1Qutb Minar Complex
UNESCO site closest to the airport — 12th-century minaret in a garden. Open from sunrise, INR 40.
Photo: Syed Sajidul Islam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) · India
12-Hour Layover in Delhi: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Delhi?
Entry
India e-Visa required for most nationalities — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel. Available for 180+ nationalities. Some nationalities (Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives) visa-free.
Into town
Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line).
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from DEL arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Delhi: Where to Go
The sights in Delhi worth leaving the airport for.
1
2Chandni Chowk & Red Fort
Mughal-era bazaar street — paratha alley (Gali Paranthe Wali) is the most photographed food street in India.
Photo: Goutam1962, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Lodhi Garden
Free 15th-century tombs in a green park. Popular with Delhi's morning joggers — peaceful and very photogenic.
Photo: Tarun Kumar Sambhariya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for Delhi
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
6 hours in Delhi
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
See the 6-hour planPhoto: Fredericknoronha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
12 hours
You are here12 hours in Delhi
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
IGI has three terminals — T1 (domestic budget), T2 (not in use), T3 (international + Air India domestic). Confirm your terminal — T1 is 4km from T3.
Into Delhi
Getting to Delhi City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line) | $2 | 20 min to New Delhi station |
| Taxi / Ola | $8–15 | 30–60 min |
Photo: Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Eat Like a Local in Delhi
Chole bhature at Sitaram Diwan Chand in Paharganj — Delhi's most famous breakfast, INR 100. Opens at 8am.
12 hours in Delhi
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Delhi
Take Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line).
2
1–4 hrs
Qutb Minar Complex
UNESCO site closest to the airport — 12th-century minaret in a garden. Open from sunrise, INR 40.
3
4–6 hrs
Chandni Chowk & Red Fort
Mughal-era bazaar street — paratha alley (Gali Paranthe Wali) is the most photographed food street in India.
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Chole bhature at Sitaram Diwan Chand in Paharganj — Delhi's most famous breakfast, INR 100. Opens at 8am.
5
8–10 hrs
Lodhi Garden
Free 15th-century tombs in a green park. Popular with Delhi's morning joggers — peaceful and very photogenic.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Indira Gandhi Airport
Head back to Indira Gandhi Airport by Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Delhi?
India e-Visa required for most nationalities — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel. Available for 180+ nationalities. Some nationalities (Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives) visa-free. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Indira Gandhi Airport?
6–8 hours exploring.
How do I get from Indira Gandhi Airport to Delhi centre?
Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line). Taxi / Ola.
Getting out of Indira Gandhi Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.
Photo: Hohodelhitourism, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Things to do in Delhi
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Delhi and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse DelhiJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Delhi? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Delhi.Trains & buses from Delhi
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Delhi Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Delhi
Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia
Search hotels
Planning a longer stay in Delhi?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Delhi Destination Guide →Also useful for your Delhi trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Delhi
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from DEL.
Air India route mapAir India Express route mapAlliance Air route mapIndiGo route mapSpiceJet route mapAeroflot route mapAir Arabia route mapAir Astana route mapAir Canada route mapAir France route mapAir Mauritius route mapAir Seychelles route mapAirAsia route mapAirAsia X route mapAkasa Air route mapAll Nippon Airways route mapAll Nippon Airways route mapAmerican Airlines route map
Airport lounges at Indira Gandhi Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Delhi travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Delhi works
01
Check you can leave
India e-Visa required for most nationalities — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel. Available for 180+ nationalities. Some nationalities (Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives) visa-free.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Indira Gandhi Airport by Delhi Metro (Airport Express Line). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Delhi?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.