With October underway, India's festive travel season is beginning to gather pace. Many people are preparing to return home for upcoming celebrations such as Diwali and Chhath Puja, while others are planning short family trips before the peak holiday rush begins.

Flight demand generally increases around major festivals, and airfares can change rapidly as seats get booked. For passengers planning to fly this week, comparing available options across airlines before making a reservation could therefore help identify a relatively cheaper ticket.

Based on the fares mentioned for selected routes, tickets are available from around ₹6,050 on some sectors. However, passengers should remember that flight prices are dynamic. The final amount can change depending on the booking date, seat availability, travel demand, baggage selection, convenience fees and other airline charges.

Here is a route-wise look at some of the flight fares currently listed for popular domestic journeys.

Delhi to Mumbai: Fares Starting Around ₹6,080

Passengers planning to travel from Delhi to Mumbai on Tuesday have multiple options.

An IndiGo flight is listed at approximately ₹6,080, with the journey scheduled between 6:00 PM and 10:20 PM.

Another option is Air India Express, with a fare of approximately ₹6,529. The listed departure time is 10:25 PM, while the arrival is scheduled for 12:50 AM.

Based on these listed fares, the IndiGo option is around ₹449 cheaper, although travellers should compare the total journey time and final payable amount before booking.

Bengaluru to Delhi: Tickets From Around ₹8,170

For passengers travelling from Bengaluru to Delhi on Wednesday, a SpiceJet flight is listed at approximately ₹8,170. Its scheduled travel time is from 8:20 AM to 12:55 PM.

An Air India Express option is available at around ₹8,663, with the listed timing from 2:40 PM to 5:30 PM.

The difference between the two quoted fares is approximately ₹493.

Delhi to Hyderabad: Compare Air India and IndiGo Fares

Travellers flying from Delhi to Hyderabad on Saturday can also compare different options before booking.

An Air India ticket is listed at approximately ₹7,252, with timings from 12:15 PM to 8:40 PM.

An IndiGo option is quoted at around ₹8,210, with the journey scheduled between 5:10 PM and 10:00 PM.

Although Air India's listed fare is lower in this comparison, passengers should also examine whether the itinerary is direct or involves a longer journey before choosing solely on the basis of price.

Delhi to Pune: Small Difference Between Two Listed Fares

For Delhi-Pune travel on Saturday, an IndiGo ticket is available at approximately ₹6,990. The listed schedule runs from 5:10 AM until 12:20 PM.

Meanwhile, Air India Express is quoted at approximately ₹7,099, with a scheduled journey between 4:45 PM and 7:15 PM.

The price difference is only about ₹109 based on the quoted fares. In such cases, departure time and total travel duration may be more important considerations than the small difference in ticket price.

Delhi to Kolkata: Flights Available From Around ₹6,616

Passengers heading from Delhi to Kolkata on Saturday can find a SpiceJet option listed at around ₹6,616. The scheduled timing is 8:10 PM to 10:30 PM.

An IndiGo flight on the same route is quoted at approximately ₹7,368, with timings from 4:20 PM to 9:05 PM.

The SpiceJet fare is around ₹752 lower based on the prices provided.

Bengaluru to Kolkata: Fares Start Near ₹6,050

Among the routes included in this comparison, Bengaluru to Kolkata has one of the lowest quoted starting fares.

For Sunday travel, an Akasa Air flight is listed at approximately ₹6,050, with a departure at 9:10 PM and arrival at 12:10 AM.

An IndiGo flight is quoted at around ₹6,167, operating between 6:15 AM and 8:50 AM.

With a difference of only about ₹117 between the two options, passengers may find it more useful to choose according to their preferred departure time, baggage requirements and overall travel convenience.

Check the Final Fare Before Making Payment

The prices above should be treated as indicative fares rather than guaranteed ticket prices. Airline fares can rise or fall within a short period, particularly during the festive season when demand changes quickly.

Travellers should check the airline's official booking platform or a reliable travel portal for the latest fare before completing payment. It is also worth checking whether the displayed amount includes taxes, baggage allowance, seat-selection charges and convenience fees.

A cheaper ticket may not always provide the best overall journey. A slightly more expensive direct flight with better timings, for example, could be more convenient than a lower-priced itinerary involving a long travel duration.

With Diwali and Chhath travel approaching, passengers who already know their travel dates may benefit from comparing fares early instead of waiting until demand reaches its festive-season peak.