New Delhi - Indira Gandhi International Airport - Guide for Arriving Passengers

Delhi Airport Ground Transportation

Ground Transportation Options at Delhi Airport :

A pre-paid taxi counter is available at Delhi Airport to reach your hotel from Delhi airport.

You'll find the Pre-Paid taxi counter in both the domestic and international terminals at Delhi Airport.

Pre-Paid Taxi counter is located near the exit or right outside of Customs (International Terminal) in the first arrival hall.

In the first Arrival Hall at Delhi Airport terminal 3, below transportation services are available:

- Prepaid Taxi Counter (Black with yellow top taxi),

- Radio taxi,

- Ride-App Ola, and

- Chauffeur-driven private car rentals counters.

Pre-Paid Taxis, radio cabs, Ride-share App and chauffeur-driven cars are a good choice at Delhi Airport. 

It can take hours to get to your hotel at peak traffic times in the morning and evening from Delhi Airport.

However, late-night is usually 20-30 minutes to an hour, depending on your hotel location.

Make sure to visit the restroom in the airport before exiting the Airport.

Pre-Paid Taxi - Delhi Airport

(Black and Yellow cabs)

Pre-Paid Taxi at Delhi Airport :

Usually, Prepaid Taxis are a convenient and economical way to get to your hotel. 

Make sure that if you choose to take a taxi, only get a prepaid taxi from one of the counters.

To catch a regular "Black and Yellow" taxi, walk up to one of the Pre-Paid counter, tell them your destination.

Pre-Paid Taxi counter person will let you know the fare. 

You can Pay for your taxi by cash or credit card.  

Usually, the black and yellow taxi cab’s  (Pre-Paid Counter) credit card machine is “broken” most of the time.

Other private taxi counters accept Credit Card; however, their charges are a little bit higher.

Once you pay, the stall attendant will give you a receipt with a taxi number and tell you where to catch your taxi. 

If you don't see the taxi number on the receipt, then ask the counter attendant.

Not all Black and Yellow top (Pre-paid) taxis are air-conditioned, so ask for Air-conditioned taxis in summer. 

Please note radio taxis and private rental cars have air conditioning. 

We recommend air conditioning.  Check before you pay for your taxi at Pre-paid counter.

To get to your black and yellow cab at Delhi Airport after making payment and receiving receipt:

- follow the prepaid taxi signs,

- exit the arrival hall, and

- walk to the taxi cue attendant

- Show the attendant your receipt, and he will direct you to your taxi. 

Make sure you hold onto the receipt until you safely reach your hotel or destination.

The Receipt is to be handed to the driver at the END of the trip.

The driver requires the receipt to get paid by the taxi office.

Radio Taxi at Delhi Airport :

Easy Cab counters are at both the domestic and international terminals in Delhi near the exit. 

The procedure to get a Radio taxi is the same as the prepaid taxi black and yellow taxi.

However, with Radio cabs, someone will guide you to your vehicle from the counter.  

Reputable Radio taxi cabs companies:  

Easy Cab: 91-11-43434343

Mega Cab: 91-11-41414141

Meru Cab: 91-11-44224422

Chanson Cab: 91-11-47774777

Yo Cab: 91-11-44664466

Air Cab: 91-11-48484848

We recommend taking radio taxis for comfort in Delhi. 

They are fitted with GPS technology, digital fare meters and can print receipts.  

The fare is based on distance per kilometer.  Radio cabs are available 24x7 at Delhi Airport.

Hotel Pickup at Delhi Airport:

Most big hotels in Delhi provide Airport pickup services for their guest.

Usually, it cost more than a PrePaid and Radio taxi.

Check with your hotel for Airport pickup service options.

Look for your name at the first arrival hall, which is the major hotel pick-up spot. 

If you don’t see your name at the first arrival hall, keep walking out to the second arrival hall, which is the public arrival hall.

If you have prearranged a ride other than major hotels, the second arrival hall is where they will be waiting for you.

Private Chauffeur Driven Cars at Delhi Airport :

New Delhi Chauffeur Driven Rental Cars can be identified by the yellow color Car license plates.  

The procedure to get a rental is the same as a prepaid taxi; however,  someone will guide you to your Car.  

They offer 24/7 availability at Delhi Airport, door to door service at a fixed rate. 

The rate will depend on the type of car you choose.  They average $60-$100 a day or trip.

The cars are usually clean, well maintained, air-conditioned, and the drivers are professionals and speak English.

Delhi Metro at Delhi Airport Terminal 3 :

The fastest choice is the Delhi Metro Airport Express Line. 

We did not take the Metro as the line did not stop near our hotel.

However, Delhi Airport Express is a good, economical choice if you don’t have anything but a carry-on.  

Ensure that there is a stop near your hotel; otherwise, you will have to find a cab at the metro station, which can be challenging.  

Check on the Delhi metro website for a map. 

To get to the metro station at the airport:
- Follow the sign once you exit the arrival halls.
- The ride to the center of Delhi will take about 25 minutes.

Airport Express Metro line runs from about 5 AM to 11 PM.

Passengers can purchase the tokens or smart cards from the ticket counters at the airport station, OR
Ticket machine (TIM) at T3 outside the arrivals area and at the station.

Public Buses at Delhi Airport

Public Bus at Delhi Airport :

If you want an adventure, try a bus. 

We have never taken buses in Delhi, but we want to give you all the options.

Most buses are owned either by the State-owned Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) or private contractors.

The DTC corporation runs a shuttle service at a regular interval (every 30 minutes), connecting the airport to the central parts of Delhi.

This includes Connaught Place & Interstate Bus Terminal.

These DTC red buses are equipped with air-conditioning and convenient for travel even with large baggage at a nominal fare.

All buses coming towards Terminal 3 will arrive and depart from a ‘staging area’ located opposite Centaur Hotel.

From the Centaur Hotel staging area to the Airport Terminal IGIA will provide a shuttle bus, every 15 minutes.

For the convenience of passengers, this service will run 24x7.

DTC Orange and Green public bus services are available but is difficult to maneuver for foreigners.

The drivers on Orange and Green Bus usually speak little English and bus signs are in Hindi only. 

Note:  Buses can be very crowded and may not be easy for a tourist visiting India for the first time.