---
iata: DEL
name: Indira Gandhi International Airport
city: New Delhi
country: India
lastUpdated: '2026-08-26'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.newdelhiairport.in/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.newdelhiairport.in/'
  - 'https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/india/indira-gandhi-international'
  - 'https://www.newdelhiairport.in/to-and-from-airport/metro/'
  - 'https://www.delhimetrorail.com/'
  - >-
    https://www.gmrgroup.in/media/delhi-airport%E2%80%99s-future-ready-terminal-2-set-to-reopen-on-october-26.aspx
quickFacts:
  - >-
    Three passenger terminals: T1 and T2 domestic; T3 international plus
    selected domestic (T2 reopened 26 Oct 2025)
  - >-
    IndiGo and Air India dominate operations (Vistara merged into Air India in
    Nov 2024)
  - >-
    Airport Express (Orange Line) at T3—token fares typically ₹11–75 by station;
    T3–New Delhi ₹64, ~20–25 min. Magenta Line serves T1
  - Multiple 24/7 Encalm Priority Pass lounges across terminals
  - Winter fog Dec-Jan frequently delays departures 30-90+ min
  - DigiYatra facial recognition speeds domestic entry
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 3h intl / 2h domestic
    detail: >-
      Fog season (Dec-Jan) or monsoon can push waits higher; check DigiYatra app
      for real-time.
    summary: Peak morning and evening rushes add 20-40 min to security.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Confirm T1 vs T2 vs T3
    detail: >-
      No airside walk between T1 and T2/T3—use the free inter-terminal bus and
      allow 45-60 min if connecting via T1.
    summary: >-
      All international stays in T3; T2 is near T3 (Orange Line). Magenta Line
      serves T1 only.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Eat before security in T3
    detail: grab street-food style meals pre-security or use lounge access.
    summary: Airside options are limited and pricey; landside has better variety.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: Check fog alerts Nov-Feb
    detail: >-
      DGCA data shows IndiGo ~80-85% OTP overall; build buffer for morning
      flights.
    summary: Delhi departures drop 8-12 OTP points in peak winter fog weeks.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: Encalm Lounge
    hours: '00:00-23:59'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - 'Day pass ~₹2,500-5,500'
    bestFor:
      - Long layovers
      - Work
    summary: >-
      Primary 24/7 Priority Pass network at DEL (multiple T1/T2/T3 locations);
      food is standard lounge fare and rooms fill at evening peaks.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 3
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Wi-Fi
      - Food
      - Quiet zones
  - name: Encalm Privé
    hours: Varies
    access:
      - Paid upgrade / eligible cards
      - Some airline access
    bestFor:
      - Quiet work
      - Showers
    summary: >-
      Calmer paid Encalm tier in T3 international when the main rooms are
      crowded.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 3
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Quieter seating
      - Food
  - name: Maharaja Lounge
    hours: Varies with Air India flights
    access:
      - Air India premium cabin
      - Star Alliance eligible
    bestFor:
      - Air India / Star Alliance
    summary: >-
      Air India's flagship T3 international lounge for eligible premium and
      alliance guests.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 3
    amenities:
      - Premium food
      - Wi-Fi
      - Quiet zones
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Airport convenience stores
    zone: landside
    price: ₹30-50 for 500ml
    summary: Cheapest bottled water before security; airside prices double.
    location: Landside departures hall near check-in counters
    terminal: Terminal 3
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountains
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Reliable free refill spots post-security; bring your own bottle.
    location: 'Near gates in departures, opposite major lounges'
    terminal: Terminal 3
  - kind: free
    name: Lounge water stations
    zone: airside
    price: Free with access
    summary: Best quality filtered water if you have lounge access; unlimited.
    location: Inside Encalm lounges
    terminal: Terminal 3
    isBestQuality: true
airportistScore: 7.2
slug: del
region: Asia-Pacific
---
> Markdown for [/airports/del](/airports/del). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/del)
- [Lounge directory](/airports/del/lounges.md)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
New Delhi, India · Asia-Pacific
Solid hub with improving facilities but hampered by fog delays and terminal split logistics.
## Airportist Score

**7.2 / 10**
- Comfort: 7.0
- Navigation: 6.5
- Food: 7.0
- Transport: 8.0
- Disruption resilience: 6.5

## At a glance

- Passengers: 72M
- Terminals: 3 active (T1 domestic, T3 intl/domestic)
- Typical security: 25 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Metro connectivity
- 24/7 lounge options
- DigiYatra efficiency

## Watch out for

- Winter fog delays
- T1↔T2/T3 landside transfers
- Confirm T1 vs T2 vs T3 on boarding pass
- Peak-hour crowds

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/del/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/del/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/del/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/del/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/del/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/del/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/del/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/del/reviews.md)