Quick travel question:

If I get separate tickets from Delhi to Kathmandu (as opposed to one itinerary from the US to KTM),
can I still check my baggage all the way to Kathmandu (here in the US) or do I need to claim my baggage
in Delhi and then go through the baggage check-in process again there?

Also, how much of a hassle is it going through Delhi Airport? I have heard more than a few people complain about the route. Any feedback would be appreciated (including past experiences).

I went through Delhi. My ticket was from US to KTM. So, I didn't have to claim the baggage in Delhi. But it was a big hassel to me while travelling through Delhi. I had to wait for about 8 hours in Delhi to catch the flight to KTM. Once I arrived in Delhi I was told to wait for the boarding pass. And after six hours, one of the staff from the airlines came to me and asked for my visa and I-20. I was confused whether to hand in him my stuffs or not. But the thing is I need the Boarding pass as well. Even though I was scared, I gave him my documents. He took it and don't know where he went. He did't come back for 20 minutes.
I was restless. But later on he came back and gave me my boarding pass. I think thats ridiculous. What if he had not come back???

Another case I saw in the Airport. While I was waiting, one of the airline staffs came to a person and took his passport. After 10 minutes the other staff and security came to him and asked for his passport. Since he didn't know the name of the staff who took his passport, he simply replied, "one of your people took  my passport". Now, that was a tense situation and security took him inside to search the person who took the passport of that guy.

Well, I think you might go through the same experience as I did if you buy the tickets online. But, through agencies, as per my knowledge, you will get your boarding passes before you depart from US. So you may not have to worry about it if you already have your boarding passes.

I didn't have much issues except for some drinks that I purchased from duty free.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Why would the Indian authorities need your documents I-20s and Visas though?? Pretty ridiculous. They have nothing to do with it unless I am not understanding how things work there. Indians and Nepalese used to be able to travel to each others' country without even a passport so I am not sure why there is need to show documentation when one is not even staying in India but merely using it as a transit to go to another destination.

i flew back via delhi where i have to wait for 10 hrs transit. The only scary thing is this airlines staffs man. they took my green card n paspport including some other old couples for at least 3-4 hrs. we were so worried n didnt know where to go. those folks were like wt we should now? but at last the guy showed up with our documents n boarding pass. by the way i got my ticket frm travel agency.

NepaliRose,

My first question is why do you want to get a separete ticket from the US to Delhi & another one from Delhi to KTM? I am not sure if thats going to save you any money, & even it does, that wont be much of a saving, and trust me, it will certainly not be a worth of any prospective hassle of checking out bags in Delhi & checking in again. I dont have a concrete knowledge of how ticketing system works, but its my understanding based on my experience that when you buy a ticket with different flight legs together up till your final destination, your entire itenary will show up in the system, which enables the system/airline agent to give out boarding passes/check your baggage all the way to your final destination (whereever applicable); if you get your tickets from different sources, the entire flight leg of your trip may not be recognized that might create a hassle of checking out & rechecking luggage in transits.

Indian authorities take your documents (passport & I-20) while returning to the US to authenticate that those documents are genuine - I know they should have a better way of checking authentication of those documents rather than someone coming to you & asking for those documents and dissapearing for 15-20 minutes - but thats the case at Indian airports. Another reason for the (kinda) special checking for Nepalese passport holders is there have been a lot of fake Nepalese passports being used by different people, and a lot of them have tried to sneak off through Indian ports, including Maoists ministers a few years back if you recall it along with countless # of people with fake passports - thus they have made their policy strict.

I do not suggest going thru Delhi unless the ticket is real, real cheap!! Usually you got to stay 6-8 hours (that also if you're lucky enough to catch the first flights to KTM) in the transit, which is just a room full of plastic hard chairs with restrooms, and two small tea/light snack stands. Thats it. You get to access the duty free just two hours prior to your flight after clearing security, and that also lacks basic international standard environment. Not to mention the unfriendliness of the Indian Cops that frisk you during security. Indian airline staff and crew are professional and helpful though! If you have made up your mind to travel thru Delhi choose Jet Airlines, they're the best Indian carrier with great service & nice food & a large vareity of IFE.

Safe Landing!

Thank you all. I was looking at my options so that I can choose a specific flight and time from Delhi but  it looks like it might be better to do all flights in one itinerary .

Do they ask for documentation such as I-20 or Green card only when returning back to the US or also when flying to Nepal? If you are on your way to Nepal, can you just hand the passport and nothing else? I don't see a point of handing them anything else and risk the chances of losing them.

While going to Nepal, they only take a look at your Nepalese Passport and let you depart. They dont usually take your documents & disappear, its while coming back that they do their extensive screening unlike other transits. I suggest travelling thru Gulf countries or through the Pacific route rather than thru India.