Winter school holidays in India generally run from around Christmas into the first half of January, though exact dates vary by state and board. Flights across this window get booked up and priced up fast because of the Christmas and New Year rush, so book both onward and return legs early, check infant fee rules if travelling with a baby, and build in buffer time for fog-related delays on North India morning flights.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you are planning a family trip around the school winter break, the window between Christmas and New Year is when flights fill up quickest and fares climb the most. Here is what to plan around before you book.
When do Indian schools break for winter in December 2026?
Winter vacation dates differ by state, school board and even individual school, so there is no single national calendar. Many schools affiliated with CBSE and similar boards in Delhi and other parts of North India typically close for winter break somewhere between late December and early or mid January, with the exact start and end dates set by each state education department or school management. Schools in southern and western states often follow a shorter winter break, sometimes just covering Christmas week.
Because the dates are not uniform, the safest approach is to check your own child’s school calendar or your state education department’s notice before locking in travel dates, rather than assuming a fixed national window.
Why do flights get expensive around Christmas and New Year?
Demand for both domestic and international flights rises sharply in the last week of December and first few days of January, as families travel for holidays, weddings and year-end breaks all at once. Airlines price seats dynamically, so fares on popular routes tend to climb as the available seats in lower fare buckets sell out. Booking well ahead of the rush, and keeping your travel dates flexible by even a day or two around the 25th or the 31st, usually helps you find lower fares than waiting until closer to departure.
How much is the infant fee if I am flying with a baby?
If you are travelling with a lap infant, airlines charge a separate infant fee on top of the adult fare, and this fee is typically lower when booked in advance rather than at the airport. On IndiGo, the pre-booked domestic infant fee is Rs 2,250 from 17 September 2026, rising to Rs 3,000 if paid at the airport instead, so it is worth adding the infant to your booking at the time of purchase rather than later.
Child fares, for children who need their own seat, are generally charged at the regular adult fare on most Indian domestic carriers, since there is usually no separate discounted child fare class the way there is for infants. Factor this into your family’s total budget when comparing dates.
Will fog delay my December or January flight?
The DGCA treats 10 December to 10 February as the official low-visibility fog season for North Indian airports, and Delhi in particular sees dense early-morning fog through this window most years, which can delay or occasionally divert flights scheduled for the early morning hours. If your itinerary includes a North Indian airport during this period, an early morning departure or a tight connecting flight carries more risk of disruption than a mid-morning or afternoon one. Building in a longer connection time, or choosing a later departure where possible, reduces the chance that fog delays will cascade into a missed onward flight.
What is the best way to book flights for the whole family?
Book all family members on the same booking where possible, so seating requests and any schedule changes apply to everyone together. Add every traveller’s correct date of birth at the time of booking, since fare categories for infants and children are tied to age. If your dates still have some flexibility, compare a few days around your preferred travel dates, since shifting by even a day can sometimes mean a meaningfully different fare during this peak period.
Common Questions
Do children need a separate ticket?
Yes, any child who needs their own seat requires a full ticket. Only infants who will sit on an adult’s lap for the whole flight are booked under the separate, lower infant fee rather than a full seat fare.
Is there a child discount on domestic fares?
Generally no. Most Indian domestic carriers charge children above infant age the same fare as an adult in the same fare bucket, since there is typically no distinct discounted child fare category.
When should I book to avoid the worst of the rush?
There is no fixed rule, but booking as soon as your travel dates are confirmed is the safest approach for this period, since fares and seat availability both tend to tighten the closer you get to Christmas and New Year.
Can I change my dates if my school’s schedule shifts?
This depends on the fare type you booked and the airline’s change policy, including any applicable date-change fee or fare difference. Check the specific fare rules at the time of booking if you expect your dates might move.
Do all Indian states have the same winter break dates?
No. Winter vacation length and timing are set at the state or school level, so a school in Delhi and a school in Kerala can have quite different winter break calendars even in the same academic year.
What should I do if my flight is delayed because of fog?
Keep an eye on your airline’s status updates and arrive at the airport with the usual recommended buffer time. If you have a tight connection on a fog-prone route in winter, consider booking a later connection to reduce the risk of a missed flight.
Comparing dates for your family’s winter trip? Search flights on HappyFares to see fares across nearby dates, set a price alert, and book with zero convenience fee on domestic tickets.
School holiday dates and airline fees change. Verify current winter break dates with your child’s school and current fees with the airline before you travel.
