Most families flying home to Punjab from Canada, the UK, the USA or Australia land at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, and then face one more long journey: the road north. After 15 or 20 hours of travel, that last stretch should be the easy part. Here's how to make it that way.
Before you fly: book the taxi from home
The single best thing you can do is book your airport taxi before you leave. You don't want to be negotiating with drivers at arrivals at 3 AM with tired parents and six suitcases.
With us, booking from abroad takes one WhatsApp message to +91 99148 41000. Send:
- Your flight number and arrival date
- The names of everyone travelling
- Where in Punjab you're going (town, village or address)
- How many bags, and whether you need a child seat
We confirm the car and a fixed fare within about 10 minutes. There's no advance payment for regular airport rides — you pay when you arrive.
Which car do you need?
A rough rule for families with international luggage:
- Swift Dzire (sedan): up to 4 people with normal luggage
- Ertiga: up to 6 people
- Innova or Innova Crysta: up to 7 people, and the most comfortable ride for a long drive
- Tempo Traveller: groups of up to 12, such as several families arriving for a wedding
If in doubt, go one size up. Two big suitcases per person fill a sedan fast.
At the airport
International flights normally arrive at Terminal 3. Once you've cleared immigration, collected your bags and passed customs, walk out into the arrivals area. Your driver will be waiting with a board showing your name.
Because we track your flight number, you don't need to message us if the flight is late. The first 2 hours of delay are free; after that, waiting is ₹200 per hour.
How long is the drive?
All the main Punjab routes from Delhi Airport run up NH-44, the Grand Trunk Road. Typical driving times:
| Destination | Distance | Time | Sedan from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh / Mohali | 260 km | 4–5 hrs | ₹4,200 |
| Patiala | 290 km | 5–6 hrs | ₹4,800 |
| Ludhiana | 310 km | 5–6 hrs | ₹5,200 |
| Jalandhar | 370 km | 6–7 hrs | ₹5,500 |
| Amritsar | 460 km | 7–8 hrs | ₹6,500 |
Fares are one way, fixed, with no surge. Toll and state tax are extra.
The stop everyone makes: Murthal
About an hour out of Delhi, most drivers pull in at Murthal for parathas and chai. After a long-haul flight, a hot meal and a stretch makes the rest of the drive much easier — especially for elderly parents. Just tell your driver if you'd rather keep going.
Arriving at night
Many flights from North America and Europe land in Delhi late at night or in the early hours. That's fine — we run 24/7. If you'd rather not drive through the night, we can also pick you up from an airport hotel the next morning.
Paying on arrival
You can pay with an international card, UPI, cash in rupees, or bank transfer. If you haven't changed money yet, a card is easiest.
Quick checklist
- WhatsApp your flight details before you fly
- Pick a car with room for your luggage
- Look for your name board after customs
- Stop at Murthal if you're hungry
- Pay by card, UPI or cash when you arrive
Ready to book? See the Delhi Airport to Punjab taxi page for every route, or message us on WhatsApp with your flight number.