New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl Airport (DEL) Flights & Information

Named after India’s only female prime minister, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is located 10 miles from downtown New Delhi in the residential area of Palam. It is the country’s busiest airport and the 10th busiest internationally with over 1,250 daily flights to more than 140 destinations worldwide. It’s notoriously frenetic (I still remember the feeling of complete overwhelm when I arrived there for the first time during peak late night hours) yet also equipped with all of the facilities one expects from a major air travel hub.

Navigating the airport

DEL has three passenger terminals. The original Terminal 1 is located almost five miles away from the newer Terminals 2 and 3, and is now reserved for domestic flights only. Terminal 2 also serves domestic routes, while the modern, six-story Terminal 3 serves both domestic and international routes.

Because the airport can get very busy (I have spent over an hour getting through security), you should plan to arrive three hours before a domestic flight and at least four hours before an international one. Self-check-in kiosks help reduce queuing times, while the live tracker on the airport website gives you a good idea of how long you can expect to wait at all check-in counters and security zones.

Traveling between terminals

Connecting flights often depart from a different terminal, so knowing how to travel between them is important. Terminals 2 and 3 are connected via a direct pedestrian walkway and you can stroll between them in around 15 minutes. There’s also a shuttle bus that connects all three terminals and runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.

You’ll need to show your boarding pass at one of the shuttle kiosks to get a coupon for travel. That’s because the service is complimentary for any passenger with a connecting flight from a different terminal, but charged for those that want to travel between them to use different facilities or because they arrived at the wrong one initially.

Terminals 1 and 2 are also connected by a feeder bus for the city metro service, although I don’t think this is particularly useful since it runs with the same frequency as the shuttle and requires payment. If you need to get to a different terminal quickly and don’t have time to wait for the bus or shuttle, fixed-rate inter-terminal taxis are another option.

Either way, leave between five and 10 minutes to travel between Terminals 2 and 3, and at least 25 minutes for travel between Terminal 1 and Terminals 2 or 3.

Atithya Meet & Greet service

If you or your travel companions require additional assistance, consider booking the airport’s Meet & Greet service. Known as Atithya and operated by the company behind DEL’s Encalm Lounges, this bespoke service gives you the benefit of an experienced guide to help with airport transfers, navigation through security and immigration, baggage handling, lounge stays, and onward travel.

Shopping at DEL

The quality of the retail experience at DEL depends on which terminal you’re departing from. Terminal 1 offers only a handful of shops selling standard airport purchases (there’s a perfumery and a cosmetics shop, a newsagent and a travel accessories vendor) – although families can while away a considerable amount of time in the Hamleys outlet.

The choice is much wider at Terminals 2 and 3. Here you can expect an impressive mix of Indian and international brands offering everything from sunglasses to souvenirs. Globally renowned designers are well represented, with names like Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste and Ralph Lauren catering to the fashion forward; while TUMI and Samsonite shops sell a range of suitcases for those looking to upgrade their luggage.

A variety of dining options

Although you won’t find anything particularly gourmet at DEL (you’ll want to save your first authentic curry experience for the world beyond the airport doors), there are plenty of choices for a quick bite to eat – whatever your tastes may be. Terminal 1 offers a small selection of coffee shops, including a Costa Coffee and a Starbucks.

Again, there’s more variety at Terminals 2 and 3. Both offer food courts with a wide choice of cafés, bars and fast-food outlets offering everything from Indian tandooris to Western sub and pizza shops. If you want a sit-down meal, Terminal 3 has the best “proper” restaurants. Try Caffé Tonino for tasty Italian fare or Delhi Capitals for pub food and sports on TV.

Other useful services

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout DEL, with one annoying caveat: Connection requires a phone with a working local SIM, since you need to be able to receive a one-time password via SMS. As I discovered on my last visit, this can be bypassed, but you’ll need to ask for help at one of the airport Information Desks or get a coupon code from a vending machine-style Wi-Fi Kiosk.

Other services include a 24-hour medical center and travel clinic, prayer rooms, smoking rooms, a porter service and baggage wrapping service. Having lived for years in a third-world country where luggage theft was common, I like to have my bags wrapped but hate the environmental impact – so the fact that the wrapping material at DEL is biodegradable is a major perk.

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find a children’s play area in Terminal 3 and a baby room with changing tables and private breastfeeding stations in every terminal. I also really like that the airport offers complimentary strollers for those that don’t want to take theirs on vacation but could still use the extra help navigating the airport. These are available upon request from the Information Desks.

The Encalm Lounges

Hospitality company Encalm operates five different lounges at DEL, located at Terminal 2 departures, Terminal 1 departures, Terminal 3 international departures, Terminal 3 domestic departures and Terminal 3 arrivals. Pay-per-use access can be booked in advance online but is also available on a walk-in basis. These lounges are clean and comfortable with good Wi-Fi and a variety of food and drink that makes the expense of admittance well worth it.

Overnight stays

If you need to be at the airport early, get in late or have an extended layover, consider spending the night at DEL’s only transit hotel. The Holiday Inn Express is located in Terminal 3 and offers air-conditioned rooms, 24-hour dining, a fitness center and spa services. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included, and day rates are also available for those that simply want to nap or shower in between flights.

Due to government regulations the hotel does have fairly strict eligibility rules. To stay in the International Wing you must have a boarding pass for an international flight departing within 24 hours, and your bags must already be checked through to your final destination. Any passenger flying from Terminal 3 in the next 24 hours can stay in the Domestic Wing. A maximum stay of one night is enforced.

Getting to and from the airport

For me, the most stressful part of flying in and out of DEL is getting to and from the airport. The sidewalks outside are crowded, making it difficult to navigate to your pickup or drop-off point; touts offering transport and accommodation can be boisterous in their attempts to get your attention and transactions are often hampered by a language barrier that can result in final costs being higher than expected.

To minimize the overwhelm these factors cause, it’s a good idea to organize your transfers to and from the airport in advance. Many hotels offer an official airport pickup service and this is often the most seamless option. Just be sure to agree exactly where the driver will wait for you (exits are numbered for this purpose).

Taxis and liftshare services

If a hotel pickup isn’t an option, consider a pre-paid taxi service like those offered by Mega Cabs and Meru. Reviews of these services vary considerably, but it’s still a much safer option than hopping into a standard taxi.

If you do choose to take a metered taxi, be aware that drivers are often paid to divert passengers to a specific hotel. Be clear on where you want to go and don’t necessarily believe claims that your chosen hotel has moved or burned down.

Ola and Uber are the most popular rideshare services in Delhi and both get fairly good reviews. This is also the cheapest private transport option; however, both services require a working phone.

Metro

The metro is the safest and most efficient form of public transport – although it can get very crowded. Terminal 1 has its own metro station, located on the Magenta line for easy access to South Delhi. Alternatively, head to Terminal 3 for access to the Airport Express metro station. From there it’s a 20-minute ride to central New Delhi. Be aware that the metro doesn’t run in the early morning.

Car rental

Car rental companies at DEL include renowned international brands like Avis and Europcar. However, I don’t recommend attempting to drive unless you’re already familiar with navigating Delhi’s chaotic roads.