Quick Answer
- Best time to visit Delhi: October to March. October, February and March avoid the worst winter smog.
- Visa types: the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas allow multiple entries with a maximum of 180 days in India per calendar year; the 30-day visa cannot be extended.
- Taxi from the airport: prepaid booth journeys often take 45 to 90 minutes in traffic; Terminal 1 is served by the Magenta Line instead of the Airport Express.
- Getting around: the Delhi Metro; app cabs or prepaid booths when you need a car.
- Monument tickets: foreign visitors typically pay around 500 to 600 rupees at the big three Archaeological Survey of India monuments, and the Red Fort is closed Mondays.
At a glance
- Best time
- October to March
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days plus Agra
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)
- Language
- Hindi and English
- From the airport
- Airport Express metro, ~20 min, ~60 INR
- Visa
- e-Tourist Visa plus e-Arrival card
- Getting around
- Delhi Metro, app cabs
What should you know before your first trip to Delhi?
Delhi’s reputation for chaos is mostly earned on the roads. Stay near a metro station, ride the trains, fix every car fare in advance, and the city becomes one of the most rewarding in Asia: Mughal monuments, Old Delhi’s lanes and some of India’s best street food.
This Delhi travel guide covers the season, the paperwork, the airport ride and the sights. VoyageHacks checked the entry rules and transport details below against Indian government and Delhi Metro sources on 3 October 2026.
What to pack for Delhi
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
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Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonDo you need a visa for Delhi?
Most foreign visitors need a visa for India. The e-Tourist Visa, issued through the government portal indianvisaonline.gov.in, comes in three versions:
| e-Tourist Visa | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 30 days from first arrival | Cannot be extended or converted |
| 1 year | 365 days from grant | Multiple entries; maximum 180 days in India per calendar year |
| 5 years | Five years from grant | Multiple entries; same 180-day yearly cap |
Apply at least 4 days before you fly (and no more than 120 days ahead). Fees depend on your nationality, plus a bank charge. Use only the official government site: lookalike agencies charge large markups.
Since 1 October 2025 every foreign national must also submit the free e-Arrival card online (or in the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app) within 72 hours before arrival. It is arrival information, not a visa. Our India visa guide covers eligibility and the other visa types.
How do you get from Delhi airport into the city?
| Option | Route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express metro (Orange Line) | Terminal 3 to New Delhi station, via Aerocity | Around 20 min | About 60 rupees |
| Prepaid taxi booth | Door to door | Traffic dependent, often 45 to 90 min | Fixed at the booth |
| Uber or Ola | Door to door | Traffic dependent | Fixed in the app |
Terminal 1 (mainly domestic flights) is served by the Magenta Line instead. Ignore anyone in the arrivals hall offering a “fixed price” cab: the booth or the app is always the better deal.
How do you get around Delhi?
What should you see in Delhi?
Delhi splits neatly into the Mughal old city and the planned imperial one. Foreign visitors pay a separate ticket rate at Archaeological Survey of India monuments, typically around 500 to 600 rupees at the big three, usually a little less when booked online.
| Sight | What it is | Area | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Fort | Vast red sandstone Mughal fortress (UNESCO) | Old Delhi | Closed Mondays; pair with Chandni Chowk |
| Jama Masjid | One of India’s largest mosques | Old Delhi | Dress modestly, shoes off; avoid prayer times |
| Humayun’s Tomb | Garden tomb that prefigured the Taj Mahal (UNESCO) | Nizamuddin | Calmest at opening |
| Qutub Minar | 12th-century victory tower and iron pillar (UNESCO) | South Delhi | Combine with Mehrauli |
| India Gate and Kartavya Path | War memorial and the ceremonial avenue | New Delhi | Best at dusk |
The Taj Mahal day trip: Agra is about 200 km away. Foreign visitors pay around 1,100 rupees plus 200 rupees for the main mausoleum, and the Taj is closed on Fridays.
What should you eat in Delhi?
- Parathas in Chandni Chowk: Paranthe Wali Gali has been frying stuffed flatbreads for generations.
- Chaat: golgappe, aloo tikki and papdi chaat, best when assembled in front of you.
- South Indian: a dosa or idli at a busy sit-down place is an easy, reliable meal.
Stick to busy stalls with high turnover and food cooked hot, and drink sealed bottled or filtered water.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
| Season | Weather | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Oct to Mar) | Cool and dry; cold mornings in Dec and Jan | Ideal for sightseeing | Monuments, walking, the Taj trip |
| Summer (Apr to Jun) | Very hot, often above 40°C | Tough outdoors | Lower hotel rates, if you can take the heat |
| Monsoon (Jul to Sep) | Hot, humid, heavy downpours | Sticky, unpredictable | Green gardens, fewer visitors |
From late November into January, cold still air and seasonal haze can push air quality to “severe” on India’s index. If you are sensitive to pollution, aim for October or February to March, check the daily AQI, and pack a well-fitting mask.
Where should you stay in Delhi?
Delhi is enormous and the traffic is real, so a hotel near a metro station matters more here than almost anywhere.
| Area | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Connaught Place | Central, colonial-era, on two metro lines | First-timers, walkability |
| Paharganj | Budget, gritty, by New Delhi station | Shoestring trips, early trains |
| South Delhi and Hauz Khas | Leafy, cafés, calmer | Boutique stays |
| Aerocity | Modern hotel cluster by the airport | Layovers, early flights |
Our where to stay in Delhi guide compares the areas in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Delhi?
October to March is the best time to visit Delhi: cool, dry sightseeing weather with comfortable days and chilly evenings. April to June is very hot, often above 40°C, and July to September brings the humid monsoon. The winter catch is smog from late November into January, which can dull the light and delay flights, so October, February and March are the cleanest months.
Do I need a visa for Delhi?
Most foreign visitors need a visa for India. Citizens of many countries can apply online for an e-Tourist Visa (30 days, one year or five years) at least 4 days before arrival on the official Indian government portal. Since October 2025, every foreign national must also submit the free e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before landing.
Where should I stay in Delhi for the first time?
Connaught Place and the central core keep you walkable and well-connected to the metro. Paharganj is the long-standing budget-backpacker hub near New Delhi station, South Delhi and Hauz Khas are leafier and more upscale, and Aerocity by the airport suits short layovers. Pick one base near a metro stop.
How do I get from Delhi airport into the city?
The Delhi Metro Airport Express (Orange Line) runs from Terminal 3 to New Delhi station in around 20 minutes for about 60 rupees and is the cheapest fast way into the centre. Otherwise use the official prepaid taxi booth or book an Uber or Ola in the app, so the fare is fixed before you set off rather than negotiated on the kerb.
Is the Delhi Metro easy to use?
Yes. The Delhi Metro is clean, air-conditioned, cheap and extensive, with signs and announcements in English and Hindi. Pay with a rechargeable smart card or a QR ticket bought in the DMRC app or at the station, and use the colour-coded lines to reach most of the sights without sitting in traffic.
Is the Taj Mahal a doable day trip from Delhi?
Yes. The Taj Mahal is in Agra, about 200 km away, and the Gatimaan Express covers the route in around 100 minutes each way. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, and foreign visitors pay around 1,100 rupees plus 200 rupees for the main mausoleum. Leave early, pre-book your train and Taj ticket, and you can be back in Delhi by evening.
Ready to plan your Delhi trip?
Don’t book a cheap room just because it’s cheap: check how far it is from the nearest metro station first. A 20-minute walk in Delhi’s heat or a daily auto haggle costs more than the saving.
Find cheap flights to Delhi | Compare Delhi hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our best time to visit India guide, the India itinerary, getting around India, the India budget guide, Jaipur and Mumbai, or browse more stays on the hotels hub.
