhDear111

Bengaluru to Pondicherry is 6 hours

About 90 minutes if you take one of the direct flights that operate between the two cities (but there aren't many)...

Fundamentally it's not the easiest place to get to.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 01/11/2025 08:26

What a shame Ive always had my eye on it as a holiday destination but until we're retired I just wouldnt have the leave to go for longer and I would want about 10 days to cope with the travel timings.

OP posts:
OhDear111 · 01/11/2025 08:39

I was looking at road travel obviously. Not two flights.

OhDear111 · 01/11/2025 08:45

@soupyspoon If you went to Chennai you can see everything around there (there’s lots to see) and visit Pondicherry. 10 days is fine. Time difference coming back isn’t great! Just come back from West Bengal. You don’t need 10 days in Pondicherry - a round trip based on start snd finish in Chennai is best.

All long haul travel needs time or you spend it in airports! Direct flights are so much better.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 01/11/2025 08:53

OhDear111 · 01/11/2025 08:45

@soupyspoon If you went to Chennai you can see everything around there (there’s lots to see) and visit Pondicherry. 10 days is fine. Time difference coming back isn’t great! Just come back from West Bengal. You don’t need 10 days in Pondicherry - a round trip based on start snd finish in Chennai is best.

All long haul travel needs time or you spend it in airports! Direct flights are so much better.

Yes 10 days would be fine but we cant take annual leave like that so I'll save that trip for retirement. I would want to stay in Pondicherry, thats the plan.

OP posts:
OhDear111 · 01/11/2025 09:00

@soupyspoon Why Pondicherry?

Original poster
soupyspoon · 01/11/2025 09:03

OhDear111 · 01/11/2025 09:00

@soupyspoon Why Pondicherry?

Why anywhere?

Why Lanzarote, why Barcelona, why Rome, why Mexico.

I have a long list of places to visit and that is one of them

OP posts:
OhDear111 · 01/11/2025 12:29

Having been to Pondicherry, it’s no Barcelona, Rome or Mexico! Lanzarote is a bit meh in my view. Not seeing the temples mentioned earlier or the great Chola temples that are world heritage sites is missing out on the best things in that part of India. Rome and Barcelona are easy to get to - Pondicherry isn’t. I’d do a bit more homework on what’s there given the journey and expense.

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