Delhi Airport (DEL) Transit Experinces

[RooFlyer]

On another note - I have a 5 hour layover in Delhi with different tickets. Assuming I have to pick up my bags and re-check onto Lufthansa however wondering if this involves entering India and if I need to do anything before arriving there?

A bit late for you, but for others in a similar situation: security at DEL and Indian airports in general is very strict (done by military). Have all docs in hardcopy at every turn.

I checked on the website that Qantas provides and it says no visa required

I wouln't trust that!

I am no seriously rethinking booking partner awards now. What was once a good frequent flyer program seems almost unusable in the oneworld program for redemptions based on this thread.

I wouldn't be booking non QF airlines using Qantas points at the moment, given the craziness of schedule changes, cancellations AND Qantas' ineptitude at handling these changes, risking total loss of a sector and jeopardising the entire itinerary. May happen only to a minority, but I'm not into Qantas roulette.

The transfer desk only re-opened in late March and it appears that the Qantas website has the old information.

Thought so.

 

[aidan059]

A bit late for you, but for others in a similar situation: security at DEL and Indian airports in general is very strict (done by military). Have all docs in hardcopy at every turn.



I wouln't trust that!



I wouldn't be booking non QF airlines using Qantas points at the moment, given the craziness of schedule changes, cancellations AND Qantas' ineptitude at handling these changes, risking total loss of a sector and jeopardising the entire itinerary. May happen only to a minority, but I'm not into Qantas roulette.



Thought so.

Yep will make sure to print everything off. I have it all sorted.

Got a 30 day visa processed in 24 hours which was nice. Cost me 10 USD, definitely worth it for peace of mind. Health declaration form required too - will print that off as well.

I read somewhere that they only allow you into the check-in area 4 hours before departure due to COVID, let's hope this is not the case if I am already inside the airport - although in arrivals.

Definitely will have to enter india thought considering zero codeshare or alliance agreement between QF/LH. Good luck in DEL @Fil-Ski

 

[Fil-Ski]

Highly recommended don’t transit via DEL. The place is a shambles.

The reason boarding passes are not printed in Australia is because they need to print them here

It’s some manual process to transfer passengers with stamps and paper. Minimum 20min. Like WTF

You need to wait for the airline rep as well to transfer you which can be hours according to other passengers

 

[yld200]

Very interested to hear some more feedback on transit in DEL. My mother is booked on an award MEL>DEL>DXB on the one ticket issued by QF.

Does she need to complete the Health Declaration?

What info do you need for the transit boarding passes to be printed in DEL?

 

[aidan059]

I can confirm, transiting in Delhi sucks. The immigration officer nearly wouldn't let me exit the country as he was wondering why I was only "in the country" for a couple hours. Clearly he didn't understand the word "transiting", and had to call his supervisor.

Everything is paper based, and the queues for the airport are worse than anything seen in Europe - immigration queues are 1-2 hours approx. A lot of people missing flights etc due to queues I saw. It's total mayhem - there were many teenagers trying to get through security with fake boarding passes to board flights which also made the queues worse.

Oh yeah and the lounge is terrible. 1 lounge for basically every airline in the airport - has a shower probably the only good thing about it, may as well sit next to the gate instead if you want any sort of peace and quiet.

 

[Mr H]

I can confirm, transiting in Delhi sucks. The immigration officer nearly wouldn't let me exit the country as he was wondering why I was only "in the country" for a couple hours. Clearly he didn't understand the word "transiting", and had to call his supervisor.

Everything is paper based, and the queues for the airport are worse than anything seen in Europe - immigration queues are 1-2 hours approx. A lot of people missing flights etc due to queues I saw. It's total mayhem - there were many teenagers trying to get through security with fake boarding passes to board flights which also made the queues worse.

Oh yeah and the lounge is terrible. 1 lounge for basically every airline in the airport - has a shower probably the only good thing about it, may as well sit next to the gate instead if you want any sort of peace and quiet.

I have this joy to look forward to in a couple of months with a week long stop over in India (a last minute substitute as I gave up on my week in Sri Lanka). I have been through DEL before and it sounds like things have got worse. Did you get to skip any queues through flying in J?

 

[aidan059]

I have this joy to look forward to in a couple of months with a week long stop over in India (a last minute substitute as I gave up on my week in Sri Lanka). I have been through DEL before and it sounds like things have got worse. Did you get to skip any queues through flying in J?

The "business/first" queues always ended up being longer than the normal queues. I ended up joining the normal queues and got through quicker (kept looking over to see where the person I would've ended up lining behind was in the queue). It doesn't make sense - they had 1 immigration officer serving this queue whilst the normal queue had 3 immigration officers for the same sized queue.

 

[Mr H]

The "business/first" queues always ended up being longer than the normal queues. I ended up joining the normal queues and got through quicker (kept looking over to see where the person I would've ended up lining behind was in the queue). It doesn't make sense - they had 1 immigration officer serving this queue whilst the normal queue had 3 immigration officers for the same sized queue.

How frustrating. Some people love India and others don't. I find the lack of customer service and the constant expectation of bribes (aka change fees) quite offputting. But as alternative routes to Europe develop problems (e.g. HK, Sri Lanka, routes across Russia, lack of westbound options from KUL) then I think many of us are going to become familiar with Indian airports.

 

[jpp42]

I find the lack of customer service and the constant expectation of bribes (aka change fees) quite offputting

I have traveled to India extensively over the five years prior to Covid and one trip post-Covid. I have never once been asked to pay any kind of bribe or even the remotest suggestion that the wheels could be greased by an undisclosed "fee." I am not sure what world you inhabit but I really don't think that's a "thing" at Indian airports any more, at least for the average traveller. I'm not talking about things like businesses bribing customs officials to reduce import duties or other organised crime - I mean the actual encounters of everyday travellers with immigration, security, and other airport officials.

Note: It is possible with certain domestic airlines to pay for priority check-in and/or boarding via an advertised fee on top of your ticket, but that is hardly a bribe, they are totally advertised and transparent. It's not really different to buying a premium class ticket over economy, it just doesn't include upgraded seating. Also, all such fees are always collected via credit card or other Indian domestic payment systems - cash is simply not common.

That said, I can agree with the frustration on the length of immigration queues and antiquated paper systems that appear to offer no value. One thing that does seem to work okay (despite queues) is their security checkpoints - I had inadvertently left some spare utility blades (the exact kind used in 9/11), in a carry-on which were instantly found by an Indian domestic security officer. The blades had sailed through Australian security with no question. Could I have bribed the officers to let me bring it through? Maybe, if I had pre knowledge of exactly who to approach. But it seems more likely I would have been arrested for offering such a bribe (as well as knowingly trying to breach security), in line with international expectations.

If you cannot stay in the transit area, I do highly recommend to avoid any Indian airports for the reasons mentioned. It's only worth going there if you have business or family in India and the value of you getting to India is worth overcoming all the frustration.

 

[Mr H]

I have traveled to India extensively over the five years prior to Covid and one trip post-Covid. I have never once been asked to pay any kind of bribe or even the remotest suggestion that the wheels could be greased by an undisclosed "fee."

Fair enough. I am smarting over having to pay $100 to change the itinerary for a taxi I booked for 5 days. Paid $1100 to hire the taxi and driver plus kilometres for five days - decided I wanted to take a different (shorter) route on the exact same days. Offered a choice of cancel and rebook as per the terms and conditions at a cost of $400 - or $100 goodwill fee for a change.

In previous times, I have been offered changes to train tickets when trains have been delayed in return for a cash fee to officials. I have been offered upgrades to hotel rooms for a fee. I have found cars suddenly become available. I have been asked to pay even for street directions. Nothing seems to be given for free, even when you're already paid.

 

[jpp42]

Fair enough. I am smarting over having to pay $100 to change the itinerary for a taxi I booked for 5 days. Paid $1100 to hire the taxi and driver plus kilometres for five days - decided I wanted to take a different (shorter) route on the exact same days. Offered a choice of cancel and rebook as per the terms and conditions at a cost of $400 - or $100 goodwill fee for a change.

Ah okay, sorry I misunderstood as I thought you were talking about situations at the airport, since this thread has mostly been talking about short transits at DEL airport. I think you overpaid for that taxi - sounds like the booking agent was taking you for a ride, as I'm nearly certain the driver themselves would not get paid more for a shorter drive! I have generally booked such things only through good hotels and they generally seem fair - have never had change fees etc like you describe - usually they are very flexible (with no bribes or tips). YMMV I suppose.

 

[Mr H]

YMMV I suppose.

Only with a change fee

The basic price was legit - taxis in Ladakh are super-expensive but the prices are on their website (unlike the change fees).

 

[Mr H]

I appreciate this has been calved off, but couldn't the topic title be more neutral - e.g. DEL transit experiences?

 

[RooFlyer]

I have traveled to India extensively over the five years prior to Covid and one trip post-Covid. I have never once been asked to pay any kind of bribe or even the remotest suggestion that the wheels could be greased by an undisclosed "fee."

I've (only) been to India 3 times (BC) and have never encountered solicitation of bribe or similar.

Paid $1100 to hire the taxi and driver plus kilometres for five days - decided I wanted to take a different (shorter) route on the exact same days. Offered a choice of cancel and rebook as per the terms and conditions at a cost of $400 - or $100 goodwill fee for a change.

For anyone reading this. Several of us on AFF have a brilliant tour /driver arranger etc in India. @RB I think is using them soon (after Covid) - I have several times BC and, as I wrote, just brilliant. PM me or RB for details.

 

[Fil-Ski]

I must be a sucker for punishment

I’m going to return via DEL. I had some plans change and it was the only route with awards available on such short notice

I’m getting a visa this time and going to exit the airport and stay in the hotel

 

[Kimster]

DEL airport is probably the least preferred option for someone who has an option to purely transit from India. BLR is much much better in terms of passenger experience and BOM is not bad either. Both have reasonable connections for transit.
If the visit to DEL airport is as a result of "first point of entry" into India to travel around North India for a few days - then we just have to bear it.

 

[Daver6]

I have this joy to look forward to in a couple of months with a week long stop over in India (a last minute substitute as I gave up on my week in Sri Lanka). I have been through DEL before and it sounds like things have got worse. Did you get to skip any queues through flying in J?

I went through DEL last week. On arrival there is a J/F immigration queue. I was in Y. No idea if it was any quicker. Departing DEL there was a J/F security screening line (on the very left). I used it. Not sure if it was any faster.

 

[RB]

I went through DEL last week. On arrival there is a J/F immigration queue. I was in Y. No idea if it was any quicker. Departing DEL there was a J/F security screening line (on the very left). I used it. Not sure if it was any faster.

Thought the J line definitely helped us both ways the last time we were in DEL

 

[SandyS]

I can confirm, transiting in Delhi sucks. The immigration officer nearly wouldn't let me exit the country as he was wondering why I was only "in the country" for a couple hours. Clearly he didn't understand the word "transiting", and had to call his supervisor.

Everything is paper based, and the queues for the airport are worse than anything seen in Europe - immigration queues are 1-2 hours approx. A lot of people missing flights etc due to queues I saw. It's total mayhem - there were many teenagers trying to get through security with fake boarding passes to board flights which also made the queues worse.

Oh yeah and the lounge is terrible. 1 lounge for basically every airline in the airport - has a shower probably the only good thing about it, may as well sit next to the gate instead if you want any sort of peace and quiet.

I have arrived in Delhi this morning. All booked through Qantas on one ticket. Luggage straight through and have my onward boarding pass. Have been told at international transfer that I have to wait for Qantas staff to come to check my paperwork to allow me to proceed. Qantas staff don’t arrive for around another 7 hours! Passengers must be checked through international transfers by the operating airline. i read through everything carefully but saw nothing about this. Many other passengers from different airlines also caught out. Air India passengers are ok due to Air India staff always on transfer desk. One poor soul, who lost her boarding pass has been here for 2 days apparently

 

[Mr H]

I have arrived in Delhi this morning. All booked through Qantas on one ticket. Luggage straight through and have my onward boarding pass. Have been told at international transfer that I have to wait for Qantas staff to come to check my paperwork to allow me to proceed. Qantas staff don’t arrive for around another 7 hours! Passengers must be checked through international transfers by the operating airline. i read through everything carefully but saw nothing about this. Many other passengers from different airlines also caught out. Air India passengers are ok due to Air India staff always on transfer desk. One poor soul, who lost her boarding pass has been here for 2 days apparently

This is why I recommend people get Indian visas and spend their transit time landside.