Red Fort
Huge red sandstone fortress built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its walls and gates overlook Old Delhi, and India's prime minister gives the Independence Day speech from its ramparts.
Delhi
Rich street food, busy bazaars, the Qutub Minar and Mughal monuments are all in India's capital, which is also the main entry point.
Attractive locations
Humayun's Tomb
Garden tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun, built in the 1500s from red sandstone and white marble. Its design influenced later Mughal buildings, including the Taj Mahal.
Jama Masjid
One of India's largest mosques, built by Shah Jahan in the heart of Old Delhi, with a vast courtyard and tall minarets. It is an active place of worship, so visitors should dress modestly.
Lotus Temple
Bahá'í House of Worship shaped like a half-open lotus flower, with white marble petals surrounded by pools and gardens. People of all faiths are welcome to sit quietly inside.
Qutb Minar Complex
Group of medieval monuments in Mehrauli, centred on the tall Qutb Minar, a victory tower from the early Delhi Sultanate. Ruined mosques, tombs and an ancient iron pillar stand in the grounds.
Akshardham
Large modern Hindu temple complex on the Yamuna riverbank, built in carved pink sandstone and marble in traditional style. Exhibitions, gardens and an evening water show are part of the site.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Prominent Sikh gurdwara with a golden dome and a sacred pool, where a community kitchen serves free meals to all. Visitors cover their heads and remove their shoes before entering.
Purana Qila
Old fort with high stone walls and three great gateways, linked to the Mughal emperor Humayun and the ruler Sher Shah Suri. A mosque and wide lawns lie inside the walls.
Lodi Gardens
Green park in south Delhi dotted with domed tombs of the 15th- and 16th-century Sayyid and Lodi rulers. Locals jog, stroll and picnic among lawns, trees and old monuments.
National Museum
India's main national museum, with collections of ancient sculpture, miniature paintings, textiles, coins and crafts from across the country. It gives a wide overview of Indian art and history.
India Gate
Tall stone arch honouring Indian soldiers who died in the First World War, standing at the end of the ceremonial Kartavya Path. Families gather on the surrounding lawns in the evening.
Safdarjung's Tomb
Eighteenth-century garden tomb of a Mughal noble, built of red sandstone and marble in a walled garden. It is quieter than the better-known tombs and often called the last of its kind.
Airports
Indira Gandhi International Airport DEL
It is about 17 km in a straight line from Delhi.
Hindon Airport / Hindon Air Force Station HDO
It is about 15 km in a straight line from Delhi.
Noida International Airport DXN
It is about 67 km in a straight line from Delhi.
Getting around
From Delhi airport
According to Delhi Airport's own site, the Airport Express Line (Orange Line) links New Delhi Railway Station with Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 and reaches Terminal 3 directly. Terminal 2 is a short walk or shuttle ride away from Terminal 3. For Terminal 1, take the Magenta Line and walk about 5 to 7 minutes through a covered subway. DTC buses, prepaid taxis and app cabs also serve the terminals.
- Source: Delhi Airport: Metro to and from the airport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Delhi Airport: Bus to and from the airport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Delhi Airport: Taxis and app-based cabs (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Delhi Metro and buses
Delhi Tourism says the Delhi Metro covers Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida, and its lines run partly elevated, partly at ground level and partly underground. The city's CNG buses are run by the Delhi Transport Corporation, while Delhi Metro Rail Corporation operates feeder buses. Three inter-state bus terminals are listed on the tourism site: Maharana Pratap ISBT at Kashmiri Gate, Swami Vivekanand ISBT at Anand Vihar and Veer Hakikat Rai ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan.
- Source: Delhi Tourism: Metro Rail (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Delhi Tourism: City Bus (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Scams and safe taxis
Prepaid booths and meters
Prepaid taxi booths run by Delhi Traffic Police work on a no-haggling, pay-in-advance basis. They operate day and night at the three IGI Airport terminals, at railway stations such as Paharganj, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Old Delhi, and at inter-state bus terminals like Kashmiri Gate. Delhi Tourism also describes taxis with black-and-yellow tops, and auto-rickshaws that run on the meter.
- Source: Delhi Traffic Police: Prepaid booths (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Delhi Tourism: Taxi (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Delhi Tourism: Auto Rickshaw (checked 4 Nov 2026)
App cabs at Delhi airport
App cabs are available at each terminal, says Delhi Airport's website: Uber, Ola and Rapido at Terminal 1; Uber and Ola at Terminal 2; and Uber, Ola and the electric cab service Evera EV at Terminal 3. The site lists them next to prepaid and fixed-rate taxis. At Terminals 1 and 2 pick-up is outside the arrivals zone, and at Terminal 3 it is at the multi-level car park on level 0.
- Source: Delhi Airport: Taxis and app-based cabs (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan13.6 °C16 mm
- Feb17.4 °C22 mm
- Mar23.6 °C18 mm
- Apr30.4 °C15 mm
- May35.1 °C33 mm
- Jun35.9 °C80 mm
- Jul32.3 °C217 mm
- Aug29.8 °C203 mm
- Sep28.3 °C121 mm
- Oct25.2 °C13 mm
- Nov20.1 °C4 mm
- Dec15.2 °C8 mm
Driest months: Oct, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Diwali (festival of lights)
One of the biggest events the country hosts each year; prices rise and hotels fill up, so plan early.
culture
Republic Day parade (26 January)
A parade with both military and cultural elements is held on Kartavya Path.
festival
Diwali (festival of lights)
One of the biggest events the country hosts each year; prices rise and hotels fill up, so plan early.
culture
Republic Day parade (26 January)
A parade with both military and cultural elements is held on Kartavya Path.
Who can help
Emergency
112 is the national emergency number (old numbers 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance may also work).
local government
Ministry of Tourism tourist helpline (Government of India)
Helps with: National tourist helpline of the Ministry of Tourism. It gives travel and tourism information and advises callers in distress while travelling in India, alerting authorities if needed.
Who qualifies: Domestic and international tourists in India.
Phone: 1800111363
ngo
Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters
Helps with: India's national Red Cross society. The national headquarters in New Delhi lists a main phone line and email, and runs a blood centre with its own enquiry line.
Who qualifies: People in India seeking Red Cross services or information.
Phone: +91-11 23716441
Email: ircs@indianredcross.org
Address: 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110001
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) India
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in India since 2001. Its work covers labour migration, counter-trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and support for migrants.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by trafficking or labour migration issues. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +91 11 24100026
Email: iomnewdelhi@iom.int
Address: UNESCO House, Ground Floor, 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
embassy
Diplomatic missions in India (Ministry of External Affairs)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ministry's homepage links to a Diplomatic Missions in India section under Foreign Relations.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or high commission.
local government
Delhi Tourism
Helps with: Delhi government's tourism body. Its website lists an office address, phone numbers and an email for tourist enquiries about Delhi.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Delhi or planning a trip there.
Phone: +91-11-23365358
Address: 18-A, D.D.A. SCO Complex, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024
local government
Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in India, with support in English, Hindi and other languages. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 112