India's capital, with Mughal forts and tombs, old bazaars, big temples and a wide metro network.
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Delhi packs three UNESCO-listed Mughal and Sultanate monuments, the lanes and street food of Old Delhi, and large modern temples into one city. It suits first-time visitors to India, families and history lovers, and the metro makes it easy to see a lot in two or three days. It is also the usual starting point for trips to the north.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
The Red Fort in Old DelhiQutub MinarDelhi Gate of the Red FortInside the Qutub Minar complex
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to March
The season Delhi Tourism recommends. The weather is pleasant for walking around monuments and gardens are in flower. Winter temperatures run from about 6 to 25 degrees C.
Summer months
Very hot, with temperatures from about 22 up to 46 degrees C. Sightseeing is best kept to early morning and evening.
Sights and activities
1
Red Fort
A 17th-century Mughal palace-fort in red sandstone covering about 254 acres. It was the seat of the Mughal emperors.
Distance
In Old Delhi, next to Chandni Chowk.
Entry
About 35 to 50 rupees for Indians (sources differ); about 550 for foreigners
A very large modern temple complex with exhibitions and an evening water show. Phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside; a free cloakroom is provided.
Distance
East Delhi on NH 24; 350 m walk from Akshardham metro station.
Entry
Free entry; exhibitions 260 rupees (adult), water show 110 rupees
National highways link Delhi with all major cities. Government and private buses use three terminals: ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar.
By train
Delhi has three main stations: New Delhi (in the centre), Old Delhi Junction (about 4 km away) and Hazrat Nizamuddin (about 8.5 km).
By air
Indira Gandhi International Airport, about 16 to 18 km from the city centre, with three terminals. The Airport Express metro reaches the centre in about 20 minutes.
Where to base yourself
Stay around Connaught Place and Janpath for a central, metro-connected base; Paharganj near New Delhi station is the budget area, South Delhi is quieter, and Aerocity suits airport stopovers.
Getting around
Delhi Metro is the fastest and cheapest way around; it runs from about 5:30 am to 11:30 pm and most trips cost 10 to 60 rupees.
The Airport Express metro line costs about 60 to 150 rupees and takes about 20 minutes from Terminal 3 to the centre.
Metro tourist cards cost about 200 rupees for one day and 500 rupees for three days.
Auto-rickshaws cost about 30 to 150 rupees for a ride; ask for the meter or agree the fare before you get in.
App cabs such as Uber and Ola cost about 100 to 300 rupees for a typical city ride.
A car with driver for a full day (8 hours, 80 km) costs about 1,500 to 3,000 rupees.
A taxi from the airport to city areas costs about 700 to 1,700 rupees depending on where you are going.
City buses and cycle rickshaws also run, and cycle rickshaws are handy in the lanes of Old Delhi.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Hostel dorms and small guesthouses, mostly around Paharganj
₹900 to ₹2,300
Mid-range
3-star hotels, often with breakfast, around Connaught Place and South Delhi
₹2,500 to ₹7,500
Luxury
Premium 5-star hotels
₹19,000 to ₹35,500
Food
Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi is the place for street food, and Dilli Haat and the cafes of South Delhi are other popular spots. Well-known names include Karim's for kebabs and Moti Mahal for tandoori dishes. A street-food meal costs about 150 to 350 rupees and a simple restaurant meal about 400 rupees a person.
Try these
Chole bhature (spiced chickpeas with fried bread)
Butter chicken (tandoori chicken in a tomato and butter gravy)
Paranthas (stuffed flatbreads)
Chaat (tangy street snacks)
Kebabs and meat curries in the Mughlai style
Vegetarian street food and North Indian vegetarian dishes are easy to find, and Akshardham has an all-vegetarian food court.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,800
₹600
₹250 per person
Mid-range
₹4,500
₹1,500
₹500 per person
Luxury
₹22,000
₹4,000
₹2,500 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permits were found to be needed for visiting the city or its main sights. Monument tickets are bought at the gate or online.
Safety
By day
Generally fine for visitors. Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowded markets such as Chandni Chowk.
At night
Use the metro or a registered app cab after dark and avoid unlit lanes late at night.
Solo women
Stay in well-known areas, use registered ride-hailing apps or the metro at night, and avoid unverified auto drivers.
Roads
Traffic is heavy; the metro is usually quicker than road travel. Insist on the meter or agree a fare before taking an auto-rickshaw.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town. Tourist SIMs cost about 800 rupees at the airport and about 300 to 350 rupees in city shops.
ATMs and cash
ATMs are easy to find in town. ATMs are available at large sites such as Akshardham. Carrying about 2,000 to 3,000 rupees in cash is advised.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states.
The metro and hired cars make getting around easy, but the big monuments involve a lot of walking. Akshardham offers reduced exhibition tickets for visitors over 60.
Children
Suitable for children. Akshardham has child-price tickets for its exhibitions and water show, free under 4.
Wheelchair users
Akshardham lends wheelchairs free against a 100 rupee deposit.
Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Culture and responsible travel
Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites and take off your shoes at the entrance.
Carry a scarf to cover your head where it is asked for.
Akshardham does not allow sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee, and no phones, cameras or food inside.
Avoid visiting Jama Masjid at prayer times.
What to pack
Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts
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