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Airport Transportation

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Also known as: Hyderabad Airport, Rajiv Gandhi Airport, Shamshabad Airport, HYD Airport, Hyderabad International Airport, RGIA Airport.

HYD · VOHS · Hyderabad

Airport facts

Name
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
IATA code
HYD
ICAO code
VOHS
City
Hyderabad
Country
India
Address
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Telangana 500108, India
Coordinates
17.2403, 78.4294
Time zone
Asia/Kolkata
Terminals
One integrated terminal: domestic flights on the eastern side, international flights on the western side

About Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), widely called Hyderabad Airport or Shamshabad Airport, is the airport for Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana in southern India. It stands in Shamshabad, about 24 km (15 miles) south of the city, and replaced the old Begumpet Airport in 2008.

IndiGo flies the most routes, linking Hyderabad with cities across India and with the Gulf and Southeast Asia, while Air India Express, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Star Air and Fly91 add more domestic and regional flights. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM and Cathay Pacific connect the city with Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Hong Kong. The airport handled about 30.5 million passengers in the year to March 2026.

All flights use one integrated terminal, with domestic flights on its eastern side and international flights on its western side.

From the airport, most travelers head north on the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway or the Outer Ring Road to HITEC City, Gachibowli and the Financial District, to Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills, to the old city around Charminar, or to Secunderabad. The drive usually takes 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), a GMR-led public-private partnership

Opened

23 March 2008

Runways

Two: 09R/27L, 4,260 m, and 09L/27R, 3,707 m

Passengers per year

About 30.5 million in April 2025 to March 2026

Terminal

One integrated terminal, expanded in 2023 and 2024

Arrival tips for Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

On an international flight, you go through immigration on the international side of the terminal. Foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, need a valid visa or e-Visa and must complete India's e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing. Domestic arrivals skip immigration and walk straight to baggage claim.

After baggage claim, international passengers pass through customs, with green and red channels, before entering the arrivals hall. Baggage carts are free, and ATMs and currency exchange counters are in the terminal if you need rupees.

Only ticketed passengers may enter Indian airport terminals, so anyone meeting you waits outside. Follow the signs out to the arrivals ramp and the parking zones in front of the terminal: prepaid taxis board in Zone E, app cabs such as Uber, Ola and Rapido in Zone D, and radio taxis and car rentals on the arrivals ramp. A transport help desk is in the parking area near Aero Plaza, and Pushpak airport buses leave from the forecourt.

India is on Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30) and uses the rupee.

Ground transportation

A taxi, app cab or pre-booked car is the easiest way into the city; the Pushpak bus is the budget option.

  • Pushpak airport bus

    TGSRTC's air-conditioned Pushpak Airport Liner buses run from the terminal forecourt to areas across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, including HITEC City and Gachibowli. It is the cheapest option but makes several stops, so allow extra time.

  • Taxi from Hyderabad airport

    Prepaid taxis are booked at a kiosk in arrivals and board in parking Zone E, and radio taxis board on the arrivals ramp. The airport's premium taxi service, with sedans and SUVs, runs around the clock from a bay in arrivals.

  • Uber, Ola and Rapido

    App cabs pick up in parking Zone D, with each company in its own sub-zone. Fares rise at busy times, and you may wait for a car to reach the zone.

  • Car rental

    Car rental and chauffeur companies have counters at the airport and board on the arrivals ramp. Hyderabad traffic is heavy, so most visitors take a car with a driver.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you outside arrivals and drives door to door, which suits families, groups, late arrivals and business travelers heading to HITEC City or the Financial District.

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Terminals

Hyderabad has one integrated terminal, divided into a domestic side and an international side with separate check-in, security and arrivals.

Domestic

The eastern side of the terminal, for flights within India.

International

The western side of the terminal, for international flights, with immigration and customs on arrival.

Airlines and destinations

Air India Express and IndiGo fly both domestic and international routes, so check which side of the terminal your flight uses.

Air Arabia International

Sharjah

Air India Domestic

Delhi, Mumbai

Air India Express

Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, Dubai, Goa, Guwahati, Jeddah, Navi Mumbai, Phuket, Pune, Ranchi, Siliguri, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam

AirAsia International

Kuala Lumpur

Akasa Air Domestic

Darbhanga, Delhi

Alliance Air Domestic

Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Tirupati, Vidyanagar

British Airways International

London Heathrow

Cathay Pacific International

Hong Kong

Centrum Air International

Tashkent

Emirates International

Dubai

Ethiopian Airlines International

Addis Ababa

Etihad Airways International

Abu Dhabi

Fly91 Domestic

Goa, Hubli, Jalgaon, Rajahmundry, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Tirupati, Vijayawada

Flyadeal International

Riyadh

Flydubai International

Dubai

Flynas International

Riyadh

Gulf Air International

Bahrain

IndiGo

Abu Dhabi, Ahmedabad, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Chennai, Colombo, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Goa, Jeddah, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Singapore and more

Jazeera Airways International

Kuwait City

KLM International

Amsterdam

Kuwait Airways International

Kuwait City

Lufthansa International

Frankfurt

Malaysia Airlines International

Kuala Lumpur

Oman Air International

Muscat

Qatar Airways International

Doha

SalamAir International

Muscat

Saudia International

Jeddah

Singapore Airlines International

Singapore

SpiceJet Domestic

Ayodhya, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Shimoga, Varanasi

SriLankan Airlines International

Colombo

Star Air Domestic

Belgaum, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Jharsuguda, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Pune, Shimoga, Tirupati

Thai AirAsia International

Bangkok Don Mueang

Thai Airways International

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

VietJet Air International

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Airlines International

Hanoi

Facilities

  • Currency exchange

    Currency exchange counters are in the terminal.

  • ATMs

    ATMs from several national and international banks are spread across the terminal.

  • Wi-Fi

    Wi-Fi is available in the terminal.

  • Medical assistance

    Airport medical assistance is available in the terminal.

  • Multi-faith prayer room

    A multi-faith prayer room is available for passengers.

  • Baby care rooms

    Baby care rooms are available for parents traveling with infants.

  • Baggage lockers

    Tuckit baggage lockers let you store bags at the airport.

  • Baggage wrap

    Baggage wrapping is available before check-in.

  • Porter service

    Paid porters can help with luggage.

  • Help desk

    Help desks and a virtual help desk are in the terminal, and a transport help desk is in the parking area near Aero Plaza.

Airport lounges

  • Encalm Lounge (Domestic)

    On the domestic side after security, near gate 21, open 24 hours. Entry with eligible cards, lounge programs or a paid pass.

  • Encalm Lounge (International)

    On the international side after security and duty free, near gate 23B, open 24 hours. Entry with eligible cards, lounge programs or a paid pass.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Ask your airline for wheelchair or other assistance when you book, and confirm it before you fly. The airport lists its services for passengers with reduced mobility under Special Assistance on its website.

  • Reduced mobility

    Buddy Mobility Care offers accessible transport for wheelchair users and other passengers with reduced mobility, from a desk in arrivals opposite Café Niloufer.

Parking

Terminal parking lot

The parking lot in front of the terminal is divided into zones, with taxi and app-cab pickups in Zones D and E. Pay with FASTag, at one of the payment booths or by PhonePe.

Park N Fly

The airport's Park N Fly service is for travelers leaving a car for a longer trip; details are on the airport website.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Hyderabad airport from the city?

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is in Shamshabad, about 24 km (15 miles) south of Hyderabad. The PV Narasimha Rao Expressway and the Outer Ring Road link it with the city, and the drive to central areas, Banjara Hills or HITEC City usually takes 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic and the time of day.

Is Hyderabad airport the same as Shamshabad airport?

Yes. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport stands in Shamshabad, so many people call it Shamshabad Airport, RGIA or simply Hyderabad Airport. Its code is HYD. It has handled all of Hyderabad's scheduled passenger flights since it replaced Begumpet Airport, inside the city, in March 2008.

How many terminals does Hyderabad airport have?

Hyderabad has one integrated terminal. Domestic flights use its eastern side and international flights its western side, each with its own check-in, security and arrivals. Both sides were expanded in 2023 and 2024, and Air India Express and IndiGo operate from both, depending on whether the flight is domestic or international.

How do I get from Hyderabad airport to HITEC City?

The Outer Ring Road links the airport with HITEC City, Gachibowli and the Financial District, usually a drive of about 45 minutes to an hour. Pushpak Airport Liner buses serve the area, and taxis, app cabs and pre-booked cars go door to door, which is easier with luggage or late at night.

Is there a bus from Hyderabad airport?

Yes. TGSRTC runs air-conditioned Pushpak Airport Liner buses from the terminal forecourt to areas across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, including HITEC City, Gachibowli and the city center. It is the cheapest way into the city, but buses make several stops, so allow more time than by taxi.

Is there a metro to Hyderabad airport?

No, not yet. Hyderabad Metro does not reach the airport. An airport metro line is part of the city's planned Phase II expansion, but until it opens, travelers use the Pushpak bus, taxis, app cabs or a pre-booked car to get between the airport and the city.

Where do I get a taxi at Hyderabad airport?

Prepaid taxis are booked at a kiosk in arrivals and board in parking Zone E. Radio taxis and car rentals board on the arrivals ramp, and the airport's premium taxi service, with sedans and SUVs, picks up from a bay in arrivals around the clock. Passenger Service Associates at the cab zones can help.

Where do Uber and Ola pick up at Hyderabad airport?

App cabs pick up in parking Zone D in front of the terminal. Uber uses Zones D1 and D2, Ola Zones D3 and D4, and Rapido Zones D6 and D7, according to the airport. Follow the signs from the arrivals exit, and check the car and driver details in the app before getting in.

Can people meet me inside Hyderabad airport arrivals?

No. Only ticketed passengers may enter terminals in India, so friends, family and drivers wait outside the arrivals exit. After baggage claim, and customs on international flights, walk out of the terminal to meet them on the arrivals ramp or in the parking zones in front of the building.

What do I need to enter India at Hyderabad airport?

Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa or e-Visa, and Hyderabad accepts e-Visa arrivals. Foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, must also complete India's online e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing, as paper arrival cards are no longer used. Check the visa rules for your nationality before you fly.

Which airlines fly to Hyderabad?

IndiGo flies the most routes from Hyderabad, across India and to the Gulf and Southeast Asia. Air India Express, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Star Air and Fly91 add domestic flights, while Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM and Cathay Pacific serve international routes.

Are there lounges at Hyderabad airport?

Yes. Encalm runs lounges on both sides of the terminal: one on the domestic side near gate 21 and one on the international side near gate 23B, after security and duty free. Both are open 24 hours, with entry through eligible cards, lounge programs or a paid pass.

What time zone is Hyderabad airport in?

Hyderabad is on Indian Standard Time, UTC+5:30, all year. India does not use daylight saving time, so the gap to Europe and North America changes when those regions change their clocks. India uses the rupee, and ATMs and currency exchange counters are in the terminal.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from HYD