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 5, 2022, 10:58 pm
#601
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Skip security on Domestic=>International transfer at DEL ?
Hi all,
Arrived at Delhi airport (DEL Terminal 3) last week internationally - tried to find how to get to domestic without going through security again.. no go - found a small elevator with a huge line (small elevator can only pick up 6-8 passengers at a time) that took us to the outside of security...
Looking to travel back - domestically and transfer to international through DEL T3 next week... anyone familiar with a away to keep to the "sterile zone" and not re-do security on the way out internationally? I know there is little chance this exists.. but its worth it.
Arrived at Delhi airport (DEL Terminal 3) last week internationally - tried to find how to get to domestic without going through security again.. no go - found a small elevator with a huge line (small elevator can only pick up 6-8 passengers at a time) that took us to the outside of security...
Looking to travel back - domestically and transfer to international through DEL T3 next week... anyone familiar with a away to keep to the "sterile zone" and not re-do security on the way out internationally? I know there is little chance this exists.. but its worth it.
Jul 19, 2022, 9:23 pm
#603
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Do I have to recheck luggage?
Hello all,
I am flying ORD to DEL on UA 712, then DEL to KTM on UK155 with Vistara. This is on a single ticket with United. I land in Delhi at 8:55PM and my flight is next at 2PM the next day.
Will I have to recheck my luggage in Delhi and go through customs during my 17 hr layover? This will require me to get an Indian transit VISA. I would like to avoid this and stay at the Holiday Inn express in T3 instead.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am flying ORD to DEL on UA 712, then DEL to KTM on UK155 with Vistara. This is on a single ticket with United. I land in Delhi at 8:55PM and my flight is next at 2PM the next day.
Will I have to recheck my luggage in Delhi and go through customs during my 17 hr layover? This will require me to get an Indian transit VISA. I would like to avoid this and stay at the Holiday Inn express in T3 instead.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Aug 5, 2022, 12:07 am
#604
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
International transit at DEL on separate tickets without clearing immigration?
Later this month I'm flying on Uzbekistan Airlines from Tashkent to Delhi, arriving at 4:45 a.m. and then continuing on GoFirst at 7 a.m. from Delhi to Bangkok. Two separate tickets.
I will be in business class on the Uzbekistan Airlines flight and will only have hand luggage.
Will I be required to pass through immigration or can I transit directly? I will have an Indian visa but would prefer to avoid going through immigration and then back through security.
If a direct transfer is possible, what are the requirements and the procedure for this? I don't know if I'll have a GoFirst boarding pass or not. i will try to check in online and get a mobile boarding pass or even print it out, but sometimes this isn't possible.
Is there a transit desk where I can get a boarding pass and will it be staffed by GoFirst at 5 a.m.?
Thank you.
I will be in business class on the Uzbekistan Airlines flight and will only have hand luggage.
Will I be required to pass through immigration or can I transit directly? I will have an Indian visa but would prefer to avoid going through immigration and then back through security.
If a direct transfer is possible, what are the requirements and the procedure for this? I don't know if I'll have a GoFirst boarding pass or not. i will try to check in online and get a mobile boarding pass or even print it out, but sometimes this isn't possible.
Is there a transit desk where I can get a boarding pass and will it be staffed by GoFirst at 5 a.m.?
Thank you.
Aug 5, 2022, 4:13 am
#605
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Is the Tashkent flight coming into DEL Terminal 3 and the one to BKK leaving out of DEL Terminal 3?
At least in some cases it’s possible to transit DEL without clearing immigration to enter the country. It may be more possible if being hand-baggae-only pax and having an onward boarding pass issued already for the flight out of India.
At least in older years, the transfer desk at DEL was sort of more airline agnostic and whomever was staffing it would liaison with whichever airline was of relevance for the passengers showing up for international transfers.
At least in some cases it’s possible to transit DEL without clearing immigration to enter the country. It may be more possible if being hand-baggae-only pax and having an onward boarding pass issued already for the flight out of India.
At least in older years, the transfer desk at DEL was sort of more airline agnostic and whomever was staffing it would liaison with whichever airline was of relevance for the passengers showing up for international transfers.
Aug 5, 2022, 9:17 am
#606
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
My thoughts on your plans:
1. On separate tickets you're landing in DEL at 5 AM and taking another international flight 2 hours later? - That's just asking for trouble
2. You cannot get a e-BP for international flights out of India. The airlines has to do a document check when you're checking in
3. You probably will be able to use the transit desk facilities at the airport to get your BP. I'm almost sure that that's reopened.... but 2 hours is again risky
4. As you mentioned you have an Indian Visa - that is a must since Uzbekistan Airways will have to ensure you have one to allow you to board the flight
1. On separate tickets you're landing in DEL at 5 AM and taking another international flight 2 hours later? - That's just asking for trouble
2. You cannot get a e-BP for international flights out of India. The airlines has to do a document check when you're checking in
3. You probably will be able to use the transit desk facilities at the airport to get your BP. I'm almost sure that that's reopened.... but 2 hours is again risky
4. As you mentioned you have an Indian Visa - that is a must since Uzbekistan Airways will have to ensure you have one to allow you to board the flight
Aug 5, 2022, 10:06 pm
#608
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
My thoughts on your plans:
1. On separate tickets you're landing in DEL at 5 AM and taking another international flight 2 hours later? - That's just asking for trouble
2. You cannot get a e-BP for international flights out of India. The airlines has to do a document check when you're checking in
3. You probably will be able to use the transit desk facilities at the airport to get your BP. I'm almost sure that that's reopened.... but 2 hours is again risky
4. As you mentioned you have an Indian Visa - that is a must since Uzbekistan Airways will have to ensure you have one to allow you to board the flight
1. On separate tickets you're landing in DEL at 5 AM and taking another international flight 2 hours later? - That's just asking for trouble
2. You cannot get a e-BP for international flights out of India. The airlines has to do a document check when you're checking in
3. You probably will be able to use the transit desk facilities at the airport to get your BP. I'm almost sure that that's reopened.... but 2 hours is again risky
4. As you mentioned you have an Indian Visa - that is a must since Uzbekistan Airways will have to ensure you have one to allow you to board the flight
Is there a business class priority line for immigration to go through back through security if I'm required to do that? Or do I got through the regular visa line or a different evisa line or can I choose whichever line is shorter? Obviously, if my time is limited, I don't want to stand in the wrong line only to make it to the front and be told to get in another line. Ideally, I'll avoid all the immigration lines and do a direct transit.
Am I correct that I won't be permitted through transit security unless I go to the transit desk first? I haven't found much info on where the transit desk is located in DEL, I assume it will be clearly marked?
Last edited by jphripjah; Aug 5, 2022 at 10:38 pm
Aug 6, 2022, 1:23 am
#609
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,347
2:20 doesn't inspire much more confidence than 2 hours.
In case you have to do immigration & customs - J pax will get priority/separate counters on arrival immigration - you will have to see which is the shortest line and/or get feedback from frequent DEL pax. G8 will will NOT get you priority on departure immigration or security (not sure how long the lines there will be at that time). You can however purchase priority check-in & baggage from G8.
You cannot go through transit security without getting your BP from the transit desk. Transit area is very clearly marked.
In case you have to do immigration & customs - J pax will get priority/separate counters on arrival immigration - you will have to see which is the shortest line and/or get feedback from frequent DEL pax. G8 will will NOT get you priority on departure immigration or security (not sure how long the lines there will be at that time). You can however purchase priority check-in & baggage from G8.
You cannot go through transit security without getting your BP from the transit desk. Transit area is very clearly marked.
Aug 6, 2022, 2:07 am
#610
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
I'm pretty sure the international transfer desks have opened in the transit area so you will have access to them. If all goes smoothly then 2 hours is enough time. But if you incoming flight is delayed or you have to go through immigration then you will be pushed for time.
Aug 8, 2022, 10:23 am
#611
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Manila
Programs: Qatar Gold
Posts: 205
Delhi Transit (1hr Connection Possible?)
For anyone familiar with an International Transit in Delhi (I have never been) is it possible to make a scheduled transfer of 1hr on separate tickets?
Arriving on Singapore Airlines at 20:10 (First Class, so first off)
Departing on Etihad at 21:05 (Business, so have priority security if available)
Thanks
Arriving on Singapore Airlines at 20:10 (First Class, so first off)
Departing on Etihad at 21:05 (Business, so have priority security if available)
Thanks
Aug 9, 2022, 12:43 am
#612
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
1 hour on separate tickets is not advisable.
If you have checked-in baggage then its not possible.
If no luggage then I would still not try this unless I had 2 hours at least.
If you have checked-in baggage then its not possible.
If no luggage then I would still not try this unless I had 2 hours at least.
Aug 9, 2022, 2:02 am
#613
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Online checkin for international flights is not possible in India, so you have to make it to the transfer desk and find a EY (handling) agent before the checkin deadline (60 min for C/F, 75 for Y). Then you have to cross transit security and make to your gate in time. No priority security lane there.
Aug 23, 2022, 10:42 am
#614
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: United 1K, Bonvoy Platinum, Honors Gold
Posts: 45
I'm arriving to DEL in LH F and transferring to UK in J with an eight hour layover, I also hold an AmEx Platinum. Any thoughts on how to spend the layover? I'm guessing clear customs ASAP and bounce around the various lounges (AmEx, Plaza) but it seems like I may not be allowed within the Domestic terminal until T-4 for my flight? I'm open to a transit hotel too but I don't think my layover is long enough to warrant doing so. Would I also need to wait to drop my bag with UK as well?
Aug 23, 2022, 2:52 pm
#615
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
If you don’t mind dragging your bags along you could go to one of the Aerocity hotels. Otherwise try to find a spot in the arrivals lounge for the first 3-4h.