Delhi Airport (DEL) and how to get to the city
Delhi Airport, also searched for as New Delhi airport, is Indira Gandhi International Airport with the code DEL. If you are wondering how to get to Delhi from the airport, you have three practical choices: a prepaid taxi or app ride, the Airport Express metro line, or a pre-booked private transfer. All three are described below, together with the terminals and the entry visa.
No fixed taxi prices are published for city rides, so do not rely on a figure you read on a blog. Fares depend on route and traffic, and tolls or extra taxes may be added. Agree how you will pay before you get in the car.
Once you are in the city, the where to stay in Delhi page explains the main areas, and the Delhi metro page covers fares and stations for sightseeing.
Taxi and transfer from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
The airport operator lists prepaid taxis and app-based rides at all terminals, around the clock. Uber and Ola are named as app options. At Terminal 3 the pickup point is in the car park on level 0, while at Terminals 1 and 2 it is outside the arrivals area. Look for the signs and follow them rather than the people who approach you in the hall.
Be careful with touts. Official travel advice warns of people at airports and stations who steer you to overpriced rooms, detours or unwanted tours. Walk to the official counters or use your app, and keep your hotel booking as it is if a stranger claims it has closed.
If you want a driver waiting after a long flight, a pre-booked transfer is the simplest way to start. The private Golden Triangle tour from Delhi offers airport pickup as part of its start, and the options for hotel nights are explained on the Golden Triangle tours page.
Reserve your transfer from Delhi Airport (DEL) to Delhi in advance on Kiwitaxi.
Airport Express metro
The Airport Express serves Terminals 2 and 3, while Terminal 1 is connected by the Magenta Line. This tells you which line to take, not that a station sits at every terminal door, so allow time for the walk inside the airport.
According to an independent metro guide checked in October 2026, a one-way ride from New Delhi station to the airport at Terminal 3 costs 64 INR and takes about 16 minutes on the train itself, with Aerocity at 54 INR. Treat this as a guide and confirm the fare at the ticket machine. Waiting and walking at the stations come on top. The Delhi metro page explains the full fare system.
Our pick: Golden Triangle tour
Our take: This three-day tour offers pickup from the airport, so you can start the route straight after landing.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Delhi tours with airport pickup
Private Golden Triangle tours from Delhi with hotel or airport pickup, plus other Delhi tours. Hotel nights are added only with the hotel option.
Terminals T1, T2 and T3
The airport operator lists Terminals 1 and 2 for domestic flights and Terminal 3 for international and domestic flights. Which terminal you use depends on your flight, so check your ticket and the airline's message before you leave. Do not rely on an older guidebook that assigns an airline to a terminal permanently.
Pickup arrangements differ by terminal. At Terminal 3 you head to level 0 of the car park, and at the other terminals you leave the arrivals area. Tell your driver the terminal number in advance so you meet quickly.
eVisa and entry
India handles the tourist eVisa fully online. Apply only through the official eVisa portal of the Indian government, and be wary of copycat sites that charge extra. A consulate has warned about lookalike visa pages.
The ministry has described a basic rule for the eTourist visa of 30 days with two entries: a fee of 25 USD, and 10 USD in the low season from April to June. This is a basic rule, not a final price for every nationality, as reciprocity and exceptions can apply. Check your own fee on the official portal. Processing time is not guaranteed, so apply well before you travel. An electronic arrival form was introduced from October 2025, and the current rules on it should be checked before departure.
Planning your arrival
Small steps that make the first hour easier.
Before you land
Check your terminal, save your hotel address in a form you can show a driver, and keep your visa confirmation ready on your phone and on paper.
At the airport
Use the official prepaid or app pickup points. Say no politely to people who offer rides or rooms in the hall.
First days
The best time to visit Delhi page covers the seasons, and the things to do in Delhi page helps you plan the first outing.
Self-drive does not suit most first visits to the capital, and no parking or rental details are covered here. If you want a car, a private driver through a transfer or tour is the easier option. Make sure the driver has your flight and terminal, and allow extra time on the road to the city, as traffic changes a lot through the day.
Delhi Airport: frequently asked questions
Which terminal will my flight use?
Terminals 1 and 2 handle domestic flights, and Terminal 3 handles international and domestic flights. Check your ticket, since the terminal depends on the flight.
Can I take a taxi at any time of day?
The airport operator lists prepaid taxis and app rides at all terminals around the clock. Fixed prices for city rides are not published.
Where do I meet my app driver?
At Terminal 3 on level 0 of the car park, and at Terminals 1 and 2 outside the arrivals area.
How do I get from the airport to New Delhi station by metro?
Take the Airport Express from Terminals 2 and 3. A secondary guide lists 64 INR and about 16 minutes on the train. Terminal 1 uses the Magenta Line.
Where do I apply for the eVisa?
Only on the official Indian government eVisa portal. Avoid lookalike sites and check the fee for your nationality there.
Does this page cover car rental?
No. For a car with a driver, a transfer or private tour is the simpler choice.