Jan 6, 2022, 1:47 am
Last edit by: TheBagman
Terminal 3 at DEL handles all international flights as well as domestic flights of Air India, Vistara and Air Asia India.You can transit D-I, I-D, I-I and D-D.
I-I transfer desks are open as of August 2022.
Below are the details for transit within T3.
A. Domestic to international transit at T3:
If both your domestic and international flights are on a single ticket, your baggage will be checked through at the origin airport itself and you should get your onward boarding passes there as well.
At DEL there are 5 ways to get from arrivals to departures (one level up), listed here in order of least walking to most walking.
1. Domestic - intl transfer gate: After you deplane from your domestic flight (or get off the bus) and go down the escalator (or stay on the same level coming from a bus) there is a special facility for transit passengers in the hall with the copper hands on the wall (red gate in the image below). It leads directly to immigration counters and security check after which you can access departure gates, lounges etc. Service on this entry point are hit or miss, but will save you a lot of walking. There are AI and AF-KL agents roaming the queues and will fast track you if running late. However, this only works if you already have your boarding pass for your International flight, have checked your luggage through from your point of origin, and have less than 4 hours between your domestic and international flights. If you are on separate tickets, have more than 4 hours for your international flight, or the lines are too long try one of the other options below.
2. Transfer desk in the middle of the arrivals concourse: always crowded. Here you could theoretically drop your bags and take the lift up to the security or checkin desks. Its a night mare, never used it due to crowding.
3. The escalator & lift on the international end: collect your bags, turn LEFT when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a international onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up you get into a glass walled holding pen with yet another CISF checkpoint that will only let you ínto the checkin area if your flight is in 4h or less.
4. Escalator & lift on the domestic end: collect your bags, turn right when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a domestic onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up everything is cordoned off and you are shown out the terminal by the CISF guy sitting at the glass door to the checkin area you end up curbside and have to enter the terminal again.
5. Just walking out as if you want to go to Delhi: here you exit the terminal and pretend to be a regular pax arriving in Delhi. Once you exit there are walk escalators where you push your cart on and get transported to the departure level. Select one of the many gates where there are no major lines and enter the checkin area.
B. International to domestic transit at T3:
For Air India I-D flights where your domestic flight is from AI 010-399 or 900-999, you will follow the procedure for I-I transfers (see this for details). Otherwise follow the procedure given below.
For all other flights, you will go through immigration in Delhi. After immigration you have to collect your bags and go through customs. Then follow steps 3, 4 or 5 in the section above.
Security will generally not allow entry into the domestic terminal until T-4 (four hours before the departure of your flight).
Transit hotel: For overnight transit (int'l flight arriving at night and domestic connection departing following morning), the transit hotel within Terminal 3 (IHG Holiday Inn Express) is perfectly acceptable. And the views of the tarmac when having the included breakfast aren't bad. You need to have a domestic flight departing from T3 in order to use it. The T-4 restriction does not apply to use the transit hotel. But it goes for quite a premium in rates over what the other hotels in the area cost (if willing to exit the terminal building for overnight stays). To reach, turn right after Customs and look for the Holiday Inn Express help desk inside the terminal. Staff will escort you to the hotel and help with other formalities.
For other terminals:
T2 is a (long) walk from T3. Exit the terminal, turn left and follow the signs.
T1 is ~8km by road and takes about 15 minutes by taxi. There is also a shuttle bus outside the terminal which is free if you are a woman or have a boarding pass for an onward flight, and costs INR 25 otherwise. There are no airside connections.
C. International to International transfer
After landing look for the board saying "International Transfers" (DO NOT go through immigration).
1. If you are on a single ticket and already have boarding pass in hand with "DT" (Direct Transfer) printed on it, walk past the transfer desks and go through transit security. Then you can proceed to the departure lounges and gates. Note: if your boarding pass does not have "DT" printed on it, you need to talk to the transfer desk, otherwise the I-I security checkpoint will likely not let you through and send you back to the transfer desk.
2. If you have separate tickets or don't have your onward boarding pass in hand, you have to go to the transfer desk where the airline staff will check documents and issue your onward boarding pass. You cannot check-in online or get an e-Boarding Passes for international flights out of India. Check-in generally opens 4 hours before and closes 60-75 minutes before departure. Then go through transit security as in point 1.
3. There are no priority security lanes in transit security so it is advisable to keep adequate time (>2 hrs) between connecting flights even if you are in F or J.
4. If you have separate tickets, in addition it is advisable to hold an Indian visa or e-visa as you may be denied boarding at origin otherwise.
5. A transit hotel for overnight stays (up to 24 hours) is available after transit security.
I-I transfer desks are open as of August 2022.
Below are the details for transit within T3.
A. Domestic to international transit at T3:
If both your domestic and international flights are on a single ticket, your baggage will be checked through at the origin airport itself and you should get your onward boarding passes there as well.
At DEL there are 5 ways to get from arrivals to departures (one level up), listed here in order of least walking to most walking.
1. Domestic - intl transfer gate: After you deplane from your domestic flight (or get off the bus) and go down the escalator (or stay on the same level coming from a bus) there is a special facility for transit passengers in the hall with the copper hands on the wall (red gate in the image below). It leads directly to immigration counters and security check after which you can access departure gates, lounges etc. Service on this entry point are hit or miss, but will save you a lot of walking. There are AI and AF-KL agents roaming the queues and will fast track you if running late. However, this only works if you already have your boarding pass for your International flight, have checked your luggage through from your point of origin, and have less than 4 hours between your domestic and international flights. If you are on separate tickets, have more than 4 hours for your international flight, or the lines are too long try one of the other options below.
2. Transfer desk in the middle of the arrivals concourse: always crowded. Here you could theoretically drop your bags and take the lift up to the security or checkin desks. Its a night mare, never used it due to crowding.
3. The escalator & lift on the international end: collect your bags, turn LEFT when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a international onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up you get into a glass walled holding pen with yet another CISF checkpoint that will only let you ínto the checkin area if your flight is in 4h or less.
4. Escalator & lift on the domestic end: collect your bags, turn right when you exit the first set of doors after the baggage belt. At the complete end of the concourse a lonely CISF jawan polices that way up. S/he will check if you have a domestic onward ticket/BP or send you packing to the other ways. Once you go up everything is cordoned off and you are shown out the terminal by the CISF guy sitting at the glass door to the checkin area you end up curbside and have to enter the terminal again.
5. Just walking out as if you want to go to Delhi: here you exit the terminal and pretend to be a regular pax arriving in Delhi. Once you exit there are walk escalators where you push your cart on and get transported to the departure level. Select one of the many gates where there are no major lines and enter the checkin area.
B. International to domestic transit at T3:
For Air India I-D flights where your domestic flight is from AI 010-399 or 900-999, you will follow the procedure for I-I transfers (see this for details). Otherwise follow the procedure given below.
For all other flights, you will go through immigration in Delhi. After immigration you have to collect your bags and go through customs. Then follow steps 3, 4 or 5 in the section above.
Security will generally not allow entry into the domestic terminal until T-4 (four hours before the departure of your flight).
Transit hotel: For overnight transit (int'l flight arriving at night and domestic connection departing following morning), the transit hotel within Terminal 3 (IHG Holiday Inn Express) is perfectly acceptable. And the views of the tarmac when having the included breakfast aren't bad. You need to have a domestic flight departing from T3 in order to use it. The T-4 restriction does not apply to use the transit hotel. But it goes for quite a premium in rates over what the other hotels in the area cost (if willing to exit the terminal building for overnight stays). To reach, turn right after Customs and look for the Holiday Inn Express help desk inside the terminal. Staff will escort you to the hotel and help with other formalities.
For other terminals:
T2 is a (long) walk from T3. Exit the terminal, turn left and follow the signs.
T1 is ~8km by road and takes about 15 minutes by taxi. There is also a shuttle bus outside the terminal which is free if you are a woman or have a boarding pass for an onward flight, and costs INR 25 otherwise. There are no airside connections.
C. International to International transfer
After landing look for the board saying "International Transfers" (DO NOT go through immigration).
1. If you are on a single ticket and already have boarding pass in hand with "DT" (Direct Transfer) printed on it, walk past the transfer desks and go through transit security. Then you can proceed to the departure lounges and gates. Note: if your boarding pass does not have "DT" printed on it, you need to talk to the transfer desk, otherwise the I-I security checkpoint will likely not let you through and send you back to the transfer desk.
2. If you have separate tickets or don't have your onward boarding pass in hand, you have to go to the transfer desk where the airline staff will check documents and issue your onward boarding pass. You cannot check-in online or get an e-Boarding Passes for international flights out of India. Check-in generally opens 4 hours before and closes 60-75 minutes before departure. Then go through transit security as in point 1.
3. There are no priority security lanes in transit security so it is advisable to keep adequate time (>2 hrs) between connecting flights even if you are in F or J.
4. If you have separate tickets, in addition it is advisable to hold an Indian visa or e-visa as you may be denied boarding at origin otherwise.
5. A transit hotel for overnight stays (up to 24 hours) is available after transit security.
Delhi IGI [DEL] connection/departure experience reports
Sep 10, 2016, 4:55 am
#196
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 11
can somebody please help - planning a Vienna - Delhi - Goa trip with Air India which only has 1 hour 35 mins transfer time (within T3, I am led to believe). does this sound sufficient and especially 1) do I need to collect and re-check my luggage and 2) where do I get the Visa On Arrival - Delhi or Goa? many thanks.
Last edited by tyrolgangster; Sep 11, 2016 at 1:10 am
Sep 12, 2016, 2:00 am
#197
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
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Posts: 48,158
Code:
TNVIEGOI/AAI
** AMADEUS TIMETABLE - TN ** GOI GOA.IN 12SEP16 19SEP16
1 AI 154 357 VIE DEL 3 2245 0925+1 0 CONNECT DEL 788
AI 156 357 DEL 3 GOI 1050+1 1330+1 0 14SEP16 28OCT16 319 11:15
Sep 13, 2016, 7:31 am
#199
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
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AI has a unique system where they operate flights inside India from the international section of the terminal. For example AI 156 is Air India's service from Moscow to Goa. So the aircraft from Moscow arrives in DEL and people wanting to go to DEL only deplane and go thru immigration. Pax to Goa deplane, go thur security and back into the international section of the terminal, and technically don't enter India in DEL. Then other passengers (like you) arrive on other international AI flights and do the same. AI 156 then departs from the international side with international pax who then go thru immigration and customs in Goa.
To make things even more tricky, domestic passengers can buy a DEL-Goa ticket on AI 156. They have to checkin at the international side and get a boarding pass with a big D printed on it. To enter the international section, they have a separate queue for domestic pax, where they bypass passport control and technically don't leave the country. In Goa, the pax with the big D can again bypass customs and immigration just by showing the boarding pass.
Flights AI 001-399 and 900-999 are such international flights.
To make things even more tricky, domestic passengers can buy a DEL-Goa ticket on AI 156. They have to checkin at the international side and get a boarding pass with a big D printed on it. To enter the international section, they have a separate queue for domestic pax, where they bypass passport control and technically don't leave the country. In Goa, the pax with the big D can again bypass customs and immigration just by showing the boarding pass.
Flights AI 001-399 and 900-999 are such international flights.
Sep 13, 2016, 10:54 am
#201
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX, SAN, ORD, MAA & COK
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Posts: 749
.....<snipped for brevity>...
To make things even more tricky, domestic passengers can buy a DEL-Goa ticket on AI 156. They have to checkin at the international side and get a boarding pass with a big D printed on it. To enter the international section, they have a separate queue for domestic pax, where they bypass passport control and technically don't leave the country. In Goa, the pax with the big D can again bypass customs and immigration just by showing the boarding pass....<snipped again>...
To make things even more tricky, domestic passengers can buy a DEL-Goa ticket on AI 156. They have to checkin at the international side and get a boarding pass with a big D printed on it. To enter the international section, they have a separate queue for domestic pax, where they bypass passport control and technically don't leave the country. In Goa, the pax with the big D can again bypass customs and immigration just by showing the boarding pass.
...<snipped again>...
Sep 15, 2016, 1:26 am
#202
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Sep 19, 2016, 6:18 pm
#203
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX, SAN, ORD, MAA & COK
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I suppose with the relaxing of customs rules this practice has been discontinued.
On one of my flights I took a several years ago AI had the domestic and international passengers segregated in the cabin with flight attendants making sure there was no crossover by passengers between the sections. This was done to prevent international passengers from bringing in contraband items by handing them over to domestic passengers. There was a sign at the divider to let passengers know which section was for domestic and which was for international transit passengers.
On one of my flights I took a several years ago AI had the domestic and international passengers segregated in the cabin with flight attendants making sure there was no crossover by passengers between the sections. This was done to prevent international passengers from bringing in contraband items by handing them over to domestic passengers. There was a sign at the divider to let passengers know which section was for domestic and which was for international transit passengers.
Sep 20, 2016, 1:06 am
#204
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I suppose with the relaxing of customs rules this practice has been discontinued.
On one of my flights I took a several years ago AI had the domestic and international passengers segregated in the cabin with flight attendants making sure there was no crossover by passengers between the sections. This was done to prevent international passengers from bringing in contraband items by handing them over to domestic passengers. There was a sign at the divider to let passengers know which section was for domestic and which was for international transit passengers.
On one of my flights I took a several years ago AI had the domestic and international passengers segregated in the cabin with flight attendants making sure there was no crossover by passengers between the sections. This was done to prevent international passengers from bringing in contraband items by handing them over to domestic passengers. There was a sign at the divider to let passengers know which section was for domestic and which was for international transit passengers.
Sep 20, 2016, 1:16 am
#205
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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Same here. The first domestic/international I did was in 1994 and we sat between the arriving international pax.
Sep 22, 2016, 2:12 pm
#206
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Central Florida
Programs: UA, IHG
Posts: 464
Delhi airport (DEL) connection/transfer/transit questions
Apologies if this has been asked before (or if there is a similar thread going, in which case I would appreciate it if moderators could append this question to the end of that thread).
In December, I will be landing in Delhi from Germany in the morning (I believe ten am); later, in the afternoon (I believe after five pm), I have a domestic flight out. Both flights are on Air India.
With that in mind, can I leave the airport and get back in for my next flight with only my carryon baggage? I read in some other thread that security is very tight in the airport and if I go from the International arrivals area to the Domestic departures area, I won't be allowed to leave the airport.
I have transited Delhi two times in the recent past - once we didn't have much time so didn't need to leave the airport; the second time we had to hang around overnight. In the first instance, we came in on a domestic flight from Mumbai, so it does not really count. In the second instance, being jet lagged and all, I don't really remember what we did and where we hung out (except that there were a couple of elephant statues where we were waiting!). So I cannot even remember if we were airside or landside. But since we didn't have any plans of going out, it didn't matter.
This time, I am trying to see if I can meet up with friends. Plus it is the first time that I am visiting after the metro connection to the airport was made operational. With all that explanation, I still don't think it would be fun to go out if I have to take my check-in bag with me as well! I can manage the carryon but not the check-in also.
In December, I will be landing in Delhi from Germany in the morning (I believe ten am); later, in the afternoon (I believe after five pm), I have a domestic flight out. Both flights are on Air India.
With that in mind, can I leave the airport and get back in for my next flight with only my carryon baggage? I read in some other thread that security is very tight in the airport and if I go from the International arrivals area to the Domestic departures area, I won't be allowed to leave the airport.
I have transited Delhi two times in the recent past - once we didn't have much time so didn't need to leave the airport; the second time we had to hang around overnight. In the first instance, we came in on a domestic flight from Mumbai, so it does not really count. In the second instance, being jet lagged and all, I don't really remember what we did and where we hung out (except that there were a couple of elephant statues where we were waiting!). So I cannot even remember if we were airside or landside. But since we didn't have any plans of going out, it didn't matter.
This time, I am trying to see if I can meet up with friends. Plus it is the first time that I am visiting after the metro connection to the airport was made operational. With all that explanation, I still don't think it would be fun to go out if I have to take my check-in bag with me as well! I can manage the carryon but not the check-in also.
Last edited by an_asker; Sep 23, 2016 at 5:27 am Reason: correction of airport code
Sep 22, 2016, 2:29 pm
#207
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Your subject line says "Delhi airport (BOM)...". In fact the code for Delhi airport is DEL.
Your question is slightly more subtle than you may realize. The answer depends on which domestic flight you are taking, because a small number AI domestic flights are joint domestic-international flights. If taking those flights (which leave from the international side at DEL) you don't pass immigration or Customs in DEL; you do it at the final destination. If that is true, of course you have to go to and stay in the international departure area. You cannot leave the airport.
If you are not taking one of those special flights, you collect your checked luggage at DEL and pass immigration and Customs. You can then check your luggage again at the nearby transfer desk, and after that you should be able to leave the airport. Someone will correct me if in fact you are not allowed to leave once you check luggage---if that is so, just leave your luggage at the left luggage office for a fee, and check it in after you return.
Please post your domestic flight number and someone will tell you what type of flight it is.
Your question is slightly more subtle than you may realize. The answer depends on which domestic flight you are taking, because a small number AI domestic flights are joint domestic-international flights. If taking those flights (which leave from the international side at DEL) you don't pass immigration or Customs in DEL; you do it at the final destination. If that is true, of course you have to go to and stay in the international departure area. You cannot leave the airport.
If you are not taking one of those special flights, you collect your checked luggage at DEL and pass immigration and Customs. You can then check your luggage again at the nearby transfer desk, and after that you should be able to leave the airport. Someone will correct me if in fact you are not allowed to leave once you check luggage---if that is so, just leave your luggage at the left luggage office for a fee, and check it in after you return.
Please post your domestic flight number and someone will tell you what type of flight it is.
Last edited by SeeBuyFly; Sep 22, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Sep 23, 2016, 2:23 am
#208
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if you go through customs & immigration in del then you can leave the airport....if not then you will have to stay in the connections area....
like seebuyfly said, we need more information like your flight details....
like seebuyfly said, we need more information like your flight details....
Sep 23, 2016, 5:32 am
#209
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Central Florida
Programs: UA, IHG
Posts: 464
Your subject line says "Delhi airport (BOM)...". In fact the code for Delhi airport is DEL.
Your question is slightly more subtle than you may realize. The answer depends on which domestic flight you are taking, because a small number AI domestic flights are joint domestic-international flights. If taking those flights (which leave from the international side at DEL) you don't pass immigration or Customs in DEL; you do it at the final destination. If that is true, of course you have to go to and stay in the international departure area. You cannot leave the airport.
If you are not taking one of those special flights, you collect your checked luggage at DEL and pass immigration and Customs. You can then check your luggage again at the nearby transfer desk, and after that you should be able to leave the airport. Someone will correct me if in fact you are not allowed to leave once you check luggage---if that is so, just leave your luggage at the left luggage office for a fee, and check it in after you return.
Please post your domestic flight number and someone will tell you what type of flight it is.
Your question is slightly more subtle than you may realize. The answer depends on which domestic flight you are taking, because a small number AI domestic flights are joint domestic-international flights. If taking those flights (which leave from the international side at DEL) you don't pass immigration or Customs in DEL; you do it at the final destination. If that is true, of course you have to go to and stay in the international departure area. You cannot leave the airport.
If you are not taking one of those special flights, you collect your checked luggage at DEL and pass immigration and Customs. You can then check your luggage again at the nearby transfer desk, and after that you should be able to leave the airport. Someone will correct me if in fact you are not allowed to leave once you check luggage---if that is so, just leave your luggage at the left luggage office for a fee, and check it in after you return.
Please post your domestic flight number and someone will tell you what type of flight it is.
Arr --> AI 120
Dep --> AI 441
I doubt very much that IXU has Customs and Immigration, so I would assume it will be the latter case - I will have to see if I can check the bag and leave or whether I have to leave it in the cloak room or some such.
Thanks!
PS: Also, I am assuming that most (all?) of the joint flights that you are referring to are on the same plane, so in many (or all) of them, the transit passenger will likely stay on the plane - correct?
Sep 23, 2016, 6:04 am
#210
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AI Gold, TK Gold, QR Silver, 9W BluePlus
Posts: 394
I have not tried this myself and am not sure if it is workable but Air India does have check in counters at various metro stations on the airport line. If you are catching the train into the city maybe you can take the luggage with you, check -in at the station you are getting off and be free for the day.