Do any of you have any experience travelling via Delhi to Kathmandu?

So far it is the cheapest and shortest I have found.
Via Chicago-Delhi-Kathmandu (American Airlines and Indian Airlines)

This flight is atleast $300 or more cheaper than Thai/Cathay/Quatar airlines
But I have heard a lot of people recommending NOT to travel via India.
I have heard that Customs is a big hassle - and the Baggage allowance is less. Do any of you have any experience travelling through India? Please post.

The other drawback is you have to spend a night at Delhi airport.The flight to Kathmandu does not leave till the next morning.....

I haven't travelled to Kathmandu from the US via Delhi, but I have made frequent trips between Kathmandu and Delhi.

Customs in Delhi is hassle free. They don't bother checking your bags. There are just too many passengers travelling through Delhi airport these days.

Spending a night in the airport could be a problem -- it is just too small. You could spend a night in the city. If you are going outside use the prepaid taxi. Their stall is on your right just as you exit the airport building. Don't use the ones inside the airport building.

Custom no problem, यो सब हल्ला मात्र हो, केहि समस्या हुदैन ब्रो, but I dont recoment u to travel via Delhi to Ktm until n unless u book Delhi Ktm ticket in advnce. Last time I went via same route. Aru kura ta sbai thikai ho tara it wd be nice if u see ur own country first.

नेपालको स्ट्टा पहील भारतमा पुगियो भने नेपाल जादा को मजा अलि हुदाइन ब्रो। कता कता अलि अलि अर्कै फील हुन्च क्या। ani feri Delhi Ktm pani round ticket kind kamtima pani 150 -200dollar ta lagi halcha, ani airport ma ali ali khanu pari halyo AMRIKA baata aayako bhane pachhi, feri sabai baggage nikalaa, tension nai hunchha ni, so just take direct fligt to ktm, this is from my own experince hai.

Don't ever!!! My friend just had a very bad experience in Delhi.... an extra-interogation and stuff like that..I wouldnt suggest any one to choose that transit.

I don't see any problem via Delhi rout. My friends made several trips to Europe via Delhi and they did not find it boring or hassleful. I myself went to Sri Lanka via Bangalore, I find less hassle compared to LA or San Francisco.

Do you know if you have to Check out your Luggage in New Delhi if you take this Route (Chicago - New Delhi -Ktm)?
It would be a hassle if you have to stay overnight with all the luggage.

I have done a lots of travel from and to Delhi via KTM in past without any hassele. But now we are going from USA and with big luggeges and our kids are US Citizens. I wonder if my kids need to get a visa to travel via Delhi????

Never had any issue travelling from Delhi.

Last time, when i traveled to KTM, i was tempted to go via Delhi because of the price. But every one i talked to recommanded not to. so i picked the other route.

I even posted in sajha to see if any one has taken that route. I didnt get any reply. Most of the replier went via Delhi to nepal from other destination(NOT USA).
I think It makes a lot of difference where one is travevling to. If you are travelling toSri Lanka or even Europe via Delhi, it might be less hassle then coming to usa, there will be extra precaution, whichi think brings more hassle.

If I was going ALONE from USA or any part of the globe, I would take the risk going through Delhi... But with small kids I need some good feedback...

I would not suggest you to go via Delhi.

ICanFly,
After much deliberation, I have decided not to take the Delhi Route. Even though the tickets come to about $1000 cheaper (for family of three). Other reasons were,
-Luggage limit (it is less from Delhi to KTM - per travel agent)
-16 hrs transit in Delhi
-Travelling with a kid (US citizen - probably needs transit visa. I did a lot of research but never found out if my kid can get a transit visa at the airport. I made many many calls to the embassy and the counsulate but never could get hold of anyone or have them returm my calls)
-Have to check out Luggage at the airport (if more than 12 hrs transit-per travel agent)

Having said that, if I were travelling just by myself (or just adults) then I would have definately chose this route.

I think u r right. India has changed, NOT Indians.

BTW ...R u from Pulchok?

I am taking some different route as well.

Uzzo,

I traveled vis Delhi Ktm with my 14 months US kid and no one ever asked about the transit visa, though I also had Indian visa for him in advance from the Indian embassy in the US. As long as you are not getting out of the airport you and your kid should be fine. Incase they have changed the rules recently about the transit!

Don't go through delhi. A couple I know were told that there weren't any seats left in the plane even though they had bought the tickets all the way to nepal. They'll put you in so many trouble that you have to give them your hard earned dollars to get out of it.

I came to Nepal 2 weeks ago via Delhi from USA. Here are some tips:

1. If you have a child with US passport, you NEED Indian Visa for him/her. They do not issue visa at Delhi airport. If you are planning to get out of the airport or are planning to return back, you need Tourist Visa and not Transit visa. Transit visa do not last long.

2. You will have to pick your luggage at Delhi airport. The customs in Delhi is not a hassle. Just go through the Green Channel - they do not even question you.

3. Yes, there is stop over for more than 15 hours. We stayed at a hotel near the airport. It cost us around 3000 IRs. It would have been a lot cheaper if we had bought it in advance over the internet. We had to take all our luggage to the hotel (We had 6 large pieces). Do not worry about it as some helper can take all your baggage to the taxi/hotel room for an affordable price.

4. There is waiting lounge and some resting rooms at the airport on first come first serve basis. There is no guarantee you can get them and you still have to keep your baggages with you.

rrnepal:
Thanks for the info. The feedback is enought for me. I can't fly via Delhi.