Indira Gandhi International Airport
Also known as: Delhi Airport, IGI Airport, New Delhi Airport, DEL Airport. Formerly Palam Airport.
Private transfer from DELSee pricesSee pricesAbout Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the main airport for Delhi, the capital region of India. It handled more than 78 million passengers in 2025, which Airports Council International data placed 11th among the world's airports.
Air India has its main hub here, and IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air link Delhi with cities across India, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Goa and Srinagar. International flights reach London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney, while Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways connect through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
The airport has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle domestic flights only, and Terminal 3 handles all international flights plus many domestic ones. Terminal 1 sits about 8 km by road from Terminals 2 and 3, which stand side by side.
The airport lies in Palam, southwest Delhi, about 16 km from the city center, with the Aerocity hotel district at its edge. From here, travelers head to Connaught Place and central New Delhi, Old Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Agra and Jaipur.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR-led consortium with the Airports Authority of India
- Passengers per year
More than 78 million in 2025
- Runways
Four: 11R/29L, 11L/29R, 10/28 and 09/27
- Main airline
Air India (hub); IndiGo, Air India Express and SpiceJet also have bases
- Location
Palam, southwest Delhi, about 16 km from the city center
Arrival tips for Indira Gandhi International Airport
International flights arrive at Terminal 3. Foreign nationals must submit India's online e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing, and travelers on an e-Visa have their fingerprints and photo taken at the immigration counter, so expect queues at busy times.
After immigration, collect your bags from the belts and pass through customs into the arrivals hall. Domestic arrivals at Terminals 1 and 2 go straight to the baggage hall.
Prepaid and fixed-rate taxi counters are in the arrivals area of each terminal. At Terminal 3, app-based cabs such as Uber and Ola pick up at Level 0 of the multi-level car park, and at Terminals 1 and 2 they wait outside the arrivals zone. Pre-booked drivers wait in the arrivals area outside the exit. Use the official counters or your own booking rather than offers from people approaching you inside the terminal.
Delhi has very hot summers, a July to September monsoon and cool, often foggy winters. The city runs on India Standard Time (UTC+5:30), and the currency is the Indian rupee.
Ground transportation
The Airport Express metro is the quickest way to central New Delhi from Terminal 3, while taxis and app-based cabs suit travelers with luggage or late arrivals.
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Book a transfer from DELAirport Express metro from Terminal 3
The Airport Express (Orange) Line has a station at Terminal 3 and reaches New Delhi Railway Station in about 25 minutes, with a stop at Aerocity. Trains run from about 4:45 am to 11:30 pm, so very late arrivals need another option.
Magenta Line metro from Terminal 1
The Terminal 1-IGI Airport station is a 5 to 7 minute walk from Terminal 1 through a covered subway and runs roughly 5:30 am to 11:30 pm. It suits trips to South Delhi and Noida, though reaching central Delhi usually needs a change of line.
Taxi from Delhi airport
Prepaid and fixed-rate taxis are available around the clock outside arrivals at all three terminals. They are the simplest choice at night, but road traffic can make trips slow at peak hours.
Rideshare
Uber and Ola operate at every terminal, with the Terminal 3 pickup zone at Level 0 of the multi-level car park. Waits can stretch at busy times and pickup points take a short walk to find.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals area and drives you directly to your hotel in Delhi, Gurugram or Noida, or onward to Agra or Jaipur. It needs booking ahead.
DTC buses
Delhi Transport Corporation runs air-conditioned buses from the airport to points across the city. They are slower than the metro and less convenient with large bags.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Free inter-terminal shuttle
A free shuttle bus links Terminal 1 with Terminals 2 and 3, which are about 8 km apart by road, running roughly every 20 minutes.
- 2
Walk between T2 and T3
Terminals 2 and 3 stand next to each other, and the walk between them takes about 10 to 15 minutes; you go through security again at the new terminal.
- 3
Allow extra time
Transfers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 use roads shared with city traffic and can take about 30 minutes at busy times, so check your terminal by flight number before you travel.
- 4
Planned airside transfers
In 2026 the airport operator announced plans to move Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 transfers airside, subject to security approval, so ask your airline how your connection is handled.
Terminals
Terminal 1
A domestic-only terminal used by the low-cost airlines, including most IndiGo domestic flights, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express. It has its own Magenta Line metro station.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air India Express, Akasa Air, IndiGo, SpiceJet
Terminal 2
A domestic terminal that reopened in October 2025 after renovation. It handles IndiGo flights numbered in the 2000 series and Air India flights numbered in the 1000 series.
Terminal 3
The largest terminal, handling every international flight plus most Air India domestic flights and some IndiGo domestic flights. It connects to the Airport Express metro line.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aeroflot, Air Canada, Air France, Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, flydubai, IndiGo, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Virgin Atlantic
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Delhi airport from the city center?
Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 16 km from central Delhi and about 15 km southwest of New Delhi Railway Station. The Airport Express metro from Terminal 3 reaches New Delhi station in about 25 minutes, while the drive to Connaught Place can take 30 to 60 minutes or more depending on traffic, which is heaviest at morning and evening rush hours.
Is Delhi airport in Delhi or Gurugram?
Delhi airport is inside Delhi, in the Palam area in the southwest of the city, close to the border with Gurugram in Haryana. The Aerocity hotel district sits at the edge of the airport, and Gurugram's business districts are a short drive away, which makes the airport convenient for both Delhi and Gurugram.
How many terminals does Delhi airport have?
Delhi airport has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle domestic flights only, while Terminal 3 handles all international flights and many domestic flights. Terminals 2 and 3 stand side by side, but Terminal 1 is about 8 km away by road, so check your terminal by flight number before traveling to the airport.
Which terminal does my airline use at Delhi airport?
All international flights use Terminal 3, as do most Air India domestic flights. Terminal 2 handles IndiGo flights numbered in the 2000 series and Air India flights numbered in the 1000 series. Terminal 1 serves most IndiGo domestic flights plus SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express. The airport website has a search tool that finds the terminal by flight number.
How do I get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 at Delhi airport?
A free shuttle bus links Terminal 1 with Terminals 2 and 3, running roughly every 20 minutes. The terminals are about 8 km apart by road, and the trip can take around 30 minutes in traffic. Terminals 2 and 3 are next to each other and connected on foot, so allow plenty of time for any change between Terminal 1 and the others.
How do I get a taxi at Delhi airport?
Prepaid and fixed-rate taxis are available around the clock outside arrivals at all three terminals, with booking counters in the arrivals area. Use these official counters or a ride-hailing app rather than accepting offers from people approaching you inside the terminal. Traffic in Delhi can be heavy, so trips into the city take longer at rush hour.
Is there a metro from Delhi airport to the city?
Yes. The Airport Express (Orange) Line runs from its station at Terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station in about 25 minutes, stopping at Aerocity, from about 4:45 am to 11:30 pm. Terminal 1 has its own station on the Magenta Line, which links the airport with South Delhi and Noida, with changes to other lines for central Delhi.
Can I use Uber or Ola at Delhi airport?
Yes. Uber and Ola operate at all three terminals of Delhi airport. At Terminal 3, app-based cabs pick up at Level 0 of the multi-level car park, and at Terminals 1 and 2 the pickup zones are outside the arrivals area. Follow the signs after you leave the baggage hall, and allow some extra time at busy periods.
What entry forms do I need to fly into Delhi?
Foreign nationals and OCI cardholders must submit India's online e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before arrival, which replaced the paper disembarkation card in 2026. Most visitors also need a visa, and citizens of many countries can apply online for an e-Visa at least four days before travel. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at immigration.
How do I get from Delhi airport to Agra?
Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, is a long road trip southeast of Delhi, and most travelers go by car or take a train from a Delhi railway station. A private car or taxi from the airport avoids changing transport with luggage, while the train requires getting into the city first by metro or taxi.
How do I get from Delhi airport to Gurugram or Noida?
Gurugram is a short drive south of the airport and Noida lies to the east across the Yamuna River, and both are reached by taxi, app-based cab or private transfer. Noida is also on the metro network, with the Magenta Line from Terminal 1 running toward it. Road travel times depend heavily on traffic at peak hours.
What time zone and currency does Delhi use?
Delhi uses India Standard Time, UTC+5:30, all year with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Indian rupee (INR), and ATMs and exchange counters are in the arrivals areas. Summers are very hot, the monsoon brings rain from July to September, and winters are cool with frequent morning fog that can delay flights.
Who runs Delhi airport and how busy is it?
Delhi airport is run by Delhi International Airport Limited, a GMR-led consortium in partnership with the Airports Authority of India, which owns the airport. It handled more than 78 million passengers in 2025, making it the busiest airport in India and one of the busiest in the world, with four runways and three passenger terminals.