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Is a 40 min layover in Delhi long enough?

DEL · Indira Gandhi International · Delhi, India
Cutting It Close

No, 40 minutes is probably not enough for a layover at DEL (Delhi).

Immigration and security lines at T3 alone can consume this entire window.
Quick Stats
Concourses
3
Max Transit
60m
Avg. Security
25m
Primary Hub
Air India
Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
60min
✗
Domestic → International
90min
✗
International → Domestic
90min
✗
International → International
75min
✗
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Tips for 40 min Connections
If your itinerary routes between T1 and T3, budget at least 90 minutes as the shuttle plus re-screening eats time fast.
Check your boarding pass carefully — same-airline connections can still switch terminals without warning, especially IndiGo domestic-to-international.
Use the T3 transfer desks immediately after landing if you're on a tight international-to-domestic connection to confirm gate and screening requirements.
Immigration queues for arriving international passengers can be long in early morning hours (midnight to 4am) due to bunched long-haul arrivals.
Keep your connecting boarding pass or transit visa documentation handy, as Delhi requires it for airside movement between zones.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Getting Between Concourses
Passengers connecting between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 must take a free inter-terminal shuttle bus that takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and boarding time, followed by a fresh security check on arrival. Within Terminal 3 itself, international-to-domestic or domestic-to-international transfers involve walking through immigration/customs-adjacent corridors but no shuttle is needed, cutting transfer time significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 40 minutes enough for a layover at Indira Gandhi International (DEL)?

Immigration and security lines at T3 alone can consume this entire window.

What is the minimum connection time at DEL?

Minimum connection times at Indira Gandhi International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 60 minutes, International-to-International is 75 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 40 minutes connection at DEL on an international flight?

40 minutes is below the 75-minute international MCT at Indira Gandhi International. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. Passengers connecting between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 must take a free inter-terminal shuttle bus that takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and boarding time, followed by a fresh security check on arrival. Within Terminal 3 itself, international-to-domestic or domestic-to-international transfers involve walking through immigration/customs-adjacent corridors but no shuttle is needed, cutting transfer time significantly.

How much time do I need for a layover at DEL?

We recommend at least 1½ hours for a comfortable connection at Indira Gandhi International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 25 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 60 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at DEL?

If you misconnect, head to your airline's transfer desk in Terminal 3 (arrivals level) or the Air India/IndiGo help counters, as most rebooking happens on the spot rather than requiring a trip to landside ticketing.

Other Layover Durations at DEL
25 min30 min35 min45 min50 min55 min1 hr1¼ hr1½ hr1¾ hr2 hr2½ hr3 hr4 hr
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