aktchi

Needed to visit family on short notice (mid June) and the most affordable option was ORD-HKG-BKK-DEL. Will reach DEL in the evening by Cathay Pacific, missing the last flight to LKO, so need to overnight at/near airport for the morning flight.

Two questions -

(1) I would be grateful for ideas/advice on where to spend the night. Is the airport hotel operational? Would it be better to go to a nearby hotel? Would like to keep it inexpensive - as long as the air-conditioning works.

(2) Which domestic carrier is reliable these days? The options are Jet Konnect, Jet Airways, Air India, and Indigo.

Thank you.

PVDtoDEL

Airport hotel is operational, and it looks nice. However, you definitely could find cheaper options if you look in the surrounding area.

Of those options, all are pretty reliable (the only airline I'd stay away from is Kingfisher).

I personally am partial to Air India, because I think it has the best product of the carriers you mentioned, but any of them are decent choices.

aktchi

Thanks. Not that a few rupees or eve a few hundred rupees make a dent in such trips, but to just understand the situation: Are area hotels cheaper thatn the airport one even after cab fares back and forth are included?

IT did not even show up at a few portals I looked at (kayak, ixigo, expedia).

Mr. Bean

It really depends on how long you plan to stay in the hotel. Even at the least busy time of the night, it can take 30-45 mins to get to your outside hotel, each way. There are cheaper options but you may want to think about the convenience factor, especially if you have luggage.

As far as connections go, if you have luggage, I would think AI would be the most liberal with allowances, but otherwise IndiGo would be my choice for reliability.

PVDtoDEL

Yes, they can be. Especially if your only requirement is a bed and a functioning AC (along with the givens - safe area, hygenic, etc.)

In terms of convenience, the airport hotel of course cannot be beaten. With jet lag and an arrival at time when you are just looking to fall asleep, convenience is probably something worth keeping in mind.

Whichever airline you choose, make sure to book on the airline website - I know AI and SG discount tickets bought on their websites, and others probably do too.

aktchi

I should be out of immigration/customs at 9:30PM, next morning's flight is around 9AM. Please note that this will intl to domestic; does Airport Hotel, accept such pax?

Keyser

yes it does....& that would be your best choice after a long flight....comfortable rooms & direct access to the airport....

as far as airlines are concerned, if you want to stick to the same terminal then go with either jet or ai....just stay away from kingfisher....for the other airlines you would have to change to the lcc terminal....

cal_dood

Has anyone used the airport hotel? We are talking about Eaton, right?

One of my co-workers tried it and narrated a bad experience on how to get into the hotel. Something related to waiting for hotel security to come and escort the passengers from the terminal, which took a lot of time in the middle of the night. It basically negate the benefit of the airport hotel as in that much time another hotel could have picked him up in a car. He then had to deal with long check-in lines as by the time the hotel security person showed up, there was a big group.

Just one incident from a third person. Maybe an exception. So would be good to know other experiences.

Keyser

i know a number of people who have used the hotel....never heard of a similar problem so my guess would be that it was probably an unusual situation that required the use of security....

PVDtoDEL

Oh, that's a good point. Changing from Terminal 3 to the LCC terminal isn't fun.

So I guess your choice is down to 9W and AI. As I said earlier, I'm partial to AI, but 9W is a decent choice too.

Another option you might not have thought of is train - your flight arrives early enough that you should be able to catch the Lucknow Duronto, if you are flying in on a Tuesday, Friday, or Sunday (IIRC)

haricharan

I've never used the following, but.

Eaton Smart Hotel now has domestic side open accessible landside.

http://newdelhiairport.eatonhotels.c...sportation.htm has detailed directions on how to get there. Only issue i would see is that the security guy at the lift/elevator going up to departures giving you a hassle because it is so much in advance of flight time but i would presume they would let you through if you state you are going to the hotel...who knows. you can check out pricing on their website as well for your length of stay.

there are also some sleep rooms in the plaza premium intl arrivals lounge (which is on the arrivals level..no need to go up to departures)..don't know pricing though.

jagmeets

Used it in December '11, a few days after their launch.
(and glad that we did this, rather than go and crash at my folks' flat in Gurgaon - had a ~2330 arrival on CX and a 6AM departure to BDQ the next morning)

Back then it was get out of customs to the arrival hall where all the prepaid taxi counters/cafes etc are, elevator up to the departure level, walk all the way to the far end (of the domestic check-in), go to Eaton's counter (or helpdesk or something, Eaton will tell you).

They retain your baggage - (think, except for carry on equivalent)
yes - they XRay everything - but then, that was a minor annoyance and escort you up an elevator to the rooms.

Eaton was quite responsive on email. While not uber luxurious, i think this is probably a better option than the 'cheaper' options near IGIA - purely on account of the reduced hassle.

Imho this is more convenient than say the Regal Airport Hotel@HKIA (much closer- same building!)

Cant comment about T3->LCC terminal transit, but for T3 carriers, its a simple case of checking out, elevator down, collect bags from the guard at the luggage storage area (same level as checkin desks) and proceed for check-in as normal.

Good luck!
PS: Why not take an overnight train to LKO? I see trains at 2330,2355,0040. You'll sleep better in the hotel though.

aktchi

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind if I choose the airport hotel. If transferring to an area hotel, then it doesn't matter.

Flying in on Saturday. But for future reference, I don't know about this train, is it "reliable", say on par with LKO Mail or Shatabdi?

Eaton is about INR 10K for one night. Though expensive, this is not a significant sum in a round the world trip (ORD-HKG-BKK-DEL-AMM-YUL-ORD). It is just the feeling of being ripped off, like a $10 cup of coffee would give. Also, just as $200 is not a big deal in a rtw trip, the same is true of a 20-30 min taxi ride. Some good area hotels (I am not talking the cheapest layer) seem to be 1/3 to 1/2 this price and that includes airport transfers and breakfast. I realize that this is a personal decision that I have to make myself.

Most DEL-LKO trains are not reliable; I have many memories of sitting on a platform for hours waiting for my train. Lucknow Mail ~10PM and Shatabdi ~6AM are good, but I'll arrive too late for the former and the latter requires overnighting anyway.

I like trains and did think about that option, but I'll be tired, have luggage, and the schedules don't fit in this situation.

PVDtoDEL

Yeah. The Duronto trains are generally good. I've only taken Lucknow Duronto once, but I've taken Hyderabad Duronto 6 or 7 times and have had nothing but good experiences.

haricharan

just found out the following info.
Rates at Plaza Premium Lounge Intl Arrivals T3.
3 hour Nap Suite - 2000 INR (single); 3000 INR (double)
6 hour Nap Suite - 3000 INR (single); 4000 INR (double)
extra hours: 500 INR/hr/person