Orange Line Metro Delhi (Airport Express) — Route, Stations, Fare & Complete Guide
Delhi's fastest metro corridor — connecting New Delhi Railway Station to IGI Airport Terminal 3 and Yashobhoomi Dwarka in under 22 minutes at speeds up to 120 km/h.
Fare Calculator — From New Delhi (Orange Line Origin)
ℹ️ Orange Line Metro (Airport Express) fares are charged separately on a premium fare slab, higher than standard DMRC lines. Fares revised Aug 2025. Smart Card holders get 10% off.
🚇 Orange Line Metro — Route Overview
The Orange Line Metro, officially known as the Airport Express Line, is the Delhi Metro's premium high-speed corridor, built specifically to connect Central Delhi to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and the fast-growing Dwarka sub-city. Running at speeds up to 120 km/h — nearly double the speed of standard metro lines — it covers the journey from New Delhi Railway Station to the airport in roughly 20 minutes, a trip that can take over an hour by road during peak traffic.
First opened in February 2011, the line was briefly shut down in mid-2012 over technical issues before reopening in January 2013 with upgraded systems. Today it remains one of the most reliable and comfortable ways to reach the airport, especially valued by business travellers, NRIs, and anyone carrying luggage who wants to avoid Delhi's notorious road congestion.
Did You Know? The Orange Line was extended to Yashobhoomi, Dwarka Sector 25 to serve Asia's largest convention and exhibition centre, making it the newest addition to this corridor and a key route for business and exhibition travellers heading to large-scale international events.
| Line Name | Orange Line (Airport Express Line) |
|---|---|
| Termini | New Delhi ↔ Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 |
| Total Stations | 7 |
| Line Length | 24.9 km |
| Maximum Speed | 120 km/h |
| Structure | At-grade, underground & elevated sections |
| Opened | Feb 23, 2011 (reopened Jan 22, 2013 after upgrade) |
| Interchanges | Yellow Line at New Delhi | Blue Line at Dwarka Sector 21 |
| Operator | Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) |
📍 Route Map & Location
The Orange Line runs from New Delhi Railway Station in Central Delhi, cutting south-west through Dhaula Kuan and Aerocity directly into IGI Airport Terminal 3, before continuing on to Dwarka Sector 21 and the newly added Yashobhoomi station.
🛤️ Complete List of Orange Line Stations
The Orange Line is intentionally designed with very few stops to maximise travel speed between the city centre and the airport. Here's the complete station-by-station breakdown.
- 1 New Delhi — Interchange with Yellow Line, adjacent to New Delhi Railway Station START
- 2 Shivaji Stadium — Serves Connaught Place and Central Secretariat office belt
- 3 Dhaula Kuan — Major South Delhi road junction, near Delhi Cantonment
- 4 Delhi Aerocity — Hotel and hospitality district serving the airport
- 5 Airport (Terminal 3) — Direct underground access to IGI Airport's international terminal
- 6 Dwarka Sector 21 — Interchange with Blue Line HUB
- 7 Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 — Serves India's largest convention & exhibition centre NEW
⏰ Orange Line Metro Timings
Sunday Service: Slightly reduced frequency with services typically starting around 6:00 AM. Always confirm current timings on the official DMRC website before planning an early or late journey.
💳 Orange Line Fare Chart (Airport Express Premium Fares)
| Sector | Token Fare (₹) | Smart Card (₹) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi – Shivaji Stadium | ₹30 | ₹27 |
| New Delhi – Dhaula Kuan | ₹50 | ₹45 |
| New Delhi – Delhi Aerocity | ₹60 | ₹54 |
| New Delhi – Airport (T3) | ₹60 | ₹54 |
| New Delhi – Dwarka Sector 21 | ₹60 | ₹54 |
| New Delhi – Yashobhoomi Dwarka 25 | ₹70 | ₹63 |
Unlike standard DMRC lines, the Orange Line operates on a separate premium fare structure due to its express service, high-speed rolling stock, and dedicated airport amenities such as baggage racks and check-in counters at select stations.
🏢 Facilities & Amenities on the Orange Line
As Delhi's flagship airport connector, the Orange Line offers a noticeably more premium experience than the rest of the metro network.
✈️ Why Travellers Prefer the Orange Line to the Airport
For anyone flying out of Delhi, the Orange Line remains the single most predictable way to reach IGI Airport Terminal 3. Road traffic on the Dhaula Kuan–Aerocity stretch can be unpredictable, especially during monsoon season or VIP movement, while the metro guarantees a fixed 20-minute journey from New Delhi Railway Station regardless of road conditions.
Business travellers and exhibition visitors heading to Yashobhoomi also benefit hugely from the extension, since it removes the need to navigate Dwarka's often-congested surface roads during large conventions and trade fairs.
❓ FAQs — Orange Line Metro Delhi
The Orange Line (Airport Express) has 7 stations: New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Aerocity, Airport (Terminal 3), Dwarka Sector 21, and Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25.
The journey from New Delhi Railway Station to Airport Terminal 3 takes approximately 19–20 minutes, making it the fastest way to reach the airport from Central Delhi.
Yes. The Airport Express Line operates on a premium fare structure separate from standard DMRC fares, reflecting its high-speed service and dedicated airport facilities.
The Orange Line interchanges with the Yellow Line at New Delhi station and with the Blue Line at Dwarka Sector 21, giving direct access to most of the Delhi Metro network.
Select airlines previously offered in-line baggage check-in at New Delhi station; availability varies, so it's best to confirm directly with your airline before relying on this service.
From New Delhi, the first train departs around 5:00 AM and the last around 11:30 PM on weekdays. From Yashobhoomi/Dwarka side, the first train departs around 4:40 AM and the last around 11:15 PM.