Free Things at Indian Airports: Water, Wi-Fi and More (2026)

Updated July 2026 · HappyFares

Airports have a reputation for charging for everything. In India, quite a lot of what travellers pay for is available free a few metres away, if you know it exists and where to ask.

Is drinking water free at Indian airports?

Yes, at every major Indian terminal you will find free drinking water points, usually near the washrooms, prayer rooms or gate seating. Because you cannot carry a full bottle through the security check, the sensible routine is to empty your bottle before screening and refill it on the airside once you are through.

Bottled water at airside shops is a separate matter, and prices there are commercial. The Airports Authority of India has also been opening low-cost eateries at some of its airports to keep basic snacks and tea affordable. Those are cheap rather than free, and availability differs from airport to airport, so treat them as a bonus if your terminal has one.

How do you connect to free Wi-Fi in an Indian airport?

Free Wi-Fi is standard at large Indian airports, and access is normally granted through a one-time password sent to your mobile number. Pick the airport network, enter the number, wait for the code, and you are online. Sessions are often time-limited, but they can usually be renewed with a fresh code.

If you are on an international number that does not receive Indian SMS, look for a Wi-Fi voucher kiosk or the information desk in the terminal. Many airports issue a printed access code after scanning a boarding pass or passport. Coverage and session lengths vary by airport operator, so check the signage near your gate if the login page does not appear.

What else can you ask for at no cost?

Quite a lot, and most of it is under-used because nobody advertises it. The list below reflects what is commonly available at bigger Indian airports; smaller stations will have fewer of these, so ask at the information desk rather than assuming.

• Wheelchair and special assistance. DGCA rules require airlines to provide assistance to passengers with a disability or reduced mobility at no cost. Request it when booking, or well before departure, so the ground team can plan staff.
• Baggage trolleys. Free inside Indian terminals, unlike several airports abroad where you feed coins into a rack.
• Baby-care and nursing rooms. Standard at large airports, generally with a changing table and a private feeding area.
• Prayer and meditation rooms. Available at most big Indian terminals, usually marked on the airport map.
• Medical room and first aid. Airports keep a first-aid facility, and the larger ones have medical staff on duty. Tell any airport officer if someone feels unwell.
• Charging points. Free sockets and USB points at gate seating, plus charging tables in most departure halls.
• Kids play areas and quiet corners. Present at several large terminals and free to use.
• DigiYatra. The face-recognition entry system is voluntary and free at participating Indian airports.

Some airports also run an inter-terminal shuttle that connecting passengers can use without paying. Whether it applies to you depends on the airport and your ticket, so confirm at the transfer desk before you walk out of the terminal.

Does checking in ever cost you anything?

No. Every Indian airline lets you check in at the airport counter at no cost, and online check-in on the airline app or website is free as well. Self-service kiosks in the terminal, where they are installed, are also free to use. If anyone suggests otherwise, they are describing an optional extra, not the check-in itself.

What can carry a price is a specific seat, extra or excess baggage, priority boarding, or a paid meal on a low-cost carrier. Those are add-ons attached to your booking. The act of getting a boarding pass, whether from a counter agent, a kiosk or your phone, is not one of them.

What is not free, even when it feels like it should be?

Cloakroom or left-luggage storage is a paid service at Indian airports, charged per bag for a block of hours. Baggage wrapping is paid. Porter assistance, where offered, is paid. Lounges are paid unless your card, airline status or fare bundle covers entry, and sleeping pods or transit hotels are always paid.

Food and drink airside are commercial, and so are taxis, prepaid cabs and most airport parking. None of this is unusual, but knowing the split saves you from queuing at a paid counter for something available free one level up.

Common Questions

Can I carry an empty water bottle through security?

Generally yes. Empty reusable bottles are normally allowed through the screening point and can be refilled at a water station on the airside. Anything with liquid in it will have to be emptied or surrendered.

Is the Wi-Fi free without an Indian SIM card?

Usually. Most large airports provide a kiosk or a help desk that issues an access code to visitors who cannot receive an Indian OTP. Ask at the information counter in the departures hall if you cannot find the kiosk.

Is wheelchair assistance genuinely free?

Yes. DGCA requires airlines to provide assistance to passengers with a disability or reduced mobility without charging for it. Book the assistance in advance where possible, and confirm again at the check-in counter.

Are luggage trolleys free at Indian airports?

Yes, trolleys inside Indian terminals are free to use in both departures and arrivals. Return them to a bay when you are done rather than leaving them at the kerb.

Do I pay anything to get my boarding pass?

No. Counters, kiosks and the airline website all issue a boarding pass at no cost on Indian carriers. You only pay if you choose a paid extra such as a preferred seat or additional baggage.

Is DigiYatra free to use?

Yes. It is an optional, free facility at participating Indian airports. You can always use the regular entry lane with your ID and boarding pass instead.

Facilities and fees change; verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA or the airport operator before you travel.