Delhi Travel Guide
Delhi, the capital city of India, is situated in the Punjab Region and is filled with great contrast between old and new, from its rich and colorful history to the modern and ever growing metropolis that makes up New Delhi.
The city itself lies next to the Yamuna River and has many magnificent temples, forts and mosques which permit you to gain insight into Delhi's intriguing history and culture as well as enjoying both its modern and ancient architecture. Delhi also has a modern city centre with a growing business centre and many upmarket shops, restaurants and night clubs to keep you entertained.
Weather Guide
Delhi has a very hot and humid, sub tropical climate with April, May, June, July, August and September often seeing temperatures in the high 20's and 30*C's with May and June being the hottest months with temperatures often at the higher 40 *C end of the scale.
The most amount of rainfall occurs around July, August and September time with November, December and January being the coolest months with temperatures in the region of 8 to 20 *C.
Language
A mixture of languages are spoken here such as Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English.
Delhi Cuisine
The food in Delhi is now more varied than ever with a large amount of colorful, spicy and traditional foods that are full of flavour such as bityani, bhelpuri and chaat.
There are roadside sellers and stalls available all around the city with many of the more popular restaurants located in central areas such as Connaught Place and Chanakyapuri where you will find there are many Indian, Chinese and Italian restaurants available as well as several fast food options allowing New Delhi to supply you with anything from a pizza or burger to some creative and colorful traditional food.
Delhi Travel Information
The City of Delhi is in the process of modernizing and upgrading its transport network with much work being done to improve the bus, train, metro and international airport.
- Rickshaws
Both bicycle and motorized rickshaws are a great and often cheap way to travel around the city of Delhi, you will need to negotiate your fare before you begin your journey, although it is worth noting that many of the motorcycle rickshaws often run a set route for a fixed price.
- Car Hire
An international driving permit is required to hire a car and often there is an age restriction of being over 25 years of age, there are well known car hire companies operating out of Delhi such as Hertz and due to the slightly manic driving culture it can be better to hire a car with a driver to take you where you need to go. There are several car hire operators available from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
- Taxis
This can often be one of the best ways to get you to your destination, although taxis have meters they do not always use them so it is better to agree the price with the driver at the start of the journey. If you are entering Delhi from Indira Gandhi International Airport then you can book a pre paid taxis from the kiosk within the airport terminal the two taxi companies which run out of Delhi International Airport are Meru Cabs and Easy Cabs.
- Train
There is a vast train network running throughout Delhi and the rest of India with lines running to several towns throughout the country. Tickets can be purchased in advance either online or from one of the stations such as at the Old Delhi Station, New Delhi Station, Sakur Basti Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station.
- Metro
The Metro service is both modern and efficient and runs several lines across the city at frequent intervals. The Metro Blue and Yellow lines both meet up in Connaught Place which is one of the busiest stations in Delhi.
- Bus
Delhi Transport Corporation have plenty of busses travelling both in and around Delhi, finding a seat however can be a challenge as they are often very overcrowded and it can be difficult to figure out exactly where each bus is actually running to. A General All Route bus pass can be obtained from the bus terminals such as at Kashmiri Gate ISBT, Anand Vihar ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT where you can purchase weekly and daily passes to make your travelling easier.
- Airport
The modern Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport has several amenities such as restaurants, shops, foreign exchange and ATM's and also has a counter where you can book a pre paid taxi to take you on to your next destination.
Travel Safety Advice
As with many cities all around the world be careful of pickpockets and try to keep your wallet and any personnel possessions in a safe place, especially when you find yourself in crowded streets or on public transport. It is a good idea to make all your travel plans and hotel bookings in advance so that you know you will be organized when you get there. There are certain places, such as mosques where you will need ensure that your footwear is removed and your legs, shoulders and head are covered in order to gain access.
Delhi Festivals and Events
Delhi has some wonderful festivals throughout the year such as the Festival of Flower sellers which is full of color and festivities. The celebration and parade that goes with Republic Day is one of the biggest celebrations in Delhi in which the President of India attends and also addresses the nation... more about Delhi Festivals and Events
Delhi Travel Attractions Guide
Delhi has many interesting sites of interest that range from museums, impressive forts, ancient ruins and temples both old and new to beautiful areas filled with wildlife.
- Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb is a magnificent building set in around 30 acres of garden, it is made of red sandstone and white marble which combine beautifully with the magnificent architecture that can be found both within the tomb and outside, the garden or Char Bagh as it is known, contains water channels and fountains along with paved walkways which are designed with symmetry and purpose... more about Humayun's Tomb
- Red Fort
The impressive Red Fort is also known as Lal Qila is located close to the Yamuna River and contains many important buildings within it which have wonderful architecture and design both inside and out. Red Fort is also the location of where the popular Sound And Light Shows are held and which tell the story of much of the Red Fort's history... more about Red Fort
- National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park was founded in 1959 and has gone from strength to strength with now around 2000 species of animals within the Park and a wide range of plants and trees as well which adds to this very unique Zoo which is situated close to the well known Humayun's Tomb... more about National Zoological Park
- Connaught Place
Connaught Place is where you will find many of Delhi's top financial and commercial businesses, the area is also well served with restaurants and public transports and also contains Central Park in the very centre... more about Connaught Place
- India Gate
This splendid monument stands as a great tribute to the many brave Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War 1, along side the India Gate monument is the Amar Jawan Jyoti which is an eternal flame that burns day and night... more about India Gate
- Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is a modern Temple is made of pink sandstone and marble and features some wonderful architecture with features such as carved columns, domes, statues, wonderful floral motifs and an amazing life size elephant plinth, along with much information on India's culture and history... more about Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
- Jama Masjid
This is one of the largest and most well known mosques in India built in 1644 the building is made of red sandstone and white marble and contains some beautiful architecture which uses domes, columns and arch ways to their best advantage, there are also some holy relics kept within the mosque... more about Jama Masjid
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
This amazing place is the main Sikh place of worship and is located near to Connaught Place in New Delhi. The temple contains a wonderful white facade with a large golden dome on top of it and is open for all religions to visit providing you follow the required dress code which you will find with many of the temples in Delhi... more about Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
- Tughlaqabad Fort
The fort was built around 1321 and stands on top of a rocky hill top looking down around it, once a formidable fort to guard against the Mongols the fort now stands practically in ruins with the mausoleum of Ghiyath ud-din Tughlaq its creator within the grounds. Although slightly further off the tourist trail Tughlaqabad Fort is well worth a visit... more about Tughlaqabad Fort
- International Doll's Museum
This has one of the largest and most detailed doll collections in the world and features dolls from many different countries around the globe wearing beautifully made traditional outfits... more about The International Dolls Museum
- National Museum
The National Museum is situated in New Delhi and has many wonderful artefacts such as coins, weapons, textiles and artwork on display... more about The National Museum
- Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar is a free standing minaret which is made up of red sandstone and topped with white marble. It is 5 stories high with a balcony on each level and contains a spiral staircase with some 379 steps leading upwards towards some splendid views of the surrounding area and is one of the most popular attractions in Delhi... more about Qutub Minar
- National Rail Museum
This is a superb museum for exploring the world of locomotives and carriages. The museum offers information on the history and development of the railway in India and showcases several superb examples of engines such as the Fairy Queen Steam Train and also carriages such as the Maharaga of Mysore's Carriage... more about The National Rail Museum
- Tomb of Safdarjung
Built in 1753 for Safdarjung who was the Mughal Emperors prime minister the tomb has excellent architecture and carvings and stands in the centre of a wonderful Mughal Garden which has water canals, grass lawns and plenty of plants and trees... more about Tomb Of Safdarjung
- Asola Wildlife Sanctuary
The Asola Sanctuary is a wonderful area that is home to many species of flora and fauna and has a 2 kilometer nature trail from which to enjoy the huge selection of wildlife that can be found within the sanctuary... more about Asola Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lotus Temple
Also known as the Baha'i House of Worship the Lotus Temple is an amazing piece of modern architecture that follows closely in line with the Baha'i faith and is open to all religions and faiths. In the shape of a lotus flower and set within beautiful grounds the lotus Temple has become one of the most popular places to visit in Delhi and is stunning during the day and night... more about Lotus Temple