The insider's guide, from travelers who've actually been through.
For international travelers, Terminal 3 is where everything happens at DEL. It is large, modern, and has the better lounges and food. Terminals 1 and 2 handle domestic traffic in a separate building. The Airport Metro Express (Orange Line) is the fast route into central Delhi: 20 minutes non-stop from T3 to New Delhi Railway Station, 60 rupees, runs from 5:20am to about 11:30pm. Outside those hours or for destinations the metro does not serve directly, pre-paid taxis from the arrivals counter are the reliable option at roughly 450 to 600 rupees into central Delhi.
| Terminal | Lounge | Access | Showers | Good for | Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T3 | Plaza Premium/Encalm/airline lounges | PP/Dragon/Paid/airline | Some | Buffet, showers | About $25-50 USD |
| T1/T2 | Basic PP/contract lounges | PP/Dragon/Paid | Limited | Snacks/drinks | About $20-40 USD |
Immigration at T3 can be slow, particularly during peak evening arrivals. Foreign nationals on an e-Visa should have their approval saved and accessible. Luggage storage is available near the T3 arrivals area. Free WiFi in T3 requires an OTP sent to an Indian mobile number; arriving with an eSIM already active bypasses this. As of early 2026, e-Visa is available for most nationalities, but requirements change; verify before traveling.
