A complete, honest guide to Delhi, India — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Seven cities of history.
Delhi is a highlight of South Asia, and Delhi layers empires on top of each other — Mughal forts, colonial avenues and a chaotic, captivating present. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Delhi
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Delhi
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Red Fort and Qutub Minar. Break for lunch and try butter chicken, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Old Delhi.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Humayun's Tomb and India Gate & Rajpath, then explore Hauz Khas at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Agra & the Taj Mahal (India's icon, reachable by fast train) is the easy favourite, or swap in Jaipur (the Pink City completes the Golden Triangle).
Ready to book? Turn your Delhi shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Delhi experiences →Delhi on a budget — costs & money tips
Delhi is very affordable by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Delhi
- Accommodation£8–£45 / night
- Food£6–£20 / day
- Local transport£2–£8 / day
- Typical attraction£3–£12 / entry
See how Delhi compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Delhi
- Street food and local markets are both the cheapest and often the best meals — eat where locals queue.
- Trains and shared local transport cost a fraction of taxis; agree fares before you ride where meters aren’t used.
- Many of the best experiences here are low-cost — temples, markets, walking the old quarters.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Delhi at a glance
A quick orientation for Delhi. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Delhi
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Delhi specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Delhi
Delhi is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Old Delhi
Chandni Chowk's lanes and street food.
Hauz Khas
Ruins, lakes and bars.
Connaught Place
Colonnaded shopping and dining.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Delhi further down the page.
Food & drink in Delhi
Delhi is a feast — Mughlai kebabs and curries, parathas in the old city, and chaat on every corner.
Build your Delhi food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Delhi
The Delhi Metro is modern, cheap and air-conditioned; autos and ride-hailing cover the gaps.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Delhi. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Delhi is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Delhi that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Delhi
October–March is pleasant; summers are scorching and the monsoon arrives mid-year. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Delhi.
Day trips from Delhi
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Agra & the Taj Mahal — India's icon, reachable by fast train
- Jaipur — the Pink City completes the Golden Triangle
Practical tips for Delhi
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Old Delhi is a smart base — Chandni Chowk's lanes and street food. If that’s not your style, Hauz Khas works well too (ruins, lakes and bars).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Delhi without trying butter chicken, parathas, chaat or kebabs. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Red Fort and Qutub Minar. With a spare day, Agra & the Taj Mahal (India's icon, reachable by fast train) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Delhi, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Delhi — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Delhi, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Delhi?
Three to four days is enough for Delhi’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Old Delhi — with an extra day for a trip to Agra & the Taj Mahal if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Delhi?
October–March is pleasant; summers are scorching and the monsoon arrives mid-year.
What food is Delhi known for?
Delhi is a feast — Mughlai kebabs and curries, parathas in the old city, and chaat on every corner.
Where should I stay in Delhi?
Old Delhi is a great first-time base (Chandni Chowk's lanes and street food). Hauz Khas is another good option for ruins, lakes and bars.
What are the best day trips from Delhi?
Two rewarding day trips are Agra & the Taj Mahal (India's icon, reachable by fast train) and Jaipur (the Pink City completes the Golden Triangle).
How do you get around Delhi?
The Delhi Metro is modern, cheap and air-conditioned; autos and ride-hailing cover the gaps.
