Indian Airports Complete Guide for you as a Visitor
India has 25 international airports connecting East and South Asia destinations with the Middle East and Western destinations. Some of these are the busiest and largest airports in the world, with world-class facilities. Others are growing at a rapid rate.
Take a look at the list of opportunities you can expect at these airports, including retirement homes, food courts, EVISA facilities, VIP accommodation and more. This list will tell you what to expect at major international airports in India.
1. Visakhapatnam International Airport
City served: Visakhapatnam (also known as Vizag)
State: Andhra Pradesh
IATA code: VTZ
Vizag Airport is fast-growing and serves the international airlines AirAsia (KL), Air India (from Dubai) and Scout (Singapore) on the east coast. It provided most of the 36 series APSRTC buses near Gajuwakar, about w km from the city centre of Visakhapatnam.
The airport has the largest terminal in Tier-2 cities, with duty-free shops and restaurants on the second floor. Most commercial services run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Travellers from 111622 countries will be able to enjoy Visa on arrival. The exclusive CIP lounge gest provides WiFi, food and (non-alcoholic) drinks on the floor of international departures. Local SIM cards are available at kiosks near departures.
2. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordolai International Airport (LGBI)
City served: Guwahati
State: Assam
IATA code: GAU
Located in Borjahar, about 2 km from Dispur, the capital of Assam, the LGBI Airport currently hosts direct international flights to Bangkok-DMK and Ho Chi Minh City and stops flights from Paro, Bhutan to Singapore. It is connected to the city centre via ATSTC Volvo AC buses, prepaid and post-paid taxis and UBR cabs. The incoming area has a currency exchange and tourist information area as well as transit rooms for a small fee.
Free WiFi is available at the airport for free 30 minutes. ATM machines are located inside and outside the terminal. The departure area has a newsstand and a few souvenir shops.
3. Indira Gandhi International Airport
City served: Delhi NCR
State: Delhi
IATA code: Dell
Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport is one of the largest in the world and is located 1 km away from the city. It is well connected by New Delhi Metro, car rental, UBR car, prepaid taxi and bus. It has been served by airlines like British Airways, JAL, Singapore Airlines, Saudia, Korean Air etc.
Services available include restaurants and bars, ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, beauty services, tour and hotel booking kiosks, pet fly and SIM card kiosks near the exit door. In addition to the premium lounges at the airport, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel at Terminal 3 has eVisa counters available for tourists.
If you are coming to Teacher Rishikesh Yoga Teacher Training or Dharamsala, you have to buy international tickets in Delhi and come to this airport.
4. Dabolim Airport
Served by the city: Dabolim
State: Goa
IATA code: GOI
Dabolim Airport is located 29 kilometres (or 40 minutes by taxi) from Panaji, the capital of Goa, and handles one-tenth of India's passenger vehicles. Terminal 29 usually operates only charter international flights from Kuwait, the United Kingdom, Russia and Sharjah. Transport options include shuttles, prepaid taxis, local bus, car rental and train stations (in Margao and Vasco da Gama) connected to Vasco da Gama and other cities.
Passengers at Terminal 2 enjoy a number of basic services, including international money exchanges, some duty-free shops, tourism and taxi information counters, hotel reservation counters and snack bars. Increasing traffic has made it necessary to build a new airport in Mopar. Visa is offered here.
For Goa Yoga Teacher Training, you have to come to this airport. You can take a direct flight or also take an internal flight from Mumbai, Bangalore or Chennai.
5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
City served: Ahmedabad
State: Gujarat
IATA code: AMD
Ahmedabad International Airport is located 9 km north of the city centre, connected by car rental, pre-paid and post-paid taxis, free shuttles operated by some hotels. Local bus services operated by AMTS are recommended only if you feel comfortable travelling locally.
Passengers at the airport enjoy limited exchange-free shops with currency exchange services, perfumes, fashion and gift items Child Terminal 2 service Business Class and the new Plaza Premium Lounge in the international departure area for first-class passengers. The airport operates flights to Sharjah (Biman), Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), Paro (Druk Air), Singapore (Singapore Airlines) etc.
6. Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport
City served: Srinagar
States: Jammu and Kashmir
IATA code: SXR
Srinagar Airport is located 12 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is connected by taxi and bus services. Passengers will have to use a paid government-operated bus service from the airport to the Lal Chowk Tourist Resource Center. The airport has been designated as international, although it has not seen international flights since September 2018, except for Hajj flights operated by SpiceJet and Air India. The airport is small with an integrated terminal.
Passengers will be able to enjoy pairings of food like Pizza Hut and KFC. Night operation is not currently supported.
7. Kempegowda International Airport
City served: Bangalore
State: Karnataka
IATA code: BLR
Serving the city of Bangalore about 40 km away, Kempegowda International Airport is one of the busiest places in India. Organized airlines include Air Arab, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Cathay Dragon, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Gulf Air, JL, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and others. The airport offers e-tourist visa facility for 40 days.
Terminal 1 provides international and domestic flights across two floors, including the Airbus A380. Passengers enjoy the services of an international departure lounge, including a live food counter and business center, a VIP lounge, duty-free service and food and drink. The airport provides free WiFi for the elderly and children, bogie service, wheelchair access on arrival and departure.
8. Mangalore International Airport
Served in the city: Mangalore
State: Karnataka
IATA code: IXE
Mangalore International Airport operates flights from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Dubai, Muscat and Kuwait Air India Express. The old terminal handles Hajj flights. It also provides international charter flights. Located 13 km from the city centre of Mangalore, the airport is connected to the central railway station by a bus service operated by KSRTC. Prepaid taxis are available in 13/24 cities.
The airport is small with limited services. Passengers have access to 30 minutes of free WiFi, foreign exchange services, limited duty-free shops, and souvenir stand, child care facilities, ATM cash machines, as well as access to various operating hours, food and beverage cusecs. The airport also provides postal services in the departure area and a prayer room.
9. Trivandrum International Airport
City served: Thiruvananthapuram
State: Kerala
IATA code: TRV
Trivandrum Airport has a small international terminal 2, located 3.2 kilometres from the city centre and connected by local buses, car rentals, autorickshaws and taxis. The airport serves airlines such as Air Arbay, Emirates, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airlines, Scoot and Oman Air mainly for the Middle East. Passengers enjoy some consumer and store services. Free WiFi is available for 3.7 minutes, but passengers may need a local SIM to log in.
The Bird Lounge at Terminal 2 is available through the membership program. Passengers will also find ATMs, childcare rooms, currency exchange, luggage wrapping facilities, medical services and a smoking lounge. Visa service available.
10. Cochin International Airport
City served: Kochi
State: Kerala
IATA code: Coke
Kochi Airport is one of the largest and busiest international airports in Kerala, 25 km from Kochi in Nechumbaseri. Terminal 3 serves international airlines including Air Arabia, AirAsia, Air India, Arabia, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, SilkAir, Saudi Arabia and Qatar Airways. The new terminal has been expanded to 3 10 customs counters, with a shopping complex with duty-free shops, 3 bank counters and a ground-level VIP lounge. WiFi is free for 30 minutes.
The second level has 10 e-tourist visa counters, moving walkways and 5 health examination counters. There are 40 immigration counters in 3 level exits, a large area of the duty-free shop, 3 VIP lounges, two prayer rooms. The fourth level has a restaurant, smoking lounge, food court, bar, airline executive lounge and rest area. There are a few hotels nearby, including the Royal Wings Hotel and a free shuttle service to the Flora Airport Hotel. Kochi Airport has visa facilities for tourists.
11. Calicut International Airport
Served by the city: Kozhikode
State: Kerala
IATA code: CCJ
Calicut International Airport has located 26 km from Kozhikode in Karipur and can be reached by fly-bus, pre-paid taxi, Ola Cabs, train, and NH-28 and NH-966. International airlines included Air Arab, Etihad Airways, Floyd Dubai, Gulf Air, Saudia and Oman Air.
The airport is small and the facilities are limited to a few food stalls and shops, none of which are open 24 hours a day. Free WiFi is available in a few cases, such as SHA and international check-in areas. Economy passengers can use the airport lounge on a per-use basis. Several hotels are located nearby.
Also available are ATM, international arrival and check-in areas with childcare facilities, currency exchange at departures and arrivals, duty-free shops, luggage wrapping, medical services and prayer rooms.
12. Kannur International Airport
City served: Kannur
State: Kerala
IATA code: CNN
The fourth and newest airport in Kerala, Kannur International Airport is 30 km from Kannur and 3 km from Matanur. It is connected by KSRTC bus, train, e-auto and pre-paid taxi. The airport provides international flights to the Gulf region, mainly serving non-resident Keralites living there.
Airport passengers will enjoy facilities such as self-baggage drop counters, self-check-in machines, ATMs outside the international arrival gate, food court, baggage wrap service, money exchange, child care, medical care, and pre-paid taxi services. Some retail stores and an expanded duty-free shopping area and lounges are imminent.
13. Devi Ahlabai Hallkar International Airport
City served: Indore
State: Madhya Pradesh
IATA code: IDR
Indore Airport has located 8 km from the city centre of Indore and is the busiest airport in Central India. It is connected to the city by taxi, car rental, Ola cabs, city bus and autorickshaw. The integrated terminal has two ATMs, a food court and retail stalls that are being expanded to support the airport’s growth plans. International flying passengers will get very early service but a few Gulf flights may be launched soon.
14. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
City served: Mumbai
State: Maharashtra
IATA code: BOM
Mumbai Airport is the second busiest in India and is located in the suburbs of Santa Cruz, about 22 km from the city centre. It is connected to the city by prepaid taxis, Ola and Uber cabs and local train services, about 10 minutes away from Andheri station. The airport is connected to the west and serves Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, EgyptAir, El Al, Air Tanzania, Gulf Airlines, Iran Air, Lufthansa and others.
Passengers will enjoy modern services at Terminal 2, including lots of 2/24 eateries and retail outlets. Economy passengers can pay for access to a few lounges, which feature shower services. Many chairs have designs attached to a breast on a lever, although the airside is more comfortable than the ground floor. Transit hotels and sleeping pods are available at the airport. Free WiFi is available but an Indian number is required for the access code, or you can get a WiFi voucher from the info desk.
Other facilities include post office services on arrival land departure, child care facilities, children's playground, luggage storage, and wrapping, medical services and pharmacy, ATMs, currency exchange, prayer rooms and duty-free shopping. Spa and salon services and showers are available at Avisarav Lounge. E-tourist visas are also available here.
15. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport
City served: Nagpur
State: Maharashtra
IATA code: NAG
Serving in the city of Nagpur, about 8 km from the centre, Nagpur International Airport serves Air Arabian and Qatar Airways, including flights to Sharjah and Doha. The airport is small with a single terminal and is connected to the city by taxi and bus. Passengers will enjoy free WiFi in departure areas, some eateries, pay-per-use lounges.
Passengers have access to baby care facilities, ATMs, currency exchange, a few small duty-free shops, vending machines, medical services and a pharmacy. No luggage storage locker is available. Car rentals can be booked upon arrival and the city bus service reaches the bus stop at the southern end.
16. Biju Patnaik International Airport
City served: Bhubaneswar
State: Orissa
IATA code: BBI
Bhubaneswar International Airport is 4 km away from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, easily accessible by autorickshaws and taxis. The airport is connected to Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia and currently serves British Airways, SriLankan Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Passengers will find a small airport with the old Terminal 2 to serve international passengers. Facilities include free WiFi for 30 minutes, shop and eateries. Economic passengers can pay for airport lounge access. Transit passengers can pay for day rooms.
Other facilities include ATMs, daycare rooms, currency exchange, restaurants, medical service retail stores across the airport, smoking rooms and spas.
17. Shri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport
City served: Amritsar
State: Punjab
IATA code: ATQ
Amritsar International Airport has located 11 km from the city, connected by taxi, Uber and Ola cab, local bus, auto and will soon be connected by Amritsar Metrobus. Airports serving the airport include AirAsia X, Air India to Birmingham and London-Stansted, Air India Express, Malindo Air to KL, Scoot to Singapore, Uzbekistan Airways in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan Airlines in Ashgabat.
Passengers will find a small, modern airport with limited shops and eateries. Free WiFi is available for 30 minutes and an internet card can be purchased at the help desk. Seating is limited as well. Some hotels nearby offer free shuttle services, such as the Radisson Bike Park Inn and VIP Lounge with free business services. Other amenities include ATMs, children's playgrounds, currency exchange, duty-free shops, information desks and medical services.
18. Jaipur International Airport
City served: Jaipur
State: Rajasthan
IATA code: JAI
Jaipur International Airport is located at a distance of 13 km from Jaipur in Jangpur, which is connected to international destinations like Sharjah, Dubai, KL, Bangkok and Muscat. The connection of pre-paid taxis and metro has made the airport accessible.
The airport is small but modern and clean, with some food discounts and shops. The exit-pre-immigration area on the first floor provides 24-hour dining, several retail outlets, power outlets and first-class lounges that economy travellers can afford to enter.
Within one kilometre of the airport are located several airport hotels (including some free or paid shuttles). Free WiFi is available but local SIM card is required. Other services include ATMs, child care rooms, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, luggage storage, on-arrival medical services, postal services and 2nd smoking rooms.
19. Chennai International Airport
City served: Chennai
State: Tamil Nadu
IATA Code: MAA
The international terminal at Chennai International Airport may seem outdated and passengers are not allowed in the departure areas three hours before their flight. However, there are nearby hotels within the fast shuttle ride. The airport is located 21 km from the city centre and is connected by a prepaid taxi, airport metro station and a shuttle service between the metro station and the terminal.
Food stalls at the airport, rest areas, lounges under the membership program, Indian mobile phone for login required 45 minutes free WiFi, ATM, baby swap opportunities, currency exchange, duty-free shops, luggage storage, food and beverage, luggage wrapping has, Medical services, pharmacies, post offices and international terminal airside prayer rooms are also offered here for tourists.
20. Coimbatore International Airport
City served: Coimbatore
State: Tamil Nadu
IATA code: CJB
Coimbatore International Airport is connected to the cities of Sharjah, Singapore and Colombo by international airlines. The airport is located about 10 kilometres from the city and can be reached by frequent buses. It is 11 km from Coimbatore railway station. Autorickshaws, call taxis and cabs are available 11/24.
Passengers will find a small airport with limited shops and eateries and WiFi which is free for only 15 minutes. Bathrooms for transit passengers are available for a fee. There are several hotels within five to six minutes from the airport, some of which may have airport shuttles. Other services include ATMs, childcare rooms, foreign exchange, duty-free shopping, information desks, luggage wrapping, medical services and a smoking room.
21. Tiruchirappalli International Airport
City served: Tiruchirappalli
State: Tamil Nadu
IATA code: TRZ
Trichy Airport is one of the busiest in India and the second largest in Tamil Nadu by area. It is connected to international destinations through AirAsia, Air India Express, Malindo Air, Scoot and SriLankan Airlines. The airport is accessible by city bus and exclusive airport bus.
Passengers enjoy the VIP lounge and a CIP lounge but there is no fee-based lounge. Some food and beverage stalls are available, free WiFi for 30 minutes, a food court and restaurant, some retail stores, ATMs and Forex. The airport also has a transit restroom which you can book in advance for a fee.
22. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
City served: Hyderabad
State: Telangana
IATA code: HYD
The small, modern terminal at Hyderabad Airport has some meals, premium lounges, Air India Maharaja Lounge for first-class and business class passengers, comfortable reclining chairs near the departure gate, two hotels in the complex and free WiFi for 2 hours. E-tourist visas are available in certain countries at the time of arrival.
Passengers enjoy access to departures at any business center, postal service, childcare facilities, a field with food and beverage counters, information desk, travel agency kiosks and local SIM card kiosks. The airport has luggage storage, luggage wrapping, pharmacy, ATM, forex counter and prayer room features a duty-free shop and O2 Spar is a good choice. The car park has a go-kart course.
23. Chowdhury Chowdhury Charan Singh International Airport
City served: Lucknow
State: Uttar Pradesh
IATA code: LKO
Lucknow International Airport is located in the Amausi area, conveniently connected to the city via the red line of the Lucknow Metro. The airport is served by international airlines such as Thai Smile, Saudia, Oman Air, Flynas and Floyd Dubai. Passengers will find a small airport which is the second-best in the country in its category.
Passengers will be able to enjoy food and beverage options near Terminal 1, which operates international flights. In the lever, passengers can rest in the restroom for up to 24 hours for a small fee. WiFi is available but to sign in you need to provide a mobile number ATM ATM, free child care facility, centimetre currency exchange, some duty-free shops, food and beverage, florist, medical services, spa and pharmacy.
24. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Served by the city: Varanasi
State: Uttar Pradesh
IATA code: VNS
Varanasi Airport has located 2 km from Varanasi city and is connected by car or taxi (26 minutes) and by bus from the airport to the city. It serves several Thai Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Buddha Air from Kathmandu and Air India Express to Sharjah. Passengers will see the integrated terminal look small but can be equipped with basic facilities.
The waiting area includes snack stalls, bookstores, convenience stores, retail stores and a VIP waiting lounge. There are some hotels from the terminal including Hotel Runway Inn and KJ International Hotel
Free WiFi is available but an Indian phone is required to log in. The airport has a babysitting room, vending machines, medical services and a smoking centre at 1 st floor, airside.
25. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
City served: Kolkata
State: West Bengal
IATA code: CCU
Located 18 km from Kolkata city centre, Kolkata Airport is well connected by regular AC buses, pre-paid and post-paid taxis and Uber cabs. The airport is a major hub for international airlines in Southeast Asia, supplying Singapore Airlines, Cathay Dragon, China Eastern Airlines and Druk Air, as well as Qatar Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Sri Lankan Airlines, etc.
Passengers have access to sky-high fee-based first-class lounges and more than two dozen consumer and retail stores. Free WiFi available for 45 minutes. The airport has leisure rooms and dorms for all guests who want to rest overnight. Features Other facilities include a post office on arrival, baby care facility, luggage storage and wrapping services, 24/7 medical services on arrival and departure, a pharmacy, ATM and currency exchange Included. A spa and smoking lounge is available.
The number of international airports in India is growing to accommodate the growing number of business and international travel for tourism. Not every airport is equipped as best. Being prepared with an idea of what to expect in arrivals can make your trip hassle-free and allow you to plan ahead for a smoother trip.
Let us know what is our favourite airport in India.