Delhi, India's sprawling capital territory, is a city where ancient monuments stand beside ultramodern malls and Mughal gardens shadow gleaming corporate towers. As one of the world's most populous cities, Delhi offers an intoxicating blend of history spanning 3,000 years, from Iron Age settlements to British colonial architecture. The city serves as the political, cultural, and commercial heart of India, drawing millions of visitors annually to its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, vibrant street food scene, and legendary bazaars.
- Public
- Delhi Metro is world-class: clean, reliable, air-conditioned with 256 stations. Best option for most journeys across the NCR.
- Taxi
- Uber and Ola are excellent in Delhi with transparent pricing and no bargaining needed. Autos are the cheapest AC option.
- Rental
- Car rental is not recommended due to traffic and parking challenges; self-drive is stressful for visitors unfamiliar with Delhi roads.
- Walking
- Walkable in specific neighborhoods (CP, Hauz Khas, Lodi Garden) but distances between major sights require transport.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $5–$10, 45–60 min to city center
- Taxi Info
- Use prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals hall for fixed fares. Radio cab counters from Meru and Easy Cab also available. Avoid touts offering rides outside the terminal.
- Shuttle
- $0.90, AC bus service
- Shuttle Info
- DTC AC buses connect airport to Dhaula Kuan, Connaught Place, and other areas. Runs frequently from 5AM to midnight.
- Bus
- $0.90, DTC AC bus
- Bus Info
- Routes 780, 780A, and 781 connect airport terminals to key city locations. Cheapest airport transfer option.
- Metro
- $0.72, Airport Express Metro
- Metro Info
- Airport Express Line runs every 10–15 minutes from 4:45AM to 11:30PM. Connects Terminal 3 to New Delhi station in 19 minutes.
- Private
- $15–$30, pre-booked private car
- Private Info
- Hotels can arrange airport pickup; book in advance for late-night arrivals to avoid uncertainty.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
DTC buses cover entire Delhi with routes to most neighborhoods; ₹5–25 ($0.06–0.30) per journey. AC buses available on main arterial routes.
Alternatives
Delhi Metro (best for tourists), Uber/Ola Auto (flexible), cycle-rickshaw (Old Delhi), e-rickshaw (common near metro stations in residential areas), Rapido bike taxi (solo quick trips)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- ₹25 base fare + ₹9.50/km (metered autos); ₹25 base + ₹14/km (non-AC taxis)
- Apps
- Uber, Ola, Rapido
- App Names
- Uber, Ola, Rapido
- Typical Fare
- $2–$4 for average city ride (5–10km)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
AC Volvo buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate to Jaipur ($6–10, 5h), Agra ($4–8, 4h), Chandigarh ($5–9, 4.5h), Dehradun ($6–10, 6h)
Train
Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin to all major cities. Book on IRCTC website.
Shared
Shared taxis available to Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, and other NCR satellite cities
Flights
Domestic flights from DEL to Mumbai ($25+, 2h), Bangalore ($30+, 2.5h), Chennai ($35+, 2.5h), Kolkata ($30+, 2h)
Private
Private car hire from $40/day with driver for comfortable intercity travel
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Delhi has one of Asia's most extensive public transport networks, anchored by the Delhi Metro's 9 color-coded lines covering over 256 stations across the National Capital Region. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws handle last-mile connectivity, while ride-hailing apps Uber and Ola offer metered, air-conditioned alternatives. The city's Indira Gandhi International Airport connects to the metro via the Airport Express Line.
Airports
Indira Gandhi International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Delhi Metro Rail
Official DMRC app for route planning, fare calculation, Smart Card balance check, and train timings
Uber
Best for AC car rides and Uber Auto across Delhi. Accepts international credit cards.
Ola
Indian alternative to Uber with autos, bikes, and cars. Often has better availability in outer Delhi
Rapido
Bike taxi app for quick solo trips through traffic. Significantly faster than autos in congestion.
IRCTC Rail Connect
Official app to book intercity train tickets for journeys from Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, and all Indian cities
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Delhi Metro Smart Card (₹50 deposit) for 10% discount on all metro journeys
Airport Express has a dedicated platform at New Delhi Metro Station – follow orange line signs carefully
Always use app-based auto-rickshaws (Uber Auto, Ola Auto) to avoid overcharging by street autos
Carry small change (₹50–100 notes) for auto-rickshaws, DTC buses, and street vendors
Avoid Delhi roads during rush hours (8–10AM, 5–8PM) – traffic congestion is severe
The Metro is the safest option for women traveling alone, especially at night; use the ladies' coach at front
Tourist card (₹150 for 1 day, ₹250 for 3 days) allows unlimited metro rides – worth it for heavy sightseeing days
New Delhi station (NDLS) and Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) are the two main railway stations; confirm which station your train departs from
Pre-paid autos at airport are expensive – walk past the first row of drivers and book via Uber/Ola from arrivals
The Hazrat Nizamuddin station is better connected for trains to Agra and South India than New Delhi station