Traveler’s To-Do List for Delhi Airport: Avoid Taxi Scams (Part 1)

Why You Need This Guide

Arriving at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport can feel like walking into a movie scene. Terminal 3 glows with glass and lights, baggage carousels hum, and the aroma of chai drifts from cafés. Then, the sliding doors open — and suddenly you’re in a crowd of drivers, touts, and “helpers” all calling out, waving, insisting you follow them. If you’ve just landed after a 14-hour flight, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged, this chaos feels overwhelming.

It’s in this very moment that most scams begin. And unless you know what to expect, you might find yourself in the wrong cab, paying double, or worse — waking up at a hotel you never booked. That’s why we’re starting this two-part series with the scams you’ll meet first. In Part 1, we’ll uncover two of the most common tricks: the fake prepaid counter inside the terminal and the classic “Your hotel is closed” lie. Let’s dive in.

🗺️ Download Offline Google Map Near Delhi Airport and never get scamed by the Taxi driver👍

Before you land, save your route from IGI Airport (T3) and nearby areas so you’re never stuck without internet.

1. Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
2. Search for Hotel Aerocity Purple Orchid.
3. Tap the hotel name/address at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap the three dots (…) (or the menu) and choose “Download offline map”.
5. Resize/drag the blue selection box so it covers both IGI Airport (T3) and Aerocity.
6. Tap Download — the map will save to your device for offline use.

📺 Watch this step-by-step video guide: How to Download Offline Google Maps

Scam #1: The Fake “Prepaid” Counter

You step into Arrivals, and a polite man beckons: “Prepaid taxi, sir! This way!”. There’s even a counter with a board. It looks safe. But here’s the truth: those counters inside the terminal, charges you two or three times the real fare, and the drivers may still divert you elsewhere.

The real counters are only outside Gates 5 & 6. Once you exit, the lanes are organized:

• Lane 1: Radio Taxis — Mega Cabs & Meru Cabs
• Between Lane 2 & 3: The official Delhi Police Prepaid Taxi Counter
• Uber Pickup: Not at the curb! It’s in the multilevel parking, across all 3 lanes

Scam #2: “Your Hotel Is Closed”

You’re in the taxi now, feeling safe. Then the driver glances back: “Sir, your hotel is closed. The road is blocked. Police not allowing anyone. Very dangerous area.”. Your stomach drops. Could it be true?

Here’s how the trick works: the driver offers to “call your hotel.” He pretends to dial the number you gave him. The person who answers confirms the lie: “Yes sir, hotel closed due to fire/flood/police.”. Of course, it isn’t your hotel — it’s the driver’s friend. Next stop: a dingy property that pays him a fat commission.

Delhi Airport To-Do Checklist

• Exit via Gates 5 or 6
• Use Mega/Meru (Lane 1) or Delhi Police counter (Lane 2/3)
• Uber pickup: multilevel parking across 3 lanes
• Buy an Airtel SIM inside or outside T3
• Keep your prepaid slip until drop-off

Approximate Prepaid Taxi Fares

• Aerocity hotels: ₹150–300
• Mahipalpur / Rangpuri: ₹300–400
• Connaught Place (Central Delhi): ₹400–600
• South Delhi: ₹500–800

What’s Next?

These two scams are just the beginning. In Part 2, we’ll cover more tricks: The Fake Driver and The Over-Friendly Helper. If you thought Part 1 was dramatic, wait until you see how creative Delhi’s touts can get.

Also Check Late-Night at IGI Delhi Airport: The Complete Survival Guide

And Spotting Fake Hotels Near IGI Airport