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
May 4, 2015, 7:41 am
#137
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2
Delhi transfer-Luggage pickup/immigation
I'm travelling by United Airlines to Delhi. Flight reaches at 9:30pm and flight from Delhi to Hyderabad by Jet Airways is at 7am next morning. Will my luggage be thru booked up to Hyderabad, or would I have to pick it up at Delhi and do my customs/immigration and then check-in my luggage back on the Hyderabad flight?
May 4, 2015, 7:48 am
#138
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cape Town
Programs: United, Aegean
Posts: 81
A few Q's for those of you who seem to know DEL well..
I've been told the transfer to the terminal (visa bus) that domestic Spice jet flights is straight forward but no one can give me an estimated time..any idea?
Also, Im wondering if I bought my tix through SA, but they are code shared on an etihad (not *A) will there be lounge access for a *AG?
Also is the *AG lounge at arrivals or only the plaza?
Does the Resting Area and/or Lounge package include showers? etc. There is not a clear run down of what each option includes? Is it much cheaper to buy online or simply pay cash or card at the desk?
I've been told the transfer to the terminal (visa bus) that domestic Spice jet flights is straight forward but no one can give me an estimated time..any idea?
Also, Im wondering if I bought my tix through SA, but they are code shared on an etihad (not *A) will there be lounge access for a *AG?
Also is the *AG lounge at arrivals or only the plaza?
Does the Resting Area and/or Lounge package include showers? etc. There is not a clear run down of what each option includes? Is it much cheaper to buy online or simply pay cash or card at the desk?
May 4, 2015, 7:50 am
#139
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cape Town
Programs: United, Aegean
Posts: 81
Lounge and *AG Q's for Delhi
A few Q's for those of you who seem to know DEL well..
I've been told the transfer to the terminal (visa bus) that domestic Spice jet flights is straight forward but no one can give me an estimated time..any idea?
Also, Im wondering if I bought my tix through SA, but they are code shared on an etihad (not *A) will there be lounge access for a *AG?
Also is the *AG lounge at arrivals or only the plaza?
Does the Resting Area and/or Lounge package include showers? etc. There is not a clear run down of what each option includes? Is it much cheaper to buy online or simply pay cash or card at the desk?
I've been told the transfer to the terminal (visa bus) that domestic Spice jet flights is straight forward but no one can give me an estimated time..any idea?
Also, Im wondering if I bought my tix through SA, but they are code shared on an etihad (not *A) will there be lounge access for a *AG?
Also is the *AG lounge at arrivals or only the plaza?
Does the Resting Area and/or Lounge package include showers? etc. There is not a clear run down of what each option includes? Is it much cheaper to buy online or simply pay cash or card at the desk?
May 4, 2015, 9:30 am
#140
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
The transfer to the old domestic terminal will take you about 40-60 min including waiting for the bus.
*A counts operating metal, so if you are on EY *G doesn't get lounge access.
Arrival lounge is only operated by Premium Plaza, they will gladly accept payment at the desk and show you what facilities are available before you pay.
*A counts operating metal, so if you are on EY *G doesn't get lounge access.
Arrival lounge is only operated by Premium Plaza, they will gladly accept payment at the desk and show you what facilities are available before you pay.
May 10, 2015, 2:52 pm
#141
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2
Int-int transit
My Nepali friend is flying Spicejet from KTM to DEL and then flying Finnair from DEL to HEL. She will arrive to DEL at 10pm and have 12 hours before next flight to HEL. After picking luggage, how she can go straight to the departure hall in upstairs to wait for the Finnair check-in to open? Its her first time ever flying and unfortunatly DEL airport is not easy place at all. I have been there once only and the staff/CISF are very rude and unhelpful. I do not want her to step outside the airport in any situation. Thabk you for help in advance^
May 11, 2015, 6:40 am
#142
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Why on earth did you allow her to book Spicejet in the first place? SG from KTM arrives in T1D and people are bussed from there to T3 for immigration. In T3 the CISF are pretty nitpicky and a pain indeed. Technically you are only allowed up 4h before departure. They do have a holding pen once you are on the checkin level, where people with departures >4h are held back and wait for checkin to open. 12h in the middle of the night will be tough.
May 11, 2015, 11:03 pm
#143
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2
Why on earth did you allow her to book Spicejet in the first place? SG from KTM arrives in T1D and people are bussed from there to T3 for immigration. In T3 the CISF are pretty nitpicky and a pain indeed. Technically you are only allowed up 4h before departure. They do have a holding pen once you are on the checkin level, where people with departures >4h are held back and wait for checkin to open. 12h in the middle of the night will be tough.
May 12, 2015, 1:25 am
#144
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Get a TA and ask them to incorporate the KTM-DEL segment on AI or 9W and the DEL-HEL AY segment into one reservation. That way she only checks in at KTM with AI and picks up her boarding pass with AY in DEL and can go directly to the departure hall to wait for her flight.
Two separate fares can be combined and ticketed into one reservation, no issues at all.
Two separate fares can be combined and ticketed into one reservation, no issues at all.
Jun 21, 2015, 2:09 am
#145
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
Sorry if this has already been answered, but I haven't been able to find a recent post that is quite relevant.
My wife and I have business class 1-way tickets CMB-DEL-LHR on Air India for August, which allows for a scheduled transit in DEL of exactly 2 hours. I note that it is preferable to have the onward boarding pass in hand, but I don't know if we will receive one at check-in in Colombo.
We are travelling on British passports and don't plan to get a transit visa. We may have 1 item of checked luggage. I have checked recent arrivals from CMB on flightradar24.com and they seem to be generally on time or a bit early.
The question is, will 2 hours be sufficient if everything is on schedule, and being in business class with AI, is there anything we can do to expedite the transit process?
My wife and I have business class 1-way tickets CMB-DEL-LHR on Air India for August, which allows for a scheduled transit in DEL of exactly 2 hours. I note that it is preferable to have the onward boarding pass in hand, but I don't know if we will receive one at check-in in Colombo.
We are travelling on British passports and don't plan to get a transit visa. We may have 1 item of checked luggage. I have checked recent arrivals from CMB on flightradar24.com and they seem to be generally on time or a bit early.
The question is, will 2 hours be sufficient if everything is on schedule, and being in business class with AI, is there anything we can do to expedite the transit process?
Jun 22, 2015, 2:31 am
#146
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Two hours is OK, you will get both boarding passes in CMB itself and don't need a transit visa as you will connect airside.
Jun 25, 2015, 8:34 am
#147
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
Jul 6, 2015, 12:44 am
#149
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 3
I'm travelling into Delhi T3 on AI142 from Paris at 9:30am. I'm departing from T3 to Sydney on AI302 at 1:15pm. I do not have a visa, and so I do not wish to recheck in. What I want to know - and what has been impossible to find out from Air India and Delhi airport - is can I access the PLAZA lounge at any point? In other words, can I go straight through to airside departures? Or do I get stuck in some weird transfer zone for a while? Sorry I'm bit of a rookie with this stuff
Jul 7, 2015, 3:07 am
#150
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
You will arrive from CDG and go thru transfer security, which dumps you into the airside waiting area with access to all the lounges and eateries plus duty free shopping mall. No worries.