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
#811
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 2
#812
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 63
I'll be flying UK (MLE-DEL) and would like to get on a AC flight (to YUL) with 2 hours and 30 min connection time.
Both tickets are booked separately, and I assume checked bags would not be tagged the whole way because of that.
Just wondering how easy it is to transit through DEL and if 2:30 is enough.
(I have a OCI and my partner has a physical visa stamped in her passport.)
Both tickets are booked separately, and I assume checked bags would not be tagged the whole way because of that.
Just wondering how easy it is to transit through DEL and if 2:30 is enough.
(I have a OCI and my partner has a physical visa stamped in her passport.)
#813
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'll be flying UK (MLE-DEL) and would like to get on a AC flight (to YUL) with 2 hours and 30 min connection time.
Both tickets are booked separately, and I assume checked bags would not be tagged the whole way because of that.
Just wondering how easy it is to transit through DEL and if 2:30 is enough.
(I have a OCI and my partner has a physical visa stamped in her passport.)
Both tickets are booked separately, and I assume checked bags would not be tagged the whole way because of that.
Just wondering how easy it is to transit through DEL and if 2:30 is enough.
(I have a OCI and my partner has a physical visa stamped in her passport.)
#814
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 63
#815
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
AC in DEL will have a 60-70 min cutoff to take bags or even report to them. So with bags this is not feasible.
#816
Join Date: Nov 2023
Posts: 1
Frankfurt - Delhi - Singapure
Hey guys, international transit, 5hours layover in Delhi, 1 checked luggage, one ticket
Flights AI120 and AI 382
Do I need re-check luggage in Delhi?
Do I need indian visa?
Double check me, if I am right - I check-in in Frankfurt ->
in Delhi I do not claim and re-check luggage, I stay in transfer/transit area -> at transfer desk I get board pass to Singapure (because there is no e-BP), I go through security, gate is open -> Singapur -> custom and immigration, claim my luggage... smilling
So I will not meet indian customs/immigration and I dont need transit visa right?
thank you so much for advice, I am so scared
Flights AI120 and AI 382
Do I need re-check luggage in Delhi?
Do I need indian visa?
Double check me, if I am right - I check-in in Frankfurt ->
in Delhi I do not claim and re-check luggage, I stay in transfer/transit area -> at transfer desk I get board pass to Singapure (because there is no e-BP), I go through security, gate is open -> Singapur -> custom and immigration, claim my luggage... smilling
So I will not meet indian customs/immigration and I dont need transit visa right?
thank you so much for advice, I am so scared
#817
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Your bags will be checked thru to SIN in FRA. You will receive both boarding passes in FRA and just ho thru transit security in DEL. No visa required.
#818
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 28
London - Delhi - Bangkok (separate tickets)
I'm on two AI flights, LHR-DEL, and DEL-BKK, with 3 hours between them. Separate tickets that is.
I know that's plenty of time to do a "no checked luggage" transfer, but.....what if I have checked luggage?
I've got an Indian Visa (OCI card), so I'm assuming I'll have to do the immigration/retrieve-luggage/... rigamarole, but, do y'all think it's doable in 3 hours?
Seems feasible (barring crazy flight delays, bats**t luggage carousels, etc. all of which are entirely probable in DEL 🙄
I know that's plenty of time to do a "no checked luggage" transfer, but.....what if I have checked luggage?
I've got an Indian Visa (OCI card), so I'm assuming I'll have to do the immigration/retrieve-luggage/... rigamarole, but, do y'all think it's doable in 3 hours?
Seems feasible (barring crazy flight delays, bats**t luggage carousels, etc. all of which are entirely probable in DEL 🙄
#819
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
AI in LHR will be able to check your luggage thru without issues. Even if you don't manage to get that 3h is fine since you have an OCI card.
#821
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Yes, no problem, the checkin agent in LHR can generate a bag tag from two PNRs and also associate the two in Altea to check you thru to your final destination. There should be no hesitation since its the same airline and their own hub.
#822
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 1,926
DEL - Delhi airport (Indira Gandhi)
Hi everyone,
So I wanted a bit of advice.
Last time I went to India was a fair few years ago. Airports were a glorified scrum involving generally pushing to get anywhere whilst avoiding around 500 people trying to 'carry your bags' for you and 'help you' but really just wanting money.
Also immigration wasn't the fastest.
Just wondered if anyone has been through DEL lately and what it is like landing and getting through to landside and then the whole departing side of things. I gather the airports have been completley rebuilt so are much more pleasant overall though......
FD.
So I wanted a bit of advice.
Last time I went to India was a fair few years ago. Airports were a glorified scrum involving generally pushing to get anywhere whilst avoiding around 500 people trying to 'carry your bags' for you and 'help you' but really just wanting money.
Also immigration wasn't the fastest.
Just wondered if anyone has been through DEL lately and what it is like landing and getting through to landside and then the whole departing side of things. I gather the airports have been completley rebuilt so are much more pleasant overall though......
FD.
#825
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emerald), TK Elite (*A Gold)
Posts: 576
I departed from there last week and it wasn't too bad. Getting into the terminal building was a bit of a pain (print off your itinerary email which clearly shows your name to make it easier), and there's no fast track security, but it was all seamless enough. BA were being very strict on the cabin baggage size limits at check in. The whole terminal felt modern, was clean enough and well signposted. I didn't get approached once by anyone trying to get money out of me, or wanting to offer services.