New Delhi, India travel guide

India's capital, where Mughal tombs, colonial avenues, and the chaos of Old Delhi's bazaars tell a thousand-year story.

Best time to visit: October-March (cool, dry)
Average daily budget: $30 to $80 USD
Ideal trip length: 3 to 4 days

Delhi is a city of layers: the Mughal grandeur of Old Delhi, the wide colonial boulevards of New Delhi, and a frenetic modern energy on top of it all. It overwhelms at first, but reveals extraordinary monuments, food, and history to those who plan well. Joy Plus sequences the great tombs and forts, navigates the Old Delhi bazaars, and slots in a Taj Mahal day trip to Agra for the full golden-triangle hit.

New Delhi itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Humayun's Tomb. The magnificent Mughal garden-tomb, a UNESCO site and architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal.

Afternoon: Explore Old Delhi, The Mughal core: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and the frenetic spice and textile bazaars of Chandni Chowk.

Evening: Red Fort & Chandni Chowk. The mighty Mughal fort, then the sensory overload of Old Delhi's oldest bazaar and its street food.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Qutub Minar. The soaring 73m victory tower and surrounding ruins, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afternoon: Explore New Delhi (Lutyens'), The colonial capital: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and broad tree-lined avenues.

Evening: Taj Mahal day trip to Agra. The world's most famous monument, reached in two hours by fast train. The classic golden-triangle add-on.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Old Delhi by rickshaw. Dive into the chaos of Old Delhi, the Jama Masjid mosque, the Red Fort and the frenetic Chandni Chowk bazaar, best explored by cycle-rickshaw with a street-food stop.

Afternoon: Explore Hauz Khas, A trendy urban village around a medieval reservoir and ruins: cafés, boutiques, and nightlife.

Evening: Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. New Delhi's serene Mughal masterpieces, Humayun's Tomb (a Taj Mahal forerunner) and the soaring Qutub Minar, both UNESCO sites and a calm contrast to the old city.

Best neighbourhoods

Old Delhi: The Mughal core: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and the frenetic spice and textile bazaars of Chandni Chowk.
New Delhi (Lutyens'): The colonial capital: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and broad tree-lined avenues.
Hauz Khas: A trendy urban village around a medieval reservoir and ruins: cafés, boutiques, and nightlife.
Connaught Place: The colonial-era commercial hub: colonnaded shops, restaurants, and central transport links.
Nizamuddin: A historic Sufi quarter: Humayun's Tomb nearby and qawwali music at the dargah shrine.

Must-do experiences

Humayun's Tomb: The magnificent Mughal garden-tomb, a UNESCO site and architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal.
Red Fort & Chandni Chowk: The mighty Mughal fort, then the sensory overload of Old Delhi's oldest bazaar and its street food.
Qutub Minar: The soaring 73m victory tower and surrounding ruins, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Taj Mahal day trip to Agra: The world's most famous monument, reached in two hours by fast train. The classic golden-triangle add-on.
Old Delhi by rickshaw: Dive into the chaos of Old Delhi, the Jama Masjid mosque, the Red Fort and the frenetic Chandni Chowk bazaar, best explored by cycle-rickshaw with a street-food stop.
Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar: New Delhi's serene Mughal masterpieces, Humayun's Tomb (a Taj Mahal forerunner) and the soaring Qutub Minar, both UNESCO sites and a calm contrast to the old city.

Hidden gems

Qawwali devotional singing at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah on a Thursday evening.
The stepwell of Agrasen ki Baoli, a serene ancient water tank near Connaught Place.
The Lodhi Gardens at dawn, full of tombs, joggers, and green calm.
Lodhi Art District, the city's open-air street-art neighbourhood.

Daily budget

$30 to $80 USD per day.

What to eat

Old Delhi street food: paranthas, chaat, and jalebi in Chandni Chowk
Butter chicken and dal makhani, both Delhi inventions
Kebabs and Mughlai cuisine in the old city
Chole bhature, the hearty chickpea-and-fried-bread breakfast

Getting around

Delhi's clean, efficient, air-conditioned Metro is by far the best way to beat the traffic and connects most major sights. Use Uber and Ola for door-to-door trips, and autorickshaws for short hops (insist on the meter or agree a fare). Old Delhi is best explored on foot or by cycle-rickshaw. The airport links to the centre via the Airport Express metro.

Safety

Delhi requires street smarts. Use app-based taxis, avoid unsolicited 'tourist office' touts (especially near the station), and be firm with persistent vendors. Women travellers should take extra care, especially at night, and prefer pre-booked transport. Air pollution is severe in winter; sensitive travellers may want a mask. Drink only bottled or filtered water.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in New Delhi?

Three to four days covers Old and New Delhi's major monuments and bazaars, plus a Taj Mahal day trip to Agra. It's also the natural start of the golden-triangle route.

Is New Delhi good for solo travellers?

Yes, with planning. The metro and app taxis make it manageable, and the sights are extraordinary. Solo women should take extra precautions, especially after dark.

When is the best time to visit New Delhi?

October to March is cool and pleasant. Summers (April-June) are brutally hot, and the monsoon (July-September) is humid. Note that winter air pollution can be severe.

Is Delhi safe for tourists, especially women?

It requires real caution. Use registered taxis or Uber/Ola, avoid travelling alone late at night, dress modestly, and be firm with touts. Women should take extra care; many prefer female-friendly accommodation and pre-booked transport.

How do I get around Delhi?

The metro is clean, cheap, fast and avoids the traffic, with a women-only carriage. Uber and Ola are reliable; for auto-rickshaws, insist on the meter or agree the fare first.

When is the best time to visit Delhi?

October to March, when it's cooler and dry (though winter mornings can be foggy and polluted). Avoid the brutal summer heat (April-June) and the humid monsoon.

How much does a trip to New Delhi cost?

Budget around $30 to $80 USD per person per day, covering a mid range room, local transport, two or three meals out and an activity or entry ticket. You can go lower with hostels, markets and free walking tours, or far higher with boutique hotels and private guides.

How much does a solo trip to New Delhi cost?

Budget on roughly $30-$80 USD per day in New Delhi as a solo traveller. That covers a hostel bed or simple room, local food, getting around and a couple of paid sights. Mid-range comfort with private rooms, sit-down dinners and the odd tour runs closer to double, while shoestring travellers who cook and stick to street food can come in under it.

Is New Delhi safe for solo female travellers?

New Delhi is generally a comfortable place to travel solo, including for women, as long as you use normal city sense. Delhi requires street smarts. Use app-based taxis, avoid unsolicited 'tourist office' touts (especially near the station), and be firm with persistent vendors. Women travellers should take extra care, especially at night, and prefer pre-booked transport. Air pollution is severe in winter; sensitive travellers may want a mask. Drink only bottled or filtered water.

How do you get around New Delhi?

Tours and activities in New Delhi | New Delhi in 3 days | New Delhi in 5 days | New Delhi in 7 days