If you live near Sarai Rohilla or you’re catching a train from Delhi Sarai Rohilla Railway Station and need to get to IGI Airport afterward, you’ve probably run into the same confusion most people do here: Sarai Rohilla doesn’t have its own metro station. Not yet, anyway. So the route to the airport isn’t a straight one-line ride — it involves a short hop to the nearest station and two line changes after that.
It sounds more complicated than it actually is. Once you know which stations to head to and where to switch, the whole trip is fairly smooth. Here’s the full breakdown — nearest stations, the exact route, fares, timings, and a few things worth knowing before you leave the house.
Does Sarai Rohilla Have a Metro Station?
Not currently. Sarai Rohilla is a well-known railway junction in North Delhi, but the metro hasn’t reached it directly yet. A station here is actually in the pipeline — it’s part of the Inderlok–Indraprastha corridor under Delhi Metro’s Phase 4 expansion, and it’s expected to open sometime around 2029. Until that happens, anyone travelling from Sarai Rohilla to the airport (or anywhere else by metro) needs to first get to a nearby station.
Nearest Metro Stations to Sarai Rohilla
Two stations on the Red Line are your best bet, both sitting close to the railway station:
- Shastri Nagar Metro Station — generally considered the closest, roughly 1 to 1.5 km away.
- Pratap Nagar Metro Station — also close by, at about 1.1 km.
Either one works fine for reaching the airport, and the route from both is nearly identical since they’re just one stop apart on the same line. An auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw from Sarai Rohilla to either station usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, depending on traffic around the railway station area.
Step-by-Step Route: Sarai Rohilla to IGI Airport (Terminal 3)
Here’s how the journey breaks down once you’re on the metro:
Step 1 — Get to Shastri Nagar or Pratap Nagar station. Take an auto or e-rickshaw from Sarai Rohilla. Both stations are on the Red Line, so you can pick whichever is closer to your exact starting point.
Step 2 — Ride the Red Line toward Kashmere Gate. From Shastri Nagar or Pratap Nagar, board a train heading in the direction of Kashmere Gate / Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda). You’ll pass through Pulbangash and Tis Hazari before reaching Kashmere Gate — around four stops in total, roughly 10-12 minutes.
Step 3 — Switch to the Yellow Line at Kashmere Gate. Kashmere Gate is a major interchange station, so the walk between platforms takes a few minutes. Once you’re on the Yellow Line, take a train toward HUDA City Centre and get off at New Delhi station — that’s three stops away (Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar, then New Delhi).
Step 4 — Change to the Airport Express Line at New Delhi. This is where you switch to the Orange Line, better known as the Airport Express. Follow the signage to the Airport Express platform (it’s a bit of a walk within the station, so budget a few extra minutes) and board a train toward Dwarka Sector 21 / Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25. Get off at IGI Airport (T3) — the ride itself takes about 20 minutes.
If you’re flying out of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, stay on until Delhi Aerocity and take the free shuttle from there, or get off at T3 and use the inter-terminal shuttle service.
Fare You Can Expect
Fares on the Red and Yellow Line portion of this trip are based on distance, so the short leg from Shastri Nagar/Pratap Nagar to New Delhi typically comes to somewhere in the ₹30-40 range on a smart card or QR ticket. The Airport Express leg from New Delhi to Terminal 3 is priced separately and currently costs around ₹60. All told, budget roughly ₹90-110 one way for the full journey. Since DMRC does revise fares occasionally, it’s worth double-checking the exact amount on the DMRC app or at the ticket counter on the day you travel.
How Long Does the Whole Trip Take?
From the time you step out of Sarai Rohilla to the moment you land at Terminal 3, expect somewhere between 60 and 75 minutes under normal conditions — that’s the auto ride to the station, both interchanges, and the Airport Express leg combined. It’s a good idea to add a buffer for peak-hour crowding on the Red and Yellow Lines (roughly 8-11 AM and 5-8 PM), plus a little extra time if you’re carrying check-in luggage, since security screening happens at the airport metro stations too. If you’re catching an international flight, aim to reach the airport at least 3 hours before departure, which usually means leaving Sarai Rohilla around 4 to 4.5 hours in advance to stay comfortable.
First and Last Metro Timings
This is one detail that trips people up on early morning or late-night flights:
- The Red Line at Shastri Nagar and Pratap Nagar generally starts running around 5:30-6 AM, with last trains around 11:20-11:40 PM depending on direction.
- The Airport Express Line’s first train from New Delhi station departs at 4:45 AM, and the last one leaves at 11:30 PM.
If your flight requires you to leave home before the Red Line starts operating, the metro simply won’t be an option for that first leg — you’ll need a cab or auto for the full journey instead. Same goes for very late-night departures after the last Airport Express train.
A Few Tips Before You Travel
- Use the DMRC Momentum 2.0 app for QR-based tickets — it saves you the token queue, especially useful if you’re already running close on time.
- Keep your luggage manageable. Airport Express platforms and trains are built for travellers with bags, but during peak hours it still gets crowded, so smaller/wheeled luggage makes the interchange at Kashmere Gate and New Delhi much easier.
- Some airlines offer check-in at New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium metro stations on the Airport Express Line, letting you drop your baggage before you even reach the airport. Worth checking if your airline supports this — it’s a genuine time-saver.
- Avoid the last-train scramble. If your flight lands late and you’re heading back into the city, note the last Airport Express train timing so you’re not stuck arranging a cab at midnight.
If You’re Short on Time: The Cab Alternative
For very early flights, heavy luggage, or when you’re simply not confident about timing the interchanges right, a direct cab or auto from Sarai Rohilla to the airport is the simpler (if pricier) option. Depending on traffic, it usually takes 35-60 minutes and costs somewhere around ₹400-600. It’s not as economical as the metro, but it removes the guesswork on travel days when you can’t afford delays.
Quick FAQ
Is there a direct metro from Sarai Rohilla to the airport? No. You first need to reach Shastri Nagar or Pratap Nagar metro station (Red Line), then interchange twice — to the Yellow Line at Kashmere Gate, and to the Airport Express Line at New Delhi.
Which metro station is closest to Sarai Rohilla? Shastri Nagar and Pratap Nagar, both on the Red Line, are the nearest — around 1 to 1.5 km away.
How much does the full trip cost? Roughly ₹90-110 one way, combining the Red/Yellow Line fare and the Airport Express fare.
Which terminal does the metro connect to? The Airport Express Line goes directly to Terminal 3. For Terminal 1 or 2, use the free shuttle from Delhi Aerocity or T3.
Will Sarai Rohilla ever get its own metro station? Yes — it’s planned under Phase 4 (Inderlok–Indraprastha corridor), expected around 2029. Once that’s operational, this route will get a lot simpler.
Metro fares, timings, and routes are subject to change by DMRC. It’s always a good idea to confirm current details on the DMRC app or website before you travel.
