Originally Posted by
andymell
I wanted to report on my recent DOM->INTL, 9W-LH transfer at the new Delhi airport (T3). I arrived at 23:00 for a 03:05 departure, as I booked my tickets before I knew that 9W was moving to the new terminal. This was fortunate, as the connection required about as much time as it would have in the old setup with the bus!
There is a channel for INTL->DOM transfers, where you enter immigration from the baggage clam for domestic. However, this only works if you already have your boarding pass for your International flight, and have checked your luggage through.
So, I had to go outside, all the way down to the far end of the terminal to find a lift signed as going to departures. The lift drops you in the visitors lounge. From there, you must exit the airport again, and get in one of the lines to enter the building. (These lines continue to move amazingly slowly.)
The real delay came during immigration/security. The immigration officers were moving slower than I've ever seen, but this didn't make much of a difference as once you got out of immigration you go straight into the security line. Immigration and security took about 1.5 hours. The entire transfer took 2.5.
So, I would not suggest a DOM->INTL transfer at Delhi!
What you have said is more or less still the case however there are a couple of changes:
1) Exiting baggage claim turn right and go all the way down the hallway. You will find an elevator labelled "Departures".
2) Two people standing immediately next to each other will independantly check your itinerary. For a long time. Even longer than usual. They will then ask you "do you want to go to departures?". Answer "yes" and they will let you walk to the elevator.
3) Take the elevator up one level to departures. On arrival you will be in a small glassed in room. There are a lot of people sitting there. I take it you are not allowed to leave the little glass room until your flight is open for checkin.
4) At the far corner of the little glass room is another guard. They will check your itinerary as did the people on the level below.
5) Once past this person/guard you will be in the departures area!
One last point: Don't try and use the First/Business immigration line with an airline gold card- the guy in front of me attempted this and was bounced quite rudely after he got to the immigration person in front.
One last last point- the currency exchange (Thomas Cook) after security is now closed and as such if you don't exchange your money prior to checking in you have to either spend it or take it home with you (there are no exchange points what-so-ever after security anymore).