Delhi is the largest airport in India and consists of three different terminals. The individual buildings are not interconnected.

However, Terminals 2 and 3 are very close and can be walked between in 5 minutes, while Terminal 1 is on the other side of the airport and can be reached by the free airport shuttle bus that runs 24/7.

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• Terminal 1 - departures for IndiGo (except flight numbers 2000-2999 and 5000-5999) and Spicejet (except flight numbers 8000-8999)
• Terminal 2 - Akasa Air, IndiGo (flight numbers 2000-2999 only)
• Terminal 3 - All other airlines, IndiGo (flight numbers 5000-5999 only), Spicejet (flight numbers 8000-8999 only)

The airport is large but uncluttered and modern. All terminals have been extensively renovated between 2005 and 2023 and meet all international standards.

Security checks

In Delhi, you will be subjected to the first security check as soon as you enter all terminals from the outside. Have your passport and especially your ticket or boarding pass ready, either in mobile or paper form.

The usual waiting time to enter the terminals is 10-40 minutes.

The next check is the classic security screening between the public and transit areas that you know from all airports in the world.

The queues for security checks in all terminals can take up to 50 minutes.

How far in advance should I arrive at the airport?

Even with double checking (and extra passport control for international flights), it is recommended to arrive at Delhi Airport 3-4 hours before departure.

However, it is not a good idea to arrive at the airport with more time in advance.

In fact, you will only get through passport and conventional security when the check-in counter of your flight opens, regardless of whether you have a mobile boarding pass and did not need to visit the counter at all.

Check-in counters for international flights usually open 4 hours before departure and for domestic flights about 2-3 hours before departure.

Transfer between flights

Delhi Airport is the largest transfer point for international and domestic flights in the whole of South Asia. The transfer point at Delhi Airport is clearly marked with signs "Transfer".

International transfer

International flight transfers (i.e. arriving in Delhi from abroad and departing for another international destination, e.g. Dubai -> Delhi -> Bangkok) will always take place within Terminal 3 only.

When connecting internationally, you never have to move between terminals.

If you have purchased a ticket with a transfer in Delhi, your transfer is guaranteed and you do not have to go through immigration or leave the transit zone at all.

• Average transfer time - 30 to 45 minutes
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check - no
• Baggage - will be automatically transferred and you don't have to worry about it
• Visa - you do not need an Indian visa for the transfer, no passport control is required
  • However, if you have a longer layover and would like to visit Delhi, you need to pay for a regular visa

Domestic transfer

Transferring between domestic flights can be more complicated, especially if you're travelling with IndiGo or Spicejet, which operate from Terminals 1 and 2.

Other airlines (such as Air India) operate all their international and domestic flights from Terminal 3.

No change of terminal

You will not need to leave the transit area if you are only connecting within a single terminal.

However, you will always go through security.

• Average transfer time - 30 to 45 minutes
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check - no
• Baggage - will be automatically transferred and you do not have to worry about it

Change terminal

However, if you are changing terminals, you must always leave the transit area and go completely outside the airport building.

A free airport bus runs between all terminals. Once you are outside, follow the signs "Shuttle Bus". To avoid paying for it, present your boarding pass for the connecting flight at the counters marked Bus Waiting Loung and you will be given a voucher for free transportation.

The bus runs at 20 minute intervals for 24 hours a day. The transfer times between terminals are as follows:

• Terminal 2 <-> Terminal 1: 25 minutes
• Terminal 3 <-> Terminal 1: 25 minutes
• Terminal 2 <-> Terminal 3: 5 minutes on foot on the pavement

For official information about the inter-terminal bus service, please visit the airport website: newdelhiairport.in/inter-terminal-transports.

• Average transfer time - 75 to 120 minutes
• Security check - yes
• Immigration control - no
• Baggage - must be collected and re-checked in

Transfer from international to domestic flight

If you are travelling with one booking from an international destination and proceeding from Delhi to another Indian destination, you must always go through immigration, collect your baggage, go to the public area of the arrivals hall and check in your baggage and go through security at the special "Domestic Transfer" counter.

If you have to change terminals, the process is the same as for a purely domestic transfer, see above.

• Average transfer time
  • 75 to 120 minutes without changing terminal
  • 100 to 150 minutes when transferring between terminals
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check - going through immigration at Delhi airport
• Baggage - you must always collect your baggage and re-check-in at a dedicated check-in counter marked "Transfer"

Transfer from a domestic to an international flight

If you are travelling with one booking from an Indian destination via Delhi to an international destination, you must always exit the transit zone.

If you have to change terminal, the process is the same as for a purely domestic transfer see above.

• Average transfer time
  • 75 to 120 minutes without changing terminal
  • 100 to 150 minutes when transferring between terminals
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check - going through immigration at Delhi airport
• Baggage - you must always collect your baggage and re-check in