Delhi Travel Guide

India's capital city offers travelers an intoxicating blend of Mughal architecture, British colonial heritage, and contemporary urban energy. From the imposing Red Fort to the bustling markets of Chandni Chowk, from world-class restaurants in Khan Market to street food paradise at Karim's, Delhi rewards every type of traveler.

Quick Facts About Delhi

Best Time to Visit: October to March (pleasant weather)
Language: Hindi and English widely spoken
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹) - approximately ₹83 per USD
Population: 32+ million (NCR region)
Climate: Hot summers, mild winters, monsoon July-September
Time Zone: IST (UTC +5:30)
Airport Code: DEL (Indira Gandhi International)
Emergency: Police 100, Medical 108, Fire 101

How to Get to Delhi

By Air

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India's busiest airport, located 16 km southwest of central Delhi. Terminal 3 handles international flights, Terminal 1 serves domestic routes.

Getting to the City:

Metro: Airport Express Line to New Delhi Station in 20 minutes (₹60)
Taxi: Pre-paid taxis ₹400-600 to central Delhi
Uber/Ola: ₹300-500 depending on traffic
Hotel Transfer: Typically ₹800-1200

By Train

Delhi has several major railway stations:

New Delhi Station: Main hub, centrally located with metro access
Old Delhi Station: Near Red Fort, serves northern routes
Nizamuddin: Trains to south and east India

Popular Routes:

Mumbai: 12-16 hours (₹1000-4000)
Agra: 2-3 hours (₹200-800)
Jaipur: 4-5 hours (₹400-1500)

By Road

Delhi connects to major highways:

NH-44 to Chandigarh and Amritsar
NH-48 to Jaipur and Mumbai
Yamuna Expressway to Agra

Best Time to Visit Delhi

Winter (October to March)

Temperature: 8-25°C
Pros: Perfect sightseeing weather, festival season
Cons: Peak prices, more crowds

Summer (April to June)

Temperature: 35-45°C
Pros: Lower prices, fewer tourists
Cons: Extreme heat, dust storms

Monsoon (July to September)

Temperature: 25-35°C
Pros: Lush greenery, moderate prices
Cons: Heavy rain, humidity, flooding

Where to Stay in Delhi

Connaught Place

Central location with excellent metro access. Walking distance to India Gate, shopping, and restaurants. Best for first-time visitors who want convenience.

Karol Bagh

Budget-friendly area with great street food and shopping. Well-connected by metro. Popular with domestic tourists and budget travelers.

Paharganj

Backpacker hub near New Delhi Railway Station. Rock-bottom prices, gritty atmosphere. Good for budget travelers who don't mind chaos.

South Delhi

Upscale residential areas like Greater Kailash and Defence Colony. Quieter, more expensive, further from main sights.

Must-See Attractions

Red Fort

UNESCO World Heritage site built by Shah Jahan in 1648. Massive red sandstone fortress with palaces and museums. Entry ₹35 Indians, ₹550 foreigners. Closed Mondays.

Qutub Minar

World's tallest brick minaret at 73 meters. Beautiful Indo-Islamic architecture from the 13th century. Entry ₹35 Indians, ₹550 foreigners.

Humayun's Tomb

Precursor to the Taj Mahal, this Mughal garden tomb is less crowded and equally stunning. Entry ₹35 Indians, ₹550 foreigners.

Jama Masjid

India's largest mosque accommodates 25,000 worshippers. Climb the minaret for Old Delhi views (₹100). Free entry, dress modestly.

India Gate

Iconic war memorial on Rajpath. Free entry, best visited at sunset. Great for evening strolls and street food.

Lotus Temple

Stunning Bahai temple shaped like a lotus flower. Free entry, open to all faiths. Closed Mondays.

Hidden Gems

Agrasen ki Baoli

Ancient stepwell hidden near Connaught Place. Free entry, atmospheric, great for photos.

Lodhi Gardens

15th-century tombs amid landscaped gardens. Free entry, perfect for morning walks.

Hauz Khas Village

Medieval ruins meets trendy cafes and boutiques. Free to explore, great for sunset.

Nizamuddin Dargah

Sufi shrine with Thursday evening qawwali sessions. Deeply spiritual experience.

Delhi Food Guide

Must-Try Dishes

Chole Bhature: Chickpea curry with fried bread (₹80-150)
Butter Chicken: Creamy tomato curry, invented here (₹300-500)
Paranthas: Stuffed flatbreads at Paranthe Wali Gali (₹50-100)
Kebabs: Try Karim's near Jama Masjid (₹200-400)
Chaat: Street snacks at Bengali Market (₹30-80)

Best Food Areas

Chandni Chowk: Historic street food paradise
Khan Market: Upscale cafes and restaurants
Bengali Market: Authentic chaat and sweets
Connaught Place: Mix of all price points

Getting Around

Metro

Delhi Metro covers 350+ stations across 12 lines. Tokens cost ₹10-60. Operates 5 AM to midnight. Safe, efficient, air-conditioned.

Auto-rickshaws

Negotiate fare before riding (₹30-150 typical). Use for short trips and areas without metro.

Uber/Ola

Reliable app-based taxis. Starting around ₹80-100 for short trips. Safer than street taxis.

Practical Tips

Safety

Use metro or Uber/Ola instead of street taxis
Beware of "closed today" scams near monuments
Keep valuables secure in crowded areas
Women: use women-only metro coaches when needed

Money

Budget: ₹1500-2500/day
Mid-range: ₹3000-5000/day
Luxury: ₹8000+/day
Tip 10% at restaurants, ₹20-50 for drivers

Health

Drink only bottled water
Start with mild street food
Carry hand sanitizer
Air quality can be poor in winter

How Many Days?

1 day: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, Qutub Minar
2-3 days: Add Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple, food tours
4+ days: Include day trips to Agra or hidden gems

Day Trips

Agra: Taj Mahal, 3-4 hours by car or 2 hours by train
Jaipur: Pink City palaces, 5-6 hours by car
Rishikesh: Yoga and rafting, 5-6 hours by car