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Hyderabad Airport or Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is in Shamshabad, about 24–25 km from Hyderabad. It has been serving travellers since March 2008. It began as a greenfield project but it is now a major gateway connecting South India to the world. In 2025 alone, RGIA handled over 31 million passengers. RGIA is rapidly scaling with the ongoing expansion plans targeting a capacity of 80 million passengers annually by 2031. Its integrated terminal, digital check in systems and modern infrastructure place it among India’s busiest and most efficient airports. The airport has also received global recognition, including being named “Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia” by Skytrax in 2025, along with LEED Platinum Certification for its terminal expansion. For those booking cheap flights to Hyderabad India, below is a complete guide to Hyderabad International Airport covering its layout, terminals and passenger facilities for both domestic and international travel.
Hyderabad Airport has a single integrated passenger terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. After its recent expansion, the annual passenger capacity increased to over 34 million passengers with a total terminal area of 379,370 sq m. The expanded terminal has enhanced check in areas, security lanes, immigration counters and boarding gates.
If you’re planning a Toronto to Hyderabad flight or flying on any international route, you’ll use the western side of the terminal. This section is for international departures and arrivals and has immigration counters and duty free shops.
If you’re taking domestic flights from Hyderabad, you’ll go to the eastern side. Domestic departures and arrivals operate here and the process is faster since there is no immigration.
Even though it is a single terminal, clear signs and staff support make it easy for you to move around.
The dedicated cargo terminal at RGIA sits to the west of the main passenger terminal and plays a major role in India’s pharmaceutical export network. The designed capacity is 150,000 MT, but in 2025 the airport handled 178,026 metric tonnes. With a new cargo terminal set to open, overall capacity will increase to 350,000 MT by early 2026. In fact, Hyderabad airport was the first in India to introduce a fully temperature-controlled Pharma Zone. This specialized facility supports both active and passive temperature control systems, follows strict cold-chain compliance, and meets international pharmaceutical handling standards.
Encalm Hospitality now manages all major lounge services at Hyderabad Airport.
The Encalm Lounge is located on Level E in Domestic Departures. You can access it through eligible credit cards (Priority Pass, DreamFolks, LoungeKey), airline partnerships, or paid entry. Inside, you’ll find a buffet serving South Indian and North Indian dishes, coffee machines and beverage counters, dedicated workstations with charging ports, comfortable armchairs with semi-private seating clusters, and shower facilities. This lounge sees heavy traffic during early morning departure waves (5:30–9:00 AM).
The Encalm Lounge in International Departures has a larger space designed for longer stays. You will find it airside, after immigration. Inside, the lounge serves a multi cuisine buffet with Indian and Continental options, provides alcohol service (as per regulations) and has shower suites for added comfort. It features recliner style seating in select areas and quieter sections suited for international passengers. The lounge works especially well for late night departures.
Air India operates the Maharajah Lounge for its premium passengers in the Domestic Security Hold Area near Gate 22 on Level E. If you have a business class ticket Air India or if you’re a Star Alliance Gold member, you can use this lounge. It also maintains a smaller, more exclusive setting and serves hot snacks and beverages. It provides luxury seating and offers a quieter environment compared to common use lounges.
Encalm Privé (International) at RGIA is for premium international travellers. You can find this lounge at the mezzanine level after immigration. The lounge only allows access to First and Business Class travelers including those flying on business class flights and select premium cardholders. It offers live cooking stations, a buffet, a full service bar, shower rooms and plush seating in a quiet setting.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has upgraded passenger facilities after its recent terminal expansion.
The Airport Villageis a public-access zone located outside the main terminal. This is where families and visitors can wait before passenger entry. It has food outlets (like Subway, Mc cafe), waiting areas and the left luggage facility. The visitor entry fee is ₹200 for Departures and ₹125 for Arrivals.
Hyderabad Airport has strong modes of connectivity to the city and nearby regions. TSRTC operates the Pushpak Airport Liner, an AC bus service connecting the airport to several city such as Secunderabad, Mehdipatnam, Gachibowli and Hi-Tech City. The service runs at regular intervals throughout the day.
You can also book Ola or Uber cabs, along with airport-authorised taxi services. Pickup zones are clearly marked outside the arrivals area. Chauffeur driven and self drive car rental services are also there but you must book them through counters. The Hyderabad Airport Metro Express is currently being developed and will improve connectivity once operational.
You’ll find multiple ATMs across the terminal, both before and after security. Major Indian banks operate machines on the departures and arrivals levels, so you can easily withdraw cash, no matter if you’re travelling domestically or arriving from Canada to India.
You can use battery operated buggy services at Hyderabad Airport if you need assistance. The airport provides this service for senior citizens, passengers with reduced mobility and families who are in need of extra support. Staff operate the buggies in both domestic and international sections in post security areas and arrival corridors. You can request assistance through airline staff or at the airport help desks.
You’ll find multi level parking at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with space for over 3,000 vehicles. You can choose from short-term, long-term, or valet parking, depending on how long you plan to park your vehicle. Parking charges are:
To exchange your currency, you’ll find EbixCash World Money and Weizmann Forex in both International Departures and Arrivals.
Hyderabad Duty Free is in the International Terminal across both departures and arrivals. You can shop for liquor, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, and souvenirs, with regular promotional deals and seasonal discounts — especially for departing international travellers.
Beyond duty free, the airport also have fashion outlets, electronics stores, travel accessory shops, bookstores and gifting counters. Furthermore, the staff is amiable, helpful and proactive. They will help you pick the best product. Also, the ambiance of the place is nonpareil.
Hyderabad Airport has a variety of food and beverage outlets in both landside and airside sections of the terminal. You can choose from quick service restaurants, South Indian snack counters, cafe chains, grab and go kiosks and bar-style dining outlets. You’ll spot familiar names such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Starbucks, Haldiram’s, Paradise Biryani and KFC.
Passenger information counters operate within the terminal and in public-access areas. Staff assist with flight information, terminal navigation, transport guidance and general passenger queries.
Left luggage and cloakroom facilities operate from the Airport Village area. You can store baggage for short term or extended durations, subject to airport security screening and valid identification.
After the recent expansion, Hyderabad Airport has strengthened its passenger facilities to handle growing traffic more efficiently.
You can hire a porter for assistance with your luggage, with charges starting at around ₹100 for domestic and ₹200 for international arrivals.
If you need a short stay before or after your flight, HYD and the nearby Shamshabad area have the best hotel options for every budget.
Premium Stay Closest to the Terminal – Novotel Hyderabad Airport is within the airport hospitality district and is ideal if you don’t want to stress about transfers.
Mid-range Hotel – Akoya Business Hotel Hyderabad Airport and Hotel ORIGIN Hyderabad Airport offer stays close to the terminal.
Affordable Stay Options – Hotel Sky International – Airport Zone Hyderabad and Hotel Lake View Airport Zone. Other stay options include Hotel Hyderabad Grand, Hotel Vista Airport Zone, Hotel SM Deccan Park Airport Zone, Hotel Plaza Airport Zone, HOTEL AEROTEL, Hotel BR Palace – Airport Zone Shamshabad, and W Hotel Shamshabad Hyderabad Airport.
You can also book a J-POD sleeping unit for approximately ₹500 per hour.
Today, Hyderabad Airport functions as a fully integrated international hub rather than a basic regional terminal. The expansion has improved passenger flow, retail experience and overall comfort.
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A) Hyderabad Airport operates through a single integrated passenger terminal, but it divides the space into separate wings to manage traffic efficiently. The eastern side handles domestic flights, while the western side manages international operations. During the Hajj season, the airport uses a separate Haj Terminal. In addition, a dedicated cargo terminal is also located west of the main passenger terminal that handles freight and logistics operations.
A) Yes, DigiYatra is fully available at Hyderabad Airport for all domestic passengers. You can use dedicated DigiYatra e-gates at Departure Gates 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. The airport also provides special security lanes for DigiYatra users, which helps you in moving through the frisking area faster.
A) Yes, you have to pay ₹125 to enter the Airport Village, while access to the Visitors Gallery in the departure hall costs ₹200 per person.
A) Hyderabad airport has 3 lounges for passengers. After a change in operators in late 2022, Encalm Hospitality took over the management of the main public lounge facilities, while Air India continues to operate its own dedicated lounge separately.
A) Yes, left luggage and cloakroom facilities are available near the Airport Village area, subject to security checks and identification requirements.
A) You can use Pushpak Airport Liner buses, Ola and Uber, prepaid cabs and rental car services from designated pickup zones at Hyderabad airport.
A) Yes, you’ll find duty free shops in International Departures and Arrivals areas, where you can shop for liquor, perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates and souvenirs.
A) Yes, the airport offers multi-level parking with short-term, long-term, and valet options for both two-wheelers and cars.
A) Yes, airport hotels and nearby accommodation options are available at Hyderabad airport for transit passengers and long layovers.
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