Delhi
Delhi airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Take the Airport Express metro to New Delhi station (about 25 min, ₹60–150) if you land before roughly 23:00 and your hotel is near Connaught Place or Paharganj. Otherwise book an app cab (₹500–900, 45–90 min) or a prepaid taxi from the official counter. Skip unmetered touts in the arrivals hall.Take the Airport Express metro to New Delhi station (about 25 min, ₹60–150) if you land before roughly 11:00 PM and your hotel is near Connaught Place or Paharganj. Otherwise book an app cab (₹500–900, 45–90 min) or a prepaid taxi from the official counter. Skip unmetered touts in the arrivals hall.
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GuideDelhi
Key facts
- Airport
- Indira Gandhi International (DEL), 15–20 km from the centre
- Fastest option
- Airport Express metro, about 25 min to New Delhi station
- Metro fare
- ₹60–150 (2026 estimate)
- App cab
- ₹500–900 to the centre, 45–90 min depending on traffic (2026 estimate)
- Prepaid taxi counter
- Official counter in arrivals; fixed fare by zone
- Metro hours
- Roughly 05:00–23:00; no service in the small hours
- Traffic reality
- 45–90 min by road; longer in monsoon or evening peak
Quick answer
The Airport Express metro is the cheapest predictable way in: about 25 minutes to New Delhi station, then a short auto or walk to Connaught Place and Paharganj hotels. It runs from early morning to around 23:00, so a late-night arrival means a cab.
For door-to-door trips, an app cab (Uber or Ola) booked from the arrivals pickup zone is the default. Expect ₹500–900 to the centre (2026 estimate) and 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. The prepaid taxi counter inside the terminal is the safe fallback when apps fail or your phone has no local data.
Do not accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal. Walk to the official counter or the app pickup zone.
Options at a glance
Prices are 2026 estimates for one person unless noted. Road times assume normal traffic; add 30 minutes in the evening peak or during monsoon.
| Option | Cost | Time to centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express metro | ₹60–150 | About 25 min to New Delhi station | Solo travellers, light bags, daytime arrivals |
| App cab (Uber / Ola) | ₹500–900 | 45–90 min | Door-to-door, groups, luggage |
| Prepaid taxi (official counter) | ₹600–1,000 | 45–90 min | Late arrivals, no working phone |
| Auto-rickshaw | ₹300–500 | 45–90 min | Short hops only; not for airport runs with bags |
| City bus | ₹50–100 | 60–120 min | Very tight budgets, daytime only |
Fares and timings are estimates; confirm at the counter or in the app before you commit.
The details
Airport Express metro: the line links Terminal 3 with New Delhi station, with a stop at Shivaji Stadium near Connaught Place. It is clean, air-conditioned and has luggage space. Buy a token or use a stored-value card at the station; queues are short outside peak hours. From New Delhi station, take an auto or walk to Paharganj. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 passengers need a shuttle or a different route — check which terminal your flight uses before choosing the metro.
App cabs: Uber and Ola both serve DEL. Follow signs to the designated app pickup zone; drivers cannot stop at the kerb outside arrivals. Confirm the plate number and the driver's name before getting in. Drivers may ask you to cancel and pay cash — refuse, or agree a price only if you are confident.
Prepaid taxi: the counter inside the arrivals hall issues a slip with a fixed fare by zone. You pay there, then hand the slip to the driver. It costs a little more than an app cab but removes haggling and works when your phone is dead.
Buses: Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses run from the airport area to the city, but routes are slow, crowded and hard to navigate with luggage. Use them only if you know the city or are on a very tight budget.
Late arrivals: after metro closing, your realistic options are an app cab or the prepaid counter. Some hotels near the airport run shuttles — ask before booking if you land after midnight.
What it costs
A solo traveller using the metro pays under ₹150 to reach the centre. Two people in an app cab pay roughly the same per person as two metro tickets plus a short auto from New Delhi station, so the cab wins on convenience for pairs and groups.
Budget ₹500–900 for an app cab, ₹600–1,000 for a prepaid taxi, and ₹50–100 for a bus. Tipping is not expected for metro or bus; round up for autos and add ₹50–100 for a cab driver who helps with bags.
| Traveller type | Recommended option | Typical cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, daytime, light bag | Airport Express metro | ₹60–150 |
| Couple with luggage | App cab | ₹500–900 total |
| Family or group of 4 | App cab or prepaid taxi | ₹600–1,000 total |
| Arrival after 23:00 | Prepaid taxi or app cab | ₹600–1,000 |
| Tight budget, daytime | City bus | ₹50–100 |
Tips
- Buy a local eSIM or airport SIM before leaving the terminal so your app cab works.
- Screenshot your hotel address and a map pin; drivers may not read English well.
- Keep small notes for autos and tips; ₹500 notes are hard to break early in the morning.
- Ignore anyone inside arrivals who offers a taxi; use the official counter or app zone.
- Allow 2 hours to reach DEL for a domestic departure and 3 hours for international.
- In monsoon (June–September), add 30 minutes to any road estimate.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do I get from Delhi airport to the city centre?
Take the Airport Express metro to New Delhi station (about 25 min, ₹60–150) if you arrive before roughly 23:00. Otherwise book an app cab (₹500–900, 45–90 min) or use the official prepaid taxi counter in arrivals.
How much is a taxi from Delhi airport?
An app cab to the centre costs about ₹500–900 (2026 estimate) and takes 45–90 minutes. The official prepaid counter charges a fixed zone fare, roughly ₹600–1,000. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Is there a train from Delhi airport?
Yes — the Airport Express metro links Terminal 3 with New Delhi station in about 25 minutes. It runs from early morning to around 23:00, so late-night arrivals need a cab. Terminal 1 and 2 passengers should check the connection first.
Is the metro or a taxi better at Delhi airport?
The metro is cheaper and avoids traffic but stops around 23:00 and drops you at New Delhi station, not your hotel. A cab is door-to-door and better for groups, heavy bags or late arrivals.
How long does it take to get from Delhi airport to the city?
About 25 minutes by Airport Express metro to New Delhi station, or 45–90 minutes by road. Add 30 minutes in the evening peak or during the monsoon.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialDelhi Airport (DIAL) – official site
- officialDelhi Metro Rail Corporation
- officialIncredible India – official tourism site
- secondaryWikivoyage – Delhi