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You need time and patience on this airport, plan a lot of time to make your change here. Very important, even if you are checked in online, you need to get in a line for your boarding pass, because your airline is not allowed to let you print out your document. I was told, the check-in closes 2 hours before departure, I don't know, I arrived 2,5 hours before. When your hand luggage has been screened, you get a stamp on your luggage/hand luggage/airline sticker with the date. This stamp will checked before you get on the plane. If you do not have this, you are in trouble. So, after security you should check your sticker/leaf for the stamp. And you need to get in the line many times. Without air ticket you are not allowed to enter the terminal. For the whole building there are 4 old, blind men to check this documents. Imagine how fast this is. Then check is line, immigration line, security line, enter the waiting room designated for your flight, than one more old soldier who checks the stamps. I was lucky, I did not find any crowd at any time. Every line took me about 3-4 minutes, there were only a few international flight out that time (8 am). The terminal is huge, to get to your flight, you need to walk 2 miles. Many restaurants, shops, long distances. I found all clean, the soldiers were not smiley but friendly.

I have travelled through IGI more times than I can count. Many people complain about the tight security but I feel it is required. The food is relatively expensive. I am not giving a good review just because I am Indian. Generally I am the first person to criticise things in India.

We were on transit at Delhi airport for 7.5 hours while flying from Kathmandu to Narita. The whole setup is flawed and we were stuck there for more then 2 hours to get a boarding pass. Again - it happened at 6 pm and we waited until 8 pm to get the boarding passes. After getting the pass, we went to security check. The guard/police sent us back to the desks to get something called Delhi Transfer (DT) written on our boarding pass. When we returned to the desk, the lady wrote down DT using a pen. What a farce! Try to avoid Delhi if possible. There is no service and there were half-a-dozen people doing the job or one or two max.

Have travelled a few times through T3 and every time the experience has been quite good and hassle-free. This time arrived at 5.30 am from Helsinki and connected to an Air India domestic at 9 am. Bags were out quickly and immigration was a breeze, then quickly upstairs to Air India departures with a security check on the way upstairs - we were at the Air India counter by 6.30 am and had plenty of time until AI departure that was on time. The same story on the way back to Helsinki: easy and hassle-free. Maybe this is due to the fact that Finnair lands in Delhi in the morning instead of midnight and takes off at 10.45 am when there is not that much international traffic at T3. Moreover, there are some pleasant eateries and cafes there plus great views to the runways to do some plane spotting. Cannot understand some very negative feedback from fellow travellers about Delhi Int'l Airport. Sure, Delhi cannot compete with Hong Kong, Singapore Changi, KLIA or Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, but it's still modern, bright, rather functional and clean. Security is tight but when you know this beforehand, you shouldn't encounter any major problems at Delhi Int'l Airport.

Visited this airport only once and I have to say by far the worst experience ever. Seats broken, limited facilities, very tight security (especially for us Pakistanis) and a very dirty airport. Stopped there for 3 hours and couldn't bear a minute within the airport at all.

We arrived here on a Virgin flight and generally the airport experience was ok. It took about 35 minutes to get through immigration but the queue was constantly moving albeit slowly. There were plenty of free baggage carts available and clean free toilets although in both cases, it did not stop an airport employee trying to get a tip because we wanted to use the free service. Our bags were on the belt when we got through immigration and leaving the airport was easy. We then flew internal from T3 and it was surprisingly easy and orderly. Very short queues, pleasant staff and seats in the waiting area for our delayed flight. The drive from central Delhi to the airport took about 30 minutes but the roads were relatively jam free for Delhi on a mid Monday morning. Arriving back a few days later at the Domestic Terminal, we were quickly bussed to the terminal, our luggage arrived within minutes (it was a full jet so we were prepared for a long wait) and we were quickly out of the terminal past the numerous food stalls outside. Departing from T3 a couple of days later to London was a struggle. Check-in was fast but the queue for immigration took 30 minutes and that for security took nearly an hour – the problem being not enough staff on duty for all of the scanners (and this was at a peak departure time). From arriving at the airport to getting to the gate to 2 ¼ hours. Once airside, it was calm and peaceful and we took off on schedule.

Signage is a bit of a problem at Delhi Airport T3. Also the flight information display at the Departure level does not show Arrivals and vice versa. The Radisson Hotel in Mahipalpur where those transiting through Delhi often rest and relax has no flight info displays. Same with the low cost airline terminal. However the Airport is big and spacious, and the roads leading to the airport wide and traffic free. A far cry from the former T2.

I've been twice in the last 3 months, and it is 2 times too many. I avoid coming to India as much as possible just because of the experience at the airport coming back. The security staff think that the airport is a prison and not a service. The first time I assumed since my airline allowed me to have my boarding pass on my phone/email that I could print it out at the check in or service counters. This is a big mistake as some people have already said. Armed guards will not allow you into the airport without this piece of paper. You can print in an office next to the airport if you have cash. Second time I learned that even with a printed boarding pass it is not enough. If you have no luggage (just hand luggage) you still need to queue for another boarding pass. Both situations could have been avoided by clear communication at time of checking in or at the airport. Leave plenty of time for queuing. You will queue to get into the airport, to get your boarding pass, to get through passport check, to get through security military-style, to get through security airline-style, oh and there is one final check at the gate of the plane. On Friday I saw somebody refused past that check because there laptop bag had a security tag, but no security stamp. I'm not opposed to queuing, but the hostility is incredible, and the process is slow. I have a lasting memory of seeing 3 booths out of 10 occupied with long queues. One of these, the guy was having a nap with his legs on the desk. Somehow if you believe the hype, this airport has a great rating. I think it's a horrible experience.

I have travelled through T3 thrice and luckily each experience had been great. The airport is huge, swanky, and gives an impression of modern India, a truly world class airport. The only thing I regret is the security staff, wish they get versed in English language and learn how to be chivalrous and genteel with the passengers. Rest, it's an overall great experience with nice shops, eateries, prayer area and other facilities. The airport was a huge surprise. Impressive gateway to Delhi!

Very good experience overall, reading some of the people's review regarding security too tight? I rather be safe than sorry. Food was great and prices were reasonable. Some people complaining about prices, compare them to Frankfurt or London! We were out in less then hour incl our duty free shopping. Best prices on duty free!

I have been through Delhi airport International and Domestic departure and arrival recently. I am impressed with the facilities, better than I expected. At international arrival hall, staff are helping people to get luggage, I was impressed with their professionalism and helpful attitude. Domestic arrival hall is bit different, no staff helping people with luggage, still very smooth process. Both international and domestic departure process are similar with other international airports. Here are the downsides. Security is very very tight at Delhi airport. I can understand the reason why but surely these security staff could be more professional and friendly. They are just simply rude! Wifi is only for Indian mobile phone holders, they could at least learn from Chinese airport to get temp password if you present your passport. All food and other products are pretty expensive for Indian standard. End of the day it is the people make you feel good not a big departure hall!

While coming from Canada to India, I faced three major issues. 1 Being an international airport, they expect you to have a mobile connection for wifi access. How do they expect an international traveller to have a mobile connection. Having visited 5-6 international airport around the world I have never seen such restriction. 2 A long queue at immigration, always see officers busy chatting with each other. 3 The food is extremely expensive. They should keep the price in accordance with Indian price range. 4 Cleanliness etc. are good, but above shortcomings were big enough to make me ignore them.

I transited Delhi on 19th October and 11th November en route to and from Kathmandu. I can only say that I was most impressed. The airport is clean and well laid out and the staff are polite and courteous. On my return journey I availed myself of the executive lounge where I was able to enjoy a refreshing shower followed by a satisfying meal.

In short Delhi airport has been a short and a sweet experience for me in comparison to other airports around the world that look more like a shopping complex than an airport. In my experience it took me less than 30 mins to get out of the airport, not a single queue until luggage collection point. I like departures, security at the airport gates do not allow any unnecessary people to enter the airport except travellers. Staff helpful and friendly. At check-in they provide help with your luggage. Before you go for immigration there are at three points where you are told about immigration forms. A short and a nice collection of duty free, with food court.

Transited Varanasi-Delhi-London. On arrival at the domestic terminal there are no signs to the international terminal. You have to follow a worn line on the floor to a wooden desk outside the terminal, where an airport employee (not wearing a uniform or an ID) inspects your onward ticket and writes you a chit. You then take the chit and walk to an unmarked bus stop (beside a bridge in the open air), where a shuttle bus takes you to the international terminal. The shuttle bus has its quota of scam artists who try to "help" you with your luggage and then demand a tip. On arrival at the international terminal you have to show your ticket to the Indian army personnel just to get inside (we had to try to get in three times, as the soldiers at the first two gates had apparently never seen BA tickets before). You must also go through another five security checks, as well as running the gauntlet of Indian immigration. By a long shot the worst airport I've ever had to transit though.

Terminal 3. Facilities are okay and washrooms are constantly cleaned. Food court is okay, the food court in domestic departures has more choice than the food court in international departures which is strange. My main negative point is the attitude of the security and immigration staff. They treat you as a 'thing' and don't speak a word to you. Seems like they don't know the basic words like 'hello', 'please', 'thank you'. If I were airport management I would give them some training sessions communication and people skills!

Very impressed with this airport having used it twice in the last 2 weeks. Roads leading up to it clean and free of traffic, check in process for both domestic and international flights well demarcated and easy with few lines. Security took about 5 minutes. Each time security staff said thank you and have a safe flight which I thought was nice. Shops were great and the staff helpful. Airport has lots of eateries from all over the worlds with reasonable prices. Found the lounges to be very nice. It is very large with lots of walking but it is clean and there is a boarding gate for every flight- certainly better than any US airport and most European ones.

Have been in and out of DEL several times in recent past. Queues at immigration always lesser than airports outside India. Washrooms always clean although are used by security staff and other staff as well. Eating choices good and affordable considering that airports in general are expensive world over. Ample space and no sensation/risk of bumping into people unlike several major airports in the world.

It did not matter to me how big or new Indira Ghandi Airport was to me, I was not impressed at all. The airport was a major disappointment to anyone using it. The attitude of the workers at the airport is horrible. Check-in workers will just throw your bags on to the belt in front of you. Immigration lines are ridiculous. Locals and foreigners are queuing up together. Locals were mostly cutting through the line and making the line so confusing and packed up that it did not look like a line. No one was there to control the line and immigration workers refused to do anything about it. There was just no system to it. I was glad to leave the airport.

The Transfer area is horrible with no food stalls and no money exchanges. There must be around 50 chairs and when there is more than 1 flight people wait there for 5-6 hrs standing to get to the transit area. There is no customer service. I travelled with my mother from USA and after taking a 17 hrs flight we had a horrible experience. The employees treat you as though they are doing a favour by giving you the ongoing boarding pass or answering any questions.

I frequently use Delhi airport and its terminals 1D and 3 are quite modern compared to old 1A, 1B and 2. Security check procedure is still old-school, but its much better managed now than before. Terminal 3 is quite long and maybe it could have been better designed to reduce walking time to gates. Further it feels more closed than open, and maybe they could improve on natural lighting. Terminal 1D is quite fantastic, given everything is fast-track, but it lacks facilities as compared to even Terminal 3. In both the terminals they need to improve on maintenance.

I expected a lot from this airport. It looks more of an airport built within a shopping mall. The immigration- and-security check area combined is half of the entire commercial and food area. It took me 65 minutes to get through immigration and security check, due to the long queues. I think IGI and GMR lost out on prioritizing the facilities. People don't visit airports for fun and shopping, they travel through them, and the top priority should be passenger convenience, which is in no way top notch.

Travelled to terminal 3, compared to terminal 2 this is brilliant. Large concourse for being dropped off in and entry to the airport was fine - didn't have to queue, and security staff was quite pleasant. Check-in was fine, no real issues. Had to deposit 3 of our 4 bags in the oversize bags area which were taken by a 'porter'. Immigration is normally an ordeal but in this case no problems at all! The final security check was great, the guy doing the pat downs greeting us with a smile and we were done. Wide range of food in the food court and competitively priced duty free items. The reason I suppose is the airport wasn't as busy as it could be and perhaps that accounted for the pleasantness of staff?

There were mosquitoes everywhere, I can only imagine how bad it gets during the rainy season. The restrooms were a bit better than some other Indian airports or in India in general but they still smelled and each bathroom could use a dedicated janitor. At immigration two of the guys were busy talking when one of the other immigration officials asked me to go up to them. I did and I was yelled at! The places to eat looked dirty. If given the choice again I would stay away from this place.

I flew to Delhi and then an internal transfer to Amritsar. Rude staff, long delays at security and very rude security staff, zero customer service. No point having wonderful facilities if the whole process takes so long that you have no time to sit down at the airport! Very stressful. Same story on the way back.

Very modern airport, very efficient with short queues. Great food court at departures. But the BA lounge service was the worst I have encountered. Subcontracted, over-crowded, poor refreshments and no privacy. There was much more room to "stretch out" in the public food court area.

Based on a recent flight from Kathmandu to Sudan via Delhi (return via Mumbai). It's probably fine if you have boarding cards right through, but if not, then forget it. We were sat for over 5 hours in a transit area in Delhi, with nothing but vending machines which only accept Indian rupees (and nowhere to change money). By the time we got through another 40 minutes in security, there was barely enough time to get anything to eat. Same story in Mumbai on return, except that the transit area was alive with mosquito's and we just about made it to our plane with a 3 hour transit time. I can't really rate terminal facilities as we barely had a chance to see the departure area.

Visited the airport twice in Feb 2012. If you are transferring from Dehli to any other airport in India - don't. We had a 2 hour wait in Delhi Terminal 3, which was taken up by rushing from corner of the airport to the other. There were security checks, baggage which had to be checked in again, more security checks and long queues and disinterested and unhelpful staff. We managed to board our connecting flight just in time. On the way back from Amritsar to Dehli to London Heathrow. Same story, long queues, followed by security checks and more checks. For all the new facilities and modern airport, Dehli knows nothing about customer service and providing a good experience.

This Airport is extremely regimental. Six Security checks! Security check to get in to Departures, At the desk, Immigration, Border control, at the gate and before entering the plane. X-ray staff had a chat whilst ignoring my rucksack that was sitting making me wait. No signage. Duty free staff are disinterested and was greeted with a sour serious face of have a nice flight.

I visited India after about two years and used the new T-3 terminal for the first time. I have to say I was impressed with the facility. But obviously because of its size, one has to walk a lot although there are moving walkways. I just wish they had chosen a different color carpet, it seems so tacky and old fashioned. Most importantly, the queues seemed shorter and staff more helpful. The food a bit overpriced. What remains to be seen is that how long can they maintain the high standards.

Visited Delhi after 3 years and noted a lot of improvements. Clean passageways, a bit of a long walk to arrival area perhaps because of its size, clean toilets with staff to help, immigration and customs was a breeze without any problems. After disembarking I was out of the main gate in just 25 mins. There is room for more cleanliness and maintenance, otherwise in a few years it will be just the same as before.

From LHR by Air India. Queues longer than expected. A lot of the airport staff were rude, I guess it really is luck what kind of person you get at the kiosks. Airport was clean and there was a good range of duty free shops at reasonable prices. There were plenty of signs making it impossible to get lost. Check-in and baggage claim were easy but immigration took ages. Toilets were nice. Lots of screens updating you on your flight at all times. Overall, Terminal 3 was so much better than Terminal 4 at Heathrow.

I have experience of Domestic Terminal 1D. The design was good and we never felt it was the clichéd substandard Indian Airport. The baggage was at the belt within 5 minutes of arrival. The help desk was large and other signage pretty clear. On the city side there are good food and beverage outlets within and in the area outside the terminal. Access to ATM's and Taxi booths were good. However a better signage and guidance system ought to be put in place to avoid confusion to Non Locals. Most Important it was wheelchair friendly. The placement of baggage belts were too close for my comfort. The use of LCD screens could be better with more efficient information. Wifi was weak wen I visited.

I used the airport to transit from international to domestic. The queues on international arrivals are not long and check out was quick but luggage collection took bit longer. On return trip the international airport had big immigration queues. If passengers want to do shopping then check in at least 5 hrs before departure time as it takes longer to get all the formalities done and gates are at very far distance from immigration. The airport is full of all sorts of shops but no point if you are checking in just 3 hours before the flight time. There is no sign of small transportation vehicles to take the able bodied passengers to gates. The passengers were just rushing to their gates in order to catch their flights after security check. The seating area near the gate are clean and coffee shops are around each gate. The toilets were clean in line with international standards. The ground staff of airport is more helpful than the other airports and to my surprise no money was demanded from travellers as we needed the wheelchair at last minute.

Delhi-Singapore-Delhi this week and discovered that Terminal 3 was very impressive - equipped with all modern facilities - clean, good ceiling height and friendly immigration staff. But there are areas where it can improve - properly trained and professional staff. Let us not have CISF people - most of them are rude. It will be good to have a force specially trained for Airport security - who can be friendly and strict at the same time. There are many good shops - mostly international brands. The toilets were clean - but could be cleaner.

Dubai-Delhi-Dubai. Arrival in to Delhi at Terminal 3 was a pleasant surprise, it was clean and spacious and looked quite modern. It took 10 mins to reach immigration and I went to get my visa on arrival at the desk which was deserted. It took two approaches to the immigration officials to get someone to come to the desk and process my request, and took a further hour for me to obtain my visa. It took approximately 1.5 hrs to finally reach the exit, which could have been faster had the visa arrival desk been manned. Beyond this, everything else was very good. Return from Delhi to Dubai travelling with an elderly passenger. I had made arrangements with airline for a wheelchair, I would recommend avoiding the paid porter service unless it is required. The steward who accompanied us with the wheelchair was helpful and stayed with us right till boarding. Overall it was a pleasant experience and I was impressed with Terminal 3.

Facilities in Departure Lounges - both domestic and international - excellent but the system of making transit pax sit in the "visitors lounge" until the security guard chooses to allow you through to check-in might mean you don't have a lot of time to appreciate them. The Visitors Lounges themselves are awful - they don't even have toilets. I was stuck in one for over 12 hrs and was not impressed.

Initial impressions are good. Indira Ghandi International Airport is a modern world class airport. However it is let down by the security. There are checks to get into the airport, checks to get to check-in, checks to get to passport control and the massive queues at passport control and through security. Whilst most modern airports and airlines suggest check-in 3 hrs before an international flight you need closer to 5 if you want to shop or use a lounge. It is ludicrous!

Very loud. Most of the announcements are unnecessary and irritating. Apart from that why do they have to announce the 'departure' and the 'arrivals' of all flights? How does that information help any passengers waiting for the flights. It functions with minimum announcements all over they world, so why not at DEL?

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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