Flying to New Delhi: Everything You Need to Know About Its Airport

India's capital city, New Delhi, has Indira Gandhi International Airport, about 16 kilometres south of the city centre. It's one of the busiest airports in the country and ranks high globally for its world-class amenities. With three terminals (T1, T2, and T3), it caters to international and domestic travellers, providing a high-quality experience no matter the aircraft you board.️

Terminal 3 (T3):  International Flights

 T3 is the star of IGI, designed for international flights, and it's a beauty! Aside from lounging, plenty of shops and dining places exist in the modern, airy, sleek terminal. T3 will be your first stop when you come from another country. As soon as you are in, you will go through a very smooth immigration and baggage claim procedure. Don't worry about waiting – everything is prepared for an easy arrival.

Terminal 2 (T2) - Domestic Flights

If you travel domestically in India, you will generally land at T2. Although smaller than T3, this terminal is still very efficient and offers many choices, as there are plenty of restaurants, currency exchange counters, and lounges. You will get all the necessary things to help you relax and prepare for your next adventure in New Delhi.

Terminal 1 (T1) - Budget Airlines

T1 is the main terminal where you can find many budget flights, such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. It's compact, with all the basics you need, and highly accessible for passengers. However, T1 still does not have the exact size of other terminals, yet it is direct and functional – it's perfect for money-conscious people.

Before we start, let us look more in-depth at what makes IGI one of India's best airports.

Wi-Fi: Do you need Wi-Fi to check your email or message your friends while you're at the airport? At IGI, you can connect to the internet entirely for free. All you need to do is register and use the service.

Lounges: Do you like quiet places to rest before your trip? IGI has several lounges; for example, the Plaza Premium Lounge is a calm space, and the Air India Maharaja Lounge is one of the popular lounges. The lounges have comforts like food, sofas, and chargers to charge your devices.

Shops & Duty-Free: Want to explore shops at the airport during your stopover time? You will feel in heaven at the airport of IGI, where there are different shops with various items and other brands of duty-free retailers. They have everything from expensive bags to Indian handicrafts.

Restaurants & Cafes: Numerous eateries in IGI offer an array of international meals, Indian traditional foods, and fast foods. Some items on the list include a cup of kahawa (coffee) or a hearty meal; the variety is broad.

Medical Facilities: IGI provides medical services in case of health-related issues; first aid stations and medical emergency kits are the two primary services you can find.

Spa and Wellness: With IGI's wellness facilities, you can relax by having massages and facials. Before your flight, you can have some time here and release your stress. 

From the airport to the city centre, there are transportation modes, such as bus or metro,  that you can take to reach New Delhi easily. You have many options: by taxi, metro, or personal car.

Delhi Metro: The fastest and cheapest option to the city is the Delhi Metro.  The Airport Express runs Downslope from IGI Airport to New Delhi Railway Station, among other destinations, in 20 minutes or less. This is a super way of travelling for those on a budget who want to avoid traffic.

Taxi or Ride-Hailing Services: Taxi or minibuses on demand, like Uber and Ola, are always ready to cater to the needs of many passengers.  All you have to do is go to the correct place as directed by signs, and you can hurry up to where you need to be.

Airport Shuttle: IGI also operates shuttle services to different parts of New Delhi. These are useful, especially if you are about to head off to specific hotels or business districts.
Private Car: Extra comfort can be found in hiring a private car through your hotel or the airport's services.

At IGI, security checks and immigration checks are both profound and well-organized, which also makes them fast. This is what you should be prepared for:

Check-in: The airport opens 3 hours before the international flight and 2 hours before the domestic flight. Counter check-ins and staff will be there to assist you through the process.

Security Screening: You must ensure your carry-on bags adhere to the airport's size and liquid regulations. Always keep your passport and boarding tickets with you for easy accessibility.
Immigration: Typically, if you are an international passenger, do not be surprised if the immigration process takes a little longer, but do not fret – the airport personnel are capable of dealing with heavy traffic. Get ready to show your passport and visa to the officer. In the case of biometric checks, do not be flustered, as the process is relatively quick.

Weather: New Delhi is one of India's hottest cities, so one should try to dress lightly. On the other hand, winter is another time when you need some warmth that is why it is highly recommended to wear a jacket while visiting Delhi.

Time Zone: New Delhi is located on the Indian subcontinent, five hours and thirty minutes earlier than the Greenwich Mean Time.

Currency: Do not forget to inform your bank that you will travel with your card so they do not deactivate it. You can also withdraw money from the different ATMs you will find at the airport if you want to pay with Indian rupees.

SIM Cards: The most frequent kiosks near the airport sell local SIM cards in batches of rupees fifty and three. A local SIM card is also brilliant if you need it for data or want to avoid skyrocketing roaming fees.

Lost & Found: You must chill until some good soul brings it to the counter. Moreover, the airport provides a lost and found service, where you can confirm and follow your left-behind items.

ATMs and Currency Exchange: On the other hand, there is an international airport, and you can exchange the currency that you require at many currency exchange points, which are placed near the terminal, so you don't have to make any effort or concern about the time of arrival of the funds. 

Traveling to New Delhi is the most fascinating experience a person can have. IGI Airport has all the facilities for a smooth and entertaining journey. Whether a business trip or vacation trip, you can be sure of being pampered in this one of the busiest centres among the global airports. Here, everything is done efficiently, from check-ins to food to transportation, and it will leave you with a perfect start in New Delhi. Once you have everything arranged, it is time to fill your backpacks, take your passport, embark on the splendour of the capital of India and visit the best places in New Delhi.