Delhi Airport (DEL) Transit Experinces

[Daver6]

I've just booked Mel to Delhi on QF, arriving in the evening. I then fly the next day, BA to London. What are my best options for this overnight layover? I'm happy to get a visa to leave the airport but also happy with an airside transit hotel if this is a thing at Delhi airport.

Thanks!

Leave the airport and pick your favourite brand of hotel at Aerocity. That's my advice.

 

[Mr H]

Leave the airport and pick your favourite brand of hotel at Aerocity. That's my advice.

It's a matter of personal preference and also the timing of your flights. My preference is to get the metro to Shivaji Stadium and walk to The Park hotel. From the Park, I like to visit Nirula's for a hot chocolate fudge sundae or have a meal at Daryaganj (although it was closed for refurbishment when I looked in a couple of weeks ago). This is a more Indian experience. If you would prefer to be cocooned in a tiny slice of Western Europe then stay in an Aerocity hotel - which will be extremely comfortable but hideously expensive.

A third option exists - for almost no money there are many hotels a short ride away in Mahipalpur Village where you can sleep in a windowless room for almost no money. I have done that too and it's fine if you have only enough time to sleep.

 

[dvt]

It's a matter of personal preference and also the timing of your flights. My preference is to get the metro to Shivaji Stadium and walk to The Park hotel. From the Park, I like to visit Nirula's for a hot chocolate fudge sundae or have a meal at Daryaganj (although it was closed for refurbishment when I looked in a couple of weeks ago). This is a more Indian experience. If you would prefer to be cocooned in a tiny slice of Western Europe then stay in an Aerocity hotel - which will be extremely comfortable but hideously expensive.

A third option exists - for almost no money there are many hotels a short ride away in Mahipalpur Village where you can sleep in a windowless room for almost no money. I have done that too and it's fine if you have only enough time to sleep.

I do like the idea of this. For a first timer in New Delhi, would this be a straightforward layover? I'm a seasoned traveller with hand luggage only. But I have no idea about the metro system or how difficult or busy it might be to navigate late at night and first thing in the morning!

 

[Mr H]

I do like the idea of this. For a first timer in New Delhi, would this be a straightforward layover? I'm a seasoned traveller with hand luggage only. But I have no idea about the metro system or how difficult or busy it might be to navigate late at night and first thing in the morning!

You would need to check the metro operating hours but it is not complicated. The airport and Shivaji Stadium are on the same line (the orange one) and Maps.Me will assist with getting to the hotel. I would be hesitant to walk to the hotel at night as you have to go through back streets (although the monkeys are possibly as much of a threat as any bad people) but early in the morning the streets will be deserted.

 

[Ansett]

Arrive stay in hotel. DO NOT DO TRANSIT. Based on personal previous experience.

 

[JessicaTam]

Last week I transited DEL. I arrived at 2200 on MH and departed 0800 on AY. I travelled HLO and had an onward BP issued in SYD at the start of my journey.

Whilst my BP was closely inspected I was waved through the check point, cleared security and was quickly airside.

My only hiccup was AY (J/OWE) pax are able to use the Encalm Privé lounge. As MH checkin in SYD did not issue me a voucher, I had to wait until the AY checkin in DEL opened, so the lounge could call them and verify access. Fortunately I used my PP to access the regular Encalm lounge until then.

I am doing the return journey in a couple of weeks so will report back.

 

[Bell21]

there's a thread for everything on AFF - I was debating whether to do a layover or stop-over in DEL and glad I chose to do a stop-over in DEL from the looks of it --- land at 5am in the morning and then staying in Le Meridien New Delhi overnight, before flying on to Europe the next day - let me know if anything i need to be aware of getting to / from airport and any tips on things to do for the day are most very welcome (it's randomly my first time in India as it just suited to fly there Air India in J on KF points)

 

[Daver6]

there's a thread for everything on AFF - I was debating whether to do a layover or stop-over in DEL and glad I chose to do a stop-over in DEL from the looks of it --- land at 5am in the morning and then staying in Le Meridien New Delhi overnight, before flying on to Europe the next day - let me know if anything i need to be aware of getting to / from airport and any tips on things to do for the day are most very welcome (it's randomly my first time in India as it just suited to fly there Air India in J on KF points)

What time of year are you there?

Delhi has a million and one monuments and places to see. My first time there with a free half day, I just asked the hotel concierge to arrange a car and driver and take me to a few sites they recommended. Driver was great, organised tickets to enter where needed etc. Definitely not the cheapest of doing things, but it was the middle of summer, low 40s and having a nice air conditioned car with cold water each time I got in made it worth it. Might have cost me $100 AUD.

There are others who know for more about India and Delhi who will have some good ideas. I think it will come down to what you want to do and what level of comfort/adventure you're after.

Go with an open mind. There are two types of people in this world. Those who haven't been to India and those are think it's an amazing place.

 

[Bell21]

What time of year are you there?

Delhi has a million and one monuments and places to see. My first time there with a free half day, I just asked the hotel concierge to arrange a car and driver and take me to a few sites they recommended. Driver was great, organised tickets to enter where needed etc. Definitely not the cheapest of doing things, but it was the middle of summer, low 40s and having a nice air conditioned car with cold water each time I got in made it worth it. Might have cost me $100 AUD.

There are others who know for more about India and Delhi who will have some good ideas. I think it will come down to what you want to do and what level of comfort/adventure you're after.

Go with an open mind. There are two types of people in this world. Those who haven't been to India and those are think it's an amazing place.

Sorry - mid-May. Thanks for the suggestion re cab - always travel with an open mind - I've often had feedback that 'don't go here or here', but i find each place has its own interesting qualities (eg, Bangkok). Just wanting to see a few key sights, nothing too adventurous, although I do enjoy bike riding / scooter, as I find it a nice way to see a lot without missing too much --- and wanting to check New Delhi was a reasonable choice of location.

 

[Sprucegoose]

My only hiccup was AY (J/OWE) pax are able to use the Encalm Privé lounge. As MH checkin in SYD did not issue me a voucher, I had to wait until the AY checkin in DEL opened, so the lounge could call them and verify access. Fortunately I used my PP to access the regular Encalm lounge until then.

Review: Encalm Privé Lounge, Delhi Airport Terminal 3 (International) - Live From A Lounge

Encalm Privé Lounge Delhi Terminal 3 allows access to those flying out from Delhi International airport on the basis of airline eligibility

livefromalounge.com

They seem to only allow admittance based on invitation only. Did AY check-in open at 0500?

It doesn't look too shabby. Did you snag a nap room?

 

[JessicaTam]

Review: Encalm Privé Lounge, Delhi Airport Terminal 3 (International) - Live From A Lounge

Encalm Privé Lounge Delhi Terminal 3 allows access to those flying out from Delhi International airport on the basis of airline eligibility

livefromalounge.com

They seem to only allow admittance based on invitation only. Did AY check-in open at 0500?

It doesn't look too shabby. Did you snag a nap room?

I got in around 0400. The nap rooms were busy when I got there so didn't bother. On the way back next week maybe.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I got in around 0400. The nap rooms were busy when I got there so didn't bother. On the way back next week maybe.

Ok, we look forward to your reported serendipitous discoveries.

India fascinates me, and I am yet to visit, not through the lack of trying, though!

Happy landings as my HKG tailor used to quip!