Got 6 to 12 hours before your next flight? An airport layover India doesn’t have to mean endless waiting and staring at flight boards. This guide is built for travelers seeking to pack city sights and local flavor into even the shortest stopovers. Here, you’ll find the fastest connections, left-luggage tips, and what to do—all without missing your onward flight.

If you want to explore beyond the terminal during your airport layover India, you’ll need a valid Indian visa. Prefer chilling in the international transfer lounge? No visa required. Dive into the details in the Visa for Layovers box below.

Quick Transfer Snapshot (2025)

Your essential at-a-glance transfer guide. Click operator names for the latest info.

Delhi — Airport Express/DMRC

• Fastest: Airport Express Metro (~19 min to New Delhi); for early/late services, check the [Delhi Airport Express timings].
• Left-luggage: Cloakroom at T3 (DMRC building).
• Sleep: Snooze at My Space pods.

Mumbai — CSMIA Cloakroom

• Fastest: Prepaid taxi to city (30–60 min; quick even late).
• Left-luggage: Cloakroom at T1 & T2—get full info on [Mumbai airport left luggage].
• Sleep: Niranta Transit Hotel at T2.

Bengaluru — BMTC Vayu Vajra

• Fastest: BMTC Vayu Vajra (KIA) e-AC buses 24×7; metro not operational in 2025 (target 2026). For details, see [Bengaluru airport bus Vayu Vajra].
• Left-luggage: Ask at arrivals info desk; availability can change.
• Sleep: 080 Transit Hotel (T2).

Hyderabad — TSRTC Pushpak

• Fastest: TSRTC Pushpak runs round-the-clock; taxis are an option too. See [Hyderabad Pushpak airport bus].
• Left-luggage: Left-luggage at Arrivals.
• Sleep: JPOD sleep pods.

Chennai — CMRL Timetable

• Fastest: Metro Airport ⇄ Central via Alandur; see [Chennai airport metro timings].
• Left-luggage: Check at airport info desk; services may be limited.
• Sleep: Day rooms and lounges.

Kolkata — Kolkata Metro Yellow Line

• Fastest: Yellow Line to Airport (Jai Hind/Bimanbandar) is fully operational in 2025, now with extended operating hours from Nov 3, 2025—offering earlier departures, later trains, and even better city-airport access than ever before. See [Kolkata airport metro].
• Left-luggage: Terminal cloakroom.
• Sleep: Lounges.

Ahmedabad — SVPIA Info

• Fastest: On-airport BRTS/AMTS AC buses via T1 counter; frequent daytime runs.
• Left-luggage: No official cloakroom—plan ahead.
• Sleep: JPOD sleeping pods at T1 Arrivals for short naps; no official cloakroom available.
  See [Ahmedabad airport sleeping pods].

Before You Exit Immigration

🛂 Visa for Layovers (2025)

• Staying Airside? No visa is needed for an airport layover India if you remain behind security.
• Exiting to the City? An Indian visa is a must—a transit or e-visa works for most. Check with the Bureau of Immigration for specifics.
• Can you leave the airport during a layover? Yes, as long as you meet the visa rules.
• Minimum Time: Have at least 6 hours between flights to attempt a city visit. This should provide a buffer (1 hour each way) for city transport and airport security.

City Playbooks: How to Ace Your Layover

Explore each city’s best layover options below. The inline links connect you to our detailed [Airport→City Guide] for every location.

Delhi [Delhi Airport→City Guide]

• How to Get There Fast: Ride the Airport Express Metro or take a prepaid taxi in off-hours. Check [Delhi Airport Express timings] for current info.
• Store & Snooze: Use the T3 cloakroom for luggage and rest at the My Space pods.
• 6-Hour “Dash & Snap”: Take the metro to Connaught Place for a walk and a snack. Visit Jantar Mantar. Return on the metro—it’s quick and efficient for your airport layover India.
• 12-Hour “Icons & Bites”: Metro to Old Delhi for breakfast and a view of the Red Fort. Visit Jama Masjid and grab food at Paranthe Wali Gali. Head back on the metro with plenty of buffer time.

Mumbai [Mumbai Airport→City Guide]

• How to Get There Fast: A prepaid taxi is the fastest and most reliable option.
• Store & Snooze: Secure your bags at the T1/T2 cloakrooms. Rest at the Niranta Transit Hotel.
• 6-Hour “Marine Dash”: Take a taxi to Marine Drive, enjoy some snacks, and feel the sea breeze. Return by cab, keeping a close eye on the time during your airport layover India.
• 12-Hour “Gateway Cruise”: See the Gateway of India, eat in the Colaba area, and shop at Fashion Street. Budget your return trip with extra time for traffic queues. For more info on storing bags, see [Mumbai airport left luggage].

Bengaluru [Bengaluru Airport→City Guide]

• How to Get There Fast: Hop on a BMTC Vayu Vajra e-AC bus. Note that the airport metro is not yet operational in 2025 ([Bengaluru airport bus Vayu Vajra]).
• Store & Snooze: For left-luggage, ask at the arrivals info desk; availability can change.
• 6-Hour “Green & Grand”: Take the bus to MG Road or Cubbon Park. Return on the Vayu Vajra, adding a buffer for potential traffic.
• 12-Hour “Garden Circuit”: Ride the bus to Lalbagh Botanical Garden, have lunch nearby, and make an optional stop at UB City Mall. Allow ample time for the return bus journey on your airport layover India.

Hyderabad [Hyderabad Airport→City Guide]

• How to Get There Fast: The [Hyderabad Pushpak airport bus] runs 24/7. Taxis are also a possible backup.
• Store & Snooze: Luggage storage is available at Arrivals; check at the airport info desk. JPOD sleep pods are ideal for a quick nap.
• 6-Hour “Heritage Hop”: Take the Pushpak bus to Charminar for some chai and quick sightseeing. Return on the same bus or a taxi—timing is key for any successful airport layover India.
• 12-Hour “Palaces + Plate”: Ride the Pushpak to Chowmahalla Palace, do some shopping, and stop for biryani. Return to the airport with a 60+ minute buffer.

Chennai [Chennai Airport→City Guide]

• How to Get There Fast: Take the metro to Central via Alandur ([Chennai airport metro timings]).
• Store & Snooze: For left-luggage, check at the airport info desk; services may be limited. Day rooms and lounges are available for rest.
• 6-Hour “Beach & Bite”: Ride the metro to Marina Beach and enjoy some local food. The metro makes getting back to the airport a breeze for your airport layover India.
• 12-Hour “Temple Trail”: Take the metro to Kapaleeshwarar Temple and have a snack in Mylapore. Head back on the metro with plenty of time to spare.

Kolkata [Kolkata Airport→City Guide]

• What’s New in 2025: The Yellow Line [Kolkata airport metro] is operational, with extended hours from Nov 3, 2025 (earlier & later trains)!
• How to Get There Fast: The metro (Yellow Line) will get you to the city and back in about 40–50 minutes.
• Store & Snooze: Use the terminal cloakroom for your bags and the lounges for rest.
• 6-Hour “Victorian Snap”: Take the metro to see the Victoria Memorial and stroll through the Maidan. The return trip on the metro is quick and scenic.
• 12-Hour “Culture Circuit”: Ride the metro to Howrah Bridge, take a ferry ride, sample local sweets, and enjoy a walk. The return is easy thanks to the expanded airport metro.

Ahmedabad [Ahmedabad Airport→City Guide]

• How to Get There Fast: Use the on-airport BRTS/AMTS AC buses via the T1 counter; they offer frequent daytime runs.
• Store & Snooze: There is no official cloakroom. You can use the [Ahmedabad airport sleeping pods] at T1 Arrivals for short naps.
• 6-Hour “Heritage Sprint”: Take a bus or cab to Sabarmati Ashram for a short break. Make a quick return via BRTS/AMTS or cab.
• 12-Hour “Street Life & Crafts”: Ride a bus or cab to Manek Chowk, visit Law Garden, and try some local snacks. Give yourself a full hour to get back to the airport.

Tips & Night Travel

For late arrivals or layovers, official buses (like the Hyderabad Pushpak and Bengaluru Vayu Vajra) and taxis run overnight.

• Safety is strong around major airports—stick to public spaces, use official transport, and avoid deserted areas after midnight.
• Check for overnight storage options by consulting airport info desks.
• Cash and digital payments are widely accepted, but always prepare for potentially busy ATMs at night.
• Night owl tip: Check airport guides for real-time updates—see info on [Kolkata airport metro], [Delhi Airport Express timings], and [Ahmedabad airport sleeping pods].