Currency
INR (₹)
Main airport
DEL
Best months
Oct–Mar
Daily estimate (USD)
$30–55
Fare comparison
Search your own dates
Airfare
See current verified deals
Best for first-timers
Old Delhi/Shahjahanabad
Other neighborhoods
Hauz Khas
Transport
See airport and local guidance
Budget basis
Editorial USD estimate
Safety advice
Check current official advisories
Suggested trip length
3 days as an introduction; longer for a slower visit
Find flights to Delhi
Compare current fares into DEL. Prices change fast — verify on the booking page.
When to go
April–June are extremely hot; July–September bring monsoon rain. December–January can have cold mornings and fog affecting transport.
Best value window
Avoid if possible
Fare timing
How to get there cheap
Compare fares into DEL for your own departure airport and travel dates. The routes and dates shown below are observations, not guaranteed checkout prices. No historical fare or award price is assumed.
Why visit?
Delhi contrasts centuries-old Mughal monuments with a rapidly expanding modern transit network. Visitors navigate a city where medieval stepwells sit beside financial districts, and narrow market alleys contrast with wide, tree-lined boulevards. The architectural scale spans from the towering minarets of Mehrauli to sprawling colonial administrative buildings. Street stalls cook chole bhature and kebabs at all hours, providing quick meals between visits to sandstone forts and quiet garden tombs. This constant physical transition between eras defines the street-level experience of the capital.
Suggested trip: 3 to 4 days · Best time: October to March offers mild daytime temperatures for outdoor sightseeing, though December and January mornings often bring heavy fog.
10 best things to do
- 1
Purana Qila
Pragati Maidan
Purana Qila features massive 16th-century stone ramparts overlooking a boating lake. The grounds contain a mix of Mughal and Afghan architectural styles.
Tip: Visit late in the afternoon to watch the light change against the red sandstone gates.
4.2 Google (33,570)Map - 2
National Museum, New Delhi
Central Secretariat
The National Museum, New Delhi holds a vast collection of artifacts spanning from the Harappan civilization to miniature paintings and temple carvings. It provides a chronological overview of the subcontinent's material history.
Tip: Download the audio guide app before arriving, as cellular reception inside the galleries can be weak.
- 3
Swaminarayan Akshardham
Pandav Nagar
Swaminarayan Akshardham is a massive Hindu temple complex constructed from intricately carved pink sandstone and marble. The site includes extensive gardens and boat rides depicting India's heritage.
Tip: No electronics, including cell phones, are allowed inside; utilize the free cloakroom at the entrance.
- 4
Dilli Haat - INA
Kidwai Nagar
Dilli Haat - INA functions as an open-air craft bazaar where artisans from different states sell textiles, pottery, and jewelry. The complex also hosts regional food stalls.
Tip: Bargaining is expected for unpriced handicrafts, but food stalls operate on fixed prices.
- 5
Gandhi Smriti
Motilal Nehru Marg Area
Gandhi Smriti is the site where Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days and was assassinated in 1948. The museum preserves his room and uses multimedia displays to document his life.
Tip: Walk the concrete footsteps outside that trace his final path to the prayer ground.
- 6
National Gallery of Modern Art
India Gate Area
The National Gallery of Modern Art houses a premier collection of 19th- and 20th-century Indian paintings and sculptures. The exhibits trace the evolution from Company paintings to the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group.
Tip: Check the schedule for temporary exhibitions in the new wing, which often feature contemporary installations.
- 7
The Garden of Five Senses
Saket
The Garden of Five Senses spans 20 acres of rocky terrain decorated with public art, spiral walkways, and water features. It offers a quieter alternative to the city's central parks.
Tip: Combine this visit with a meal at one of the restaurants located near the park's entrance.
- 8
Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum New Delhi
President's Estate
The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum New Delhi displays presidential gifts, historic carriages, and archival photographs inside a repurposed stable. It details the administrative history of the Indian Republic.
Tip: Book your tickets online at least two days in advance, as walk-in entry is not permitted.
- 9
Janpath Market
Connaught Place
Janpath Market consists of hundreds of small stalls selling inexpensive clothing, brassware, and Tibetan handicrafts. It remains a central hub for budget shopping and street trading.
Tip: Walk to the Gujarati lane section at the back for embroidered textiles and bags.
4.2 Google (75,080)Map - 10
Lajpat Nagar Market
Lajpat Nagar
Lajpat Nagar Market is a dense commercial zone focusing on fabrics, readymade garments, and street food. The grid of streets provides a snapshot of daily middle-class commerce.
Tip: Look for the specialized fabric lanes if you want to purchase unstitched textiles for custom tailoring.
4.3 Google (16,208)Map
5 experiences beyond the obvious
Agrasen ki Baoli
Connaught Place
Agrasen ki Baoli is a 14th-century stepwell hidden among the high-rises of central Delhi. Its 108 stone steps descend into a cool, shaded architectural trench.
Tip: Arrive before 9 AM to photograph the geometric symmetry without large crowds blocking the stairs.
Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal
Central Ridge
Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal consists of the ruins of a 14th-century hunting lodge built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq. It sits isolated within the thick vegetation of the Ridge forest.
Tip: Visit during daylight hours only, as the area lacks lighting and path markers after sunset.
3.9 Google (2,198)MapNational Rail Museum
Chanakyapuri
The National Rail Museum features an outdoor yard filled with historic locomotives, royal carriages, and early steam engines. It documents the massive engineering history of the Indian Railways.
Tip: Ride the toy train that circles the perimeter to get a quick overview of the outdoor exhibits.
Tughlaqabad Fort
Tughlakabad
Tughlaqabad Fort contains the massive, sloped rubble-masonry walls of a ruined 14th-century city. The scale of the defensive fortifications provides clear views over the surrounding plains.
Tip: Wear shoes with good grip, as the ruined pathways and stone steps are loose and uneven.
4.2 Google (14,237)MapShankar's International Dolls Museum
Vikram Nagar
Shankar's International Dolls Museum houses over 6,500 dolls from 85 countries, organized by geography. This niche collection has been a fixture in Delhi since 1965.
Tip: Access the building via the ITO metro station to bypass the heavy traffic on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.
Insider tips
- →The Airport Express Metro toward New Delhi station is the fastest airport transfer, but verify your arrival terminal as access differs.
- →December and January can have cold mornings and fog affecting transport, so plan early travel accordingly.
- →When visiting the Red Fort, allocate extra time for the security lines which peak between 10 AM and noon.
- →Cycle rickshaws navigate the narrow alleys around Chandni Chowk Market much faster than auto-rickshaws.
- →Hauz Khas Fort overlooks a medieval reservoir, making it a highly congested area for sunset viewing on weekends.
- →For textile shopping, head to Lajpat Nagar Market during weekday mornings to avoid dense weekend crowds.
- →Agrasen ki Baoli is free to enter, but professional photography equipment requires prior permission from authorities.
- →Carry small denomination notes for purchases at Janpath Market, as many vendors struggle to break larger bills.
Where to eat
- Chole bhature fits perfectly as a heavy breakfast or midday meal at budget street stalls.
- Kebabs serve as satisfying evening snacks or dinner mains around the alleys of Old Delhi.
- Jalebi fits as a late-night dessert, fried fresh at market corners across the city.
- South Indian dosas offer a lighter vegetarian lunch option in the established cafes of Connaught Place.
Indian Accent
Lodhi Estate · Splurge · $$$$
Indian Accent plates inventive Indian dishes using modern culinary techniques and global ingredients.
Bukhara
Chanakyapuri · Splurge
Bukhara focuses on slow-cooked Northwest Frontier tandoori meats and massive naan breads in a rustic setting.
Karim Hotel
Old Delhi · Budget · $$
Karim Hotel has served traditional Mughlai curries and seekh kebabs in a courtyard setting for over a century.
Kake Di Hatti
Chandni Chowk · Casual · $$
Kake Di Hatti is known for oversized, heavily stuffed naan and vegetarian North Indian gravies.
Old Famous Jalebi Wala
Chandni Chowk · Market / food hall
Old Famous Jalebi Wala fries thick, syrup-soaked jalebis in large vats right on the street corner.
4 Google (9,014)MapWenger's
Connaught Place · Café & bakery · $$
Wenger's is a colonial-era bakery turning out patties, pastries, and breads for takeaway.
AMA Cafe | Majnu Ka Tilla
Majnu Ka Tilla · Café & bakery · $$
AMA Cafe provides Himalayan coffees, cakes, and a relaxed environment within the Tibetan settlement.
Rajinder Da Dhaba
Safdarjung Enclave · Market / food hall · $$
Rajinder Da Dhaba operates as a massive, multi-storefront eatery serving quick, robust Punjabi meat dishes.
The Spice Route
Connaught Place · Splurge · $$$$
The Spice Route offers Southeast Asian dishes in a dining room covered with hand-painted murals and temple pillars.
Daryaganj Restaurant
Connaught Place · Casual
Daryaganj Restaurant serves rich butter chicken and dal makhani in an air-conditioned, family-friendly space.
Best neighborhoods
Connaught Place
first-timers
A circular commercial hub defined by white colonial architecture, highly connected by transit and filled with recognizable dining chains.
Hauz Khas
nightlife
A south Delhi district combining medieval ruins and a reservoir with a dense cluster of bars and restaurants.
Old Delhi / Shahjahanabad
food
The Mughal-era walled city features dense alleys packed with street vendors, wholesale markets, and historical mosques.
Karol Bagh
budget stays
A bustling commercial district known for its extensive electronics, jewelry, and garment markets alongside low-cost lodgings.
Mehrauli
relaxed local feel
An ancient settlement area scattered with historical monuments sitting quietly among narrow residential streets.
Lajpat Nagar
shopping
A sprawling residential and commercial grid famous for its massive fabric and garment markets.
Three-day itinerary
Day 1 · Old & Central Delhi
Mughal Foundations & Commercial Centers
- Morning
- Walk the massive sandstone walls and pavilions of the Red Fort.
- Lunch
- Navigate the alleys to Karim Hotel for seekh kebabs and rotis.
- Afternoon
- Shop the crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk Market, then head south to see the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar.
- Evening
- Stroll down Kartavya Path toward the illuminated arches of India Gate.
- Getting around
- Use the Yellow Line metro between Chandni Chowk and Central Secretariat to avoid heavy road traffic.
- Swap in
- Visit the Museum of Illusions New Delhi in Connaught Place if the midday heat becomes overwhelming.
Stops: Red Fort · Karim Hotel · Chandni Chowk Market · Jantar Mantar · India Gate · Museum of Illusions New Delhi
Day 2 · South Central Delhi
Garden Tombs & Leafy Avenues
- Morning
- Examine the intricate stonework at Humayun’s Tomb and the adjacent Isa Khan's Tomb, Delhi.
- Lunch
- Take a short ride for an upscale tasting menu at Indian Accent.
- Afternoon
- Walk the paths connecting 15th-century monuments in Lodhi Garden, followed by a stop at Safdarjung Tomb.
- Evening
- Browse the bookstores and cafes at Khan Market.
- Getting around
- Auto-rickshaws are plentiful and cheap for the short hops between these nearby monuments.
- Swap in
- Check the schedule at the India Habitat Centre for evening lectures, film screenings, or art exhibitions.
Stops: Humayun’s Tomb · Isa Khan's Tomb, Delhi · Indian Accent · Lodhi Garden · Safdarjung Tomb · Khan Market · India Habitat Centre
Day 3 · Mehrauli & Hauz Khas
Medieval Ruins & Modern Bars
- Morning
- Look up at the towering Qutb Minar before finding the scattered ruins in Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
- Lunch
- Sit in the shaded courtyard at Olive Bar & Kitchen for Mediterranean dishes.
- Afternoon
- Head to Hauz Khas Fort to see the madrasa ruins, then walk the trails around Deer Park.
- Evening
- Get drinks and dinner on the terrace at Auro Kitchen Bar.
- Getting around
- Use ride-hailing apps to travel between Mehrauli and Hauz Khas, as metro stations require longer walks here.
- Swap in
- Watch the sunset with a clear view of the Qutb Minar from the rooftop at Dramz Delhi.
Stops: Qutb Minar · Mehrauli Archaeological Park · Olive Bar & Kitchen · Hauz Khas Fort · Deer Park · Auro Kitchen Bar · Dramz Delhi
Opening hours and ticketing change — confirm on each official site before you go.
Budget travel advice
- • Plan for an affordable estimated daily budget per person excluding flights by utilizing the metro and mixing street food with casual dining.
- • Skip the costly hotel cars and use ride-hailing apps for transparent point-to-point pricing.
- • Eat at casual local spots where meals like chole bhature cost a fraction of restaurants in Chanakyapuri.
- • Purchase a metro smart card if staying several days to get a 10% discount on standard fares and avoid ticket queues.
- • Drink bottled water from recognized brands bought from grocery stores rather than paying high markups at tourist sites.
- • Use the Airport Express Metro from DEL instead of taxis, as it is cheaper and bypasses heavy road traffic into central Delhi.
Practical information
- Airports & transfers
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) serves all domestic and international flights.
- Getting around
- The Delhi Metro is extensive and efficient; auto-rickshaws are useful for short hops but require fare negotiation beforehand.
- Currency
- Indian Rupee (INR / ₹).
- Paying
- Major credit cards are accepted in malls and upscale restaurants, but cash is essential for street vendors and small markets.
- Weather
- April through June are extremely hot, July to September bring monsoon rain, and December to January have cold mornings.
- Safety
- Keep belongings secure in crowded markets and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps at night.
- Entry requirements
- Check the official Indian government e-Visa portal for the latest electronic visa applications and entry information.
How this guide was made
Places were selected from Google Places records (listed as operational when checked 2026-11-12) and official visitor sources, then written up with AI editing. It has not been reviewed by a person yet. Ratings are Google's recorded snapshot, not live ratings; confirm current details with each venue.
- Google Places (15 searches, 132 open places) · checked 2026-11-12
- Official visitor information: India Tourism Delhi · checked 2026-11-12
- U.S. State Department: India travel information · checked 2026-11-12
- Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA) · checked 2026-11-12
Estimated daily spending (USD)
Budget
$30 / day
Dorm or simple room, casual meals, local transit
- Lodging
- $14
- Food
- $8
- Transit
- $3
- Activities
- $5
Midrange
$43 / day
Private room, restaurant meals, some paid activities
- Lodging
- $19
- Food
- $11
- Transit
- $4
- Activities
- $9
Premium
$83 / day
Higher-comfort planning allowance; not a hotel quote
- Lodging
- $37
- Food
- $21
- Transit
- $8
- Activities
- $17
| Style | Lodging | Food | Transit | Sights | Total / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Budget Dorm or simple room, casual meals, local transit | $14 | $8 | $3 | $5 | $30 |
Midrange Private room, restaurant meals, some paid activities | $19 | $11 | $4 | $9 | $43 |
Premium Higher-comfort planning allowance; not a hotel quote | $37 | $21 | $8 | $17 | $83 |
Editorial planning allowances in USD per person/day, allocated from the existing $30–55 range. Components sum to the displayed total. These are not surveyed current prices or hotel quotes; flights, insurance and unlisted fees are excluded. Accommodation assumes shared or simple lodging. Premium is a higher planning allowance, not a verified luxury price.
Getting around
DEL: Airport Express Metro toward New Delhi station; terminal access differs, so check the arrival terminal. Confirm the service, terminal, luggage rules and current operation before departure. Within the destination, compare the routes serving your accommodation rather than assuming every sight is walkable.
Airport → city
Pro tip
Budget traveler mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the daily estimate is a bookable hotel price — check your own dates and occupancy.
- Treating a feed fare as guaranteed — confirm passenger totals, baggage and payment fees at checkout.
- Arriving at an attraction without checking its official entry requirements or reservation policy.
Safety & scams
Check your government's current travel advisory for India and local guidance before travel. Keep valuables secure, use authorized transport and confirm local restrictions. This guide does not provide a destination-wide safety rating or guarantee.
Plan & book this trip to Delhi
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Sources and review scope
Destination place notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Delhi, retrieved 2026-11-12, CC BY-SA 4.0. Sources were checked at article level, not for current fares, business hours or admission prices.
Travel conditions can change. Send a correction or read related travel advice.