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Delhi IGI [DEL] connection/departure experience reports

Old Jan 6, 2022, 1:47 am
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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 nto 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.



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Delhi IGI [DEL] connection/departure experience reports

Old Dec 22, 2018, 9:54 am
  #406  
formerly gantid
 
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Hi,

I am on AI 173 rom BLR-DEL and AI 103 DEL-IAD with a connecting time of 80 minutes (assuming no delays). Both segments are on the same PNR (J).

I asked AI about getting to DEL on an earlier flight and they were quite certain that I will have no problem making the connection.

1. Will the short connection be a problem?

2. Will I clear customs/passport check in BLR?

3. Do I have to clear security again in DEL?


thanks
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Old Dec 22, 2018, 3:22 pm
  #407  
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No Problem at all. You just have a transit security in Delhi.
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Old Dec 23, 2018, 4:46 am
  #408  
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thanks oliver2002
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Old Dec 26, 2018, 10:21 am
  #409  
formerly gantid
 
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just a quick update. My AI 173 flight from BLR was ten minutes late getting into DEL. I did complete customs/passport check in BLR. Unfortunately, the flight was diverted to a remote stand and we had to be bused into the transfers area. AI did have a special bus for premium class passengers. We had to wait about 15 minutes for the bus as the ground staff did not have a bus waiting for us.

With just under an hour to make my flight to IAD (AI 103), it was a close one. The transfer security check area was chaotic with close to 100+ in lines. Again, fortunately one of the ground handlers was asking to see who was traveling to IAD and helped us to get to the front of the line. The gate (#3) was quite far from the transfer security check area.

There are no separate security check lines for F/J passengers.

I did make the flight with less than ten minutes to spare.

if I were to repeat this, I would definitely take an earlier flight.
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Old Jan 25, 2019, 3:57 pm
  #410  
 
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Hi,

Planning on transfering from VS LHR-DEL onto 9W DEL-KTM with about 3 hrs transfer time on separate tickets. Would I be able to get 9W to print my boarding pass at the transfer desk instead of having to go through immigration then re enter the terminal?
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Old Jan 26, 2019, 7:21 am
  #411  
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Originally Posted by hello98
Hi,
Planning on transfering from VS LHR-DEL onto 9W DEL-KTM with about 3 hrs transfer time on separate tickets. Would I be able to get 9W to print my boarding pass at the transfer desk instead of having to go through immigration then re enter the terminal?
technically you can, but do you have checked-in luggage & do you have a visa for india????

3 hours is more than enough time for you to go through immigration/customs & check-in for your next flight....
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Old Jan 27, 2019, 8:21 am
  #412  
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Also the VS agents in LHR won't let you board their flight without a visa for India as they have to provide some passport data to the authorities....
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Old Jan 27, 2019, 4:52 pm
  #413  
 
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Originally Posted by Keyser
technically you can, but do you have checked-in luggage & do you have a visa for india????

3 hours is more than enough time for you to go through immigration/customs & check-in for your next flight....
Yes I will have checked luggage and I have a visa. Good to know there is enough time to clear customs and re check in, I know India sometimes has crazy queues in customs.
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Old Jan 27, 2019, 5:21 pm
  #414  
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Originally Posted by hello98
Yes I will have checked luggage and I have a visa. Good to know there is enough time to clear customs and re check in, I know India sometimes has crazy queues in customs.
even with crazy queues at immigration, i still expect you to make your connecting flight very easily....
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Old Jan 30, 2019, 5:46 pm
  #415  
 
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Hi, I will be flying on AI from BDQ, arriving in DEL at 9:45 PM. I will be flying to BKK on TG on a separate ticket, leaving DEL at 3:20 AM. Since I am on separate tickets, I will need to collect my checked luggage. Once I collect my luggage, will I have to wait until 3 hours before my TG flight before I can enter the terminal again? If so, what are the options for places to wait?

Thanks!
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Old Jan 30, 2019, 10:55 pm
  #416  
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Originally Posted by IndyHoosier
Hi, I will be flying on AI from BDQ, arriving in DEL at 9:45 PM. I will be flying to BKK on TG on a separate ticket, leaving DEL at 3:20 AM. Since I am on separate tickets, I will need to collect my checked luggage. Once I collect my luggage, will I have to wait until 3 hours before my TG flight before I can enter the terminal again? If so, what are the options for places to wait?

Thanks!
for international flights they let you in upto 4 hours before the flight....but given the fact that you will already be in the arrivals area inside the terminal, they may just allow you to proceed to departures....

if you do make it to departures with 5+ hours to kill then there is nothing you can do there....there are a few coffee shops but nowhere to sit & relax....it may be better to take a 2-3 hour package in the arrivals lounge before heading to the check-in area....
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Old Jan 30, 2019, 11:49 pm
  #417  
 
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Originally Posted by Keyser
for international flights they let you in upto 4 hours before the flight....but given the fact that you will already be in the arrivals area inside the terminal, they may just allow you to proceed to departures....

if you do make it to departures with 5+ hours to kill then there is nothing you can do there....there are a few coffee shops but nowhere to sit & relax....it may be better to take a 2-3 hour package in the arrivals lounge before heading to the check-in area....
Thank you for the information. I see that there are two arrivals lounges in T3 that I can access with Priority Pass. Is there any difference between the two?

https://www.plazapremiumlounge.com/en-uk/find/india-middle-east/india/new-delhi/indira-gandhi-international-airport/plaza-premium-lounge-domestic-arrivals-terminal-3
https://www.plazapremiumlounge.com/en-uk/find/india-middle-east/india/new-delhi/indira-gandhi-international-airport/plaza-premium-lounge-transit-intl-arrivals-t3
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Old Jan 31, 2019, 12:04 am
  #418  
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both are on the same floor, on opposite sides of the terminal....priority pass gets you very limited access to the lounge so it doesn't matter which one you use....there is a small separate seating area for priority pass holders....you cannot access any of the lounge facilities & get one serving of tea or coffee with biscuits....
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Old Feb 7, 2019, 7:53 am
  #419  
 
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BP availability is the key

I am thinking about a plan whereby I would arrive on an international flight at DEL T3 and leave from there some 16 hours later, on a different itinerary. I think 12 hours in the airside hotel would do me nicely. However, it appears that you need an onward boarding pass to get to the hotel. Correct? The airline on which I would fly out allows online check-in at 36 hours before departure. However, there are reports that DEL airport does not accept mobile or self-printed boarding passes. Correct? So, if I need to get my onward BP at the airside transfer desk, in order to get through to the hotel, will I be able to do that in a timely manner, as soon as I arrive? Or will I have to wait some-many hours before they can give it to me? In that case there's not only no point in booking the transit hotel but I don't even want to contemplate the nightmare of sitting in the plastic chairs in front of the transfer desk for 8 or 10 or 12 hours.

The alternative -- e-Visa -- doesn't look much better. Expensive. Time to get out of the airport, to a hotel, back in the morning, check-in queues -- there wouldn't be much sleep anyway, in spite of the multiplied layers of hassle.

Any insights? Advice? Thanks in advance.
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Old Feb 7, 2019, 7:57 am
  #420  
 
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https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airport-hotel.aspx

General Guidelines

Guest must have a departure from Domestic or International flight from Terminal 3 within 24 hrs. Valid International Airline Boarding Pass for onward journey is mandatory to access the International Wing. INDIAN VISA is not a prerequisite for passenger coming from an International Destination transiting through Delhi to next International Destination. Checked-in luggage transfer is responsibility of the respective airlines and information regarding the same can be obtained at the International Transfer Desk. Passenger can access the hotel with hand luggage after security check. The International Wing is located at on the 5th Floor accessible from the International Retail area. Transit Passengers can access our hotel after crossing the International Transfer desk followed by security check.

Mandatory
  • Accurate Flight Details (Arrival and Departure) are mandatory; failing which hotel cannot guarantee the reservation.
  • Maximum duration of stay should be within 24 hours.
  • Guest must have a departure from Domestic or International flight from Terminal 3 within 24 hrs.(Mandatory)
  • Connecting flight from International to International is mandatory to stay at International wing.
  • Guest can access the luggage at Domestic wing after security scanning.
  • Valid flight ticket within 24hrs from flight departure time is mandatory to check in at Domestic win.
  • Valid Boarding pass within 24 hrs of the flight departure time is mandatory to check in at International wing.
  • Post check-in Guests cannot leave the hotel premises till Departure flight.
  • Luggage transfer is responsibility of the respective airlines and information regarding the same can be obtained at the International Transfer desk.
No Show Policy

No shows amounting to the original stay charge (including taxes) will be charged for any reservation not claimed 60 minutes after guest's flight arrival or 15 minutes after the arrival time as advised by guest while making the reservation.

Cancellation Policy

All Cancellations made within 72 hours of arrival are subject to a cancellation fee of the original stays total charges (including taxes). Please call us at (91) 11 45252025/2026 or email us at [email protected] to amend your reservation.

Guarantee Policy

All reservations require credit card guarantee due at the time of booking.

Other Guidelines

Children 10 years old and under can stay with an adult when sharing existing bedding without any extra charge. Pets are not allowed.
Originally Posted by henry999
I am thinking about a plan whereby I would arrive on an international flight at DEL T3 and leave from there some 16 hours later, on a different itinerary. I think 12 hours in the airside hotel would do me nicely. However, it appears that you need an onward boarding pass to get to the hotel. Correct? The airline on which I would fly out allows online check-in at 36 hours before departure. However, there are reports that DEL airport does not accept mobile or self-printed boarding passes. Correct? So, if I need to get my onward BP at the airside transfer desk, in order to get through to the hotel, will I be able to do that in a timely manner, as soon as I arrive? Or will I have to wait some-many hours before they can give it to me? In that case there's not only no point in booking the transit hotel but I don't even want to contemplate the nightmare of sitting in the plastic chairs in front of the transfer desk for 8 or 10 or 12 hours.

The alternative -- e-Visa -- doesn't look much better. Expensive. Time to get out of the airport, to a hotel, back in the morning, check-in queues -- there wouldn't be much sleep anyway, in spite of the multiplied layers of hassle.

Any insights? Advice? Thanks in advance.
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