Indira gandhi international airport nearest metro depends on your terminal, because IGI Airport is served by two different metro lines. Terminals 2 and 3 have the IGI Airport station on the Airport Express Line, which is connected directly to the terminal buildings, so you can go from train to check-in without stepping onto a road. Terminal 1, the domestic terminal for many airlines, has its own station called Terminal 1–IGI Airport on the Magenta Line. T1 is several kilometres from T2 and T3, so check your terminal on your ticket before you set out. Going to the wrong one is the most common mistake travellers make.
IGI Airport is India’s busiest airport. The Airport Express is the fastest public-transport link between central Delhi and T3, taking about 20 minutes from New Delhi station.
| Detail | Terminal 2 / Terminal 3 | Terminal 1 |
| Metro station | IGI Airport (Airport Express / Orange Line) | Terminal 1–IGI Airport (Magenta Line) |
| Distance to terminal | Connected to the terminal complex | Short walk to domestic departures and arrivals |
| Key exits | Follow signs to T3 departures/arrivals; T2 is next to T3 | Gate 2 (T1 parking, domestic departures); Gate 3 (domestic arrivals) |
| From central Delhi | New Delhi station to T3 in about 20 min | Via Hauz Khas or Janakpuri West on the Magenta Line |
| Fare | Higher Airport Express fare (roughly ₹60–65 from New Delhi) | Regular DMRC distance fare |
| Time zone | IST, UTC+5:30 (no daylight saving) | IST, UTC+5:30 (no daylight saving) |
Terminals 2 and 3: The Airport Express
The Airport Express runs from New Delhi through Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Aerocity and IGI Airport (T3) to Dwarka Sector 21 and Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25.
Getting to T3 or T2:
- Board the Airport Express at New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium or Dhaula Kuan towards Dwarka Sector 21 / Yashobhoomi.
- Get off at IGI Airport.
- Follow the signs to Terminal 3 departures (upper level) or arrivals.
- For Terminal 2, follow the signs from the same station. T2 is next to T3 and a short walk away.
Arriving at T3 or T2: From arrivals, follow the “Metro” signs to the Airport Express station and take a train towards New Delhi.
Connections:
- New Delhi station links to the Yellow Line and New Delhi Railway Station.
- Dhaula Kuan links by walkway to Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus on the Pink Line.
- Dwarka Sector 21 links to the Blue Line.
Terminal 1: The Magenta Line
Terminal 1–IGI Airport is on the Magenta Line, which runs from Botanical Garden (Noida) through Kalkaji Mandir, Hauz Khas, IIT, RK Puram, Vasant Vihar and Terminal 1 to Janakpuri West and Krishna Park Extension.
Its gates:
- Gate 1: Mehram Nagar West, Dhaula Kuan.
- Gate 2: T1 parking, Mehram Nagar East, domestic departures.
- Gate 3: Domestic arrivals, domestic airport police station, G-5 building.
Use Gate 2 for departures and Gate 3 coming from arrivals.
Connections:
- Hauz Khas links to the Yellow Line (Gurugram, AIIMS, Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi).
- Janakpuri West links to the Blue Line.
- Botanical Garden links to the Blue Line (Noida).
- Kalkaji Mandir links to the Violet Line.
Travelling Between T1 and T3
T1 and T3 aren’t connected by metro yet. Use the free airport shuttle between terminals or take a cab. The upcoming Golden Line includes a station at Terminal 1 and will eventually link T1 with Aerocity and the Airport Express, but it isn’t open yet.
Routes to IGI Airport
| Starting point | Terminal | Suggested route | Approx. metro time |
| New Delhi Railway Station | T3 / T2 | Airport Express, direct | About 20 min |
| Connaught Place | T3 / T2 | Airport Express from Shivaji Stadium, or Yellow Line to New Delhi, then Airport Express | About 20–25 min |
| Old Delhi / Kashmere Gate | T3 / T2 | Yellow Line to New Delhi, then Airport Express | About 35–45 min |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin | T3 / T2 | Pink Line to South Campus, walk to Dhaula Kuan, Airport Express | About 40–50 min |
| Noida | T1 | Magenta Line from Botanical Garden, direct | About 50–55 min |
| Noida | T3 / T2 | Blue Line to Rajiv Chowk, Yellow Line to New Delhi, Airport Express | About 60–75 min |
| Gurugram | T1 | Yellow Line to Hauz Khas, then Magenta Line | About 50–60 min |
| Dwarka | T3 / T2 | Blue Line to Dwarka Sector 21, then Airport Express | About 10–20 min |
| Hauz Khas / South Delhi | T1 | Magenta Line towards Janakpuri West, direct | About 20–25 min |
| Janakpuri / West Delhi | T1 | Magenta Line towards Botanical Garden, direct | About 10–15 min |
Tips for Airport Metro Travellers
- Check your terminal first. T1 and T3 are on different metro lines.
- Early flights: The Airport Express’s first trains start at around 4:45 to 5 AM, earlier than most lines. For flights before about 7 AM, a cab may still be safer.
- Late arrivals: The last Airport Express and Magenta Line trains leave at around 11:30 PM to midnight. After that, use prepaid taxis or cab apps from the terminal.
- Luggage: Airport stations have lifts and escalators. Keep your bags within DMRC’s size limits.
- Fares: The Airport Express costs more than regular metro lines. DMRC smart cards and QR tickets work on both lines.
- Allow time for airport security. Aim to reach the terminal at least 2 hours before domestic and 3 hours before international
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the nearest metro station to IGI Airport Terminal 3?
IGI Airport station on the Airport Express Line, which is connected to T3.
Which is the nearest metro station to IGI Airport Terminal 1?
Terminal 1–IGI Airport on the Magenta Line.
Is Terminal 2 served by the metro?
Yes. Use the IGI Airport station on the Airport Express. T2 is next to T3.
How long does the Airport Express take from New Delhi to T3?
About 20 minutes.
Are T1 and T3 connected by metro?
Not yet. Use the free inter-terminal shuttle or a cab. The upcoming Golden Line will serve T1.
Which gate at Terminal 1 metro is for departures?
Gate 2 (T1 parking, domestic departures).
Can I use my Delhi Metro card on the Airport Express?
Yes. DMRC smart cards and QR tickets work on the Airport Express.
What time does the first Airport Express train run?
Around 4:45 to 5 AM, depending on the station.
