Best Indian airport ?

adihere

Someone overseas wants to come over and i wanted a soft landing for them in India .

which is the nicer airport among indian airports based on.

facilties
easier customs
friendly immigration
decent baggage handling
etc etc

Any ideas please

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adumim

mumbai is best for me...

Bigzero

Kochi is good i guess, if you have your own arranged transportation to take you to the city. Dont know about the "easier customs" and "friendly immigration" part though,

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TimMakins

I've had a very pleasant arrival at Chennai before, so would give it my 2nd place out of all the airports I've landed at, but my first would be Kolkata if my latest arrival is anything to go by - it was all very laid back. The baggage took a while to arrive, but the immigration was hassle-free and the customs didn't check anyone that I saw. The Thomas Cook office gave a good rate, and it was easy to buy a pre-paid taxi ticket: once outside with that magic bit of colored paper and the touts didn't bother me at all, just waved me straight to the correct cab. The only strange thing is that there doesn't seem to be a convenient bus into town, which I prefer, but the taxi was fine, if a little costlier than a bus.

Tim Makins.

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kiwi_razz

Well, I just arrived back from SL to Bangalore airport, and had the most fantastic Indian airport experience yet.

Since I'm a savvy traveller I requested a seat in the first row (ie after business, row6) so I was first off the plane from the economy people, then with a quick walk across the tarmac beat the business passengers to the building and was first through customs. Then down the escalator, throw my bags through the scanner, and since I didn't have check-in luggage was on my way out the building. (less than 5 minutes from touchdown to being out of the airport)

Since I know the prepaid taxi is 250Rs to my office/apartment, walked straight past the prepaid taxi counter, ignored all those guys saying "taxi?" "excuse me, taxi?" and walked straight to the autorickshaw rank and got in with of course the meter being used without having to say anything because there is a policeman who ensures it is used.

And after sitting at a standstill in airport road for 5 minutes, then the rickshaw driver goes down all the backstreets with no stress from me because I know he's not trying to rip me off because sitting in traffic for an hour does nobody any good. And all in all the ride is only 50Rs, and took 36 minutes from touchdown to the front door of our office.

Just grand! I love it when a plan comes together.

Anyway, not that it really has anything to do with your question but I thought it was worth sharing. haha. In my experience the best thing is firstly to get a seat at the front of the plane and secondly that luck smiles upon you and there is only your plane arriving at that time and not 6 others as well (had an hour wait in customs in Delhi one time), and no check in luggage (also have had one hour waits for luggage).

btw my best ever international airport experience was in Auckland airport (3 minutes from touchdown to getting in my father's car, including customs and buying some dutyfree beer on the way).

ddevadatta

My own suggestion is not new but affirm previous postings. Personally I do not like Bombay (Mumbai) or Delhi. There is the potential language barrier since I do not know Hindi. While you can manage with English, as a tourist, it still helps to know the language which I don't. Plus there is a distance between arriving in the international airport and re-connecting to a a domestic flight. You will need a taxi cab or shuttle bus (with Jet Airways) between the two airports. There is also a long lay over to consider.

Years ago we could fly only up North (above airports) but these days you can fly into smaller airports in the south. I have flown directly to both Chennai and Bangalore airports. Smaller is size, customs is a breeze, and they are very convenient if you are travelling elsehwre immediately.

I suggest either Chennai (Madras) or Bangalore airports for a smooth arrival...

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beach

Mumnbai airport. It's renovated recently. What kiwi razz said is right. If you are sure of the "map & the plan", things are practicaly efficient and tension free, at least the avoidable issues.

rangss

Vizag Airport...the security blokes recognized me!

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rab

The last time I went through Mumbai international terminal was three years ago now but it was a complete joke.

They scanned our baggage then gave it us back with a little 'security checked' sticker on it. Then we mingled back with all the people who hadn't had their things scanned but were up ahead of us as they were going on different flights.

As if a little sticker is going to prevent explosives being placed in an already cleared bag.

I also seem to remember the mozzies were the biggest in the world that I have ever seen.

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04274108

Khajuraho. Simple, small, clean, in and out with no fuss. Smaller airports always offer less hassle.

vsp27759

But Location-wise, HYDERABAD AIRPORT IS THE BEST. It is located in the Heart of the City because all other Airports in India are far away from City Centre.
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From Hyderabad Airport, Secunderabad Railway Station is 5 Kms. away.
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From Hyderabad Airport, Jubilee Bus Station, from where you will find APSRTC Buses, is 4 Kms. away
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From Hyderabad Airport, Ameerpet, from where you will get both APSRTC and Private Buses - very good Volvo Buses - to different parts of Andhra Pradesh is 4 Kms. away.
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You will get Metred Taxis on beck and call, but a little bit tactful handling is required with Auto Drivers (3-wheelers). and Non-Metred Taxis.
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V.Srinivasa Prasad
8.5.2005/19.45 hrs.

rangss

Yeah! Location wise, nothing can beat Hyderabad Airport. bang in the city...close to everything.

freenote

Trivandrum Kerala.Peacfull little airport.No big city hasle and you can be on a beach to recuperate within an hour.Needed after along flight.

torryquine

Agreed, Bagdogra is one of the nicest and most efficient airports I've been through. Great little restaurant too.

Gawahati's quite nice and Dibrugarh is downright cute - but lacking in facilities, which you'd expect from such a tiny airport.

For major airports, we thought Kolkata was great - very smooth. Avoid Delhi if you can - every bit as grim as Heathrow

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kiwi_razz

ha. No matter what airport they land in, it has always got to be better than landing at Heathrow, my most hated airport.