Delhi FAQ

October to March is the best time, with February and March arguably ideal — mild temperatures, improving air quality and blooming gardens. October is pleasant and festive. November to January has the most comfortable temperatures but the worst air quality and fog disruption.

Two days covers the main monuments — Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and India Gate. Three to four days lets you add museums, markets and an Agra day trip, which is the better plan for a first visit.

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), about 16 km southwest of the centre. It is India's busiest airport with three terminals — T3 for most international flights, T1 for domestic low-cost carriers, and T2 for additional domestic traffic.

The Airport Express Metro (Orange Line) is fastest and best value, reaching New Delhi Railway Station in around 20-25 minutes for roughly ₹50-60. It runs from about 5:20am to 11:30pm. App cabs and prepaid taxis take 45 minutes or more depending on traffic.

Yes, and it should factor into your planning. Air quality is poor much of the year and frequently severe from late October to January, when crop burning, Diwali fireworks and winter temperature inversions combine. Check the AQI daily, carry N95 masks, and consider visiting February to April if you have a respiratory condition.

Delhi is manageable with sensible precautions. The main risks are scams rather than violence — fake tourist offices, taxi drivers claiming your hotel is closed, and commission-driven shop touts. Use app cabs, book through official prepaid counters, and decline unsolicited help. Women travellers should take extra care at night and use the women-only metro carriage.

The main ones cluster around New Delhi Railway Station, Paharganj and the airport — people claiming your hotel has closed, fake "government tourist offices" (the real India Tourism office is at 88 Janpath), drivers claiming roads are closed to divert you to shops, and overpriced pashmina or gem schemes. Decline unsolicited assistance and use apps or official counters.

It is excellent and should be your default. Extensive, clean, air-conditioned, cheap, punctual and safe, covering almost everywhere a visitor needs. Buy a smart card on arrival. Avoid peak hours (8:30-10:30am and 5:30-8pm). Every train has a women-only carriage.

Colder than most visitors expect. December and January daytime temperatures sit in the mid-to-high teens, with nights sometimes near freezing. Bring a proper warm jacket and sweater. Dense fog is also common and frequently delays flights and trains.

Extremely hot. April to June regularly exceeds 40°C, with May and June frequently above 45°C. Hot dry loo winds blow in the afternoons and can be dangerous. Sightseeing should be limited to early morning and evening.

Three — the Qutub Minar complex, Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort. All three are worth visiting and can be combined with other sights across two days.

The Red Fort, Lotus Temple and Akshardham all close on Mondays. If day-tripping to Agra, note the Taj Mahal closes on Fridays. Check before finalising your itinerary.

No. Phones, cameras and most electronics are prohibited inside Akshardham and must be deposited at the entrance. Security is strict and the deposit process takes time, so plan for it.

Old Delhi street food — parathas, chaat, kebabs and jalebi. Punjabi standards like butter chicken, dal makhani and chole bhature, both of which are credited to Delhi restaurants. Mughlai dishes such as korma, nihari and biryani. Delhi also has excellent regional food from every Indian state.

Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi is the classic destination — Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed breads and Matia Mahal near Jama Masjid for kebabs and biryani. Choose busy stalls with high turnover, eat freshly cooked hot food, and consider a guided food walk for your first visit.

Fast trains like the Gatimaan Express and Shatabdi take around 100 minutes from Hazrat Nizamuddin or New Delhi. By road via the Yamuna Expressway it is roughly 3-4 hours. Day trips are very common. Remember the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Connaught Place and central Delhi are convenient for sightseeing and transport. Paharganj is the budget backpacker area near New Delhi station. South Delhi (Hauz Khas, Saket, Greater Kailash) is quieter with better restaurants. Aerocity suits short stays near the airport.

Yes, through licensed bars, restaurants, hotels and government-approved shops. Delhi's legal drinking age is 21, reduced from 25 in 2021. Neighbouring Haryana (Gurugram) and Uttar Pradesh (Noida) set their own rules, so check locally if you cross into the NCR. Most bars close by around 1am.

Layers in winter, as it gets genuinely cold. Light cotton and sun protection in summer. Modest dress generally, with shoulders and knees covered at religious sites. Carry a scarf for covering your head at gurudwaras and dargahs, and wear slip-on shoes since you remove footwear frequently.

Yes. Archaeological Survey of India sites including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb charge foreign nationals significantly more than Indian citizens. Budget for this if visiting several monuments; combined tickets can reduce the total.

It spans a wide range. Budget travellers manage on ₹1,500-3,000 a day, mid-range on ₹4,000-9,000, and luxury from ₹15,000 upward. Food and metro travel are very cheap; monument entry for foreign nationals and upmarket hotels are the main costs.

No. Drink only sealed bottled or properly filtered water, and avoid ice at informal establishments. A filter bottle is a good way to cut down on plastic while staying safe.

Old Delhi is Shahjahanabad, the 17th-century Mughal walled city — dense, chaotic and home to the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk. New Delhi is the planned colonial capital built by the British in the early 20th century, with wide avenues, India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

It is enormous fun but comes with caveats. Expect to be thoroughly covered in colour and water. Wear clothes you will discard, protect electronics, and be aware that street celebrations can involve heavy drinking. Organised events at hotels and venues are a safer and more controlled way to take part, particularly for women travellers.

About 5 hours by road, roughly 280 km. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur together form the Golden Triangle, the classic first-time India circuit, usually done over about a week.

Consult a travel clinic well before departure. Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended for India, with others depending on your itinerary. Carry mosquito repellent, as dengue occurs particularly after the monsoon.