Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is India’s busiest airport and the gateway most South Delhi residents use for both domestic and international travel. Knowing which terminal you need, how to move between them, and how close your neighbourhood actually sits can save real time and stress on travel day. This guide covers everything: the three terminals, DigiYatra, metro access, and — the part most relevant to South Delhi renters and buyers — exactly how airport proximity varies across the district.
Key Takeaways
- IGI Airport operates three terminals: T1 and T2 mainly for domestic flights, and T3, the largest, handling most international flights plus a share of domestic routes.
- DigiYatra, a facial-recognition entry system, is live at all three terminals and can cut security time by roughly 25–30% for enrolled passengers.
- Vasant Kunj is South Delhi’s closest residential neighbourhood to the airport, at roughly 6 km — closer than even Connaught Place.
What Is IGI Airport, and Why It Matters
Indira Gandhi International Airport, IATA code DEL, sits in Palam in South West Delhi, roughly 16 km from Connaught Place. It is operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a public-private partnership led by the GMR Group alongside the Airports Authority of India, and consistently ranks among the world’s busiest airports by passenger volume — recent counts have placed it in the global top 10–20 by the Airports Council International, having handled over 72 million passengers in a recent full year, with growth continuing into 2026.
For South Delhi specifically, IGI’s location matters more than most residents realise. Its south-western position means South Delhi and West Delhi neighbourhoods generally enjoy some of the shortest airport commutes in the city, while North and East Delhi face considerably longer drives through more congested corridors.
The Three Terminals, Explained
Terminal 1 (T1) handles the bulk of India’s low-cost domestic carriers — IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air among them. It’s compact and was significantly expanded in recent years; a partial roof collapse in June 2024 caused temporary disruption, but the terminal has been fully repaired and operational since early 2026.
Terminal 2 (T2) was originally built for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, mothballed for some years, and has since reopened after a major expansion, now handling a large share of Air India’s domestic flights following the Air India-Vistara merger.
Terminal 3 (T3) is IGI’s largest and most modern terminal, handling most international flights alongside a portion of domestic routes. It has the airport’s best amenities — duty-free shopping, premium lounges, and direct Airport Express Metro access — and is generally the terminal used by travellers connecting through New Delhi Railway Station or Connaught Place.
Getting to IGI: Metro, Road & Distance from South Delhi
The Airport Express Line (Orange Line) runs from New Delhi Railway Station to Terminal 3 in about 20 minutes, with six stations including Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Aerocity, and fares in the ₹60–100 range. Trains run every 7–10 minutes between roughly 4:45 AM and 11:30 PM. Critically, this line stops only at Terminal 3 — travellers heading to T1 or T2 need to disembark at Delhi Aerocity and take the free DIAL shuttle bus, adding 20–30 minutes to the journey.
For South Delhi residents specifically, the numbers work out favourably. Vasant Kunj is the closest residential neighbourhood to the airport at roughly 6 km, and many South Delhi localities — Saket, Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, and Defence Colony among them — sit closer to IGI than Connaught Place itself, a point covered in more detail in our IGI Airport to Greater Kailash distance guide. Off-peak, a cab from most South Delhi neighbourhoods takes 30–55 minutes; during rush hour, budget 45–90 minutes.
DigiYatra & Modern Airport Services
DigiYatra, India’s Aadhaar-linked facial recognition entry system, is live at all three IGI terminals. Registration takes about 10 minutes through the DigiYatra app and can cut security processing time by roughly 25–30% for enrolled passengers, since it removes repeated manual ID and boarding pass checks at multiple checkpoints. Other useful services across the terminals include 24/7 lost-and-found counters, prepaid taxi booths, currency exchange and ATMs, free Wi-Fi, and EV charging near Terminal 2.
What’s New at IGI Airport in 2026
DIAL continues to expand IGI’s international network, with new routes announced to destinations including Manila, Shanghai, Manchester, and Tokyo Narita as part of a push toward roughly 150–160 served destinations. Transfer passengers now account for a growing share of total throughput as Delhi consolidates its position as a key hub between eastern and western air corridors. Longer-term, an upcoming metro line — often referred to as the Golden Line — is planned to link Tughlaqabad in the south-east directly to Terminal 1, further improving South Delhi’s airport access once complete.
Practical Tips for South Delhi Travellers
- Check your terminal before leaving home — airlines occasionally reallocate flights between terminals, and getting this wrong can cost 20–30 minutes on the inter-terminal shuttle
- Register for DigiYatra in advance, ideally at home with good lighting, rather than at the airport
- From most South Delhi localities, a cab is generally more predictable than the metro unless you’re departing from Terminal 3 specifically
- Budget extra time during winter mornings, when fog can affect both road traffic and flight schedules — see our South Delhi weather guide for the seasonal picture
Frequently Asked Questions
How many terminals does IGI Airport Delhi have?
Three: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 mainly handle domestic flights, while Terminal 3 handles most international flights alongside a share of domestic routes.
Who operates IGI Airport?
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Group-led public-private partnership, operates IGI Airport under a joint venture that also includes the Airports Authority of India.
Which South Delhi locality is closest to IGI Airport?
Vasant Kunj is the closest residential neighbourhood to IGI Airport, at roughly 6 kilometres.
Does the metro connect to all three IGI terminals?
The Airport Express Line stops only at Terminal 3. Passengers travelling to or from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 must use the free shuttle bus from Delhi Aerocity station.
What is DigiYatra and is it available at IGI Airport?
DigiYatra is a facial-recognition-based paperless entry system, live at all three IGI Airport terminals, that can cut security processing time by roughly 25 to 30 percent for enrolled passengers.
Bottom Line
IGI Airport’s scale can feel overwhelming, but the essentials are simple: know your terminal, register for DigiYatra ahead of time, and factor in that only Terminal 3 has direct metro access. For South Delhi residents, the district’s south-western position keeps most localities within a genuinely manageable commute — one more practical advantage of calling this part of Delhi home. Browse current flats for rent in Vasant Kunj, South Delhi’s closest neighbourhood to the airport.
Written by the South Delhi Rentwala Editorial Team, which helps South Delhi residents and newcomers navigate the city’s transport infrastructure with confidence. Learn more about us.
Published Feb 5, 2026 · Last Updated July 9, 2026 · 9 min read