Delhi Travel FAQ

Two nights covers Delhi's core (Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Chandni Chowk). Add a Taj Mahal day trip for three nights. Bundle Jaipur and Agra into the Golden Triangle for 6-7 days. If this is your first trip to India, allow at least three nights — the first day goes to jet lag and adjusting to the sensory overload of India.

October to March (15-25°C, dry season) is the prime window. Skip April-June (40°C+ extreme heat) and July-September (monsoon and flooding). From late October to early February, smog sets in (AQI 300-500 — a KF94/N95 mask is essential). March-April, early October, and November are the sweet spots.

Most travelers need an e-Visa, applied for in advance at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in — $25 (30 days, single entry) or $80 (1 year, multiple entry). Apply 4-30 days before departure; it's usually issued within 72 hours. Your passport must be valid for 6+ months. Carry a printout plus one photo.

Tourist areas (Red Fort, Connaught Place, New Delhi) have a heavy police presence and feel safe, but scams are common: (1) fake prepaid-taxi booths at the airport, (2) 'the metro is under construction' touts steering you to travel agencies, (3) the 'your hotel is closed' scam. Women should avoid going out alone at night and always use Ola/Uber. Wear your bag in front to deter pickpockets.

English is an official language of India, so tourist sites, hotels, and restaurants handle it fully. A 'Namaste' (hello) and 'Shukriya' (thank you, in Hindi) go a long way. Between Uber, the metro, and English, you can sort out almost everything.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (DEL/IGI) is well connected, with direct flights from major hubs across Asia, Europe, and the Gulf. From the airport, the Airport Express metro is the best value at ₹60 (45 minutes), while a taxi runs ₹400-800. Prices peak in the October-March high season.

Delhi is Mughal grandeur layered with British colonial architecture, religion, and raw intensity — overwhelming and unforgettable. Bangkok is easier, with great value and food; Da Nang is beaches plus Hoi An. If it's your first time in India, brace for the sensory overload — build in a day to settle in at your hotel.

One of South Asia's best values. Budget: about $23/day (₹2,000) — guesthouse + street food + metro. Mid-range: $40/day (₹3,400) — 3-star hotel + restaurants + a tour. Luxury: $125+/day (₹10,700+) — 5-star + fine dining + a guide. Figures use ₹100 ≈ $1.20.

Bring USD and change it at a city exchange like Thomas Cook (airport rates are poor at ₹70-80/$), or withdraw from an ATM (SBI, HDFC, Axis — fees ₹200-400). Cards work at about 70% of places (tourist sites and hotels). Keep cash in ₹100 and ₹500 notes for street stalls, rickshaws, and markets. ATM withdrawals cap around ₹10,000 per transaction.

Hostel dorm ₹400-600 ($3-5), guesthouse (Paharganj) ₹1,200-2,500 ($14-30), 3-star ₹3,000-5,000 ($36-60), 4-star ₹5,000-10,000 ($60-119), 5-star (The Imperial, founded 1931; ITC Maurya; The Leela Palace) ₹15,000-40,000 ($178-475). Expect 1.5x in the October-March high season and around Diwali.

Restaurants 5-10% (a 'Service Charge' is often auto-added — check before adding more), hotel porters ₹50-100, guides ₹500-1,000/day, drivers ₹300-500/day, massage 10%. Not mandatory, but good manners.

Foreigners pay a separate (higher) rate: Red Fort ₹600 ($7), Qutub Minar ₹600, Humayun's Tomb ₹600, Jama Masjid free (camera ₹300), Taj Mahal ₹1,300 ($16), Agra Fort ₹650. Indians pay ₹50-80 — foreigners pay roughly 10x. An annual ASI pass (₹1,000) pays off for multiple visits.

Metro ₹10-60, 1-day pass ₹150, Airport Express ₹60 (45 minutes). Auto-rickshaws are ₹10/km, but many drivers won't run the meter — haggle, or just use Ola/Uber. Cycle rickshaws in Old Delhi run ₹50-100.

Taj Mahal foreigner ticket ₹1,300 ($16) + Agra Fort ₹650 + Gatimaan Express round-trip train ₹1,400+ + lunch ₹500. Total ₹4,000-5,000 ($48-60) — an unmissable day trip.

Options: (1) the Airport Express metro — ₹60, 45 minutes, direct to New Delhi station, the best value; (2) a prepaid taxi from the official airport booth (₹500-700, fixed price, no haggling); (3) Ola/Uber (₹500-800, app payment); (4) hotel pickup ₹1,000-1,500. Avoid the fake booths near the exit — use only the official prepaid counter.

Ten lines, the world's sixth-largest system, air-conditioned and clean. A single ride is ₹10-60, a 1-day pass ₹150. The Yellow Line (Old Delhi, New Delhi, Connaught Place, Qutub Minar) is the key route. Buy a token or Smart Card. Runs roughly 06:00-23:00. Make use of the women-only car (front of the train, marked pink).

Ola/Uber is the safer choice — app payment, fixed fare, no overcharging, and best for women. Auto-rickshaw (three-wheeler) drivers often won't run the meter, so haggling is required (start at half the first quote). Cycle rickshaws (Old Delhi lanes) run ₹50-100 — atmospheric but slow.

The Gatimaan Express train is the best option — New Delhi station to Agra Cantt in 1h40, ₹1,400 round trip for foreigners; first train 06:00, last back 21:30. By car it's 3-4 hours (₹4,000-6,000 round trip with driver). For a first trip to India, the train is the easy choice.

Be cautious going out at night. Use the women-only metro car, always take Ola/Uber, and have it drop you at the hotel entrance. Skip short clothing — long clothes plus a scarf are best. Stares and requests for photos are common — a firm 'No' is fine.

By train (Gatimaan Express, Shatabdi; 1-5 hours) or with a car and driver (₹3,000-5,000/day, a 6-day full package ₹15,000-25,000). For a first trip to India, a car and driver wins on safety and efficiency.

1) Start at 50% of the first quote; 2) ask for the meter — if they refuse, say 'by meter' or walk; 3) if still no, take the next one; 4) near tourist sites quotes run 2-3x, so flag one 100m away; 5) Ola/Uber is the easy default. Haggling is everyday life in India.

Butter Chicken (invented at Moti Mahal in 1949, ₹400-600), Paratha (at Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk, running since 1872, ₹50-100), Biryani (spiced rice, ₹250-500), Samosa (street stalls ₹15-30), Lassi (yogurt drink, ₹40-80), Chai (India's classic spiced tea, ₹10-30), and Dal Makhani (black-lentil stew, ₹180-300).

Karim's, near Jama Masjid and running since 1913, was founded by descendants of Mughal court cooks — the definitive Old Delhi spot. Mutton Korma, Sheek Kebab, and classic Mughlai dishes run ₹180-440. The top pick for authentic Mughlai food.

Indian Accent, in The Lodhi hotel, is on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list — modern Indian fine dining, ₹2,650-5,250. Try the Blue Cheese Naan and Daulat ki Chaat. Book a week+ ahead. A favorite for honeymoons and anniversaries.

Running since 1872, this lane in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi serves freshly fried parathas with butter and chutney for ₹50-100. Go before 9 AM to skip the queue — classic Delhi street food.

Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place is the pick — a clean, reliable chain serving authentic South Indian Masala Dosa, Idli Sambar, and Vada for ₹90-260. The go-to when you've had your fill of North Indian food, and great for vegetarians.

Bukhara, in the ITC Maurya hotel and running since 1977, has repeatedly made the World's 50 Best Restaurants list — northwest-Indian and tandoor cooking at its finest. The Sikandari Raan (whole tandoori leg of lamb, ₹4,500) is the signature. Book a week+ ahead.

Connaught Place (the Inner and Outer Circle, built in 1933) is New Delhi's heart for dining and shopping — Saravana Bhavan, Q'BA, Café Delhi Heights, and Wenger's (a 1926 dessert institution). A safe, easy choice for visitors.

Location and safety make the choice. Connaught Place (central, metro + dining + shopping, ₹3,000-10,000) is the top pick; New Delhi South Extension (upscale, ₹5,000-15,000); Paharganj (backpacker hub, ₹600-2,500, mind your safety); Hauz Khas Village (trendy, ₹3,000-8,000). For a first trip on a normal budget, choose Connaught Place.

The Imperial New Delhi (founded 1931, Connaught Place, ₹15,000-30,000, a honeymoon favorite), ITC Maurya (home to Bukhara and Dum Pukht, ₹15,000-25,000), The Leela Palace New Delhi (₹20,000-40,000, palatial design), and Taj Mahal Hotel (Aman, ₹25,000-50,000). Book 1-2 months ahead.

The Imperial (founded 1931, classic), The Leela Palace (palatial design — a honeymoon favorite), ITC Maurya (Michelin-level dining), and The Oberoi New Delhi (₹15,000-30,000). Book 3-6 months ahead.

It's active in Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, and upscale neighborhoods at ₹2,000-6,000/night. Downsides: mandatory foreigner registration and some hosts declining foreign guests. A hotel is the safer bet — for a first trip to India, go with a hotel.

October-March (the best season), Diwali (late October-early November), and December 31 are the peaks — hotels run 1.5-2x. Better value comes April-June (40°C+ extreme heat, hotels up to 50% off) and July-September (monsoon). The sweet spot for value is March, early October, and early November.

A humid subtropical, semi-arid climate. Winter (Nov-Feb, 7-22°C, smoggy — prime but masks needed) and spring (Mar-Apr, 17-33°C, clear) are best; summer (Apr-Jun, 25-40°C+, extreme heat) is to be avoided; monsoon (Jul-Sep, 25-33°C, flooding); autumn (Oct-Nov, 15-28°C, clear). October-March is prime, with March-April and October-November the sweet spots.

From late October to February, AQI hits 300-500 (hazardous) — crop-stubble burning in nearby farmland plus vehicle exhaust. Pack several KF94/N95 masks; if you have respiratory issues, reconsider or stick to indoor sights. March-April and early September-October are smog-free — the best windows.

Temperatures hit 40°C+; the heat and humidity make walking impractical. May has recorded 47°C — not for sightseeing. Hotels drop 50% and crowds vanish, so for value it can work, but skip it on a first trip.

25-33°C, with rain on 6-7 days a week, flooding, and traffic gridlock. It's a value season but poor for sightseeing. The upside is lush, green palms and lawns.

Five essentials: the Red Fort (1638 Mughal palace, UNESCO, ₹600), Qutub Minar (1199, 72.5m, the world's tallest brick minaret, UNESCO, ₹600), Humayun's Tomb (1570, the architectural prototype for the Taj Mahal, UNESCO, ₹600), Jama Masjid (1656, India's largest mosque, free), and Chandni Chowk (1648, the classic Old Delhi market). Seeing all five takes 2-3 days.

An overnight in Agra or a day trip is unmissable. Sunrise at the Taj Mahal (05:30 entry, Gate A) plus Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh (the garden directly facing the Taj for photos). Foreigner ticket ₹1,300; the Gatimaan Express takes 1h40.

A Chandni Chowk food tour (₹1,500-2,500, 2-3 hours, rickshaw + guide) covers Paranthe Wali Gali, Karim's, the spice market, and jalebi. Go early on an empty stomach — the top pick for Indian food.

Akshardham (2005, the world's largest Hindu temple, free, no interior photos, half a day) and the Lotus Temple (1986, a Baha'i temple shaped like a lotus, free). Both blend religion and striking architecture.

India Gate (1931, a WWI memorial to 90,000 soldiers) and Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's residence, 1929, 340 rooms, Saturday guided tours ₹50). India Gate is best in the evening.

Hauz Khas Village (trendy — galleries, cafés, and bars, with classic-meets-modern dining) and Khan Market (upscale shopping, popular with visitors, bookshops and luxury boutiques). Both are stylish and worth a visit.

Delhi + Agra (Taj Mahal) + Jaipur (the Pink City — Amber Fort and palaces) — a 6-7 day full package with a car and driver (₹15,000-25,000 one way). The top recommendation for a first trip to India.

1) Water — sealed bottled water only (no tap water or ice); 2) restrooms — always carry tissues and hand sanitizer; 3) temples and mosques — remove shoes, women cover with a scarf, no short clothing; 4) greeting — 'Namaste' with palms together; 5) streets — keep left, avoid the left hand (considered unclean); 6) photos — ask before photographing people or religious sites; 7) haggling is everyday life.

1) Not applying for the e-Visa in advance and being denied entry; 2) drinking tap water or ice and getting sick; 3) eating from unhygienic street stalls; 4) using a fake prepaid-taxi booth at the airport and getting overcharged; 5) not checking the auto-rickshaw meter or skipping the haggle; 6) skipping a KF94/N95 mask and getting respiratory problems from the smog; 7) women going out alone at night; 8) falling for the 'your hotel is closed' scam.

100 (police), 101 (fire), 102 (ambulance), 112 (the integrated number, like 911). For emergency care, Apollo Hospital and Max Hospital are reliable. Bring travel insurance and an international card. Keep your embassy's contact details handy.

Restaurants 5-10% (a 'Service Charge' is often auto-added — check before adding more), hotel porters ₹50-100, guides ₹500-1,000/day, drivers ₹300-500/day, housekeeping ₹50-100, massage 10%.

Be very cautious — avoid going out alone at night, skip short clothing, wear long clothes plus a scarf, and keep your bag in front. Use the hotel concierge and verify Ola/Uber plate numbers. Meet stares and photo requests with a firm 'No.' Traveling with a group is best.

Types C/D/M, 230V 50Hz. Bring an adapter that covers the Type D/M (round-pin Indian) plug — many hotels lend them free. 220V is fine.

Spices (authentic Indian masalas, ₹50-200 — garam masala is the pick), Chai (₹100-500), sandalwood perfume (₹500-2,000), pashmina (cashmere scarves, ₹500-5,000), kurta (traditional Indian clothing, ₹500-2,500), embroidered cushion covers (₹500-2,000), and kajal (black eyeliner, ₹100-500). Khan Market and Janpath Market are the classic spots.