Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport

Chandigarh Airport operates as a civil enclave within the Indian Air Force's Chandigarh Air Force Station, serving the city that is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Located about 10 kilometres southeast of the city centre in the suburb of Mohali, the airport handles domestic flights to major Indian cities and a handful of international routes, including direct services to Dubai and Sharjah. The terminal, opened in 2015, replaced an older facility and now processes roughly 2.5 million passengers annually. Its compact size means walking distances are short, but security queues can build up during peak hours—particularly on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, when departure lounges fill quickly.

Getting There

Chandigarh Airport is well connected to the city by road. The most common option is a prepaid taxi from the airport counter, which costs around ₹400–₹600 and takes 20–30 minutes to the city centre, depending on traffic. App-based ride services like Ola and Uber also operate from the arrival forecourt, with fares similar to taxis. Auto-rickshaws are available for shorter trips within Mohali or to nearby sectors, but they are less comfortable for the full journey to Chandigarh. A state-run bus service (Chandigarh Transport Undertaking) operates Route 19 between the airport and the ISBT in Sector 43, with departures every 30 minutes; the fare is ₹15, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. For those driving, the airport is accessible via the Chandigarh–Mohali road, with clear signage from the city. Parking is available: a free lot for short stays (up to 30 minutes) and a paid lot for longer durations, charging ₹50 for the first hour and ₹20 per subsequent hour. The airport also has a dedicated drop-off lane for private vehicles.

Inside the Terminal

The single terminal at Chandigarh Airport handles both arrivals and departures on two levels. Check-in counters and the departure area occupy the ground floor; after security, passengers move to the first-floor gates. The layout is straightforward, with clear signage in Hindi, English, and Punjabi. The terminal is fully wheelchair-accessible, with ramps, lifts, and designated toilets. A changing table is available in the accessible washroom near the food court. On-site services include a few retail kiosks selling snacks, beverages, and reading material, plus a small café serving coffee and light meals. Free Wi-Fi is provided by the airport authority for up to 30 minutes per session. Security screening is efficient but can be slow during busy periods—the busiest times are Monday and Tuesday at 2 pm, Wednesday at 11 am, and Thursday at 1 pm, when queues may stretch to 15–20 minutes. The departures area has ample seating, but charging points are limited near the gates. Arriving passengers collect luggage from a single carousel; customs and immigration for international flights is quick, as the airport handles only a few international departures daily.

Chandigarh airport and Chandigarh

Chandigarh itself is a planned city designed by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s, following the partition of Punjab. It is celebrated for its modernist architecture, grid-like sector system, and extensive greenery. The Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses the High Court, Secretariat, and Legislative Assembly, and is a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts. Another iconic attraction is the Rock Garden, a sprawling sculpture garden created by Nek Chand from industrial and household waste—a testament to the city's creative spirit. Sukhna Lake, an artificial reservoir at the foot of the Shivalik Hills, is a popular spot for evening strolls and boating. The city's Sector 17 is the main commercial hub, with shops, restaurants, and the iconic open-air plaza. For nature lovers, the nearby Shivalik hills offer hiking trails and the Ghaggar river provides a green corridor. Chandigarh also serves as a gateway to Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, the summer capital of British India, is only a 3-hour drive away, and the hill stations of Kasauli, Dharamshala, and Manali are within a day's reach. Many travellers pass through the airport on business trips, as Chandigarh is a growing IT and finance hub, housing offices of major companies and the Chandigarh University. The city's culture blends Punjabi and Haryanvi influences, evident in its cuisine—butter chicken, chole bhature, and lassi are staples at local eateries. Despite its modernity, Chandigarh retains a relaxed pace, with wide tree-lined avenues and a low population density compared to other Indian metros.

Practical Information

The terminal is not open 24 hours; it opens approximately 2 hours before the first departure (typically around 4:00 am) and closes after the last arrival (usually by 11:00 pm). The airport's official website is chandigarhairport.in, though information may be limited; a more reliable source is the Airports Authority of India website. The airport's general inquiry number is +91 172 226 7200. For real-time flight status, use the airport's mobile app or third-party trackers. Outside security, there is a small snack bar and a ticket booking counter for public transport. One concrete tip: book a prepaid taxi from the counter inside the arrivals hall for fixed rates, avoiding haggling—this is especially useful during late-night arrivals when app-based services may be scarce. If you are picking someone up, use the free 30-minute parking lot to avoid charges.