Delhi Airport T3 to T1 Transfer Guide 2026: Free Shuttle, Times and Minimum Connection
By Aarav Sharma (Aarav Sharma covers Indian airline operations, airport infrastructure and route economics. He writes about Tier-1 and Tier-2 airport developments, IndiGo and Air India fleet strategy, and the unsung Indian aviation hubs travellers should know about.) · Published · Last updated · 10 min read
Connecting between Delhi Airport's terminals trips up a lot of travellers — T3, T2 and T1 are separate buildings. Here's exactly how the free inter-terminal shuttle works in 2026, how long T3-to-T1 takes, and how much connection time to leave.
Quick answer
Delhi's IGI Airport runs a free, 24/7 inter-terminal shuttle bus between T1, T2 and T3 — you do not need to exit and pay for a separate taxi. The buses run roughly every 20 minutes; the T3-to-T1 leg can take around 25–45 minutes depending on traffic, as the terminals are several kilometres apart by road. You must show a valid same-day boarding pass / ticket for the terminal you're heading to in order to board. For a self-transfer where you change between an international and a domestic flight on separate tickets (collect bags, re-check, clear security again), leave a generous buffer — ideally 4–5 hours. Always reconfirm details on newdelhiairport.in. See our full Delhi terminal guide.
Why Delhi's terminals are separate buildings
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has three passenger terminals — T1, T2 and T3 — that are not connected airside; they're distinct buildings several kilometres apart. T3 is the big international-and-premium-domestic terminal; T1 handles low-cost domestic operations (IndiGo and others); T2 is used as an overflow/secondary domestic terminal. Note that airline terminal assignments do change — Air India and others have shifted terminals over time — so the single most important step is to check which terminal each of your flights uses before you travel. A connection that looks tight on paper can involve a real-world bus ride across the airport.
The free inter-terminal shuttle, step by step
The shuttle is the standard way to move between terminals without leaving the airport system:
- After collecting any checked bags (on a self-transfer) and exiting into the terminal, follow the 'Inter-Terminal Transfer' signs.
- At the shuttle kiosk, show your valid same-day boarding pass or ticket for your onward flight to get the transfer coupon.
- Board the free DTC shuttle bus — they run 24/7, roughly every 20 minutes.
- Ride to your destination terminal (T1 for low-cost domestic), then proceed to check-in and security as normal.
The bus itself takes time because of the road distance and Delhi traffic — budget around 25–45 minutes for T3 to T1 once you account for waiting and the drive. Buses can fill up at peak, so don't leave it to the last minute.
How much connection time to leave
This depends entirely on your ticket type:
- Single ticket, airline-managed connection through one terminal — follow the airline's minimum connection time; transfers can be efficient.
- Self-transfer across terminals on separate tickets — this is the risky one. You must clear arrival (and immigration, if arriving international), collect checked bags, ride the shuttle, then check in and clear security again for the next flight. Leave at least 4–5 hours, more for an international-to-domestic switch with immigration and customs.
- Inter-terminal hop without bags, both domestic — allow at least 60–90 minutes including the bus and security.
Because the legs are on separate tickets in a self-transfer, a missed connection is your responsibility, not the airline's — so over-budget rather than under. Price connecting options that keep you in one terminal where possible in the FlightGPT chat.
International-to-domestic: the extra steps
If you land internationally at T3 and need a domestic flight from T1, the sequence is: clear immigration at T3, collect your checked baggage, pass customs, exit, take the inter-terminal shuttle to T1, then check in and clear domestic security. Each step has its own queue. This is why a same-airline through-connection (where they handle your bag and you may stay in T3) is so much easier than a self-booked split. If your bags are checked through to your final destination, confirm that with the airline — it changes everything about how much time you need.
Tips to make a Delhi terminal transfer painless
A few habits save stress: confirm both flights' terminals 24 hours before travel (assignments change); keep your onward boarding pass / ticket handy for the shuttle kiosk; carry essentials and medication in cabin baggage in case of delays; and use the airport's free Wi-Fi to recheck gate and terminal info. If you have a long layover, T3 has more food, retail and lounge options than T1. For lounge access during the wait, see our lounge-access guide. And if you're connecting onward internationally, double-check visa and transit rules in our transit-visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free shuttle between Delhi Airport T3 and T1?
Yes. Delhi's IGI Airport runs a free, 24/7 inter-terminal DTC shuttle bus between T1, T2 and T3, roughly every 20 minutes. You must show a valid same-day boarding pass or ticket for your onward flight to board.
How long does it take to get from T3 to T1 at Delhi Airport?
The T3-to-T1 shuttle leg can take around 25–45 minutes depending on traffic and waiting time, as the terminals are several kilometres apart by road. Budget on the higher side at peak hours.
How much connection time do I need at Delhi Airport?
For a self-transfer across terminals on separate tickets — collecting bags, riding the shuttle, re-checking and clearing security — leave at least 4–5 hours, more for international-to-domestic with immigration. A bagless domestic hop needs at least 60–90 minutes.
Do I need to clear immigration to transfer from T3 to T1?
If you arrive internationally at T3 and connect to a domestic flight at T1 on a separate ticket, yes — clear immigration, collect bags, pass customs, then take the shuttle to T1 and check in again. A same-airline through-connection can be much simpler.
Which terminal does my Delhi flight use?
It varies by airline and changes over time — T3 is international and premium domestic, T1 is low-cost domestic, T2 is secondary domestic. Always confirm each flight's terminal 24 hours before travel on the official Delhi Airport site.