If you’ve been searching for a direct flight from Singapore to Madurai and keep hitting dead ends, you’re not alone. The route that once connected these cities in about 4½ hours has been suspended since March 2020, and no airline has announced a restart.
Cheapest one-way fare: SGD 210 (Skyscanner, Oct 2023) · Fastest direct flight time: 4 hours 30 minutes (IndiGo seasonal) · Airlines offering flights: IndiGo, Air India, Scoot, SriLankan Airlines · Singapore departure airport: Singapore Changi (SIN) · Madurai arrival airport: Madurai International (IXM) · Direct flights currently: Suspended since March 2020
Quick snapshot
- No direct flights currently operate on the Singapore–Madurai route (Air India official route page)
- Air India and Air India Express list 0 direct flights and 7 connecting flights per week (Air India) (Air India official route page)
- Madurai Airport (IXM) is designated an international airport (Skyscanner)
- IndiGo offers one-stop connections via Chennai or Bangalore with fares from SGD 210 (MakeMyTrip)
- When or if Air India will resume direct flights (Air India)
- Exact date of any new airline starting Singapore–Madurai route (Skyscanner)
- Pre-2020: Air India operated daily direct SIN–IXM flight (approx. 4h 30m) (Air India)
- March 2020: Direct flight suspended due to COVID-19 (MakeMyTrip)
- 2023: No direct flight; one-stop options remain only (Skyscanner)
- Travelers should book one-stop flights via Chennai, Bangalore, or Colombo (MakeMyTrip)
- Check for Vande Bharat Mission or charter possibilities if direct flights resume on short notice (Air India)
Among the key details, a few numbers stand out: the airport codes SIN to IXM, the suspended direct service, and the airlines that still connect the two cities via one stop.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Airport codes | SIN → IXM |
| Direct flight status | Suspended (last operated Mar 2020) |
| Airlines with one-stop | IndiGo, Air India, SriLankan Airlines |
| Madurai Airport rating | 4.2/5 on Google (3,500+ reviews) |
Does Scoot fly to Madurai?
- Scoot does not currently operate any flights between Singapore and Madurai (Skyscanner)
- Within Tamil Nadu, Scoot serves only Chennai, Trichy, and Coimbatore (Air India)
The implication for travelers: if you were hoping to use Scoot’s budget fares to reach Madurai, you’ll need to either fly to one of those three cities and take a connecting train or bus, or choose another airline entirely. Scoot’s network simply doesn’t include Madurai.
Scoot passengers eyeing Madurai face a specific consequence: the carrier’s cheapest fares to Chennai (often under SGD 150) can be combined with a 7-hour train ride, but that adds significant total travel time. For most, a one-stop flight via IndiGo or Air India works out better.
How much is an IndiGo ticket from Singapore to Madurai?
- IndiGo one-way fares start from SGD 210 on Skyscanner, though this varies with season and booking window (Skyscanner)
- In high season (December/January), fares can reach SGD 400–600 (MakeMyTrip)
- Air India lists a starting price of SGD 245 for its connecting flights (Air India)
The pattern: booking 3–4 weeks ahead typically locks in the lower end of the range. Skyscanner’s data shows March as the cheapest month overall.
IndiGo fare range Singapore to Madurai
- Low season (Mar-May): SGD 210–300
- High season (Dec-Jan): SGD 400–600
- Average round trip: SGD 350–500
Factors affecting IndiGo ticket prices
- Booking window: 21–28 days ahead yields best rate (Skyscanner)
- Stopover city: flights via Chennai are often cheaper than via Bangalore (MakeMyTrip)
The catch: IndiGo’s cheapest fares don’t include meals or checked bags, so factor in those costs when comparing with Air India’s all-inclusive pricing.
Does Madurai have international flights?
- Madurai Airport (IXM) is officially designated an international airport (Skyscanner)
- Scheduled international flights include Air India to Singapore (suspended), IndiGo to Colombo, and SriLankan Airlines to Colombo (MakeMyTrip)
What this means: Madurai can handle wide-body aircraft, but the only direct international route active in 2023 is to Colombo. For Singapore travelers, the airport is reachable only via one-stop connections.
How long does it take to fly from Singapore to Madurai?
- Direct flight time (when operating) is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes (Air India)
- Typical one-stop flight totals 7–10 hours including layover (Skyscanner)
The trade-off: a one-stop connection via Colombo (SriLankan Airlines) often has the shortest layover—around 2 hours—making total travel time about 6½–7 hours. Via Chennai or Bangalore, expect 8–10 hours depending on waiting time.
SriLankan Airlines’ one-stop through Colombo is often faster than other connections, yet it’s not always the cheapest. Travelers who prioritize speed over budget should check SriLankan’s fares alongside IndiGo.
Travelers should weigh speed vs cost when choosing a connection.
When does the Madurai to Singapore flight start?
- Air India operated the only direct flight on this route; it has been suspended since March 2020 (Air India)
- No confirmed restart date has been announced (Skyscanner)
- During the Vande Bharat Mission (2021–2022), occasional repatriation flights operated, but no regular service resumed (MakeMyTrip)
Why this matters: without a confirmed timeline, travelers cannot rely on a direct service returning soon. The only practical option for 2023 is booking a one-stop itinerary.
Comparison of airlines for Singapore–Madurai
Four airlines cover this route with very different trade-offs. The table below shows the key differences.
| Airline | Direct/nonstop | Typical one-way fare (economy) | Stopover city |
|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | No | SGD 210–400 | Chennai or Bangalore |
| Air India | No (suspended) | SGD 245–500 | Chennai or Bangalore |
| SriLankan Airlines | No | SGD 280–450 | Colombo |
| Scoot | Not available | N/A | N/A |
The pattern: IndiGo offers the cheapest fares but charges for extras; Air India includes meals and 23kg baggage; SriLankan offers the fastest total travel time via Colombo; Scoot is not an option.
Upsides and downsides of flying to Madurai
Upsides
- Affordable fares from SGD 210 via one-stop airlines (Skyscanner)
- Madurai Airport is well-connected to Tamil Nadu’s road and rail network
- Visa-free entry for Singapore citizens (e-Visa available) makes planning simple (Singapore Visa for Indians guide)
Downsides
- No direct flights currently available, adding 3–6 hours to travel time (Air India)
- Limited airline options—only IndiGo, Air India, and SriLankan offer viable connections
- Peak-season fares can double to SGD 500+ (MakeMyTrip)
The choice depends on your budget and time constraints.
How to book a Singapore to Madurai flight (step by step)
- Check visa requirements: Visit the Indian e-Visa website to confirm eligibility; Singapore passport holders can apply online (Singapore Visa for Indians).
- Choose your preferred stopover: Chennai (IndiGo/Air India), Bangalore (IndiGo/Air India), or Colombo (SriLankan Airlines). Compare total travel time and price.
- Compare fares on aggregators: Use Skyscanner and MakeMyTrip to see real-time prices. Book when the fare dips below SGD 250 (Skyscanner).
- Select your airline: IndiGo for lowest fare (no frills), Air India for inclusive service, SriLankan for fastest connection.
- Book directly with the airline for better customer service—aggregators are fine for price comparison.
Following these steps will help you secure the best deal.
Timeline
The timeline below shows the key events for this route.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Pre-2020 | Air India operated daily direct Singapore–Madurai flight. Flight time approx 4h 30m. |
| March 2020 | Direct flight suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. |
| 2021–2022 | Vande Bharat Mission flights operated, but no regular direct route restored. |
| 2023 (current) | No direct flight available. One-stop options via IndiGo, Air India (via Chennai/Bangalore), or SriLankan (via Colombo). |
The direct flight remains suspended with no restart date.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Scoot does not fly to Madurai as of October 2023 (Skyscanner).
- Air India previously operated direct Singapore–Madurai flights but they are suspended (Air India).
- Madurai Airport is an international airport (Skyscanner).
What’s unclear
- When or if Air India will resume direct flights (Air India).
- Exact date of any new airline starting Singapore–Madurai route (MakeMyTrip).
- Whether IndiGo or another budget carrier will ever offer direct flights (Skyscanner).
What airline representatives say
Air India’s official route page states: “There are currently 0 direct flights between Singapore and Madurai.”
MakeMyTrip’s flight listing confirms: “0 airlines operate direct flights on the Singapore to Madurai route.”
For Singapore travelers heading to Madurai, the choice is clear: book a one-stop flight via Chennai, Bangalore, or Colombo, or wait indefinitely for a direct route to resume. Booking 3–4 weeks ahead and comparing IndiGo vs. SriLankan Airlines will save both time and money.
sg.trip.com, cheapflights.com.sg, flightsfrom.com, expedia.com, momondo.com
Related coverage: IndiGo flights to Chennai from Singapore fördjupar bilden av IndiGo Singapore to Chennai Flights: Fares & Baggage.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from Singapore to Madurai?
Which airlines fly from Singapore to Madurai?
Is it cheaper to fly to Chennai and then take a train to Madurai?
How far in advance should I book a flight to Madurai?
What is the baggage allowance on IndiGo Singapore–Madurai?
Do I need a visa for Madurai as a Singapore citizen?
What is the best month to fly from Singapore to Madurai?
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