BLR terminal transfer time

[Daver6]

As I understand it, there's a but that runs every 10 to 15 minutes between the domestic and international terminals.

Is two hours between flights achievable there? Looking at both inbound and outbound, QF connecting to Indigo a vice versa. Assuming on ticket and HLO. How do-able is this?

My gut instinct is not a good idea. Basing this on my arrival experience into DEL where at least the international and domestic terminals are connected.

Secondary question. Any idea when QF check-in opens at DEL? Another option I have is a morning domestic flight into DEL but I'd have close to 7 hours to burn there prior to the QF departure. Not something that sounds appealing, especially if I'd need to wait landside for the QF check-in to open. Again, I'd be HLO, but I seem to recall you still need to check-in at the desk to get a boarding pass.

 

[aaa99]

I did something similar in October last year.
2 hours is tight! I gave myself 3.5 hours, but my Qantas flight got delayed by 2 hours. And yes, I missed my connection (separate ticket).

If you are able to book the connecting Indigo flight on the Qantas, it should be fine. But I understand there are limited connections only.

The airport is quite small and beautiful but immigration can take long at times. I also got stopped by customs who simply admired my passport for a minute or 2 before I told them I am in a rush.

Speaking of the bus, yes, it every 15 minutes. But I just missed the bus and ended up walking it. It was pretty easy. Maybe a 5 minute brisk walk.

 

[Daver6]

I also note that when searching on QF, they don't actually list the Indigo flights with a two hour connection as an option.

Paging @Ade who I think might have some insights here

 

[Ade]

As I understand it, there's a but that runs every 10 to 15 minutes between the domestic and international terminals.

At BLR the busses run every 20 mins (this was in Nov 2023). It may now be 10-15 mins. But I remember I arrived at the bus rank at 1620 and the bus departed at 1640 or so. I got off the QF67 at 1550, immigration, bags etc out of the International terminal (which is the new terminal) at 1615, arrived at the bus rank at 1620.

Also note that the bus does make 4 or so stops en-route pick up & drop pax/staff at different parking zones. This will add to the journey time.

Is two hours between flights achievable there? Looking at both inbound and outbound, QF connecting to Indigo a vice versa. Assuming on ticket and HLO. How do-able is this?

Assuming this is still BLR, not, not-doable, but it will be tight, 3 hours is more relaxing at BLR. In Nov 2023, I had the 2 hour connection on 6E to MAA - QF67 land at 1550, 6Exx_x to MAA at 1750 or so. Given that you are HLO, it shouldn't be a problem.

6E were trialling the self bag drop at BLR domestic, but still need to print a new bag tag took some time there. But I still made it to the gate on time, but flight to MAA was delayed. So please take my review with a pinch of salt.

Any idea when QF check-in opens at DEL?

International check-in opens 3 hours prior to departure time.

Another option I have is a morning domestic flight into DEL but I'd have close to 7 hours to burn there prior to the QF departure.

Assuming this is a BLR-DEL flight? If yes, there could be other options either on 6E or AI that can get you into DEL closer to international departure? Say Akasa Air or AI ?

Again, I'd be HLO, but I seem to recall you still need to check-in at the desk to get a boarding pass.

I don't think that's the case. I was on QF70 late last year and I had the mobile boarding pass when I checked in online. Please note the QF70 was the only flight in my itinerary (no domestic inbound connections into DEL). I had bags to check-in so the agent gave me a paper BP. But I'd think one would be able to use their mobile BP as well. It is worth noting that DEL has BP scanning stations set up to enter security, but I'm fairly certain the staff & security are now trained to use/accept digital BPs too.

Speaking of the bus, yes, it every 15 minutes. But I just missed the bus and ended up walking it. It was pretty easy. Maybe a 5 minute brisk walk.

Is this still BLR? I have only been to BLR once after the new terminal opened, but it felt like a long way to walk? I took the bus due to the aforementioned tight connection, but I'd have thought the domestic terminal was faraway?

I also note that when searching on QF, they don't actually list the Indigo flights with a two hour connection as an option.

They used to do it. Looks like they don't anymore. I searched for 05APR SYD-BLR and there is QF67. However, when I search 05APR SYD-MAA, the QF67 option via BLR is not even showing on QF website. There are options via KUL on MH or via DEL on QF and then AI to MAA, but no 6E to MAA as offered, say all of last year. #TooBadTooSad.

customs who simply admired my passport for a minute or 2 before I told them I am in a rush.

I really have to ask - was it AU passport (the new R series, perhaps) that they were admiring? Or a different country? IME, the only place where AU passport was admired was at the land border crossing between India and Nepal

 

[aaa99]

Is this still BLR? I have only been to BLR once after the new terminal opened, but it felt like a long way to walk? I took the bus due to the aforementioned tight connection, but I'd have thought the domestic terminal was faraway?

Yes, the red is what I did at that time. It was less than 500 metres.

I really have to ask - was it AU passport (the new R series, perhaps) that they were admiring? Or a different country? IME, the only place where AU passport was admired was at the land border crossing between India and Nepal

It was NZ. Maybe, because it is the unique Black colour and fern

 

[Ade]

It was less than 500 metres.

Okie. The bus took us around the circuit and took about 10 or so mins to get from International to Domestic. Now that I know it's only 500 or so meters, next time, I'd happy to walk if HLO.

 

[Kimster]

I can concur that as per AAA99's post that it is quicker to walk between the both terminals.
The issue mostly is with Indigo (6E). If QF and 6E destination are not interlined at the origin airport - it is even more problematic as the bags have to be individually checked in (and the time limit that 6E has with domestic connections) and the risk of missing the domestic flight. If QF and 6E are interlined at the origin airport - Indigo will have you in their manifest and more likely not an issue with the shorter internal connection.

 

[Ade]

If QF and 6E are interlined at the origin airport - Indigo will have you in their manifest and more likely not an issue with the shorter internal connection.

Even if the bags are interlined at origin (which they are when the QF and 6E is sold on same ticket/PNR), the bags will still have to be collected, taken to domestic and dropped. Tags are already there on the bag.

For tickets issued (say, at QF as an example) with domestic legs in the same PNR, 6E does have the pax on their manifest. I was moved to a later 6E flight when my QF67 was delayed and they knew that I had to be moved.

<Edit>

But what is frustrating (a strong word, perhaps) is that 6E staff at International are not able to confirm that the pax will be moved to a later flight. They don't have to say that as I know that I would be (one ticket), but for those that aren't in the know (read elderly pax, families with kids that don't travel as often, people flying for first time etc), it might add to their stress - inbound is delayed and they are rushing to pick up the bags and run to domestic etc. Mind, this is when the international and domestic were literally the same terminal. You had to walk thru a doorway, show domestic BP and drop bags. Now that it is 2 different terminals, pax stress will increase, if the 6E ground staff at International are not able to offer a word or reassurance to stressed out pax.

Also, if not mentioned already, in the 2 terminal arrangement, there is a bag drop for Domestic at International. As you exit Customs and turn right, there is a 6E bag drop for Domestic.

</Edit>

(and the time limit that 6E has with domestic connections)

This is correct because once out of International, the pax is on a domestic leg, governed by domestic timelines. And weirdly, in India (at least IME with 6E), the check in and bag drop is set for 60 minutes before departure time, which could be cutting very, very fine if the inbound international is delayed. For the QF67 and 6E combo to work, 67 should not be delayed over 30 or so minutes.

I can concur that as per AAA99's post that it is quicker to walk between the both terminals.

2nd person to say walking is quicker - on my list for next time, if HLO.

 

[Kimster]

I am in BLR multiple times a year. Indigo has been dropping the ball lately and it is no secret that the CSR needs a complete overhaul.

There is a refurbishment of T1 that has commenced and will bring in an Automated People Mover between the 2 terminals apparently. So that should make it easy for most of us.

 

[Daver6]

At BLR the busses run every 20 mins (this was in Nov 2023). It may now be 10-15 mins. But I remember I arrived at the bus rank at 1620 and the bus departed at 1640 or so. I got off the QF67 at 1550, immigration, bags etc out of the International terminal (which is the new terminal) at 1615, arrived at the bus rank at 1620.

Also note that the bus does make 4 or so stops en-route pick up & drop pax/staff at different parking zones. This will add to the journey time.


Assuming this is still BLR, not, not-doable, but it will be tight, 3 hours is more relaxing at BLR. In Nov 2023, I had the 2 hour connection on 6E to MAA - QF67 land at 1550, 6Exx_x to MAA at 1750 or so. Given that you are HLO, it shouldn't be a problem.

Wow, that's quick! Were you entering on an Indian passport? My experience in DEL is one should allocate 20 to 60 minutes to clear immigration as an Australian.

6E were trialling the self bag drop at BLR domestic, but still need to print a new bag tag took some time there. But I still made it to the gate on time, but flight to MAA was delayed. So please take my review with a pinch of salt.


International check-in opens 3 hours prior to departure time.


Assuming this is a BLR-DEL flight? If yes, there could be other options either on 6E or AI that can get you into DEL closer to international departure? Say Akasa Air or AI ?

PNQ. My preferred airline is UK, but will take anything, well perhaps not Spicejet, to make it work.

I don't think that's the case. I was on QF70 late last year and I had the mobile boarding pass when I checked in online. Please note the QF70 was the only flight in my itinerary (no domestic inbound connections into DEL). I had bags to check-in so the agent gave me a paper BP. But I'd think one would be able to use their mobile BP as well. It is worth noting that DEL has BP scanning stations set up to enter security, but I'm fairly certain the staff & security are now trained to use/accept digital BPs too.


Is this still BLR? I have only been to BLR once after the new terminal opened, but it felt like a long way to walk? I took the bus due to the aforementioned tight connection, but I'd have thought the domestic terminal was faraway?


They used to do it. Looks like they don't anymore. I searched for 05APR SYD-BLR and there is QF67. However, when I search 05APR SYD-MAA, the QF67 option via BLR is not even showing on QF website. There are options via KUL on MH or via DEL on QF and then AI to MAA, but no 6E to MAA as offered, say all of last year. #TooBadTooSad.

I really have to ask - was it AU passport (the new R series, perhaps) that they were admiring? Or a different country? IME, the only place where AU passport was admired was at the land border crossing between India and Nepal

So to clarify, I'll definitely be HLO only. My final destination is PNQ.

There are a complete lack of middle of the day flights out of PNQ to either BLR or DEL to connect to the QF flight home.

If I did the 2 hour transit, I'd only do it with the 6E and QF flights on the single ticket. No way I'd be risking it otherwise.

 

[Ade]

Wow, that's quick! Were you entering on an Indian passport?

Nah, AU passport, but I do have OCI card, which has it's own queue.

My experience in DEL is one should allocate 20 to 60 minutes to clear immigration as an Australian.

hmmm ... my experience at DEL as AU national, inbound immigration less than 10 minutes, outbound approx 20 or so mins - both with OCI. Dec 2023, departing DEL as J pax, so there was no one in the J/F queue, so clear immi in under 2 mins

My preferred airline is UK

There are a complete lack of middle of the day flights out of PNQ to either BLR or DEL to connect to the QF flight home.

Agree, there are no mid-day flights that will get into DEL.

However for BLR, there might be one (direct) 6E (I think except Saturdays?). Assuming QF68, this will give you (if on-time) 3-ish hours to transit BLR.

6E 302 PNQ BLR 1355 1525

UK and AI won't help in your case of PNQ-BLR (no direct flights that I can find)

If I did the 2 hour transit, I'd only do it with the 6E and QF flights on the single ticket. No way I'd be risking it otherwise.

Agree.

 

[Daver6]

Nah, AU passport, but I do have OCI card, which has it's own queue.

hmmm ... my experience at DEL as AU national, inbound immigration less than 10 minutes, outbound approx 20 or so mins - both with OCI. Dec 2023, departing DEL as J pax, so there was no one in the J/F queue, so clear immi in under 2 mins

My arrival into DEL I guess just coincided with a busy time. Also, not being in J I had to use the pleb queue. I'm not really concerned about transit time if I go via DEL. Ill have plenty of time, just means getting into PNQ pretty late and by the time I'm at the hotel it's after midnight.

Agree, there are no mid-day flights that will get into DEL.

However for BLR, there might be one (direct) 6E (I think except Saturdays?). Assuming QF68, this will give you (if on-time) 3-ish hours to transit BLR.

6E 302 PNQ BLR 1355 1525

UK and AI won't help in your case of PNQ-BLR (no direct flights that I can find)


Agree.

Yeah, that's the 6E flight I looked at giving a two hour connecting to the the QF flight to SYD.

Google flights tells me that flight is often delayed by 30+ minutes, which is what makes me nervous.

 

[Ade]

Yeah, that's the 6E flight I looked at giving a two hour connecting to the the QF flight to SYD.

Google flights tells me that flight is often delayed by 30+ minutes, which is what makes me nervous.

Yea, that will make anyone nervous, especially when tagged along to an international leg.

I take it you are not travelling after the daylight savings end? Reason is the 6E I mentioned earlier, will have a 3 hour and 15 minute layover at BLR once daylight savings are off.

 

[aaa99]

Air India express also operates from Terminal 2. This could be an option to avoid terminal transfers if you dont mind AIX as they have some BLR-PNQ flights.

 

[Daver6]

Yea, that will make anyone nervous, especially when tagged along to an international leg.

I take it you are not travelling after the daylight savings end? Reason is the 6E I mentioned earlier, will have a 3 hour and 15 minute layover at BLR once daylight savings are off.

Correct. Looking at early March.

Air India express also operates from Terminal 2. This could be an option to avoid terminal transfers if you dont mind AIX as they have some BLR-PNQ flights.

Flight times aren't much better than a later 6E flight. Also would mean a separate ticket I suspect.

 

[Ade]

Also would mean a separate ticket I suspect.

Not necessarily. Won't a TA be able to stitch it all under one PNR?

 

[Daver6]

Not necessarily. Won't a TA be able to stitch it all under one PNR?

Ah yes. Good point. Two tickets, one PNR. Regardless though, the flight times don't help

It's frustrating how relatively close PER is to secondary Indian cities, yet how lengthy total travel time is to get to them.