Inside Noida's New Airport: World-Class Terminal, But Getting There is the Challenge

The Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar, about 70 km from central Delhi, began commercial operations on June 15. While the terminal itself offers a spacious and orderly experience, the journey to reach it remains a challenge for many, particularly for passengers from Delhi.

Spread across 1,334 hectares in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district, the airport is currently operating its first phase, connecting around 15 cities with roughly three to 35 flights a day. The surrounding area is rapidly transforming: residential towers, warehouses and commercial projects now line the Yamuna Expressway, signalling a new ecosystem taking shape around the airport. Inside the terminal, the contrast is immediate—clean, unhurried and efficient. But beyond the glass, unfinished stretches of land and active construction are constant reminders that the airport is still finding its feet.

For residents of Noida and Greater Noida, the airport has considerably reduced travel time. However, for many in Delhi, cab fares and the absence of direct public transport continue to make the journey a trade-off. Soumit Joshi, a student from Greater Noida travelling to Lucknow, found the airport geographically closer but not necessarily easier to access. “This is my first time flying from Noida International Airport. Delhi airport is farther for me, but getting there is much easier and cheaper,” he said. He took an autorickshaw to the airport but was stopped at the main gate because autos are not permitted beyond that point. After waiting for around 10 minutes with his luggage, he had to take a cab for the remaining 1–1.5 km to the terminal, adding around ₹120 to his travel cost.

Rohan Sharma, a technology professional from Moti Bagh travelling to Navi Mumbai, found the cost to be the bigger deterrent. His cab fare exceeded ₹1,700 despite travelling outside peak hours. For his family, he estimated that the fare would be around ₹3,200. “The airport experience was very smooth, but without cheaper and reliable public transport from Delhi, I would think twice before using it again,” he said.

Khushi Tewari, a resident of Lajpat Nagar travelling to Jaipur, had a similar experience. A private car aggregator quoted ₹3,000 for a one-way journey to Jewar airport, roughly the price of her flight ticket. When an app-based cab was unavailable on the morning of her flight, her father drove her. The journey took about two hours to reach the airport's vicinity and another 20 minutes to reach the terminal. “Overall, I think I may have spent more than I would have by simply driving to Jaipur or taking a flight from Delhi airport,” she said.

While public transport options are expanding, the network remains sparse and selective, leaving many passengers dependent on private vehicles and cabs. Passengers travelling from Delhi largely depend on private vehicles, taxis or app-based cabs. Depending on the point of origin, a cab to Jewar airport can cost roughly ₹1,200 to ₹3,500.

The airport authorities said Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses currently connect the airport with Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Meerut, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Farrukhabad, Firozabad, Garhmukteshwar, Hathras, Khurja, Moradabad and Shikohabad. Haryana Roadways operates services to Faridabad and Palwal, while the Atal Seva AC electric bus links the airport with the UPSRTC Sector 35 (Morna) bus depot and Noida City Centre. Passengers can also book intercity buses through the airport's partnership with redBus, an airport official said.

“QR codes across the terminal provide passengers with quick access to bus routes and schedules. Discussions are also under way with the Delhi Transport Corporation for direct services from key locations in Delhi, including major railway stations and ISBTs. No timeline has been fixed yet,” the official added. As the airport grows, addressing this connectivity gap will be essential to realise its potential as a convenient alternative to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.