India Airport Guide: Arrival, Security and Domestic Connections
The first hour after landing in India can color how you remember the whole trip. A little preparation turns that airport arrival from confusing to manageable, whether you touch down in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru or another major hub.
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Best for: Travelers flying into India for the first or second time
Airports covered: Major international hubs and typical domestic terminals
Key topics: Immigration, baggage, security, onward flights and ground transport
Tip: Keep printed confirmations and addresses easily accessible
Immigration and baggage without the panic
On arrival, follow signs for immigration before baggage claim. Keep your passport, completed arrival form if required, visa approval and accommodation address together in a folder or travel wallet. At the counter, answers are expected to be clear and simple: where you are staying first, how long you plan to be in the country and whether your trip is for tourism, business or visiting family. After passport control, collect your luggage and walk through customs; many travelers are waved through the green channel with no checks, but random inspections do happen.
Domestic connections inside India
Many itineraries involve an immediate domestic flight to another city. Sometimes this happens in the same terminal, sometimes in a separate domestic terminal linked by shuttle or metro. Check your booking to see whether luggage is checked through or if you must collect and recheck it. Build a generous buffer between arrival and onward flights to allow for queues at immigration, security and transfers; two to three hours is usually a reasonable minimum when changing from international to domestic.
Exiting the airport and finding your ride
Most major Indian airports have official taxi counters, app based ride pickup zones and prepaid options. Inside the terminal, ATMs and currency exchange booths allow you to withdraw or change a small amount of cash for immediate costs. Many travelers now purchase local SIM cards or eSIMs to access reliable data before leaving the airport; if you plan to do this at arrival, keep passport photos and ID copies handy in case they are requested. Once outside, match your driver to the booking details you have and confirm the drop off location clearly before the car moves.