Delhi Airport: Guide to Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi (DEL) is the busiest airport in India and a major hub for international travel. Don’t let that make you nervous, the Delhi airport is very organized and quite nice.
This guide will give you all the information you need to make your journey through the airport as stress-free as possible.
I have flown in and out the Delhi airport more times than I can count. I know the shops, restaurants, lounges, toilets and special services.
Quick Facts
- Airport code: DEL
- Website: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/
- Location: South west Delhi, 16 km from the city centre
- only ticketed passengers are allowed inside the Delhi airport
Complete Guide to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport is a great airport to go through. It’s organized, clean and calm.
Only ticketed passengers are allowed inside Indian airports, so they are relatively quiet. The chaos starts once you pass through the exit doors.
Here’s everything you should know to help you travel through Delhi’s airport.
Terminals at the Delhi Airport & Terminal Shuttle
The Delhi airport has 3 terminals. All international and some domestic flights operate out of Terminal 3. If you are arriving or departing on an international flight, you will be in Terminal 3.
Terminals 1 and 2 are domestic. Terminal 2 is right beside Terminal 3, and you can walk from one to the other in less than 5 minutes. Terminal 1 is further away and you’ll have to use the free airport shuttle.
The terminal shuttle kiosk is at pillar 10 outside Terminal 3. You’ll need a ticket or boarding pass and ID. There’s a shuttle every 20 minutes. It stops at Terminal 2 also, but if you’re coming from Terminal 3 can walk over.
Check the status of your flight on the Delhi airport live flight tracker. This is important for morning flights departing in winter. Delhi gets a lot of heavy fog that causes flight delays.
Airport Lounges
There are several lounges in the Delhi airport. Depending on your airline, or membership privileges you may be able to use the lounges for free.
The best lounges are Air India’s Maharaja Lounge (Star Alliance) and the Encalm Prive Lounge in Terminal 3. There’s also an American Express Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3.
All terminals have pay per use Encalm Lounges. Several premium airlines not belonging to Star Alliance have privileges at the Encalm Lounge, as well as Priority Pass holders.
Where to Eat in Delhi Airport
Food options are a mix of Indian and international. You’ll find several restaurants, coffee shops and fast food places in all terminals.
Terminal 3 has the biggest selection of restaurants, a good sized food court and a bar. If you like South Indian food, head to Carnatic Cafe. It’s one of Delhi’s best cafes, and it has a location in Terminal 3 at the Delhi airport.
Where to Shop in Delhi Airport
Terminal 3 has excellent shopping. There’s a good selection of Indian, international and luxury brands.
If you need last minute gifts or souvenirs, pick up something Indian at Haldiram’s (Indian snacks and sweets), Forest Essentials (Ayurveda beauty products) or Ahujasons (shawls and pashminas).
Terminal 3 is also where duty free is located. Delhi Duty Free has a pre-order option where you can shop up to 30 days before your international flight, and collect your order when you arrive at the airport. They also offer a complimentary personal shopper service.
Terminals 1 and 2 have more mid range shopping with several casual Indian clothing stores. There’s no duty free.
What to Do on a Layover in Delhi Airport
If you’ve got a few hours between flights and don’t feel like eating or shopping, there’s a couple of good options for passing the time.
Encalm Spa
What could be better between flights than a massage? Encalm Spa has locations in both domestic and international departures of Terminal 3.
They offer 45 – 90 minute massages as well as Thai, synchronized, foot, head, back and dry massages. You can also book a ‘shower massage’ which lets you use a shower room for 30 minutes.
Oxy Pure Oxygen Bar
India’s first oxygen bar is located in Terminal 3 of the Delhi airport.
Oxygen therapy has a lot of benefits, and many travellers report feeling rejuvenated and being able to sleep better on their flight after a session. It’s also known to cure hangovers and help ease headaches.
Delhi is infamous for its poor air quality, so a visit to the oxygen bar is a really good thing to do for yourself when leaving.
Where to Sleep on Your Layover at the Delhi Airport
There are a few options for sleeping at the Delhi Airport:
- Holiday Inn Express New Delhi International Airport T3: Travellers with connecting domestic or international flighs from Terminal 3 within 24 hours can stay here. Check in is near the arrivals transfer area. Once checked in you cannot leave until close to flight time. The hotel is non-smoking.
- Infinity Sleeping Pods: Located in Terminal 3 departures. Available for passengers deparing on international flights.
- Lie Flat Lounge Chairs: Locted in the departure area near the gates. The airport is open 24/7, so it’s never quiet, but they are free.
Hotels Near the Delhi Airport
If you have a longer layover in Delhi the best place to stay is Aerocity. Aerocity is right next to the Delhi airport and has many hotel, shopping and dining options.
There are no budget hotels at Aerocity. They are mostly luxury hotels and a few mid-range options. But even the luxury hotels at Aerocity are cheaper and much nicer than the Holiday Inn transit hotel in Terminal 3.
I recommend these Aerocity hotels:
- Pullman New Delhi Aerocity Hotel (luxury)
- Roseate House New Delhi (luxury)
- Lemon Tree Premier (mid-range)
- Ibis New Delhi (mid-range)
Here’s a full list of hotels I recommend at Aerocity.
Aerocity was built with international travellers in mind, but it’s popular with locals as well because of the dining and entertainment options.
It’s connected by Delhi metro which means you can scoot into Delhi quickly if you want to explore the city or do a half day sightseeing tour.
Services at Delhi Airport
Here’s what’s available at the Delhi airport.
There is no real VAT refund scheme. It falls under GST now and I don’t know one single person that has successfully managed to do it. It exists on paper, but there is no organized way of accomplishing it at the airport.
Free WiFi and Charging Stations
Travellers can access free high speed internet in all terminals of the Delhi airport.
Connect to GMR Free Wi-Fi on your device. You will be sent an OTP to your Indian phone number. If you don’t have an Indian phone number, get a Wi-Fi coupon code from one of the Wi-Fi kiosks or an Information Desk.
There are charging outlets in all terminals at the food courts and near the boarding gates.
ATM and Currency Exchange
Delhi Airport has ATMs and currency exchanges in all terminals. When using an ATM in Delhi, don’t forget to select the “without conversion” option so the exchange rate is set by your bank, not the ATM bank.
The last time I used the ATM at arrivals, it took several attemtps to get it to work. It’s best if you arrive with some Indian rupees in case this happens to you.
Getting a SIM
There is an Airtel kiosk at arrivals of Terminal 3, before the exit. If you plan to get a local SIM, I strongly recommend you get a pre-paid tourist SIM here instead of in the city. It will be much easier (less paperwork). Airtel is a one of the better cell providers in India.
Luggage Storage
Terminal 3 has a secured luggage storage area that is open 24/7. Look for the signs ‘Left Luggage’ or ‘Cloak Room’. You can leave your luggage for a couple of hours up to several days for a reasonable fee. Passengers must show a boarding pass and ID.
Atithya Meet and Greet Service
Delhi airport offers a meet and greet service called Atithya. A uniformed representative will meet you on arrival or departure and arrange baggage handling, lounge access, and provide assistance to make your time in the airport as stress-free as possible.
Public Transportation & Taxis from Delhi Airport
There are a lot of options to get into the city from the Delhi airport. I do not recommend are renting a car (driving is nuts in Delhi), and public buses.
- Private transfer booked through your hotel: The easiest but most expensive option. Find out in advance exactly where your driver will meet you – inside or outside the terminal and at which exit.
- Mega Cabs or Meru Cabs pre-paid taxi: Pre-pay for your ride at the ticket booth just outside Terminal 3, then head over to the first traffic island to give your ticket at the kiosk and get your taxi.
- Uber or Ola: The cheapest taxi option but you need data to book one. There are pick up zones at all 3 terminals.
- Delhi metro: The cheapest and fastest way to get into Delhi. There is a dedicated metro airport line. The Delhi metro is excellent; it’s clean, efficient and safe.
Important: The airport terminal is calm, but once you walk out the exit doors it’s chaotic. Ignore everyone that approaches asking if you need a ride.
Touts will lie and tell you the metro isn’t running, that Uber isn’t available, or that your hotel burned down so they can take you somewhere else and earn a commission.
FAQs About Delhi Airport
Does Delhi have 2 airports?
Delhi has one international airport. A second international airport opened in Noida (outside of Delhi) in June 2026, but only domestic flights are operational at the moment.
Is the Delhi airport big?
Delhi is a big airport, it’s one of the largest in Asia. But it is well organized and easy to navigate, especially the international terminal, T3.
How much time does it takes for immigration at the Delhi airport?
That really depends on how many flights are arriving at the same time. Allow yourself 30 minutes for immigration.
Last Words on Delhi Airport: Guide to Indira Gandhi International Airport
Although it’s one of the largest airports in Asia, the Delhi airport is well organized and clean. One thing I forgot to mention, the water in the water fountains is filtered. It’s supposed to be safe for drinking but I suggest drinking bottled water only, just in case.
