Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India’s busiest airport and one of the top 10 globally. It is sometimes abbreviated as IGI, and often the IATA code (DEL) is used, though most people know it as just Delhi Airport.
It is situated 16 km southwest of New Delhi, near the town of Palam. It was named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The airport is excellently connected to most parts of the world.
In 2024, it served nearly 78 million passengers, making it one of Asia’s mega hubs, behind only Dubai (DXB) and Tokyo Haneda (HND), and ranking it among the 10 busiest airports in the world. It’s also way ahead of the next busiest Indian airport - Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
Major Airlines - Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo, SpiceJet
Delhi Airport is a central hub for several big Indian airlines.
Most prominently, the flag carrier Air India uses DEL as its primary hub (its two secondary hubs being in Mumbai and Bangalore). Air India flies to over 70 destinations with an average of over 6000 flights monthly, all from Terminal 3.
Its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, serves over a dozen domestic destinations and several smaller airports abroad.
Alliance Air, whose ownership was retained by the Government of India after the privatization of its parent company Air India in 2021, also uses DEL as a hub for its operations, providing direct flights to over 15 domestic destinations.
IGI is also an operating base for the largest Indian airline, IndiGo, as well as another eminent low-cost carrier, SpiceJet. Both use Terminal 1 and operate flights to over 90 destinations combined.
Smaller Indian airlines with a significant presence at Delhi Airport include the low-cost carriers Akasa Air and Zooom Air.
DEL also handles numerous international airlines, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines, which help it connect to farther places around the globe. In 2024, India Gandhi Airport became the first in India to have direct flights to over 150 airports worldwide.
Over 60 airlines serve Delhi Airport, and you can see them all here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Delhi Airport has 3 airports, although currently (mid-2025) only 2 are operational:
Terminal 1 (T1): This is the newest terminal and can handle up to 40 million passengers annually. It is currently used by the low-cost carriers SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Starlight Airline, plus temporarily handles all T2 operations.
Terminal 2 (T2): Since 15.04.2025, T2 has been temporarily closed for upgrades, with all its flights shifted to T1.
Terminal 3 (T3): The largest and most modern terminal. Domestic flights leave from gates 1-26, whereas international flights use gates 27-62. All foreign airlines land and depart at T3, as do domestic full-service airlines like Air India.
All terminals are connected by a free 24/7 shuttle bus. The Delhi Metro Airport Express (Orange Line) serves T3/T2, while the Magenta Line serves T1.
To see all destinations you can reach by direct flight from DEL, click here.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Connecting between flights at Delhi Airport largely depends on which terminals your flights will arrive at and depart from, as well as whether the flights are domestic or international.
For those connecting between international flights, you may stay within the International Transit Zone of the terminal you arrived at. If this is Terminal 3, you may opt to stay in the International Wing of the Holiday Inn Express transit hotel. This assumes you are flying with the same airline, under the same reservation, already have a boarding pass, and your luggage is checked through to your final destination.
Travelers with layovers of up to 24 hours generally do not require a visa, as long as they have a confirmed ticket and remain within the transit zone.
Domestic to International transfers (or vice versa) will most likely have to change terminals. While there are no automated people movers at the airport yet, transit is relatively quick via shuttle buses.
If you have two flights booked separately (different PNR), you will likely have to leave the secure zone of whichever terminal you arrive at, check in for your next flight (including any luggage you have), and proceed through Security and Immigration (if applicable) again.
Seamless inter-terminal baggage transfer trials are underway between T3 and T1/T2. When functional, this service will save passengers a ton of time in queuing.
Free Wi-Fi and charging points at Delhi Airport
Free 24/7 Wi‑Fi is provided via the GMR Free Wi‑Fi network, but access requires a local phone number to receive an OTP, which can be a hassle for international travelers. If this is you, contact the Wi-Fi Team at the Information Kiosk to be issued a voucher.
High-speed premium tiers are also available.
Charging points (some lockable) are present across all terminals.
Dining Options at DEL
IGI features a diverse range of eateries, predominantly located in Terminals 1 and 3.
For casual Indian cuisine, visit Punjab Grill in Terminal 1 or Café Delhi Heights in Terminal 3. When Terminal 2 reopens, the Gujrati Svado is worth a visit too.
The food court in Terminal 3 has some nice places, such as Curry Kitchen and Pappa Roti.
Global chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway have outlets in all terminals.
For coffee, you can check out Sugar & Spice in Terminal 3, Chaayos in Terminal 3, or stick to the familiar international chains like Starbucks and Costa Coffee.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a bar to have a few drinks at, Tim Hortons (T1 and T3), Heineken Bar (T3), and Ultra Bar (T3) should be your go-to places.
Lounges at Delhi Airport
There are several VIP lounges at DEL and at least one in each terminal.
Air India passengers can use the three Encalm Lounges in Terminal 3 - one for domestic flights and two for international flights, in arrivals and departures respectively.
Additionally, the Encalm Privé (Asia’s largest business lounge) is also located in Terminal 3 and features a spa, fitness zone, sleeping pods, cigar room, gaming area, buffet, bar, kids’ play zone, library, and a business centre. It is extremely well rated by travelers and the best place to spend your layover at DEL.
Encalm also operates a lounge in Terminal 1 - the Encalm Lounge- T1D, IGI on the first floor.
Another VIP lounge in T3 is the Plaza Premium Lounge, which is known for its special food items and is mostly used by international travellers.
Other premium lounges include the American Express Lounge and the GMR Lounge, both in Terminal 3.
Transportation options at Indira Gandhi Airport
IGI has convenient ground links to New Delhi and important transportation hubs in the capital.
The Metro is directly connected to the airport. The Airport Express Line (Orange) from central Delhi to T3 runs every 10 minutes, 5 AM–11:40 PM, and the trip length is just 15 minutes, costing 60 INR. The Magenta Line goes to T1, and should you wish to proceed to T2/T3, you can change at Aerocity station.
The Golden Line (Line 10) is expected to be completed by March 2026, adding another convenient way of reaching T1.
Buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation are another option to reach the city, especially if your final destination is not near a Metro station. Journeys can be much longer, depending on the unpredictable New Delhi traffic. The buses run to and from ISBTs (Inter-state Bus Terminals) near Kashmiri Gate, Connaught Place, Delhi Railway Station, and many hotels in the city centre at a frequency of every 30 minutes. Buy a ticket in the Arrival hall.
The frequency is much shorter (every 20 min) for the interterminal shuttle buses, which are free to use, operate 24/7 to connect T1 and T2/3 (7 km overland).
Taxis can be a comfortable, private way to reach your exact destination in the city, but subject to many scams, which is why you should only book prepaid cabs at the yellow booths operated by the Delhi Police - one is directly outside the airport and one is near the rental car counters. Do not accept solicitation from touts as you exit the terminal. A prepaid taxi to the city centre will cost around 500-600 INR.
To save you from the hassle, you can also opt for ridesharing, like Ola or Uber. Both of them have their dedicated pickup locations, and you can pay for the ride upfront through their respective apps.
A private shuttle can be an even more convenient option, especially if you’re going to places like Gurgaon, Noida, or Faridabad. Check prices for private shuttles from Delhi Airport here.
Parking at DEL
T1 and T3 each have a multi-level car parking in close proximity with options for short- and long-term.
Prices are standardized: 160 INR for the first 30 minutes, 250 INR for the first hour, thereafter the hourly rate drops to 70-100, and the daily maximum is 600 INR.
Hotels near Delhi Airport
Terminal 3 has the in-terminal transit hotel, Holiday Inn Express. It is the only full-service accommodation option after the Security checks (airside), though the majority of its rooms are in the public area (landside).
Alternatively, there are also sleeping pods provided by various hourly capsules in the international departure zone, such as Snooze At My Space.
Near Terminal 1, you can stay at the Airport Hotel Delhi - a 2-star, budget-friendly hotel just steps from the terminal. They also offer a car transfer for free, if requested.
The Aerocity, a modern and luxurious suburb roughly equidistant between T1 and T3, has over 15 luxury properties to choose from. The area is directly accessible via the Aerocity Metro station, though many hotels also offer complimentary shuttles. Brand names there include JW Marriott, Novotel, Aloft, Ibis, and others.
Delhi, India
