Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport lies approximately 16 kilometres southwest of central New Delhi, in the National Capital Territory of India. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the busiest airport in South Asia. Originally developed from the older Palam Airport, which dates to the 1930s, the facility was renamed in 1986 and has since undergone extensive modernisation.
Overview
Indira Gandhi International Airport lies approximately 16 kilometres southwest of central New Delhi, in the National Capital Territory of India. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the busiest airport in South Asia. Originally developed from the older Palam Airport, which dates to the 1930s, the facility was renamed in 1986 and has since undergone extensive modernisation.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
Air India is the principal hub carrier, using Indira Gandhi International as its main base. IndiGo and SpiceJet operate significant domestic and international networks from here. A wide range of international carriers serve the airport, including Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Air France, connecting Delhi to major global destinations.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles select domestic low-cost services, while the older Terminal 2 sees limited use. Terminal 3, opened in 2010, is a large integrated facility serving both international and major domestic flights. Three runways allow simultaneous operations, enabling the airport to function 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ongoing capacity expansion works continue across the airfield.
Connections through DEL need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Indira Gandhi International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare DEL against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Srinagar, Guwahati. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Indira Gandhi International Airport without guesswork
Plan DEL around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Delhi to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at DEL. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles select domestic low-cost services, while the older Terminal 2 sees limited use. Terminal 3, opened in 2010, is a large integrated facility serving both i
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for DEL
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for DEL.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at DEL. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles select domestic low-cost services, while the older Terminal 2 sees limited use. Terminal 3, opened in 2010, is a large integrated facility serving both i
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Indira Gandhi International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from DEL
Compare the carriers connected with DEL, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from DEL
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at DEL
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersIndira Gandhi International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at DEL.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Delhi can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Indira Gandhi International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at DEL depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around DEL can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in India
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in India.
FAQ
Indira Gandhi International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Indira Gandhi International Airport is located in Delhi, India (Asia), at coordinates 28.560°, 77.100°.
- Its IATA code is DEL and its ICAO code is VIDP.
- Indira Gandhi International Airport serves Delhi, India. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Indira Gandhi International Airport operates on Asia/Kolkata local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Indira Gandhi International Airport sits at latitude 28.560° and longitude 77.100°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from DEL include IndiGo, Air India, Guyane Express Fly, JetLite and SpiceJet.
- Tracked destinations from DEL include Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Srinagar, Guwahati, Kolkata and Jammu.
- Its address is New Delhi, Delhi, 110037, India, the phone number is +91 124 337 6000, the official website is http://www.newdelhiairport.in/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in India. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.