Delhi
India India ☀️ 26°C · Now Oct-Mar best · summer 45°C+ · monsoon Jul-Sep

Delhi

India

#Mughal #Old Delhi #Street food
India

Delhi at a glance

Daily budget

$25+

Budget tier · excl. flights

Direct flights

From major hubs

DEL (Indira Gandhi)

Visa

Visa-free 90 days

For most Western passports

Exchange

$1 ≈ ¥150

JPY · ECB rate

Best time

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Currently May

Climate

Subtropical (cool winters

Now ☀️ 26°C

Local time

01:09

IST (UTC+5:30)

Language

Hindi + English

English universal

Why visit Delhi?

Delhi is India's capital — population 32M (NCR), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (3,000+ years), the political + cultural heart of the world's largest democracy. Two cities exist as one: Old Delhi (Mughal-era walled city of Shahjahanabad, 1648 — narrow chaotic lanes + Chandni Chowk silver street + Khari Baoli largest Asian spice market) + New Delhi (British colonial Lutyens' garden city, 1931 — wide boulevards + India Gate war memorial + Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace). The city holds 3 UNESCO sites: Red Fort (1648 Mughal palace where India's Independence Day flag is raised), Humayun's Tomb (1572, prototype for the Taj Mahal), and Qutub Minar (1192, world's tallest brick minaret at 73m). Gateway to the Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, 3-day classic India intro), Himalayan Rishikesh + Ladakh, and Rajasthan + Varanasi.

Iconic Delhi cuisine: Butter chicken (invented at Moti Mahal 1947, $5-12), Dal makhani (creamy black lentil, $4-8), Chole bhature (chickpeas + fried bread, $2-5 — Sita Ram Diwan Chand canonical), Paratha (stuffed flatbread, $1-3 — Paranthe Wali Gali in Old Delhi), Kebabs at Karim's (since 1913, $5-15), Chaat (street snacks, $1-3 — Bengali Sweet House), Lassi (yogurt drink, $1-2).

Bottom line: Delhi is India's overwhelming capital + Mughal canonical + Golden Triangle launchpad. 3-4 days hits 3 UNESCO sites + Old Delhi + day trip to Agra.

Things to do in Delhi

Highlights

Red Fort (UNESCO)

1648 Mughal walled palace where Shah Jahan ruled; India's Independence Day flag-raising site.

INR 600 ($8) 9:30-16:30 (closed Mon) 2-3 hours
Tip: Light + sound show evening (¥100-200) Mughal history. Hindi or English versions.

Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO 1572)

Pre-Taj Mahal prototype Mughal mausoleum; 1572.

INR 600 ($8) Sunrise-sunset 1.5 hours
Tip: Stunning at sunrise + sunset golden light. Architectural inspiration for Taj Mahal.

Old Delhi + Chandni Chowk

Mughal walled city + Asia's largest spice market + chaotic rickshaw lanes.

Free walk; rickshaw INR 200 ($2.70) Markets 10:00-20:00 (closed Sun) Half day
Tip: Take cycle rickshaw through narrow lanes; eat at Karim's near Jama Masjid + paratha at Paranthe Wali Gali.

Travel cost

Per person, per day (excludes flights)

Hostel + local food + public transport

$25

≈ ¥3,750 JPY

Per person / day (excl. flights)

🏠Hotel
40%$10
🍽️Food
32%$8
🚇Transit
12%$3
🎫Activities
16%$4

📅 Total cost by trip duration (incl. flights)

3 days

$100

≈ ¥15,000

5 days

$160

≈ ¥24,000

7 days

$220

≈ ¥33,000

Flight estimate: $700-1,500 from US/EU; $400-800 from Asia (DEL direct from Tokyo/Bangkok/Seoul) (round-trip estimate)

💡Delhi is among cheapest tourist cities globally. Stay in Connaught Place for transport hub or Aerocity for 5-star + airport access. Auto-rickshaw INR 200-500 ($2.50-6.50). Pre-book Red Fort + Humayun's Tomb online to skip queues.

Monthly weather

Currently in Delhi: ☀️ 26°C

🔥

Delhi now (May)

High 41°C / Low 27°C· Very Hot

Jan

🌤️

21°

7°

Mild

Best

Feb

☀️

25°

11°

Pleasant

Best

Mar

🔥

31°

16°

Hot

Best

Apr

🔥

38°

22°

Very Hot

May

🔥

41°

27°

Very Hot

NOW

Jun

🔥

40°

28°

Very Hot

Jul

🔥

36°

27°

Very Hot

Aug

🔥

34°

26°

Very Hot

Sep

🔥

35°

24°

Very Hot

Oct

🔥

33°

18°

Very Hot

Best

Nov

☀️

28°

12°

Hot

Best

Dec

🌤️

23°

8°

Pleasant

Best

This MonthBest TimeOther

Practical information

Getting there
DEL Airport to Connaught Place: Airport Express metro INR 60 ($0.80) / 20 min — fastest. Prepaid taxi INR 600 ($8).
Getting around
Delhi Metro fast + clean + AC, 6:00-23:00, INR 10-60. Auto-rickshaw INR 200-500. Uber + Ola universal.
Money & payments
INR for everything. ATMs at hotels + airport. Cards at 5-star + chains.
Language
Hindi + English. English universal in tourism + 5-star hotels + young people.
Cultural tips
Cover shoulders + knees at temples. Don't drink tap water (bottled only). Air pollution Nov-Mar — N95 masks recommended. Touts persistent — keep walking + ignore.

Money & payment

Currency

INR (Indian Rupee).

Card acceptance

5-star hotels + chains. Cash for everything else.

Tipping

10-15% at restaurants + ₹100-200 for guides.

ATM

ICICI + HDFC + SBI free with most foreign cards.

Recommended itinerary

Delhi 3-day route

Day 1 Old Delhi

09

09:00

Red Fort (UNESCO Mughal)

1648 Mughal palace + audience halls; INR 600 ($8)

11

11:00

Jama Masjid

India's largest mosque (1656); free entry, ¥300 photo fee

13

13:00

Lunch — Karim's (since 1913)

Mughal cuisine + lamb burra ¥500-1,000 ($7-14)

14

14:30

Chandni Chowk + spice market rickshaw

Mughal silver street + Khari Baoli largest spice market; ¥200 rickshaw

17

17:00

Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi cremation memorial)

Quiet park + eternal flame; free

20

20:00

Dinner at Bukhara (ITC Maurya, world-famous)

Tandoori + dal Bukhara ₹3,000-5,000 ($40-70)

Day 2 New Delhi + UNESCO

10

10:00

Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO 1572)

Pre-Taj Mahal Mughal mausoleum prototype; ¥600 ($8)

12

12:00

Qutub Minar (UNESCO 73m tower)

World's tallest brick minaret; ¥600 ($8)

14

14:00

Lunch at Khan Market

Diplomatic enclave + Sodabottleopenerwala ₪700-1,200

16

16:00

India Gate + Rajpath drive

British war memorial + presidential palace boulevard

18

18:00

Lotus Temple (Bahá'í House of Worship)

Modern lotus-shaped temple; free

20

20:00

Dinner at Indian Accent (modern Indian)

Top restaurant; tasting menu ₹5,000+ ($70)

Day 3 Akshardham + Markets

10

10:00

Akshardham Temple

World's largest Hindu temple; free + ¥220 boat ride

13

13:00

Lunch at Saravana Bhavan (vegetarian)

South Indian dosa + thali ¥400-700

15

15:00

Dilli Haat market (handicrafts)

All-state crafts + cheap food court; ¥30 entry

17

17:00

Lodi Gardens + tomb walk

1444-year-old Mughal tombs in 90-acre park; free

20

20:00

Final dinner — biryani at Karim's

Or street food at Paranthe Wali Gali

Where to stay

Click each district to compare hotel deals

Delhi hotel price comparison

Compare Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com prices in one place

* Centered on Connaught Place (CP) — the most hotel-dense area in Delhi

Top tours & activities in Delhi

Top-rated by travelers

Frequently asked questions

Most common questions from travelers to Delhi

Q How much per day?
A

Budget $25, mid $55, luxury $170+. Among cheapest tourist cities globally.

Q How many days?
A

3-4 days. Old Delhi + Red Fort Day 1; UNESCO sites Day 2; Akshardham + markets Day 3; Agra Taj Mahal day trip Day 4.

Q Best time?
A

Oct-Mar (dry, 15-30°C). Avoid May-Jul (40-45°C scorching) + monsoon Jul-Sep. Nov-Feb has air pollution issues; bring N95 mask.

Q Visa?
A

e-Visa $25 (30 days) for most passports. Korean passport visa-free 60 days. Apply 4 days ahead at indianvisaonline.gov.in.

Q Safety?
A

Generally safe at tourist areas. Watch for scams: 'closed for cleaning' at Red Fort (false), fake guides. Women travelers should avoid solo at night.

Q English?
A

Universal in tourism + hotels + restaurants + young people.

Q Famous food?
A

Butter chicken at Moti Mahal (1947 invented here, ₹400-700), kebabs at Karim's (1913 since, ₹500-1,000), parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali in Old Delhi, chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand. Bukhara at ITC Maurya world-famous tandoori.

Q Air pollution?
A

Nov-Mar AQI often 200+ (hazardous). Bring N95 masks. Indoor air purifiers at hotels. Avoid outdoor exercise during this season.

Q Delhi vs Mumbai?
A

Delhi: Mughal history + Golden Triangle base + cheaper + more cultural depth + worse pollution. Mumbai: financial capital + Bollywood + 14km coast + cleaner air. Most do both 3-4 days each.

Q Golden Triangle from Delhi?
A

3-day classic route: Delhi (Day 1) → Agra (Day 2: Taj Mahal sunrise + Agra Fort) → Jaipur (Day 3). Hire driver $300-500 or take Gatimaan Express train Delhi-Agra (1h40, ₹1,500).

TripPick

TripPick

Data-driven travel guide

Weather and exchange rates on this page are fetched live from external APIs; cost and itinerary data are verified periodically against local sources.

Weather

Open-Meteo API

Exchange

ECB rates

Costs

Local price data

Itineraries

Traveler reviews

Book your Delhi trip

Compare flights, hotels, and tours all in one place

Prices via Skyscanner, Booking.com, GetYourGuide