As the title suggests, only passengers with confirmed tickets for travel are allowed entry into Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi. This may come as a surprise for many foreigners where airport security at home doesn’t appear until after check-in. Being prepared ahead of arrival will ensure a swift entry into the airport.

All entry gates at Delhi international airport are secured by two armed guards. Travelers must show their passport and ticket to gain access. Without the proper proof of flight reservation you will be turned away. This means no family, no friends, no driver or help of any kind is allowed to escort passengers into the airport.

What is a Ticket?

Two types of tickets are acceptable. One is the actual hard copy ticket provided by an airline office or travel agency. The second is for tourists flying with an E-ticket. In this case a printed copy of the full flight itinerary will suffice.

All of the major airlines serving IGI airport operate offices in the Delhi metro area. E-ticket passengers who wish to have an actual ticket prior to arrival can obtain one from these offices. Also, lost tickets can be replaced directly through the airline office.

What Do I Do If I Don’t Have a Ticket?

If you are traveling on an E-ticket, your ticket was stolen or lost, or you don’t have a printed flight itinerary, do not let a guard tell you to go to the airline office. Ask to verify your reservation using the printed passenger list kept outside the airport with one of the guards. All passengers flying on a particular day, by flight, can be found on this list. Find your name, show your passport, enter airport. It’s the hard way but it works.