Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) is the primary airport serving Hyderabad in the state of Telangana, India.
It is located in Shamshabad, approximately 24 kilometers south of Hyderabad. The airport opened in 2008, replacing the former Begumpet Airport, now defunct.
It covers an area of 5,500 acres, making it the largest airport in India by area. It is also India’s fourth-busiest airport for the over 29 million passengers that it served in 2024.
Major Airlines - Alliance Air, IndiGo, Air India, Spice Jet
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport serves as a hub for several Indian airlines:
Alliance Air: the designated flag carrier of India, and owned by the Government of India, after Air India was sold to a private company in 2021.
IndiGo: India’s biggest airline, by number of aircraft, passengers carried, and domestic market share.
SpiceJet: Another big Indian low-cost airline.
Star Air: A smaller regional airline serving Central and South India.
HYD is also a focus city for Air India, a Star Alliance member and the second largest airline in the country. Many still consider it the Indian flag carrier.
Its low-cost wing, Air India Express, also serves HYD, offering competitive prices for domestic routes.
Several international airlines fly direct to and from Hyderabad. These include:
British Airways, which flies to London-Heathrow.
Cathay Pacific, which flies to Hong Kong.
Etihad Airways, which flies to Abu Dhabi.
Emirates, which flies to Dubai.
Lufthansa, which flies to Frankfurt
Singapore Airlines, which flies to Singapore.
Thai Airways, which flies to Bangkok.
Air Asia, which flies to Kuala Lumpur.
Over 30 airlines serve HYD, offering direct or non-stop flights to over 90 destinations in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
You can see a full list of airlines here.
Terminal Layout and Gates of HYD
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has a single integrated passenger terminal.
With several expansions since its opening in 2008, today it can handle up to 40 million passengers a year with its:
100 gates (44 with boarding bridges and 56 using buses).
87 check-in desks, including 14 self-check-in kiosks.
10 baggage reclaim belts (7 for domestic and 3 for international flights).
20 Immigration counters and more are planned.
The terminal's eastern side handles domestic operations, while the western side is designated for international flights.
See a list of destinations you can reach from Hyderabad’s main airport.
Connecting Flights and Transit at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
The airport is one of the better ones in India to have a layover at. It’s efficient enough, and the terminal is easy to navigate.
There is an international transit area you can remain in for up to 24 hours without a visa, provided you have an onward flight. You will always undergo a security check to move between different zones of the airport. Your luggage will be checked through to your final destination, provided you have 2 flights booked together.
Here is some general guidance depending on the type of transit you have at HYD:
Domestic-to-Domestic Transfers: A streamlined process. Simply follow the signs to ”Domestic Transfers” and find your new gate.
International-to-International Transfers: You may remain in the International transit zone until your next flight. Follow the signs for ‘International Transfers”. If you already have a boarding pass for your next flight, proceed directly to your gate. Otherwise, visit the airline transfer desk for assistance. Self-transfers, especially if you have checked-in luggage, may require that you go through Immigration and Customs to check in for your next flight.
International-to-Domestic Transfers: All Immigration procedures are conducted at the point of entry into India. After that, proceed to your new gate in the Domestic area of the airport.
Domestic-to-International Transfers: After landing at HYD, move towards the International zone of the airport, complete Immigration procedures, and proceed to your new gate.
Wi-Fi at Hyderabad Airport
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport provides free Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the terminal. The network name is “Hyderabad Airport-Free-WiFi,” and connecting requires that you visit the welcome page, accept the terms and conditions, and receive a Serial number and PIN to your mobile number.
When you enter the codes, you will receive complimentary access to the network for up to 45 minutes. To use Wi-Fi any longer as a domestic passenger, you need to purchase a premium Wi-Fi service. If you’re flying internationally, you may scan your passport at the Wi-Fi kiosk within the departures area, and a coupon with the OTP will be issued, the use of which gives you complimentary Wi-Fi access for up to 4 hours.
An alternative is to buy something at one of the coffee shops and use the Wi-Fi there, or pay to enter a premium lounge, all of which offer unlimited complimentary internet.
Dining Options at HYD
There is a wide variety of dining establishments at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Diverse cuisines, both local and foreign, coffee houses, bars, and fast food kiosks await those on layovers or just passing through the airport.
Here are some of the best places to eat at HYD:
Third wave coffee: Freshly brewed coffee and other beverages. Located in the Retail Plaza on the Car Park Level in Arrivals and in Domestic Departures, between Gates 116 and 106.
Conçu: An elegant café and patisserie that offers breakfast sandwiches and pastries near Gate 02
Cafe Niloufer: Famous for Osmania biscuits and Irani chai. Find it near Gate 101 in Domestic departures.
KFC: The famous fried chicken has 4 outlets at HYD airport, with 1 in the International Departures zone, opposite Gate 28B.
Cream Stone: Offers customizable premium ice cream in 3 locations, 1 of which is in the International zone, near Gate 31B.
Hatti Kaapi Isha: Signature South Indian coffee. Find the kiosk near Gate 36.
Döner & Gyros: Iconic Mediterranean sandwiches and pitas in 2 locations: one near Gate 107 in Domestic and one near Gate 35 in the International zone.
Bikanervala: A well-known company selling indian sweets and snacks. Near Domestic Gate 05.
With at least 30 more dining establishments at the airport, serving all sorts of meals, you definitely won’t be starving, no matter how long your stay there is.
Lounges in Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi Airport
The main lounge at HYD is the Encalm Lounge, which operates in two locations within the terminal:
Enclam Prive - Mezzanine floor (International), beside Gate 23 SHA.
Encalm domestic - Level E departures, next to Gate 21.
Amenities inside the lounges include food and drinks, charging plugs, unlimited WI-FI, couches or other seating areas, showers, international reading materials, International TV, massages, and reflexology.
These lounges are accessible to anyone with a boarding pass.
The entrance fee for the lounge in Domestic departures is INR 1,796 for up to 2 hours and INR 593 for additional hours.
The entrance fee for the lounge in International departures is INR 2,898 for up to 2 hours and INR 1,296 for additional hours.
A new and exciting lounge option recently became available at HYD: the iSprout Flyers Club. It offers private meeting rooms, high-speed internet, business-class amenities, and an al fresco seating area. If you need to do work at the airport, this is the best place to be because of its office-like environment and perfect understanding of business travelers’ needs.
Transport options at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is well-connected to Hyderabad and the region. It is accessible via the Hyderabad Elevated Expressway and the Nehru Outer Ring Road, so travel to and from the city is easy and quick.
As far as public transport is concerned, the best option currently are the Airport Shuttles (Pushpak). These are luxury, air-conditioned, pollution/noise-free electric buses that operate from/to the Airport from various parts of the city. One-way prices are between 200 and 265 INR, depending on the route.
There are plans to build a metro to connect the airport to Hyderabad, but there is no expected date of completion for this project yet. The nearest railway station is at Umdanagar, some 6 km away.
Other than that, you can get a taxi. Services like Meru Cabs, Easy Cabs, and Dot Cabs are available at the airport. You can find the pre-paid taxi counters in the Arrivals area. Women can opt for the SHE Cabs, which have female drivers and enhanced security, and are popular with single female travelers.
Alternative options include ride-sharing apps like Uber and Ola, which have designated pick-up locations at the airport.
Lastly, international car rental agencies such as Avis, Hertz, and Budget, and domestic companies like ONE Car and Srinivasa Rent a Car also operate at the airport. You can find their manned kiosks in the Arrivals area.
Parking at HYD Airport
The car park in front of the terminal building can accommodate up to 1,500 vehicles. There are separate areas for short-term and long-term parking.
The charges for personal cars and light vehicles are 100 INR for the first 30 minutes and 100 INR for each additional hour thereafter, capped at 600 INR per day.
Motorcycles park at a rate of 40 INR for the first hour plus 30 INR for each subsequent hour, maxed at 250 INR per day.
Ramp Parking, for example, to drop off passengers, is free for the first 8 minutes. After that, the charges are 100 INR for 8-10 minutes and 200 INR for 10-15 minutes. Parking in this area for more than 15 minutes will result in your vehicle being towed away.
Valet parking is available 24/7 at the Ramp opposite Gate 10 in Departures and near pillar #1 in Arrivals. This service comes at a price of 200 INR for the first hour, 100 INR for each hour thereafter, but maxes at 600 INR per 24 hours.
Hotels near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
The airport houses 1 transit hotel located opposite Pillar #11 in Arrivals, called the Transit Hotel by Plaza Premium Lounge. A pricey but convenient hotel with great rooms and the standard amenities expected from an airport hotel. It has its own security screening, which has baffled some travelers.
A more low-key option is the Jpod Sleeping Pod Hyderabad, which, although not a hotel, offers a place to rest for a few hours between flights. These sleeping pods offer privacy and comfort at an acceptable price.
Outside the airport, about 3.5 km away, is the Novotel Hyderabad Airport. With over 305 rooms, several restaurants, meeting rooms, and a spa center, it is the place to stay for those who seek comfort and a high standard of service. It offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport.
To check more hotels close to Hyderabad’s main airport, click here.
Hyderabad, India
