Looking for some beautiful but cheap travel ideas? Here are the 11 best direct destinations from India, from Egypt to Middle East that you’ll certainly love.
Best Direct Destinations from India
Wondering to which destinations you can fly from India directly? Here I would like to introduce some pretty good destinations you would love spending your vacation in.
1. Cairo, Egypt
The direct flight cost of Mumbai to Cairo (CAI) is ?28k (Egypt Air, roundtrip).
Egypt’s capital, Cairo is famous for its iconic pyramids, Great Sphinx (dating to 26th century BC) and the Nile River. Other things to see include Tahrir Square and Egyptian Museum, including royal mummies and King Tutankhamun artifacts. This is also one of the cheapest destinations to visit from India. Some places to visit are:
Giza Necropolis or the Giza Pyramid Complex, in Greater Cairo is the site that includes the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Other pyramid complexes like the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, built during Ancient Egypt, between 2600- 2500 BC.
Khan el-Khalili, a famous bazaar and souq in the historic center of Cairo. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era, it is one of Cairo’s main attractions.
Salah Al-Din Al-Ayoubi Citadel – the Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo.
Some other destinations here are Al Azhar Park, Al Azhar Mosque, Cairo Tower and Pyramid of Djoser.
You can also visit other cities nearby like Luxor, Hurghada, Alexandria and Sharm El- Sheikh.
2. London, United Kingdom
The direct flight cost of Delhi to London (LHR) is ?43k (Virgin Atlantic or British Airways, roundtrip).
London is often called the city of dreams. Like New York, London is a sprawling city and has almost unlimited places to visit. Many Indians live here as it is a world class city. Its most famous places to visit are:
Buckingham Palace, located in the City of Westminster, is the headquarters of the UK’s monarchy and where the Queen lives.
Big Ben, or the Great Bell is the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, next to the famous River Thames, and Westminster Bridge.
Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, established in 19th century, around what used to be known as Charing Cross.
Other destinations here are the British Museum, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Tower of London and Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
You can also visit other nearby cities like Manchester, Edinburgh (Scotland) and Dublin (Ireland) on road/ train trips.
3. Paris, France
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Paris (CDG) is ?40k (Air France, roundtrip).
This is one of Europe’s best direct destinations from India. Known as the City of Lights and the City of Love, Paris is the most visited city in the world. It’s a great city to visit for solo travelers, families and honeymooners alike. Like the above 2 cities, Paris has many destinations to offer. The main attractions are:
Eiffel tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world. Locally nicknamed “La Dame de Fer,” meaning The Iron Lady, the tower is 324 meters tall, as tall as an 81-storey building.
The Louvre Museum is best known for housing the Mona Lisa. Located next to the river Seine, it is the world’s largest art museum. Its glass pyramid is another famous piece of architecture.
The Arc de Triomphe is a junction on the gorgeous Champs-Élysées, the famous avenue that connects Place de la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l’Étoile.
Other destinations are Palace of Versailles, Disneyland Paris, Luxembourg Gardens, Notre-Dame, and Sacré-Cœur.
Other beautiful cities to visit nearby include Lyon and Nice. You could also visit Monaco from Nice.
Also check out: Travel to Paris | Art, Architecture, Romance, Shopping
4. Zurich and the Swiss Alps, Switzerland
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Zurich (ZRH) is ?40k (Swiss Airlines, roundtrip).
One of the best direct destinations from India for natural beauty, the Swiss city of Zürich is the city of luxuries, and the most expensive city in the world. Famous for high-end shopping and fancy chocolate, it has many beautiful places to visit like:
Zurich Opera House is one of the world’s largest opera houses, perfect for your opera, ballet and concert needs.
Lake Zurich is the perfect picnic spot, popular for boating or swimming.
Swiss National Museum, built in 1898, is a fine example of castle-like architecture. It houses artwork and information on cultural history.
Other destinations in Zurich are Fraumünster Church and Zurich zoo.
Other than Zurich, the most famous place in Switzerland is the Swiss Alps. A mountain range across France, Germany, Switzerland, etc., the scenic beauty of the Swiss Alps is known to all Bollywood lovers.
Other cities to visit are Bern and Geneva. You could also visit Liechtenstein from Zurich for a day trip.
5. Rome, Italy
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Rome (FCO) is ?46k (ITA Airlines, roundtrip).
Famous for the Colosseum, Pantheon and of course, its pizza and pasta, Rome is one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy. In fact, there are many places to visit here, such as the photogenic Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum. And, you’ll find the smallest country in the world in Rome; Vatican City. Some great places to visit are:
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world even today, despite being so ancient.
Pantheon is the most famous example of ancient Roman architecture. It used to be a Roman temple that was converted to a Catholic Church in 609.
Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain and possibly the most photographed fountain in the world.
Vatican City, the house of Pope is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Basilica. It is also home to ancient Roman sculptures and the Sistine Chapel, which has Michelangelo’s ceiling.
Some other famous places in Rome include Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese.
Other cities to visit in Italy are Naples, Venice, Florence, Milan and Pisa that you can get to by train. You could also visit Ljubljana (Slovenia) from Venice for a day trip.
Also read: The Perfect Guide to Rome, Italy for a 2 Day Trip
6. Istanbul, Turkey
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Istanbul (IST) is ?40k (Turkish Airlines, roundtrip).
Istanbul is called the Byzantium city as it is famous for the rule of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empire. Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul is also the largest European city. It has rich history, and used to be called Byzantium and Constantinople. Some great places to visit here include:
The Blue Mosque is an Ottoman-era imperial mosque, still functioning. Attracting large numbers of tourists, it is one of Istanbul’s icons.
Hagia Sophia, and formerly the Church of Hagia Sophia is an old place of worship in Istanbul. It attracts many tourists and, like the blue Mosque, is an icon of Istanbul.
Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower in Istanbul. It is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic view of Istanbul.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With 61 covered streets and over 4000 shops, it attracts 250,000 – 400,000 visitors daily.
Other destinations in Istanbul are Topkapi Palace Museum, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahçe Palace and Misir Çarsisi.
Other cities to visit are Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. You can also go to Cyprus for another small trip.
7. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (Israel)
The direct flight cost of Mumbai to Tel Aviv (TLV) is ?30k (EL AL Israeli Airlines, roundtrip).
Jerusalem is a city in Western Asia, between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is considered holy to the three major religions- Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Some great places to visit are:
The Western Wall is an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is known as the holiest place for Jews.
Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was initially made on the site of a major Jewish Temple. It is now known as the third holiest site for Muslims.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a church in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. It contains the two holiest sites in Christianity: where Jesus was crucified and Jesus’s empty tomb, where Christians believe He was buried and resurrected.
Other destinations in Jerusalem to visit are The Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Temple Mount and Tower of David.
You must also go to Tel Aviv, known as the White City. And you can also go to Palestine from here.
8. New York, United States of America
The direct flight cost of Delhi to New York (JFK, EWR) will be ?70k (American Airlines/ United Airlines, roundtrip).
New York is often called ‘the city that never sleeps’. It is one of the most visited cities in the whole world. I’ve been to NYC several times. A hustling bustling city, it has almost unlimited places to visit and things to do. Some points which are my favorite to visit are:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is a popular museum and library of art in the City of New York. It is one of the most famous museums in the world, also home to the famous Met Gala.
Central Park is a sprawling urban park in NYC located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the fifth-largest park in the world, covering 843 acres, and the most-visited urban park in the United States.
The Statue of Liberty is an iconic copper sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor within New York City. You can visit the statue by a ferry. It is the most famous statue in the world.
Other things to check out in NYC are Times Square, MoMA, Empire State Building, One World Trade Center and Brooklyn Bridge.
And from there you could visit other cities like Washington D.C., Boston, Orlando, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
9. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Dubai (DXB, AUH) is ?15k (Emirates/ Etihad, roundtrip).
This is one of the best direct destinations from India for families, and I just went there last month. Dubai is a world-class destination for luxury shopping lovers, and modern architecture/interior enthusiasts. The marvels include Burj Khalifa, musical Dubai Fountain, and the famous The Palm islands. Let’s go over some places to visit:
Standing at 830m, Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. It has an observation deck, a hotel, and many restaurants.
The Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world, with a total retail floor area of 502,000 square meters. It has thousands on shops, restaurants, and even its own theme park. It is next to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.
Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel, managed by Jumeirah hotel group, One of the tallest hotels in the world, it is located on a man-made island. It is the only seven star hotel in the world. You can visit there by taking a reservation in a restaurant.
Dubai Frame is an architectural landmark in Zabeel Park, Dubai. It holds the record for the largest frame in the world. It is a beautiful looking structure and even has an observation deck.
Other destinations to visit are Old Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai Parks and Resorts (a theme park), Mall of the Emirates, JBR beach, Global Village, Ain Dubai, Dubai Miracle Garden, and Jumeirah Mosque. You can also do a desert safari.
You must also visit Abu Dhabi. You can also do a day trip to Khasab (Oman).
10. Mahe Island, Seychelles
The direct flight cost of Mumbai to Mahe (SEZ) is ?28k (Air Seychelles, roundtrip).
This is one of the best destinations from India for honeymooners. Mahe is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. Famous for its gorgeous white-sand beaches, it looks like a postcard or painting! Victoria, Seychelles’ capital, is also known for its architecture and a colorful covered market.
Seychelles is the perfect place to unwind, relax on the beach and admire its natural beauty. You can also go to its other island, Praslin Island.
11. Singapore
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Singapore (SIN) is ?22k (Singapore Airlines, roundtrip).
Singapore is one of the most visited countries by Indians. It’s famous for its ultramodern architecture, theme parks and natural beauty. It’s also one of the most popular travel destinations in the world! Some places to visit are:
Gardens by the Bay is a very large nature park in central Singapore. The park consists of three areas and has a large variety of plants and flowers.
Sentosa is an island located off the southern coast of Singapore’s main island. Here you can visit Madame Tussauds, Fort Siloso, casinos or go on its Cable Car network.
Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island. It features 28 rides, shows, and attractions, including a musical fountain.
Other Destinations include Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore Flyer, Singapore Zoo and China Town.
You can also do a day trip to Johor Bauru (Malaysia).
12. Tokyo, Japan
The direct flight cost of Delhi to Tokyo (HND) is ?47k (Japan Airlines/ All Nippon, roundtrip).
This is one of the best direct destinations from India for culture and modern architecture. A bustling city, Tokyo has everything from great sushi to ancient temples. Some destinations include:
Senso-ji is a historic Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and became independent after World War II. Adjacent to the temple is a five-story pagoda.
Tokyo Sky Tree is a broadcasting and observation tower. At 634 meters, it became the tallest tower in the world in 2011.
Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower built in 1958. At 332.9 meters, this shiny red tower is the second-tallest structure in Japan, and is famous for its Eiffel tower like look.
Tokyo Disneyland is one of the largest theme parks in the world, located at the Tokyo Disney Resort. All Disney Land lovers should have this one on their bucket list.
Other destinations include Meiji Jingu, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Imperial Palace, Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park.
Other cities include Osaka, Nara, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Yokohama, Sapporo, Kobe, Fukuoka and Nagoya. You must do a day trip to Mount Fuji.
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Hope my list of best direct destinations from India was helpful. If you visit any of these travel destinations do tag us in you Instagram pics @shilpahujadotcom so that we can travel with you we will be sure to ‘like’ them.
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Samanyu Ahuja is 13 years old and studies in (undisclosed for privacy) school in 9th Standard. He lives in Chandigarh and in his free time, he enjoys doodling, making original games, collecting coins. Currently learning Russian, Samanyu enjoys geography, social sciences and maths. To reach him, please reach out to [email protected].