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
Jul 28, 2017, 1:41 am
#301
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,161
AI 47 is a domestic international flight. Your luggage will be checked thru if on one ticket. DEL T3 is one terminal building, so you will deplane and just go up and down a few stairs. If on separate tickets you will have to collect your bags and go up to the checkin level to give it to Lufthansa again. If on one ticket, AI will issue you both boarding passes and instruct you what will happen in DEL. Sometimes you can clear immigration in COK and just go thru a so called 'direct transfer' in DEL. Even if you don't connecting in DEL can be done in 90-120 min max.
Jul 29, 2017, 6:50 am
#302
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 124
AI 47 is a domestic international flight. Your luggage will be checked thru if on one ticket. DEL T3 is one terminal building, so you will deplane and just go up and down a few stairs. If on separate tickets you will have to collect your bags and go up to the checkin level to give it to Lufthansa again. If on one ticket, AI will issue you both boarding passes and instruct you what will happen in DEL. Sometimes you can clear immigration in COK and just go thru a so called 'direct transfer' in DEL. Even if you don't connecting in DEL can be done in 90-120 min max.
Now, I have another question, would this be same for all the flights?
For e.g. I travel London to Delhi and then Delhi to Mumbai. (I know direct flights are available from London to Mumbai but if this is the case.)
A second one, If I travel London to Mumbai by Etihad via Abu Dhabi. Do I need immigration visa at Abu Dhabi? Is it ok if I have only Indian Visa?
Jul 29, 2017, 7:04 am
#303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,673
Jul 29, 2017, 8:49 am
#305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,673
also, what passport do you hold????some countries have visa free travel to the uae while some others have visa on arrival....
Aug 4, 2017, 2:04 am
#306
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 124
Thank you for sharing useful information. I have UK passport.
Aug 6, 2017, 7:49 am
#307
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
I did a BOM-DEL-EWR last year and it was an absolute nightmare. I thought i had sufficient time (3.5 hours) for the transfer, but my domestic flight was late by an hour. There was a single person assigned to the 'transfer/immigration' desk and the line was long. There is no separate line/priority processing for Business class passengers. There were several passengers in wheelchairs and they had the priority to move to the front of the line. The only saving grace was that the airline/service rep knew I was running late for my flight and intervened to get me a little bit ahead. The security check is a complete mess. by the time i was out of the security check, i had 30 minutes to get to the gate. I had to literally run to the gate (United's gate is the farthest (atleast felt like it)) and collapsed about fifty yards from gate. The United gate staff were waiting for me as everyone else had boarded the flight. They saw me collapse to the ground and came to my rescue with a wheelchair, some fruit juice and cold water. The United gate staff in DEL were truly amazing, they got me into the aircraft and the shut the aircraft doors. Well, the lesson would be to make sure you have at a minimum 3 hours to clear the transfer/security in DEL.
Aug 10, 2017, 5:19 am
#308
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 124
I did a BOM-DEL-EWR last year and it was an absolute nightmare. I thought i had sufficient time (3.5 hours) for the transfer, but my domestic flight was late by an hour. There was a single person assigned to the 'transfer/immigration' desk and the line was long. There is no separate line/priority processing for Business class passengers. There were several passengers in wheelchairs and they had the priority to move to the front of the line. The only saving grace was that the airline/service rep knew I was running late for my flight and intervened to get me a little bit ahead. The security check is a complete mess. by the time i was out of the security check, i had 30 minutes to get to the gate. I had to literally run to the gate (United's gate is the farthest (atleast felt like it)) and collapsed about fifty yards from gate. The United gate staff were waiting for me as everyone else had boarded the flight. They saw me collapse to the ground and came to my rescue with a wheelchair, some fruit juice and cold water. The United gate staff in DEL were truly amazing, they got me into the aircraft and the shut the aircraft doors. Well, the lesson would be to make sure you have at a minimum 3 hours to clear the transfer/security in DEL.
Would you let me know which domestic flight you selected that got you late an hour?
If you have less time for transfer/security check, it is recommended to approach a company who provides 'Meet and Greet Assistance' at the airport.
I came to know such one 'Marhaba' for Dubai Airport in one of my forum discussion posts. Such type of company might have been in Delhi that would save a lot of time and you would reach to onboard without any hurdles.
Aug 10, 2017, 5:27 am
#309
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,161
DEL has the weirdly named 'Allways' service: https://www.allwaysvip.com/
Aug 10, 2017, 9:02 am
#310
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
At the end, it was good that you managed to reach on time.
Would you let me know which domestic flight you selected that got you late an hour?
If you have less time for transfer/security check, it is recommended to approach a company who provides 'Meet and Greet Assistance' at the airport.
I came to know such one 'Marhaba' for Dubai Airport in one of my forum discussion posts. Such type of company might have been in Delhi that would save a lot of time and you would reach to onboard without any hurdles.
Would you let me know which domestic flight you selected that got you late an hour?
If you have less time for transfer/security check, it is recommended to approach a company who provides 'Meet and Greet Assistance' at the airport.
I came to know such one 'Marhaba' for Dubai Airport in one of my forum discussion posts. Such type of company might have been in Delhi that would save a lot of time and you would reach to onboard without any hurdles.
I was flying Jet Airways BOM-DEL. it would be a lot simpler if they have more than one counter for the transit passengers.
Aug 15, 2017, 6:52 am
#311
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
i am flying AI 104 (IAD-DEL) and AI 502 (DEL-BLR) all segments in J.
sine AI 502 is domestic, I am assuming that I have to clear immigration and customs in DEL and then re-check my bags.
is there a lounge that i can use to take a shower? Is there a AI counter adjoin to the customs area to check bags for domestic transfer? do i have to exit and re-enter the terminal?
I am sorry if these questions have already been answered .
thanks and best regards,
DD
sine AI 502 is domestic, I am assuming that I have to clear immigration and customs in DEL and then re-check my bags.
is there a lounge that i can use to take a shower? Is there a AI counter adjoin to the customs area to check bags for domestic transfer? do i have to exit and re-enter the terminal?
I am sorry if these questions have already been answered .
thanks and best regards,
DD
Aug 17, 2017, 1:35 am
#312
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WC1
Programs: BAEC Gold, SK *G, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 660
Two colleagues are going to have 12-hour layovers at DEL while on their way to PBH and back from PBH. They have an airport hotel booked, past immigration. They are UK passport holders. The e-visa website doesn't explicitly mention transiting as an 'allowed' reason to use the e-visa.
Would they nevertheless be okay entering India with it, or would they need to get an actual paper transit visa?
Would they nevertheless be okay entering India with it, or would they need to get an actual paper transit visa?
Aug 17, 2017, 4:02 am
#313
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,161
i am flying AI 104 (IAD-DEL) and AI 502 (DEL-BLR) all segments in J.
sine AI 502 is domestic, I am assuming that I have to clear immigration and customs in DEL and then re-check my bags.
is there a lounge that i can use to take a shower? Is there a AI counter adjoin to the customs area to check bags for domestic transfer? do i have to exit and re-enter the terminal?
I am sorry if these questions have already been answered .
thanks and best regards,
DD
sine AI 502 is domestic, I am assuming that I have to clear immigration and customs in DEL and then re-check my bags.
is there a lounge that i can use to take a shower? Is there a AI counter adjoin to the customs area to check bags for domestic transfer? do i have to exit and re-enter the terminal?
I am sorry if these questions have already been answered .
thanks and best regards,
DD
Two colleagues are going to have 12-hour layovers at DEL while on their way to PBH and back from PBH. They have an airport hotel booked, past immigration. They are UK passport holders. The e-visa website doesn't explicitly mention transiting as an 'allowed' reason to use the e-visa.
Would they nevertheless be okay entering India with it, or would they need to get an actual paper transit visa?
Would they nevertheless be okay entering India with it, or would they need to get an actual paper transit visa?
Aug 17, 2017, 6:07 am
#314
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
Aug 17, 2017, 12:48 pm
#315
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
I did a BOM-DEL-EWR last year and it was an absolute nightmare. I thought i had sufficient time (3.5 hours) for the transfer, but my domestic flight was late by an hour. There was a single person assigned to the 'transfer/immigration' desk and the line was long. There is no separate line/priority processing for Business class passengers.