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Capital · India

New Delhiनई दिल्ली

Give New Delhi 3 nights: Lutyens' Delhi and the museums in a day, Old Delhi's lanes in a morning, then Agra or Jaipur. Skip it in May–June.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

New Delhi is the planned imperial capital inside the larger Delhi metropolis: wide boulevards, roundabouts, government buildings and the national museums, with Connaught Place at its centre. Most travellers sleep here and cross into Old Delhi for the lanes and food. Three nights covers the core without rushing; two is workable if you leave for Agra on day three.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
INR
Best months
Oct–Mar
avoid May–Jun (extreme heat), late Jun–Sep (monsoon), Nov–Dec (smog peaks)
Airports
DEL · DXN · HDO
Nights
3
Rules in force · 6
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
  • India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
  • India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
  • India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for New Delhi112 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about New Delhi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Street or quick mealChai from a stall₹10–30 (≈ under US$1)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Auto-rickshaw, 5 km (3.1 mi)Agree the fare first or insist on the meter.₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Metro or bus rideMetro ride₹10–60 (≈ under US$1)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,500 (≈ US$6–18)
  • Museum or sight ticketMonument entry, foreigner ratecheck; some sites charge more.₹300–600 (≈ US$4–7)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person₹700 (≈ US$8)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
  • High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room₹12,000 (≈ US$140)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₹6,000 (≈ US$70) · High ₹15,000 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

India Gate and Kartavya PathRashtrapati Bhavan and Lutyens' DelhiConnaught PlaceNational Museum and national galleriesGateway to Agra and Jaipur
Airports
DEL Indira Gandhi International (Airport Express or taxi to New Delhi station, about 20–30 min off-peak; longer in traffic.) · DXN Noida International (Jewar) (check which carriers use it before booking.) · HDO Hindon (check; limited scheduled use.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    36°C (97°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    40°C (104°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid*

    39°C (102°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    34°C (93°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    34°C (93°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  11. Nov

    Care

    28°C (82°F)

  12. Dec

    Care

    23°C (73°F)

Best: Jan–Mar, Oct. Mixed: Nov–Dec. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →

Warmest May (40°C (104°F)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

New Delhi: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

21°C (70°F)

8°C (46°F)

1 rd

Feb

24°C (75°F)

11°C (52°F)

2 rd

Mar

30°C (86°F)

16°C (61°F)

2 rd

Apr

36°C (97°F)

21°C (70°F)

2 rd

May

40°C (104°F)

26°C (79°F)

3 rd

Jun

39°C (102°F)

28°C (82°F)

6 rd

Jul

35°C (95°F)

27°C (81°F)

12 rd

Aug

34°C (93°F)

26°C (79°F)

12 rd

Sep

34°C (93°F)

24°C (75°F)

7 rd

Oct

33°C (91°F)

19°C (66°F)

2 rd

Nov

28°C (82°F)

13°C (55°F)

1 rd

Dec

23°C (73°F)

9°C (48°F)

1 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The Delhi Metro is the fast, air-conditioned option: fares about ₹10–60, Airport Express priced separately. Use the Yellow and Violet lines for the centre and Old Delhi. Buses cost ₹5–25 but are crowded. Autos and taxis: agree the fare or insist on the meter; app cabs avoid haggling. New Delhi's planned core is walkable, with footbridges and subways to cross the big roads.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Agra (Taj Mahal)overnight

Door to door: 3–4 h each way by car, less by train

Gatimaan or other fast train from Hazrat Nizamuddin or New Delhi station, about 1 h 40 min–2 h; or a car on the Yamuna Expressway

A return day trip is possible by fast train but leaves no slack; one night is better.

Jaipurovernight

Door to door: 4–5 h

Train from New Delhi station, about 4–5 h; or an air-conditioned Volvo bus from Bikaner House

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep at least one night.

Delhi and NCRgo

Door to door: 30–90 min

Metro and suburban rail across the wider metropolis

Old Delhi, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb sit outside New Delhi proper.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Connaught Place and Paharganj

Central, metro at Rajiv Chowk and New Delhi station; Paharganj is the budget belt west of the station.

Chanakyapuri

Embassy district in the south; quiet, green, mostly upmarket hotels.

Aerocity and airport axis

For one-night layovers; far from the sights.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
Mid
₹5,000–12,000 (≈ US$60–140) excl. bed
High
₹12,000 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room, mid hotel1 × 3 nights × ₹6,000₹18,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × ₹6,000₹36,000
Airport Express, one way2 × ₹60 · check₹120
Metro day of rides2 × ₹150 · check₹300
eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹1,000 · check₹2,000
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge₹5,640
Trip total≈ ₹10,340 per person per day, bed included₹62,060≈ US$750

2026 estimate in rupees; flights and train tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Chai from a stall₹10–30 (≈ under US$1)
Thali or chaat plate₹150–400 (≈ US$2–5)
Metro ride₹10–60 (≈ under US$1)
Auto-rickshaw, 5 kmAgree the fare first or insist on the meter.₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3)
Taxi or app cab, airport to centrecheck; tolls and surge extra.₹400–800 (≈ US$5–10)
Monument entry, foreigner ratecheck; some sites charge more.₹300–600 (≈ US$4–7)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,500 (≈ US$6–18)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

The main risks are touts and scams, not violent crime. Guard bags in crowds, use app cabs or prepaid booths, and treat unsolicited help as a sales pitch. Women face harassment: avoid empty streets after dark and consider a hotel with a 24-hour desk.
  • Touts at New Delhi station claim the foreigner ticket office is closed or moved: the International Tourist Bureau is upstairs inside the station, platform 1 side.
  • Unsolicited help with directions, hotels or tickets is usually a commission scam.
  • Late-night taxi scam: the driver says your hotel is full or closed and steers you to another.
  • New Delhi is unsafe for women travellers; harassment is a real risk, and walking alone at night is not advised.
  • Avoid protest sites around Jantar Mantar and Tolstoy Road.
  • Book trains on the official IRCTC site, not through agencies.
  • Winter smog can cancel or delay flights and close schools; check air quality before a winter trip.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies
112
Police
100
Fire
101
Ambulance
102

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

New Delhiनई दिल्ली

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

इस पते पर चलिएTo this address, please

Emergency

  • All emergencies112
  • Police100
  • Ambulance102
  • Tourist helpline (Incredible India, 24 h)1363

Embassy

Most embassies and high commissions are in Chanakyapuri; check your own country's address and hours before you go.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport Express, DEL to New Delhi station: about ₹60 (≈ under US$1), 20–30 min (check)
  • Metro ride in the centre: ₹10–60 (≈ under US$1)
  • Auto, Connaught Place to India Gate: ₹100–150 (≈ US$2), agree first

Say or show

  • नमस्ते — Hello / Goodbye (namaste)
  • धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
  • कितने का है? — How much is it? (kitne ka hai)
  • बहुत महंगा है — Too expensive (bahut mehnga hai)
  • मीटर से चलिए — Please use the meter (meter se chaliye)
  • शौचालय कहाँ है? — Where is the toilet? (shauchalay kahan hai)

Foreigners pay higher monument entry fees; carry small notes and ID.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for New Delhi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid May–Jun (extreme heat), late Jun–Sep (monsoon), Nov–Dec (smog peaks) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 7 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for DEL: Airport Express hours, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Connaught Place, Kartavya Path, Chanakyapuri and Lodhi, Paharganj and the station.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (National Museum, Kartavya Bhavan area, Jantar Mantar) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Monsoon and smog fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to India

Sources