“City of Rallies”.
Where is New Delhi?
New Delhi situated in north-central India on the west bank of the Yamuna River, just south of Delhi city (Old Delhi)
Getting there
Our journey from Almaty, Kazakhstan to New Delhi was by plane.
Our accommodation
During our time in New Delhi, we chose to stay at Hotel Mahajan International, booked through Booking.com. Situated about 4 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport and 15 km from Connaught Place Central Park.
The hotel offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and room service, along with free WiFi. Rooms have private bathrooms and are fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and a kettle. Continental or buffet breakfast is included.
Places of interest
The following morning showed no significant improvement in air quality. However, it was our first opportunity to go into the manic city of New Delhi. A tuk-tuk seemed appropriate for the 25-minute journey to Connaught Place. The cost of the journey is 500 Rupees.
The city was heaving with people, cars, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and buses. Monkeys running along the roadside. Rubbish is strewn throughout the streets. The noise was incredible, horns constantly blasting from all of the traffic. It was just simply mesmerising.
Tip…Scamming
Be aware of the con artists who will try to befriend you. They will ask your onward travel arrangements. Tell you that you need to go to the Government tourist office to get your tickets. DO NOT GO. This is a scam to get you into a private tourist office. You will be told you are missing loads of sights. That you need to cancel your ticket and go with their private driver.
You could also be told that your hotel has been closed down. Or the train you have booked isn’t running because of air pollution. All scams. Ours started with two gentlemen trying to engage Guy in a conversation about cricket. Luckily for us, we had been warned, so we were on our guard.
Red Fort
The Fort is the largest monument in Delhi and one of the most popular tourist attractions. It stands as a sandstone palace of the last emperors of Delhi. 33m high walls that were designed to keep out invaders today they just keep out the chaos and noise of the city.
Some of the buildings are in fairly good condition and others not. The mosque and hammam are closed to the public. Walkways are crumbling, so take care when walking around. Public toilets are available on site. Located on Netaji Subhash Marg, the nearest metro station is Chandni Chowk. Open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Entry is 90 Rupees for Indians and 950 Rupees for foreigners.
India Gate
42 m high Arc-de-Triomphe like archway. Built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during World War I. The memorial bears the names of the 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan war of 1919. Located at one end of Rajpath, the nearest metro station is Pragati Maidan. Open every day. Entry is Free.
Qutab Minar
A 73 m-high victory tower of victory. Built after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys. At the foot of the tower is Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque the first to be built in India. An inscription over one of its gates informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing 27 Hindu temples. Located on Mehrauli, the nearest metro station is Qutab Minar. Open every day. Entry is 40 Rupees for Indians and 600 Rupees for foreigners.
Humayun’s tomb
A magnificent garden tomb, the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure. Located on Mathura Road Opposite, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, the nearest metro station is JLN Stadium. Open every day. Entry is 40 Rupees for Indians and 600 Rupees for foreigners.
Jama Masjid
With a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees, this great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India. It is the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.
The decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets that are constructed of red sandstone and white marble. Located on Jama Masjid Rd, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, the nearest metro station is Chawri Bazaar. Open every day from 7am to Noon and 1.30pm to 6.30pm. Tourists not allowed in during prayer hours. The entry is free.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
This presidential palace is home to the President of the world’s largest democracy. Delhi Tourism has extended the route of the hop on – hop off bus to include this stop.
For information on visiting and booking tickets, see Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Also referred to as Birla Mandir. One of New Delhi’s major temples, dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the temple on the condition that people of all castes would be allowed to enter the temple. Located on Mandir Marg, Near Gole Market, the nearest metro station is RK
Ashram Marg. Open everyday from 4:30am to 1:30pm & 2.30pm to 9.00pm. The entry is free.
The Garden of Five Senses
A park developed by Delhi Tourism Transportation Development Corporation. Designed to stimulate the five senses. Located on Westend Marg, Saidulajab, Saiyad ul Ajaib, the nearest metro station is Saket. Open April to September 9:00am to 7:00pm and
October to March 9:00am to 6:00pm. Ticket sales close 30 minutes prior to closing time. The entry is 35 Rupees.
Getting around
The various modes of transport to get around New Delhi are the Delhi Metro, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, tuk-tuk, and taxi.
Delhi metro
The Delhi Metro is probably the best and most comfortable way to get around Delhi. Trains all have AC and run every 5 minutes. The front coach of each train is reserved for women.
Consisting of 9 lines, the Rapid Metro and Airport express has 285 stations covering the whole of the city. The metro operates from 0500 hrs to 2300 hrs.
The Airport Express metro line goes from New Delhi Railway Station to Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Line 1 Red line
Line 2 Yellow line
Line 3 Blue line
Line 4 Blue line
Line 5 Green line
Line 6 Violet line
Line 7 Pink line
Line 8 Magenta line
Line 9 Grey line
Rapid metro Aqua line
Airport Express Orange line
Tickets
Tourist Card
Suitable for unlimited travel on all DMRC lines except the Airport Line.
There are two types of tourist cards are available:-
One-Day Card, available for 200 Rupees (150 Rupees for the travel and 50 Rupees refundable deposit for the card).
Three-Day Card, available for 500 Rupees (450 Rupees for the travel and 50 Rupees refundable deposit for the card).
The deposit will be returned on presenting a readable and physically undamaged card. A processing charge of 20 Rupees will be deducted from the deposit. The security deposit will not be returned in case of presenting a physically damaged card.
For entry into the metro, place the tourist card on the reader of the entry gate for the barrier to open. To exit the metro, place the tourist card on the reader of the exit gate for the barrier to open.
Token
Single journey tokens can be purchased from ticket counters at all stations, also from ticket machines at selected stations. Tokens are valid only for the day of its purchase. The minimum fare is 10 Rupees and the maximum is 60 Rupees. Unused tokens can be refunded within 60 minutes of its issue at the same station.
For entry into the metro, place the token on the reader of the entry gate for the barrier to open. To exit the metro put the token in the slot on the exit gate for the barrier to open.
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses
One of the cheapest forms of transport in New Delhi is the bus. Delhi Transport Corporation has the World’s largest fleet of environmentally friendly public transport. Red buses have air conditioning and Green buses don’t.
Tickets
Fare for the journey depends on the distance travelled.
Green Card
DTC issues a Green Card. Valid for travel on all DTC City bus services throughout the day. The fare is 40 Rupees on Green buses and 50 Rupees on Red buses.
Delhi Darshan – Dedicated Tourist Bus Service
DTC operates daily sightseeing tours from Scindia House in Connaught Place. The Delhi Darshan ticket costs 100 Rupees. Travel on any DTC Green bus for the day.
Green bus fares
Up to 4 kilometers 5.00 Rupees
From 4 kilometers to 10 kilometers 10.00 Rupees
Over 10 kilometers 15.00 Rupees
Red bus fares
Up to 4 kilometers 10.00 Rupees
From 4 kilometers to 8 kilometers 15.00 Rupees
From 8 kilometers to 12 kilometers 20.00 Rupees
Above 12 kilometers 20.00 Rupees
Tickets are available from the conductors on the buses.
Tuk Tuks (Auto rickshaws)
Tuk-tuks in New Delhi should be fitted with meters. If a driver refuses to take you on the meter make sure you agree to a price. They are less expensive than taxis and they take you right to your destination.
The fares chargeable by the driver should be as follows, if on a meter.
25 Rupees for the first 2 Km and thereafter 8 Rupees per Km.
Night charge is plus 25% of the fare (2300 hrs to 0500 hrs)
Waiting charge, 30 Rupees per hour or part thereof.
Luggage charge 7.50 Rupees shall be charged as extra luggage charges. The driver shall not charge and for a shopping bag or a small suitcase.
Tip 🛺
Check that the meter reads zero at the time of getting in the tuk-tuk and it is switched on only when the journey starts.