IndiGo Delhi Terminal 2026: T1, T2 or T3 — which terminal is yours?
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 · 9 min read
IndiGo's terminal split at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has been a source of confusion for years. An October 2026 reshuffle has partially reorganised which flight-number series goes where. This is the definitive quick-reference for IndiGo passengers at Delhi — which terminal, how to get there, and how much time to allow between terminals if you are connecting.
TL;DR — the quick reference
As of October 2026, IndiGo's terminal assignment at Delhi airport broadly follows this pattern: 6E flight numbers in the 5000–5999 series (international and certain international codeshare flights) operate from Terminal 3 (T3). 6E flights in the 2000–2999 series operate from Terminal 2 (T2). Most other domestic 6E flights operate from Terminal 1 (T1). That said, terminal assignments can change for seasonal schedule adjustments, aircraft swaps or operational requirements — always verify your specific flight's terminal on your IndiGo e-ticket or via the IndiGo web check-in page at least 24 hours before departure. The FlightGPT flight-status tool also shows terminal assignments where IndiGo publishes them in the schedule data.
Important caveat: the October 2026 reshuffle is a planned change; verify the current official terminal allocation on the DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) website or the IndiGo app closer to your travel date. Terminal assignments in India can shift with relatively short notice.
Why does IndiGo use multiple terminals at Delhi?
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is operated by DIAL and has three operational terminal buildings — T1, T2 and T3 — each built at different eras, with different capacities and different infrastructure mandates.
- Terminal 1 (T1): The oldest terminal. For years it handled exclusively low-cost domestic traffic — IndiGo and SpiceJet primarily. T1 was rebuilt and expanded around 2022–23 under a DIAL renovation project. It is a functional domestic terminal with basic amenities — decent food court, standard security lanes. No international operations.
- Terminal 2 (T2): The middle-age terminal. Originally Air India's legacy domestic terminal. Has been repurposed as DIAL shifted traffic around — it now handles a mix of IndiGo domestic operations (particularly the 2000-series flights) and some Air India domestic services. T2 is physically linked to T3 by an elevated corridor, but the connection takes time to navigate.
- Terminal 3 (T3): Delhi's main international terminal. Also handles some domestic operations. This is where Air India's international and premium domestic flights depart, and where IndiGo's international (5000-series) flights operate. T3 is a genuinely large, well-equipped terminal with full airside retail, international lounges, and immigration for arriving international passengers.
The reason for IndiGo's split: the airline has grown into an international carrier (IndiGo now flies to over 30 international destinations) and DIAL allocates international operations to T3. IndiGo's domestic fleet is so large — it is the biggest airline in India by far — that no single terminal can absorb it all at DEL.
The October 2026 reshuffle — what changed?
Prior to October 2026, IndiGo operated the bulk of its domestic flights from T1, with international flights from T3, and a smaller set of domestic routes from T2. The October 2026 reshuffle — driven by DIAL's terminal capacity rebalancing — moved a block of IndiGo domestic operations (the 2000–2999 series, which includes several metro-to-metro routes and some IndiGo codeshare services) permanently to T2.
The practical effect:
- If you are flying IndiGo domestic on a high-frequency metro route (Delhi–Mumbai, Delhi–Bangalore, Delhi–Hyderabad, Delhi–Chennai), check your flight number. Some of these moved to T2 under the reshuffle while others remain at T1.
- If you are flying IndiGo international (to Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Colombo etc.), you are at T3, as before.
- T1 domestic remains the largest pool — most point-to-point domestic IndiGo flights not in the 2000-series operate from T1.
The smartest move: open IndiGo's web check-in or the IndiGo app 48 hours before departure. Your boarding pass will show the terminal. Do not rely on memory or last trip's experience — DIAL's terminal assignments have caught out frequent flyers before.
Inter-terminal transit — how long does it take?
This is where things get genuinely stressful if you are connecting between IndiGo flights or between an IndiGo domestic arrival and an international departure (or vice versa).
- T1 to T2: These terminals are not directly connected airside. You exit T1 arrivals, take the free DIAL shuttle bus (runs approximately every 15–20 minutes from the terminal bus bay), or a taxi/auto (~5–10 minutes by road, ₹100–₹200 fixed pre-paid). Total time from T1 arrivals exit to T2 check-in counter: allow 30–45 minutes minimum, more during peak hours.
- T2 to T3: T2 and T3 are connected by an elevated walkway — it is a 10–15 minute walk. You do not exit the secure perimeter if you are connecting airside (international to domestic on the same airline). However, domestic-to-international connections require you to go through immigration at T3, which adds time. Allow 60–90 minutes minimum for a T2 domestic to T3 international connection.
- T1 to T3: No direct connection. You exit T1, take a shuttle or cab (~15–20 minutes by road), and re-enter at T3. Allow at minimum 90 minutes from T1 arrivals to T3 departure gate — 2 hours is safer if it is a peak time (early morning or evening at DEL is notoriously congested on the approach roads).
A frequent flyer's hard-won advice: if you are booked on two separate IndiGo tickets (one domestic, one international at DEL), and they are at different terminals, you need a minimum connection of 2.5–3 hours. If they are on the same PNR (same booking), IndiGo will protect your connection and the minimum connection time is built into the system — but you are still physically making the inter-terminal journey.
Shuttle, metro and cab options between DEL terminals
How people actually get between terminals at DEL:
- DIAL free shuttle bus: Runs between T1, T2 and T3 on a loop, free of charge. Buses are basic but functional. The frequency varies — roughly every 15–20 minutes in theory, though in peak hours the wait can be longer. Look for the 'Inter-Terminal Shuttle' signs outside the arrivals exit at each terminal. Best for travellers with time to spare and luggage.
- Auto-rickshaw or prepaid taxi: The prepaid taxi booth inside arrivals at each terminal offers fixed-price transfers. T1 to T3 is typically ₹150–₹250 on the meter; T2 to T3 is shorter and often ₹100–₹150. Faster than waiting for the shuttle, especially late at night or early morning.
- Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line): The Aerocity and Airport Express stations are adjacent to the IGI airport complex, but the metro line does not physically stop at T1 or T2 — it serves the main T3 complex. Getting from T1 to the metro involves an additional shuttle or auto ride. The metro is excellent for getting to or from the city (New Delhi or Dwarka Sector 21 stations), but not ideal for inter-terminal transfers.
- App-based cabs (Ola/Uber): Can be called to departures exits at any terminal. The airport pickup zones are slightly confusing at DEL — follow the signage to the designated pickup area rather than asking the driver to come to a specific spot. Faster than the shuttle for T1–T3, but pricing at peak hours (early morning flights) can be surge-priced at ₹400–₹700.
Tips to avoid terminal confusion on IndiGo at Delhi
Terminal mix-ups at DEL are one of the most common reasons Indian travellers miss domestic flights — I have seen it happen to people who fly fortnightly. A few simple habits:
- Check your e-ticket PDF, not just the confirmation SMS. The SMS sometimes omits terminal details; the PDF boarding pass (or web check-in boarding pass) always shows the departure terminal explicitly.
- Set an IndiGo app notification 24 hours before departure. The app sometimes shows a 'Terminal Changed' alert if DIAL reallocates bays — rare but it happens, especially during fog season (November–February at DEL).
- Tell your cab driver or airport pickup the correct terminal number explicitly. Delhi airport road approaches are different for T1 and T3; once you are on the flyover the exits diverge and you cannot easily backtrack. A T1 cab approach is completely different from T3.
- Budget extra time for early morning DEL flights. DEL's peak departure bank is 5 am–8 am. Traffic, security queues and check-in counters are all at their worst. For a 6 am departure, being at the check-in counter by 4:30 am is not excessive.
For the most current official terminal information, check the DIAL Flight Information page at newdelhiairport.in or IndiGo's own 'Manage Booking' section. See also our guide on Mumbai airport T1–T2 transfer for IndiGo to Air India connections.
Bottom line
The October 2026 reshuffle means IndiGo operates from all three terminals at DEL depending on your flight number series: 5000s at T3, 2000s at T2, most others at T1. The only reliable way to know which terminal you are at is to check your specific boarding pass at web check-in, not to guess from the flight number alone. If you are connecting between IndiGo flights or between domestic and international at DEL, build in at minimum 2.5–3 hours for an inter-terminal connection. The free shuttle exists, but it is slow — factor that in. Search IndiGo fares across Delhi routes on FlightGPT; your itinerary summary will also show airport notes for DEL connections.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal does IndiGo use at Delhi airport in 2026?
After the October 2026 reshuffle, IndiGo broadly uses T3 for 6E 5000–5999 series (international) flights, T2 for 6E 2000–2999 series domestic flights, and T1 for most other domestic routes. Always verify your specific terminal on your IndiGo e-ticket or via web check-in, as DIAL can make operational changes.
How long does the free shuttle between T1 and T3 at Delhi airport take?
The free DIAL inter-terminal shuttle typically runs every 15–20 minutes and the road journey is about 10–15 minutes, but total time from T1 arrivals exit to T3 check-in can be 30–45 minutes including wait time. At peak hours (early morning or evening), allow 45–60 minutes.
I am connecting from IndiGo domestic (T1) to an Air India international flight (T3). How much time do I need?
Allow a minimum of 2.5–3 hours at Delhi airport for a T1 domestic to T3 international connection, especially if you have checked bags that need to be rechecked. If the two flights are on separate tickets, 3 hours minimum — preferably 3.5 hours — to cover shuttle transit, security re-entry and immigration at T3.
Does IndiGo's app tell me which terminal my DEL flight departs from?
Yes — the IndiGo app's 'Manage Booking' section and the web check-in boarding pass both display the departure terminal. Web check-in opens 48 hours before departure. Set an app notification in case of any last-minute terminal changes, which DIAL occasionally makes due to operational requirements.
Are T2 and T3 at Delhi airport connected internally?
Yes, T2 and T3 are connected by an elevated walkway, but it is a 10–15 minute walk. For domestic-to-international connections, you still need to go through immigration at T3, which adds significant time. For same-carrier domestic connections staying airside, the walkway is the fastest route.
My IndiGo flight number is 6E 2468 from Delhi. Which terminal?
A 6E flight in the 2000–2999 series is expected to operate from T2 at Delhi under the October 2026 reshuffle. But always confirm on your actual boarding pass — DIAL makes operational adjustments, and the terminal shown on your check-in boarding pass is the authoritative source, not the series rule.