Delhi

Understand

Travellers with little experience of visiting developing megacities will find Delhi to be chaotic at its worst, crowded and for much of the year, polluted. Air pollution is a major problem in Delhi since the 1980s, with much of the day dominated with a very unhealthy amount of particles. During the late spring and early summer months, the city is scorchingly hot. Dig a little deeper however and you will get a glimpse of order beneath the chaos as well as India's traditional and modern cultural richness flourishing side by side. First-time visitors feeling the culture shock are recommended to not compound that by visiting during adverse weather conditions, and get a decent hotel room so you can stay in comfort between your sightseeing trips. In addition, read up on the various scams and other uncomfortable situations travellers to India often encounter. Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are readily available at the airport arrivals hall and convenience stores. They offer generous data packages at low rates.

Name

The name "Delhi" (DEHL-ee; Hindi: दिल्ली Dillī, pronounced DIHL-lee) refers to the National Capital Territory (NCT) in Northern India, whereas New Delhi is the capital city within the NCT. The NCT is also considered a city of its own, governed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The modern English, Hindi and Urdu names are derived from the archaic Hindi-Urdu name Dehlī (देहली / دهلی). There has been much debate regarding the origin of that name, as well as various myths and legends. One of the most popular theories is that the name Dehlī is a corruption of the Persian word dahlīz (دهلیز), meaning "threshold" or "gateway", which is considered symbolic of the city as a gateway to the Indian Plains.

History

With evidence of continuous settlement dating back to the 6th century BCE, Delhi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Thought to have been built and destroyed eleven times, evidence of at least eight distinct settlements can still be seen in Delhi. The most well-preserved historic sites are from the periods of Muslim and British rule, between 1193 and 1947. The legendary city of Indraprastha from the epic Mahabharata is said to have been situated where Delhi now lies, but no remains of it have been found.

From the 10th to 14th century, the city was centred in what is now South Delhi:

1 Surajkund — Built in the 9th-10th century on what is now the far southern outskirts of Delhi, in Faridabad. A large water reservoir can be seen, well preserved. 2 Qila Rai Pithora — Founded in perhaps the 11th century as a city named "

Getting there

By plane

1 Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL IATA, sometimes abbreviated as IGI). The arrival point for many visitors into Delhi. There are several security checkpoints in the airport and you may have to show your boarding pass and passport a dozen times before boarding the plane. When leaving Delhi from the international terminal, arrive three hours before the time of departure. For domestic flights, two hours should suffice, depending on whether or not you must wait in the queues to check luggage. While sometimes time-consuming, the process is smooth, and the new terminal's shops and restaurants are sensibly located at the gate area, not before security. However, if you wish to change Indian rupees back into foreign currency, you must do this before clearing security. There is a complimentary inter-terminal bus that can take you between terminals, but it requires that you present your boarding pass within the terminal and get a coupon that entitles you to travel for free on the bus. Note that unlike western airports, these buses can go into city traffic and be subject to rush hour or other reasons why you can get delayed. (updated Sep 2022) 2 Noida International Airport (DXN IATA), Jewar, Uttar Pradesh (70 km (43 mi) SE central Delhi). Due to massive growth in air travel, a new airport has been built at the southeastern outskirts of the Delhi metro area. It only serves domestic destinations as of June 2026, with poor transport infrastructure. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Hindon Airport (HDO IATA), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Serves some regional flights as a civil enclave inside an air base. (updated Oct 2025)

By bus Buses arrive from Kathmandu and Chitwan in Nepal (36 hr+) and virtually every city in India. Although not as comfortable as the trains, buses are the only choice for some destinations, mainly those in the mountains. Delhi has three major Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs): Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is the major operator, but every state also runs its own buses and there are some private operators too.

4 Kashmere Gate ISBT (Maharana Pratap) (Metro Kashmere Gate, Line 1/2), ☏ +91 11 43090100, [email protected]. This is "the" ISBT and the largest of the lot. Buses to points north: Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Garwhal, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Nepal 5 Sarai Kale Khan ISBT (Vir Hakikat Rai) (next to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station). Buses to points south, (Agra, Madhya Pradesh) 6 Anand Vihar ISBT (Swami Vivekanand) (On the east bank of Yamuna, M: Anand Vih

Getting around

Getting around Delhi is always an adventure. Traffic is, by and large, horribly congested and many drivers will think nothing of quoting ten times the going price to a tourist. Use the prices below as broad guidelines and agree on prices before setting off. The best way to travel is via metro, where there are separate cabins for women (which prove to be very useful during rush hour). Metro is clean, efficient, and typically ridden by relatively affluent middle-class students or commuters en route to/from work; there is almost nowhere in the city that you cannot get to by metro.

By metro

The fast-growing Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, mostly hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city, although its increasing popularity means that rush hour crowds at key interchanges are starting to resemble Mumbai. As of 2025, there are 9 lines operational:

Red Line 1 : Dilshad Garden–Rithala Yellow Line 2 : Samaypur Badli–HUDA City Centre Blue Line 3/4 : Dwarka Sector 21–Noida Electronic City Blue Line branch: Yamuna Bank–Vaishali Green Line 5 : Mundka–Inderlok Green Line branch: Ashok Park Main–Kirti Nagar Violet Line 6 : Kashmere Gate–Ballabhgarh Orange Line Airport Express : New Delhi–IGI Airport–Dwarka Sector 21 Pink Line 7 : Majilis Park–Shiv Vihar Magenta Line 8 : Krishna Park Extension –Botanical Garden Grey Line 9 : Dwarka–Dhansa Fares range from ₹10-60, just buy a token, change lines as necessary, and deposit the token in the slot as you exit. Tokens can be used only from the station they are bought, so you can't buy two and use the second to return home. If you're planning on sticking around for a while, you can buy a "Smart Card" for ₹200, which is worth ₹150 and includes a ₹50 deposit; using this saves 10% and, more importantly, lets you avoid the queues. There is also a "Tourist Card" allowing unlimited use for ₹150 (1 day) or ₹300 (3 days), but it's highly unlikely that you'll travel enough to make this pay off. Special fares apply for travel on the Airport Express. During rush hour, you might have to queue up for more than 20 minutes due to security checks, especially in the central stations. The Yellow Line, in particular, is useful for getting to the Delhi Junction (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid) and New Delhi railway stations, the ISBT bus terminal, the backpacker ghetto of Paharganj, Hauz Khas and Qutb Minar. The Blue Line is also handy for visiting Akshardham, Botanical Garden and accessing the western parts of Paharganj through RK Ashram Marg station. The Magenta Line is also useful for getting to th

See

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

Delhi is known for its impressive range of structures — fortifications, mosques, and tombs — built during the centuries when Delhi was the centre of large Muslim empires. There are dozens of notable sites scattered around the city, and several of them are internationally famous as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Detailed listings of all sights in Delhi can be found in the district articles. The most visited sites are the Red Fort (the 17th century palace of the Mughal emperor), the Jama Masjid (a vast and beautiful 17th century mosque), the Qutb Minar (a 73-meter high tower, dating to the 13th century but still with well-preserved intricate carvings), Humayun's Tomb (the vast 16th century tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun), and the Purana Qila (a 16th-century Mughal citadel). Newcomers often confuse between Delhi and New Delhi. In fact, New Delhi, the capital of India, is a city within the Delhi metropolis. New Delhi was built in 1911–12 under the British rule. Being centrally planned in the modern era, it features wide boulevards, large parks, and roundabouts between its government buildings. Popular sights here are the India Gate, the Kartavya Path "national mall" connecting the main government buildings, and Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace). Many of the most important museums in Delhi are located here too. Another popular attraction is the Bahá'í Lotus Temple in South East Delhi, a modern structure built with a flower-like shape. It is one of the most visited buildings in the world.

Do

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

You can find many major sports venues in Delhi such as the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, the Ambedkar Stadium for football and the Indira Gandhi Arena - one of Asia's largest indoor arenas in the southeastern corner of Central Delhi. A bit further south is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, home to the national football team and the venue for major sports events in the city.

Buy

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

If you're not afraid to haggle and bump elbows in bazaars, Delhi is a great place to shop. Most of the well-known bazaars are located in the most central parts of Delhi, both Old and New Delhi. Western-style malls are plentiful and are found further south—in South Delhi and South East Delhi, as well as the satellite cities of Gurugram and Noida. Many shopping districts are overcrowded on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Clothing Delhi is a shoppers' paradise when it comes to clothing. From centuries-old bazaars selling traditional fabrics and bridal wear to trendy street markets and luxury malls with international labels, travellers can find almost any style here. Bargaining is common in street markets, while fixed prices are the norm in malls and branded stores. If you're looking for ethnic wear, Chandni Chowk can be a good place with historic lanes filled with sari and lehenga shops, ideal for weddings and festive attire. In Karol Bagh you can find affordable salwar kameez, saris, and everyday Indian wear. If you prefer to shop at a chain store, look for FabIndia with multiple outlets around Delhi. They have high-quality handloom cottons and silks in elegant, contemporary cuts. For Western wear, some options include the Sarojini Nagar Market, famous for trendy, fast-fashion style clothing at bargain prices and the Janpath Market for youth-oriented clothing and accessories, with a bohemian touch. The Select Citywalk Mall (Saket) is a popular mall featuring both Indian and international fashion brands. There are also some options if looking for both Indian and western clothing. The Lajpat Nagar Central Market is a blend of ethnic and Indo-western outfits at mid-range prices. Shahpur Jat features designer boutiques offering fusion fashion, popular with young professionals. Also, the state-run handicraft market Dilli Haat sells regional textiles, kurtas, and unique handmade clothing.

Traditional textiles and shawls Pashmina and Kashmiri shawls are available at government emporiums or Kashmiri shops (authentic ones are expensive and there are fake ones in circulation). Buy with a keen eye. Block-printed fabrics from Rajasthan and Gujarat; stoles, dupattas, and bedsheets can be found at shops in Chandni Chowk. Silk & handloom cotton – Banarasi silks, ikat, and khadi are widely sold in FabIndia, Khadi India, and state emporiums. Authentic silk is very expensive.

Spices and teas India is world-famous for its spices and teas, and Delhi is one of the best places to buy them. From the old spi

Eat

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles

Delhiites complain about many things in their city, but the food will satisfy even the most demanding gourmet. Not only can you find some of the best Indian food on the subcontinent, but there is also an increasing number of excellent (if often pricey) international restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. When ordering, do remember that Delhi is about 1,000 km from the nearest ocean, so vegetarian, chicken and mutton dishes are the way to go. Do visit Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk. This street has shops that make and sell solely parathas (stuffed Indian bread)with pandit ji parathe wale being in the business for over 150 years and many generations. These are available in all the possible flavours and stuffing you may imagine, with hundreds of varieties from bitter gourd to ice cream. Delhi has arguably the best street food in India. However, do not eat unhygienic or open food. There are plenty of restaurants offering street food in a potentially more hygienic environment. You can join local groups of foodies who go out regularly to sample and savour what new and old dishes the city has to offer. If you want a fully customized food tour tailored specifically for you, then Food Tour In Delhi is a good choice. The guests can explore the street food of Delhi in a fun and safe manner. Their tours cover food joints which are in business for 50 to 120 years and serve some of the best street food in the world. The tours cover winding streets of Old Delhi as well as swanky upscale markets located all over the city. The food tours are led by chefs and culinary experts with extensive experience and offer facilities such as pickup and drop, unlimited food which covers all major varieties of food available in the city. Another one of the most active groups is Food Enthusiasts of Delhi. They organize regular food walks, better known as Raids to various parts and joints in the city. It's a non-commercial group, brought together by their passion and love for food.

Drink & nightlife

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles Delhi's nightlife scene has changed since the beginning of the millennium. There are plenty of modern, cosmopolitan places to separate you from your rupees. In a desperate attempt to keep the sex ratio vaguely equitable, many lounges and clubs have couples only policies (that is, no single men or men-only groups), enforced with varying degrees of strictness. While everything is supposed to shut down by 1AM, things can keep going much longer. The coffee culture in Delhi consists mostly of large, heavily standardised chains. The two most common, Barista and Cafe Coffee Day, can be found in multiple locations across the city, most notably around Connaught Place. The UK-based Costa Coffee and the US-based Starbucks have also made a foray into the market. For listings of independent coffee shops, see the district articles.

Sleep

Individual listings can be found in Delhi's district articles Prices quoted may not include taxes of up to 22.5%, calculated based on the published rack rates - not necessarily the price that you actually pay, which could be discounted. Smoking is not allowed in Delhi hotels.

Budget Delhi has plenty of budget accommodation options, priced from ₹400-2,500. Many of them are in the city centre, while others are further south, in the affluent southern areas or towards the airport.

Mid-range Delhi's chronic lack of quality hotels has led to a mushrooming of guest houses of widely varying quality and price. The new official 'Delhi Bed and Breakfast scheme' has also contributed a range of private rooms available for bed & breakfast accommodation. These rooms range from cheap dumps to classy rooms in the best areas of Delhi.

Splurge Most of Delhi's expensive hotels are in New Delhi, roughly along the axis between Connaught Square and the airport. A few are located in areas further south and west. Prices in this category are generally over ₹8,000.

Go next

Delhi is a major international transit hub for trains, planes and buses as well as a great connection point for domestic destinations within India. It's also a great base for exploration of the famous hill stations.

Nearby

Agra and the Taj Mahal are a 3-6 hr drive or 2-5 hr train ride each way. By road, the Taj Mahal can be reached in 3 hrs through Yamuna Expressway from Delhi. Book tickets in the train cars with seats far in advance, and look for the seats put aside especially for tourists. You can also rent a car and driver for the day and shouldn't pay more than ₹5,000 roundtrip (if not less). The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday. Jaipur and Rajasthan are reachable by plane or overnight train. As of 2026, the fastest trains make the journey to Jaipur in about 4 hours. Gurugram (Gurgaon) a southern satellite city, is a 1 hr drive or a metro ride away. The small Sultanpur National Park is described as a birdwatcher's paradise. There are a few daily trains from Delhi to Farrukhnagar stopping at Sultanpur station a couple of kilometres west of the park. It's also possible to take a Delhi metro train or bus to Gurugram and a taxi from there. Sariska Reserve and National Park, about 200 km west of Delhi is famous as a tiger reserve. Take the train (2-3 hours) or bus to the nearest major city, Alwar, and from there bus or taxi. Vrindavan an important Hindu pilgrimage destination related to Lord Krishna, reachable by rickshaw from Mathura (which is 2-3 h by train from Delhi towards Agra)

Further away in India Bandhavgarh National Park and the Bandhavgarh Fort are the tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. This is a tiger preservation project and has the highest density of tigers in India. Char Dham of Uttarakhand - Delhi is the starting point of the famous pilgrimage centres of the Himalayan state: Badrinath (the abode of Vishnu), Kedarnath (the abode of Shiva), Gangotri and Yamunotri (the origin of sacred rivers Ganges and Yamuna respectively). Corbett National Park, the first national park of the country, is around 5 hours' drive from Delhi Dharamsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile, is 10-12 hr to the north. Tickets can be purchased from Main Bazaar tourist offices, Majnu ka Tilla Tibetan settlement or the ISBT. Ride the Maharajas' Express, a luxury train running between Delhi and Mumbai. The holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas, are a 5-6 hr bus or train ride away. Mussoorie - one of the original British hill stations in India; also known as The Queen of the Hills. Nainital - another beautiful hill stat