One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
IXC7.4+0.4
DED7.0
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
IXC6.7+0.3
DED6.4
Food & retail
Best for
IXC
Chandigarh / Mohali / Panchkula trips that want the local CHIAL airport instead of a Delhi connectionPriority Pass / LoungeKey holders who can use Primus Domestic (04:00–23:00) or Primus InternationalDomestic DigiYatra users who value a straightforward Jhiurheri–Sector 17 road transfer
Watch out for
IXC
No terminal metro or rail — Chandigarh railway station / ISBT are separate road transfersSingle 11/29 runway on an IAF-shared campus — winter fog without CAT III still cancels banksDragonPass international Primus is 12:00–18:00 only — late Gulf banks need PP/LoungeKey
Amenities and tips
IXC
Primus Lounge Domestic (PP / LK / DP)Primus Lounge International (PP / LK / DP)Integrated domestic + international terminalRadio taxi / app cabs / CTU ₹100 shuttle
IXC · CHIAL-run Mohali gateway — one 2015 integrated terminal on a dual-use IAF airfield, DigiYatra on domestic flows, a short road hop into the Chandigarh Capital Region, and two live Primus soft rooms — still a single 3,170 × 45 m strip where winter fog, CAT I on runway 11, and CAT II lighting (not CAT III) on 29 punish thin plans. DragonPass on the international Primus is 12:00–18:00 only.
DED · Uttarakhand foothills gateway with clear **IndiGo / Air India / Alliance Air** (plus thinner SpiceJet / others) Dom banks plus Priority Pass **Carnations Lounge** (Dom airside mezzanine near Gate 3, 05:00–22:00, max 2h) — practical pin for Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
IXC5.8
DED5.8
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
IXC6.8+0.4
DED6.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
IXC5.7
DED6.6+0.9
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
IXC6.8+0.2
DED6.6
DED
Priority Pass holders on Domestic banks near Gate 3Rishikesh / Haridwar / Dehradun leisure and pilgrimage itinerariesIndiGo and Air India metro connectors
IXC ≠ ATQ ≠ DEL — wrong north-India IATA is a multi-hour road day
DED
Carnations max stay 2h; standard/premium alcohol extra payment on PP stripGround times to Dehradun / hills are traffic-dependentWeather / valley fog can disrupt foothill opsNo published MCT
DigiYatra domestic entry
CHIAL RO + landside sealed water
DigiYatra helps domestic — fog and one IAF strip still need real buffers
DigiYatra and two Primus rooms help; CAT II on 29 is not CAT III, and winter fog still cancels banks.
One integrated shell — still read domestic vs international signs
One building today; sector signs and the matching Primus pin still matter.
Primus if entitled — otherwise landside water before CISF; CHIAL lists RO
Two PP Primus soft rooms; landside bottles and CHIAL-listed RO beat airside pricing.
DED
PP Carnations LoungeIndiGo + AI Dom banksRishikesh / Haridwar gateway
Carnations 05:00–22:00 · max 2h
Priority Pass lists Carnations Lounge daily 05:00–22:00 with a 2-hour max stay.
Dom airside mezzanine near Gate 3
After security (and passport control per PP strip), mezzanine Floor near Gate 3.
Cold buffet complimentary on PP
PP lists complimentary cold buffet; standard and premium alcohol extra payment.
