Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) Guide
Quick summary
Indira Gandhi International (DEL) is India's busiest airport, with three terminals (T1, T2, T3). The Delhi Metro Airport Express (Orange Line) whisks you from T3 to New Delhi station in about 20 minutes, and a free shuttle connects the terminals.
The bottom line on DEL
Delhi's biggest trap is treating it as one airport when it is really three. T1, T2 and T3 sit kilometres apart and are not connected airside, so landing at the wrong one can cost you an hour on the free inter-terminal shuttle. Always confirm your departure terminal in advance and carry your e-ticket, since only ticketed passengers can enter the terminals.
The smart move is the Airport Express Metro (Orange Line) from T3, which reaches New Delhi station in about 20 minutes for around ₹60. If you take a cab instead, use the official prepaid taxi counter or an Uber/Ola pickup zone rather than the touts in arrivals.
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Traps most travelers fall for at DEL
- T1, T2 and T3 are kilometres apart and not connected airside — landing at the wrong terminal can cost an hour on the free inter-terminal shuttle, so confirm your departure terminal in advance.
- The cheap 20-minute Airport Express Metro only runs from T3; if you fly T1 or T2 you must first shuttle over, so budget the extra transfer time.
- In arrivals, skip the touts and use the official prepaid taxi counter or an Uber/Ola app pickup zone to avoid being overcharged.
Terminals at DEL
Delhi has three passenger terminals. Terminal 3 (T3) is the flagship - it handles all international flights plus full-service domestic carriers like Air India, and is where the Airport Express Metro station sits. Terminal 1 (T1) is a modern domestic-only terminal used mainly by low-cost carriers such as IndiGo and Akasa. Terminal 2 (T2) is an older domestic terminal used to relieve overflow. The terminals are not connected airside, so a terminal change means exiting and transferring landside: a free inter-terminal shuttle bus runs between T1, T2 and T3 (show your boarding pass/e-ticket to board), taking roughly 20 minutes plus traffic. Because T1 and T3 are several kilometres apart, always confirm your departure terminal in advance and leave plenty of time - a self-transfer between them can easily take an hour.
DEL parking rates & options
| Up to 30 minutes — T3 (car) | About ₹120 |
| 30 min to 1 hour — T3 | About ₹170 |
| Each additional hour (up to 5h) | About ₹100 per hour |
| 5 to 24 hours — T3 | About ₹600 |
| Park & Fly (long-stay) | Discounted daily rate, pre-book online |
Where the money actually goes at DEL
The gap between the cheapest and dearest parking here is ₹500 a day — ₹100 at the each additional hour (up to 5h) versus ₹600 at the 5 to 24 hours — t3. Over a week that is ₹3,500, for the same trip.
Calculated from the published rates in the table above — not an estimate. Rates change, so confirm before you book.
🚆 Getting to & from the airport
The Delhi Metro Airport Express (Orange Line) is the fastest, cheapest ride into town: from the station at Terminal 3 it reaches New Delhi Railway Station in about 20 minutes for roughly ₹60, connecting there to the main metro network and Connaught Place. App cabs (Uber, Ola) and the airport's prepaid and radio taxis are widely available from the arrivals forecourt of each terminal - a metered or app ride to central Delhi typically runs ₹400-700 depending on distance, time and surge. Use the official prepaid taxi counters or app pickup zones to avoid touts, and airport buses (DTC/Delhi Airport Metro Express feeder services) offer the lowest fares.
DEL vs BOM vs DXB: which airport is easier?
How the traveler experience compares, side by side.
🛋️ Lounges
Terminal 3 has the deepest lounge lineup. On the international side you'll find Encalm and Plaza Premium lounges plus hotel-affiliated options (ITC Maurya, The Oberoi) and airline lounges such as the Air India Maharaja Lounge and IndiGo's Bluebird. The T3 domestic wing runs Encalm Privé, Plaza Premium and the ITC Green Lounge. Most aggregator lounges accept Priority Pass, DreamFolks and pay-per-use walk-ins (roughly ₹2,200-2,500), and offer hot buffets, showers, free Wi-Fi and rest areas. Terminal 1 has its own smaller domestic lounges. Access is usually granted up to about three hours before departure.
📶 Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available across the terminals via the 'GMR Free Wi-Fi' network - select it, enter your mobile number to receive a one-time password (OTP), and enter the OTP to get online.
😴 Layovers & overnight
T3 is the best terminal for a long wait, with plenty of dining, shopping and lounges, plus 24-hour seating areas. For a paid rest, the Sam's Snooze at My Space nap pods/cabins are located airside in T3 and can be booked in short blocks, and there are shower facilities in the pay lounges. For overnight or long international layovers the on-site options include hotels in the adjoining Aerocity district (a short taxi or metro hop) such as the various Aerocity chains, and a transit hotel/day-use rooms within the terminal precinct. Note that Indian airports generally restrict landside access to ticketed passengers, so keep your boarding pass handy and don't count on freely moving between terminals overnight.
Insider tips
- Double-check whether you fly from T1, T2 or T3 - they're kilometres apart and a wrong-terminal arrival can cost you an hour on the free shuttle.
- The Airport Express Metro (Orange Line) from T3 to New Delhi station is the fastest, cheapest way in - about 20 minutes for around ₹60.
- Only ticketed passengers can enter Indian airport terminals, so have your e-ticket or boarding pass ready at the door and for the inter-terminal shuttle.
- Use the official prepaid taxi counter or an Uber/Ola app pickup zone rather than accepting rides from touts in arrivals.
- For a long international layover, the nearby Aerocity hotels or airside nap pods in T3 are more comfortable than the terminal benches.
DEL airport — FAQ
＋ − How do I get from Delhi Airport to the city center?
The Delhi Metro Airport Express (Orange Line) runs from Terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station in about 20 minutes for roughly ₹60, connecting to the wider metro network. App cabs (Uber, Ola) and prepaid/radio taxis from arrivals typically cost ₹400-700 into central Delhi depending on distance and time.
＋ − How much is parking at Delhi Airport?
At Terminal 3, short stays run about ₹120 for up to 30 minutes and ₹170 for up to an hour, then roughly ₹100 per additional hour up to five hours, with a 5-24 hour block around ₹600. Discounted Park & Fly rates are available if you pre-book online for longer stays.
＋ − How do I get between terminals at Delhi Airport?
The terminals aren't connected airside, so you transfer landside on the free inter-terminal shuttle bus that links T1, T2 and T3. Show your boarding pass or e-ticket to board; the ride takes around 20 minutes plus traffic, so allow up to an hour for a self-transfer between distant terminals.
＋ − Is Wi-Fi free at Delhi Airport?
Yes. Connect to the 'GMR Free Wi-Fi' network, enter your mobile number to receive a one-time password (OTP), then enter the OTP to get online across the terminals.
＋ − Where can I rest during a long layover at Delhi Airport?
Terminal 3 has 24-hour seating, plenty of dining, and airside nap pods (Sam's Snooze at My Space) bookable in short blocks. Pay lounges include showers, and for overnight stays the nearby Aerocity hotels are a short taxi or metro hop from the terminal.
Sources & official links
This guide is independent and not affiliated with Indira Gandhi International Airport. Parking rates, terminal layouts, and transit options change often — always confirm on the airport's official website before you travel.