bkhote,
since you asked here is my experience, the below comes with the standard disclaimer 'to use at your own risk'.
My spouse travelled in July '03 from Delhi ----> Frankfurt -----> Philly.
Just a week before my spouse was to travel back I learnt about the transit visa being needed.
So I wrote to 4 different German consulates(one's in NY, Chennai, Bombay and Delhi)....Bombay responded saying that transit visa is needed....NY and Chennai responded it is not needed....Delhi never bothered responding, and that is the consulate we were planning to get the transit visa. When the visit was made to the German Consulate in Delhi, they refused to even accept the application saying if that a transit visa is not required if one holds a CONFIRMED ticket and the connecting flight is from the same terminal but different gates.
Having no other option and time running out for my spouse, the journey was made armed with the NY and Chennai consulates response with no problems.
This is what the person at window in Delhi Consulte stated
1) If one holds a confirmed ticket
2) Will not leave the transit area
3) Connecting flight from the same terminal but different gates
If all above 3 is true (for Indian passport holders) then you do not need a transit visa
Having stated my experience this is what I need to add
1) Rules change constantly, so get yourself informed through their websites as soon as tickets are booked.
2) Write to them before making a decision either way.
3) If you feel that it's not worth taking the risk then get a transit visa. This is the pain one has to go through while travelling on AP.
I have read members here having other experiences, so make an informed decision.
Hope this helps.
