First time · Delhi

First time in Delhiदिल्ली

Delhi is a dawn-and-dusk city: do Old Delhi and the Red Fort in the first morning hours, hide from the heat and the smog indoors, take the metro or an app car between clusters — and never follow a stranger's 'it is closed' story.

Everything here is a short version of the Delhi guide. Prices and hours are estimates: check before you rely on them.

The honest verdict

Delhi's sights are good and far apart; the city is hot, loud, dense and, in winter, smoggy. Old Delhi is a maze, the metro is fast and cheap, and touts work the airport, New Delhi station and the main tourist streets. Four clusters cover a first visit, tied together by the metro and prepaid or app cars.

From the airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Fastest and cheapest: Airport Express metro to New Delhi station, then a short car ride · about 45 min · about ₹150 (≈ US$2)

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

Airport-to-bed timings →

How long to stay

2 days: Old Delhi and the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb
3 days: Four clusters, mornings and evenings only
5 days: Four clusters + Agra day trip + one slow day

Itineraries by length →

Three mistakes to avoid

Do not photograph military, police or metro security points.(Survive · red lines)
Touts: the airport, New Delhi station and Connaught Place are the hot spots; use prepaid taxi counters, app cars or the metro.(Survive · safety)
Mosques and temples: cover shoulders and knees, shoes off, ask before photographing people.(Survive · red lines)

Scams and safety →

Money and SIM

Budget day: ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
Cash: Keep ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) in small notes; withdraw at ATMs inside banks or malls in daylight; UPI needs an Indian number, so do not rely on it.

Money, SIMs and apps →