About $400 cheaper than the next cheapest airline with a bag on the same dates, from Auckland or Christchurch. Kochi, in Kerala, is $1,659 return with a checked bag from both cities. From Auckland, Singapore Airlines has one stop in Singapore in mid to late February, about 16 to 18 hours there, and SriLankan goes through Melbourne and Colombo in late January and early February. From Christchurch it's Qantas to Sydney or Melbourne and then the same SriLankan flights, all one ticket.
Auckland - Kochi
Return, 1 adult, NZD, checked bag included, 19 nights. Lowest one-ticket prices on our search (online agencies).
| Return | Travel dates | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,659 | 19 Feb to 10 Mar | Singapore Airlines | One stop, about 18h out and 25h home, 25 kg bag |
| $1,672 | 26 Feb to 17 Mar | Singapore Airlines | One stop, about 16h out and 17h home, 25 kg bag |
| $1,665 | 29 Jan to 17 Feb | SriLankan | Via Melbourne and Colombo, 30 kg bag |
| $1,681 | 5 Feb to 24 Feb | Qantas and SriLankan | Via Melbourne and Colombo, 30 kg bag |
Christchurch - Kochi
| Return | Travel dates | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,659 | 5 Feb to 24 Feb | Qantas and SriLankan | Via Sydney and Colombo, 30 kg bag |
| $1,723 | 29 Jan to 17 Feb | Qantas and SriLankan | Via Melbourne or Sydney and Colombo |
Wellington is $2,232 and Queenstown $2,010 on 29 Jan to 17 Feb.
Is it a good deal?
Google Flights calls $1,660 low for 29 Jan to 17 Feb, $1,203 cheaper than usual, and says similar trips usually cost $2,150 to $4,050. The price has sat there for about six weeks.
Catches
- SriLankan means a night in Colombo airport going out: you land at 10:30pm and fly on at 8:05am. Coming home there's a seven hour evening wait there too.
- From Christchurch it's about 34 hours out, with about nine and a half hours in Sydney or Melbourne first.
- These fares might not be refundable. Check the change and refund rules before you pay.
- You need an Indian e-Visa. SafeTravel says exercise increased caution in India, higher in some areas.
More detail: Auckland and Christchurch to Kochi from $1,659