IndiGo Ticket Cancellation & Refund Policy 2026

IndiGo has a last allowed time to cancel a flight before departure. If you cancel after this time, the booking is treated as unused, so the ticket amount is usually lost, and only some taxes may be refunded IndiGo's cancellation policy states that you can cancel or request a refund online up to 3 hours before departure for domestic flights and up to 4 hours before departure for international flights, which means you should not wait until the last minute when your plans change You should know that different booking channels have different rules for handling refunds. When you book a flight through an authorised booking platform, the refund is usually sent back to that platform first, not directly to you. 

IndiGo also explains that if you make changes or cancel your booking through their call centre, they may charge an extra fee, which is why cancelling online is often the simpler and cheaper option If you book through FlightsMojo, you should still cancel your ticket within IndiGo’s allowed time window, as the airline decides whether a cancellation is accepted. After that, you can track your refund using the exact booking details, as the refund usually goes back through the same payment method you used when you booked the ticket.

IndiGo cancellation charges are not a fixed amount; the airline calculates the fee based on several booking details. This is important because you can often calculate how much refund you may receive by checking these factors before you cancel your ticket.

Flight ticket cancellation charges usually depend on

• Route type: Domestic and international routes have different cancellation charges.
• Time left before departure: IndiGo uses time slabs, and the charge usually increases when you cancel closer to the departure time
• Fare type or family fare: These fares often have lower penalties, while the basic fares usually have higher cancellation charges.

IndiGo also offers a free cancellation period, allowing domestic flights to be changed or cancelled within 24 hours of booking at no extra cost. This applies only if the booking is made at least 7 days before travel, which means you can save money when you make changes early.

Tip: Be careful with promotional fares, as some discounted tickets have strict rules. A low fare often means little or no refund if you cancel.

Domestic cancellations are much easier, but the cancellation charges still depend on how close you are to the departure time and which fare rules apply to your ticket. IndiGo uses 3 time windows: 3 to 24 hours, 24 to 72 hours and more than 72 hours before departure.

• Cancelling a flight booking close to the travel time: If you cancel a flight ticket on the last day, the cancellation fee is usually the highest, so the refund is much lower. This is because most of the fare is taken as a penalty. You should never forget that IndiGo allows domestic cancellations only up to 3 hours before departure, so you must cancel before this cut-off time.
• Cancelling a flight ticket one to three days before travel: - During this time, the cancellation fee is usually lower than for a last-minute cancellation, but it can still affect your refund, especially on low fares. This period is helpful because you still have time to check other flights and decide whether to cancel or change your booking.
• Cancelling an air ticket three days or more before travel: - This time usually has the lowest cancellation fee and gives you the best refund amount. This happens because the airline has more time to sell the seat again and because it gives you time to manage other plans, such as hotels or transport.

Tip: Always check the fare rules on your ticket, as special or discounted fares can change the refund amount even within the same time period.

International cancellations usually cost more than domestic ones, and the cancellation fee can also depend on the currency and the route. IndiGo shows international cancellation charges by time window and currency, so the amount may vary by region.

• Cancelling a flight booking close to departure: - If you cancel within the last 24 hours, the cancellation fee is usually the highest, so the refund may be very small or sometimes zero on low or promotional fares. You must also cancel at least 4 hours before departure, as cancelling later may result in a no-show.
• Cancelling a flight ticket one to four days before departure: - This period is usually easier to manage because the cancellation fee is lower than for a last-minute cancellation. You will still pay a charge, but you often avoid the most significant loss and still have time to arrange another travel plan.
• Cancelling well in advance: - When you cancel early, the cancellation fee is usually lower, and the refund amount is more precise. This timing is helpful if your trip includes visas, tours or transfers because those bookings often have strict cancellation deadlines.

You should also plan your documents carefully because issues with passports, visas, or travel dates can lead to sudden cancellations. Early planning usually helps reduce cancellation charges.

Refund results depend not only on timing, but also on the fare type and any add-ons, which will determine how much money comes back to you. 

• Saver or basic fares: - In most cases, the saver fares cost less, but they also have higher cancellation charges, so the refund can be small if you cancel late. You may still receive some money back, but the final amount depends on the time window and the ticket price.
• Flexible fare options: - For travellers who expect changes, flexible fares are a better fit because they usually reduce the cancellation or date change fee. You should still check the rules before booking, but these fares often make changes easier and penalties lower.
• Student, senior citizen and other special fares: - Special fares offer a discount, but they still follow standard cancellation rules, so the discount does not remove the penalty. You should plan cancellations the same way as for regular fares unless the fare terms clearly state otherwise.
• Promotional fares: - Promotional fares come with stricter rules so that the cancellation charge can take up most of the ticket value. These fares work well when your plans are fixed, but they carry more risk when travel dates are uncertain.
• The 24-hour free cancellation rule: - IndiGo allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking for domestic flights, provided the booking is made at least 7 days before travel. This rule is applicable when you notice a mistake or need to change plans soon after booking.
• Add-ons and check-in impact: - When it comes to extras, items like meals, seat selection and other add-ons may not be fully refunded when you cancel because they follow separate rules. IndiGo also notes that refunds depend on deadlines, so the refund may be reduced if you wait too long.
• No-show rules and tax refunds: - If you do not cancel in time and do not travel, you are considered a no-show. In such a case, IndiGo applies a no-show charge, and the base fare is usually lost while only the applicable taxes are refunded.

This point matters because many travellers assume that missing a flight entitles them to an automatic refund, but the usual outcome is different. By cancelling early, you can often get more money back To add some relief, IndiGo confirms that airport and statutory taxes, such as UDF (User Development Fee), ADF (Aviation Development Fee), and PSF (Passenger Service Fee), are refunded even in no-show cases. 

If you miss a flight, you should still apply for the tax refund, as recovering the taxes is better than leaving the booking unused. You should keep your booking reference and email details ready, as airlines usually need them to process a tax-only refund.

When an airline cancels a flight or makes a significant change to the schedule, the refund rules change because the disruption is caused by the airline, not by you. IndiGo explains that if a delay is more than 2 hours or a flight is moved earlier by more than 1 hour, you can choose a full refund or a free rebooking on another IndiGo flight, provided seats are available.

This is important because you should not cancel at the last minute when the airline has already cancelled the flight or significantly changed the timing. In these cases, you may get a better option, such as a full refund or a free change, by using the airline’s disruption support instead.

In the cancellation and refund process, there is an easier option: you do not have to worry much about time limits, routes, or ticket types, because FlightsMojo Trip Shield provides extra protection. It is helpful when your travel plans are not fixed because it adds flexibility and peace of mind FlightsMojo offers Trip Shield as an optional add-on you can select during booking for a small additional fee. It works as a backup when sudden changes affect your trip, and it helps reduce the money loss that can follow a cancellation.

Trip Shield is helpful for travellers who are unsure about their travel dates or plans, as it allows you to book with greater confidence. You should still cancel within the airline’s allowed time frame whenever possible, as early action usually makes the refund process smoother.

In simple terms, IndiGo’s cancellation policy in 2026 depends on when you cancel your flight booking, which varies by route and fare rules. That is why acting early is vital to save money. When you book an IndiGo flight through FlightsMojo, you can check the fare rules, transparent pricing, select the Trip Shield option and get a considerable discount all in one place.