Landing at Terminal 3 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) after a long flight from the USA often feels like both relief and chaos. Most USA to Delhi flights arrive between 1 am and 3 am, when the airport is quieter but still bustling with passengers looking to rest or reach their next destination. IGI’s T3 is equipped to make international arrivals smooth and comfortable, whether you are planning to stay overnight at the airport, need a baggage porter service, have a connecting flight to catch, or require assistance at the airport.
Overnight Stay at Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Delhi Airport Terminal 3 has decent accommodation for overnight international arrivals from USA and other countries, with domestic connections in the morning. Staying within the terminal is the most convenient choice for family travellers and senior citizens. The international terminal has several comfortable places to spend the night on an hourly rate.
- IGI T3 Airside Hotel: The Holiday Inn Express at Terminal 3 has modern rooms accessible directly from the international arrivals area; no need to exit the terminal. The rooms have plush beds, free Wi-Fi, showers, bathtubs, and a mini gym. Guests can book for short stays of 3 to 6 hours or for the night. This airside hotel is ideal for travellers in transit, who want rest without the hassles of re-entering the security zone.
- Sleeping pods at Delhi Airport T3: If you prefer something lighter, the SAMS Snooze at My Space pods inside Terminal 3 offer private sleeping cabins with charging ports, reading lights, and cosy bedding. These pods can be booked on hourly basis and are perfect for solo travellers.
Transfer options from T3 to T2 and T1 at New Delhi Airport
Not all domestic flights operate from Terminal 3. Many international arrivals transfer from T3 to T2 and T1 for domestic connections at IGI DEL Airport. As T3 is getting upgrades to its capacity, Air India shifted some of its domestic operations to T2 and T1 with effect from 26 October, requiring international passengers to switch terminals. If the domestic flight number on Air India flight tickets from USA to India starts with 1 (for example, A1 1230), it denotes transfer from T3 to T2 for domestic connection. Air India’s domestic flights with three-digit number continue to operate from T3.
Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport provides free shuttle bus service every 20 minutes for inter-terminal transfer. It takes only 15 minutes to transfer from T3 to T2 at DEL Airport and 45 minutes for T3 to T1 transfer. The free shuttle service operates 24/7. Make sure your international to domestic connection has minimum 3 hours for immigration clearance, baggage recheck-in, and terminal transfer. It may take more than 3 hours given a huge influx of international arrivals in the thick of a travel season.
By 2027, Delhi International Airport will reportedly have India’s first AirTrain to connect Terminals 1, 2 and 3 on airside. It is similar to automated people movers at New York JFK, Singapore Changi, London Heathrow, and SFO airports. The upcoming AirTrain will make it faster and more comfortable to switch terminals at Indira Gandhi Airport.
Inter-Terminal Baggage Transfer Service at Delhi Airport
The Delhi Airport Terminal 3 guide must include inter-terminal baggage transfer information for international arrivals. For travellers arriving from the US and other countries with multiple bags, luggage handling can be challenging during terminal transfers at DEL Airport. A couple of porter service options is there offering luggage-handling convenience that makes your international to domestic connection easier.
Porter service booking is available at the Porter Service desk in Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi Airport for Rs 500 per trolley. A standard trolley includes 2 check-in bags and one cabin bag. The staffs assist starting from baggage claim to moving bags between terminals. Besides, the airport offers paid checked baggage transfer service to move checked bags between terminals. Priced on the number and size of bags, the service can be booked online or via the airport helpdesk at T3.
Wheelchair Service at Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Since airlines’ free wheelchair service falls short of meeting the increasing number of bookings for wheelchair assistance during a busy travel season, Delhi Airport offers a paid wheelchair service called Airport Kruz at Terminal 3. The pricing is not confirmed, but travellers report paying around ₹1,200 for wheelchair assistance at IGI. You can book Kruz assistance via the Airport Kruz website in advance or at the Kruz counter in Terminal 3 after arrival. PRM phones located throughout the terminal can also be used to call for assistance.
Meet & Greet Service at Delhi IGI Airport T3
At Indira Gandhi Airport, T3 has a dedicated meet and greet area in the arrivals section where you can pay a certain fee to wait for the deplaning of your near and dear ones. At Terminal 3, Encalm and Atithya offer premium meet & greet services starting from arrival through exit or the next domestic flight. Ideal for unaccompanied elderly passengers, first-time travellers, families with kids, and anyone wishing a seamless airport experience, the premium Meet & Greet service includes the following:
- A personal escort offering personalized assistance to cater to the traveller’s needs
- Expedited processing through security, customs and immigration
- Porter service to help with checked bags and carry-on bags
- Priority service through all arrival formalities
- Lounge access available in some high-end packages of Meet & Greet service
