How to Reach Murmansk from India: Flight Routes, Connections and Total Travel Time

By the Dook International travel team  |  Updated 19 October 2026  |  8 min read

The short answer
No direct flights. There is no direct flight from India to Murmansk. You fly to Moscow or St Petersburg first, then take a domestic flight north.
Fastest route: Delhi to Moscow Sheremetyevo on Aeroflot (about 6 hours 30 minutes, 4 flights a week), then Moscow to Murmansk (about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours, several flights a day).
Total time: about 12 to 15 hours from Delhi with a good connection. From other Indian cities, plan for one extra stop and a longer day.

Murmansk sits above the Arctic Circle, about 1,450 km north of Moscow, and it is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Getting there from India is easier than most people expect. It takes one international flight, one domestic flight, and a little planning around the connection.

This guide covers every practical route, how long each takes, and the mistakes that cost travellers an aurora night. For everything about the Northern Lights themselves, read our complete Murmansk aurora guide.

All the ways to reach Murmansk from India

Route 1: Delhi to Moscow to Murmansk (the fastest)

This is the simplest way for most Indian travellers.

Sources: FlightConnections, Delhi to Moscow, and FlightsFrom, Moscow to Murmansk. Schedules change by season, so check before booking.

Because both legs can leave from Sheremetyevo, you avoid changing airports in Moscow. Murmansk flights also run from Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports, but crossing the city between airports adds hours and risk, so avoid it with tight timing.

Route 2: Via St Petersburg (how most Russia tours do it)

St. Petersburg is closer to Murmansk than Moscow, at about 1,010 km. The flight takes about 2 hours 10 minutes, with Aeroflot and Smartavia running several flights a day.

This is the routing on our 8-day Russia Northern Lights tour: 2 nights in St Petersburg, a flight north to Murmansk for 2 nights, then a flight to Moscow for 3 nights before going home. It means you see both great cities and never spend more than a short flight getting to the Arctic. A shorter 7-day version is also available.

Source: FlightsFrom, St Petersburg to Murmansk.

Route 3: From Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities

Outside Delhi (and Goa on certain days), there is no non-stop flight from India to Moscow. You have two easy choices.

•       Fly to Delhi first, then take the Aeroflot non-stop. This works well if the timings match the 4 weekly departures.

•       Connect through a Gulf hub. Aeroflot flies Dubai to Moscow about twice a day, and Qatar Airways flies Doha to Moscow about once a day, both in about 6 hours 35 minutes. Route databases also list one-stop options from Mumbai via Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Bahrain and Baku.

Stopping in a hub? Our airport layover guide explains transit rules.

Route 4: The train north

If you have time and want to watch the landscape turn white, the train is an adventure in itself. The Arktika train from Moscow takes about 35 hours and crosses the Arctic Circle on the way. From St Petersburg, trains take about 22 to 27 hours. Choose a 4-berth compartment (kupe) for comfort.

For most Indian travellers on a 7 or 8-day trip, the train takes too many days. It suits people with extra time who see the journey as part of the holiday.

Total travel time from Indian cities (estimates)

Estimates include flying time and a 3 to 4-hour connection in Moscow. Long Gulf layovers add more. Most people break the journey with a night in Moscow or St. Petersburg, which also helps them adjust to the cold.

How to plan the Moscow connection

1.     Book both flights on one ticket if you can. If a delay makes you miss the second flight, the airline rebooks you.

2.     On separate tickets, leave at least 3 to 4 hours. You clear passport control at your first Russian airport and may need to collect and re-check bags.

3.     Stay at one airport. Choose a Murmansk flight from the same Moscow airport you land at.

4.     Check baggage rules. Winter clothes are bulky, and low-cost airlines such as Pobeda charge extra for checked bags.

Arrive in Murmansk by afternoon. Aurora tours usually leave in the evening, so an early arrival saves your first night.

Protect your aurora nights

Winter snowstorms in the Arctic can delay flights. Plan at least 2 to 3 nights in Murmansk, and do not schedule Murmansk on the last day before your flight home to India. If weather delays you by a day, you still keep at least one aurora night.

Insurance helps if a delay forces a new booking. See our travel insurance guide.

Arriving at Murmansk airport

Murmansk airport is in Murmashi, about 30 to 40-minute drive from the city centre. Bus 106 runs to the railway station, and taxis wait outside. In winter, with luggage and darkness, a pre-booked transfer is the most comfortable choice, and it is included in our packages.

Visa and money before you fly

•       Visa: Indian passport holders can apply for a Russian e-visa on the official portal. From 23 August 2025, the allowed stay was reported to rise to 30 days, at a fee of about USD 50 and processing within about 4 working days (Business Today). Some guides still show older rules, so confirm on the portal. Our Russia visa page has more help.

•       Money: international cards issued in India are widely reported not to work in Russia. Carry US dollars or euros to exchange, and book domestic flights and hotels in advance, ideally as part of a package.

When to travel

The aurora season runs through the dark months, and our pillar guide recommends February for the best balance of darkness and daylight for activities. Planning around the year-end holidays? Read New Year in Russia and our guide to Moscow in winter. Comparing destinations? See our guide to the Northern Lights in Finland.

More for your Russia trip

•       Northern Lights Russia: the complete Murmansk aurora guide

•       Murmansk tours and Moscow tours

•       15 best Russian cities to visit

Let us handle the route for you

Flights, connections, transfers, and visa support are the hardest part of an Arctic trip. Our Russia Northern Lights tours plan them around the best aurora nights. Start with the 8-day Russia Northern Lights tour or browse all Murmansk tours.