Over our brief existence at Zen Travels, we have received numerous questions about traveling through Delhi. Before proceeding further, we would like to highlight our goal here is not to influence you in either way, but to share our understanding with you, so you can make a better decision for yourselves.

Basically, we broke down the challenges of going through India four-fold:

1. Long overnight transit in Delhi
2. Uncertainty whether your luggage will be checked in directly/indirectly to Nepal
3. Harassment by customs and police
4. Uncertainty about the journey

The main reasons to go through Delhi are price (mainly from the eastern population hubs), shorter commute/transit times, and a choice of flights, at least, until Delhi.

Now to elaborate on each of the above topics highlighted above:
 Long overnight transit in Delhi
Most of the connecting flights originating from Europe leave in the morning (local time), and after the six-seven hour flight, reach 10PM to 2 AM (Delhi local time). The long haul flights from Continental and American Airlines leave the States in the evening, and reach the following night. By that time, the last flight to Kathmandu has already left, and the next flights are the following morning or noon based on which flight you are taking. As a result you could have a 12-16 hour transit. Besides, amusement facilities are almost non-existent at the Delhi airport.

 Uncertainty whether your luggage will be checked in directly/indirectly to Nepal
There are two types of fares/flights to Kathmandu through Delhi. Sometimes, in an effort to provide you an inexpensive ticket, your travel agency will combine two separate tickets. There are many airlines going to Delhi and that provides intense competition where airlines undercut each other’s prices. Combine it with a discounted round-trip Delhi-Kathmandu, and the fares could be cheaper by several hundred dollars, and that of course depends on where/when you are flying. However, they might not tell you these are not through fares and in your excitement of finding that “outstanding deal”, find that it is your responsibility to check out your luggage in Delhi, and take it to the counter to Kathmandu.
Alternately, some travel agencies will provide through fares. In that case, your luggage is checked directly to Nepal.
Zen Tip: Ask your travel agent what type of fare it is and also check with the airline counter in Delhi if your luggage will be transported directly.

 Harassment by customs and police
Some folks have complained about harassment by custom and police. While this may have been true a decade ago, India has changed significantly. As of this writing on May 7, 2006, we have not received any complaints from our few passengers who have traveled between January and April.

 Uncertainty about the journey
When you’re uncertain about the entire journey itself, that will affect your attitude as well.


So when should you travel through Delhi?

 If you don’t have a lot of luggage and don’t mind a lay over in India, then it would be a good idea to stay over a night or two in Delhi. Usually, most airlines provide a free stop-over. India has changed immensely over the years, and you can witness first hand India’s economic growth and prosperity. Also, check out some of the tourist sites and try to take a tour to see the Taj Mahal. Please note the hotels can be quite expensive. In fact, it is likely a Hyatt or Sheraton is Delhi is more expensive than the in Boston or Hartford. There are a lot of cheaper alternatives. If you are traveling from the west coast, the Delhi option may be longer than going through the Pacific

Here are situations when you want to avoid travel through India:
You have young children, too much luggage, hate waiting, or you are carrying too much valuables. Before buying a ticket through Delhi, make sure you are not missing any special fares through Gulf. Some
Zen’s observations:

You can go through India when:
 You don’t mind the long stop over, don’t have too much luggage, you want to meet friends and family in Delhi, and money is tight,

Zen observations:
 Most people have not traveled through Delhi but have heard of a bad experience of somebody (they usually don’t know the person who had the bad experience)
 Fares through Delhi will most likely be as expensive in the months of June, July, August and X’mas(high season). It is likely fares will be cheaper in the other months.

The cheapest Delhi-Kathmandu deal:
Get the lowest fare to Delhi and ask somebody from Nepal/Delhi to send you a Delhi-Kathmandu ticket. In Nepal and Delhi, these tickets are usually cheaper than buying it in the States. Drawback: These are paper ticket and have to be mailed/couriered to you unless you have friends/family in Delhi.

Some myths we have encountered:

 Passengers have to change airports from the Indira Gandhi International airport to the domestic airport -- this information is incorrect. All flights to Kathmandu are scheduled from the international airport. This information has been confirmed to Zen Travels by the General Director’s office, IGI Airport, and Cosmic Airlines.
 The Indian customs/police are out there intentionally to harass passengers – This could be far from the truth as India has liberalized its trade and works hard to improve its image as a business-friendly country with a goal of improving foreign travel and investment

Note from IGI General Director’s office to Zen Travels:

It is to inform that passengers coming from Europe and North America need not change the Terminal, as the International Flights depart from the same Terminal. Transit facility is available at the Terminal and following airlines operate for Kathmandu.


Airlines flying the Delhi-Kathmandu route:

 Indian Airlines (IC)
 Jet Airways (9W)
 Sahara Airlines (S2)
 Royal Nepal Airlines (RA)
 Cosmic Air (F5)

We also ask folks who have taken a trip through India to post their experiences with the dates/airline combinations so Sajha readers can make an objective decision.

Zen Travels
1929 18th Street, Suite 1100, NW
Washington, DC, 20009
(202) 465-4266 [email protected]
http://www.zentravels.com/