Delhi Airport Guide 2026: Terminals, Metro & Travel Tips

> **TL;DR:** Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) handles over 70 million passengers a year, making it India’s busiest airport (AAI, 2024–25). T1 serves domestic IndiGo and SpiceJet flights; T3 handles Air India, Akasa Air, and all international flights. The Airport Express Metro connects T3 to New Delhi station in 20 minutes for ₹60 — easily the fastest way into the city.

[IMAGE: Aerial view of a large modern international airport terminal at night, illuminated — search terms: airport terminal aerial night India]

Indira Gandhi International Airport, IATA code **DEL**, is the undisputed busiest airport in India and among the top 10 busiest in Asia. It sits about 17 km southwest of Connaught Place in New Delhi. Whether you’re flying domestic or heading abroad, knowing your terminal and your transport options can save you a lot of confusion — and possibly your flight.

This guide covers everything: which terminal is yours, how to get there cheaply, what lounges you can access, and practical tips that most airport guides skip.

[INTERNAL-LINK: first-time flyer guide → first-time-flyer-guide-india-2026]

—

## What Are the Terminals at Delhi Airport?

Delhi Airport currently operates **two passenger terminals — T1 and T3**. T2 was permanently closed after the pandemic and its functions merged into T3. Understanding which terminal you’re flying from is the most important thing to get right.

**Terminal split at DEL as of 2026:**

| Terminal | Airlines | Flight Type |
|———-|———-|————-|
| T1 | IndiGo, SpiceJet | Domestic only |
| T3 | Air India, Akasa Air, Vistara (merged), all foreign carriers | Domestic + International |
| T2 | Closed (permanently) | — |

T1 and T3 are about 8–9 km apart by road. There is no airside connector between them. Always check your ticket — arriving at the wrong terminal with a tight schedule is a genuine risk.

### Terminal 1 (T1) — Domestic Flights

T1 is a mid-sized domestic terminal handling IndiGo and SpiceJet flights. It’s older than T3 but functional, with dedicated check-in counters, security lanes, a food court, ATMs (HDFC, ICICI), and a few retail shops. The terminal is compact, which means less walking — a small advantage.

T1 does not have a direct Airport Express Metro stop. To use the metro from T1, take a cab (₹100–150, ~10 minutes) to T3 and board from there.

### Terminal 3 (T3) — Domestic + International

T3 is one of Asia’s largest airport terminals. It handles all international traffic and the domestic operations of Air India and Akasa Air. The terminal spans multiple levels and is well-signposted. Domestic and international departure areas are on different levels but within the same building.

T3 has the Airport Express Metro station directly beneath it — the single biggest transport advantage at Delhi Airport.

—

## How to Get to Delhi Airport: All Transport Options

Getting to IGI Airport is straightforward if you plan ahead. The metro is fastest. Cabs are flexible. Prepaid taxis are reliable if you want predictable pricing without surge risk.

[IMAGE: Delhi Metro Airport Express train at a station — search terms: Delhi metro airport express train station]

### Airport Express Metro (Fastest Option)

The Airport Express Line (Orange Line) is Delhi’s dedicated airport rail link. It runs from New Delhi station to T3 in **under 20 minutes**, with stops at Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, and Aerocity. Fare from New Delhi station to the airport is **₹60**.

Trains run every 10–15 minutes between approximately 4:45 AM and 11:30 PM. You can board at Shivaji Stadium (for South Delhi / Dwarka travellers) or New Delhi station (for Central Delhi). The service is air-conditioned, punctual, and has luggage space.

**[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]** The Airport Express is consistently the most reliable option for avoiding Delhi’s notoriously unpredictable traffic — especially during morning peak hours when NH-48 can add 40–60 minutes to a cab ride.

### Taxi — Uber, Ola, and Prepaid

App-based cabs are widely available at both T1 and T3. Designated pickup points are marked outside arrivals. Surge pricing kicks in during morning rush (7–10 AM) and evening peak (5–9 PM). A standard Uber/Ola from T3 to Connaught Place costs approximately **₹350–550** without surge, and can reach ₹700–900 during peak hours.

Prepaid government taxis are available at dedicated counters in the arrivals hall of both terminals. You pay upfront based on destination and get a fixed-price voucher — no surge, no negotiation. Useful if you’re unfamiliar with the city or arriving late at night.

### Distance Reference Table

| Destination | Distance from T3 | Road Time (off-peak) |
|————-|——————|———————-|
| Connaught Place | ~17 km | 35–45 min |
| India Gate | ~16 km | 35–50 min |
| Aerocity Hotels | ~3 km | 10–15 min |
| Gurgaon (Cyber City) | ~14 km | 25–40 min |
| Noida (Sector 18) | ~40 km | 60–90 min |

[INTERNAL-LINK: how to get cheapest flights → how-to-get-cheapest-flights-india-2026]

—

## What Lounges Are Available at Delhi Airport?

T3 has some of the best lounge infrastructure among Indian airports. The lounges sit on the domestic and international sides post-security, so access depends on which section you’re flying from. ([Airports Council International](https://aci.aero), 2025 rankings place DEL among Asia-Pacific’s top 5 in lounge amenities for airports over 40 million passengers.)

**Citation capsule:** Delhi T3’s lounge ecosystem includes Plaza Premium on the international departure side, ITC on the domestic side, and SATS Premier for international passengers — all accessible without business-class tickets via Priority Pass or premium bank credit cards.

### T3 Domestic Side

– **ITC Airport Lounge:** Comfortable lounge with hot Indian food, beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, and charging stations. Accessible via Priority Pass, selected credit cards (HDFC Infinia, Amex Platinum), or walk-in entry (~₹1,500–2,000 per person).
– **Encalm Lounge:** Newer addition with premium food and a quieter atmosphere. Popular with frequent flyers.

### T3 International Side

– **Plaza Premium Lounge:** International-standard lounge with showers, hot meals, barista coffee, and a strong Wi-Fi connection. Accessible via Priority Pass and various premium credit cards.
– **SATS Premier Lounge:** Popular with South and Southeast Asia-bound travellers. Well-stocked buffet, multiple seating zones.
– **Air India Maharaja Lounge:** Exclusive to Air India business class passengers and Star Alliance premium members.

### T1 Lounges

T1 has limited but functional lounge options, accessible mainly via Priority Pass or walk-in. Don’t expect T3-level amenities — the lounges are smaller, with lighter food offerings.

—

## Facilities at Delhi Airport T3

Delhi T3 is a self-contained mini-city. Here’s what you’ll find:

– **ATMs:** HDFC, ICICI, and SBI ATMs are present throughout both departure and arrivals areas.
– **Currency Exchange:** Multiple forex counters near international arrivals and in the departure hall. Thomas Cook and BookMyForex counters are present.
– **Duty-Free:** International duty-free spans two large zones — arrival duty-free (buy as you land, carry out at landing) and departure duty-free (post-security, international side). Liquor, perfumes, electronics, and confectionery.
– **Food Court:** Multiple options pre- and post-security. Burger King, Starbucks, Keventers, Cafe Coffee Day, and a strong selection of Indian fast food. Biryani, parathas, South Indian meals are all available inside.
– **Medical:** A medical centre operates 24/7 airside at T3. Basic medications, first aid, and paramedic support available.
– **DigiYatra:** Biometric check-in via DigiYatra is live at DEL. Enrol once in the app and skip paper boarding passes entirely at supported airlines.

[IMAGE: Inside a busy Indian airport terminal food court with diverse food stalls — search terms: Indian airport food court terminal interior]

—

## Tips for a Smooth Experience at DEL

**[UNIQUE INSIGHT]** Delhi Airport’s biggest hidden time trap isn’t security — it’s the cab pickup. During the morning rush (6–9 AM), Uber and Ola can take 15–25 minutes to arrive at the T3 pickup zone because of one-way traffic restrictions. Pre-booking a cab the night before, or using the Metro, eliminates this entirely.

– Arrive at least **2 hours early for domestic** flights, **3 hours for international**.
– Use **web check-in** (opens 48 hours before departure for most airlines). Download your boarding pass to your phone — no printer needed.
– T3’s security has DigiYatra lanes for eligible passengers. These move significantly faster during peak hours.
– If your domestic flight is from T1 and you’re coming by metro from central Delhi, get off at T3 and take a free airport shuttle bus to T1 (runs every 20–30 minutes). The shuttle is faster than a separate cab.
– Free airport Wi-Fi is available throughout T3. Connect to “AirJaldi” network and authenticate with your mobile number — you get unlimited free browsing.
– Keep your **Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID** accessible. Security requires a valid government-issued photo ID alongside your boarding pass.

—

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Which terminal do I use at Delhi Airport?

T1 handles domestic flights for IndiGo and SpiceJet. T3 handles all international flights plus domestic flights by Air India, Akasa Air, and other carriers. T2 is permanently closed. Always confirm your terminal on your e-ticket or booking confirmation before arriving at the airport.

### How do I get from Delhi Airport to Connaught Place by metro?

Take the Airport Express Line from the T3 metro station to New Delhi station in 20 minutes (₹60). From New Delhi station, connect to the Blue or Yellow Line to reach Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place) in under 5 more minutes.

### Is T1 connected to the Airport Express Metro?

No. The Airport Express stops at T3 and Aerocity, not T1. From T1, take a cab (~₹100–150) to T3 metro station, or use the free inter-terminal shuttle bus.

### Which lounges are available at Delhi Airport T3?

T3 domestic side has ITC Airport Lounge and Encalm Lounge. The international side has Plaza Premium, SATS Premier, and Air India’s Maharaja Lounge. Most are accessible via Priority Pass or premium credit cards. Walk-in rates typically run ₹1,500–2,500.

### How far is Delhi Airport from Connaught Place?

T3 is approximately 17 km from Connaught Place. The Airport Express Metro covers this in about 20–25 minutes. By cab in off-peak traffic, expect 35–50 minutes — and up to 80–90 minutes during morning or evening rush hours.