How much layover time do you need at Delhi Airport (DEL) for international connections, and can you leave the airport during a long layover?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 27 days ago
TL;DR
A 1.5-hour connection at Delhi Airport is considered tight if you need to change terminals (e.g. B to C) — allow more buffer. For a long layover, leaving the airport for the city is possible but only with a large time cushion and certainty you can get back through security for your next flight.
What the community said
On a single-ticket connection like Goa–Delhi–Moscow with only 1.5 hours layover, there's a risk of missing the flight if you need to switch terminals (e.g. B to C) — better to allow more time or pick a direct flight instead.
29 days ago 1.5-hour layover (Terminal B to C)
If flying to Delhi via Leh, the connection works well — there are convenient flights from Leh to Delhi.
41 days ago Leh to Delhi flight
For a long layover in Delhi (e.g. en route to Kathmandu), it's possible to try leaving the transit zone into the city visa-free, if the first flight to Delhi is on a single airline and luggage isn't checked through to the final destination — but you need a large time buffer to be sure you can get back to the transit zone in time for your connecting flight.
42 days ago