Which route makes sense depends on where in India you're starting from, but a few rules of thumb around transit visas are worth knowing before booking:
- Prefer a direct flight, or one with a single stop. A single-stop routing (for example via Dubai or Abu Dhabi) is generally the simplest option.
- Avoid routes with two stops inside Europe. If your itinerary includes two separate stops in European (Schengen) cities, you may end up needing a Schengen transit visa even if you never leave the airport — one Schengen stop is generally fine, two is where it can trigger the requirement.
- Avoid transiting through the US unless you already hold a valid US visa, since a layover there typically requires its own US transit visa — this can add significant extra paperwork if you're not already US-visa-holding.
- Check your specific starting city in India first, since the best routing (Gulf carriers vs. others) depends heavily on which Indian airport you're departing from.