New Delhi
New Delhi (Hindi: नई दिल्ली Naī Dillī, Urdu: نئی دہلی Naī Dihlī), the capital of the Republic of India and the seat of its three branches of government, is characterised by its wide boulevards, roundabouts (traffic circles), colonial mansions and government buildings.
A part of the larger National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), New Delhi is not just a political centre; it's a thriving melting pot where people from different parts of India work and live. Connaught Place and Khan Market are popular shopping centres and the nearby Paharganj area has many inexpensive hotels.
Districts
[edit]
| Central New Delhi (Raisina Hill, Parliament Complex, Kartavya Path, Kartavya Bhavan, India Gate Circle) |
| North New Delhi (Ashok Vihar, Connaught Place, Supreme Court) |
| South New Delhi (Chanakyapuri, Lodhi Art District, Lodi Gardens, Safdarjung) |
| Delhi Cantonment (Dhaula Kuan, Palam AFS, Shankar Vihar, Subroto Park) |
Understand
[edit]Newcomers (and even some residents) often confuse between Delhi and New Delhi. In fact, New Delhi is a city within the Delhi metropolis, built by the British as the capital of India. Whereas Delhi has served as the political centre of various empires before the British came, from the Rajputs to the Delhi Sultans, and eventually the Mughals.
History
[edit]The British established their capital at Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) in 1757 after defeating the Nawab of Bengal. In 1905, Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, divided Bengal into two halves for ease of administration, creating a massive upsurge in anti-colonial movements in Calcutta. This forced the colonial government to reunite the province and shift the capital to Delhi in 1911.
On 12 December 1911, King-Emperor George V declared the capital of India to be shifted to Delhi. British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker were responsible for planning large parts of the new capital of India, later named New Delhi to distinguish from the Mughal-era Old Delhi. However, the construction truly began after World War I, and the planned city was inaugurated on 10 February 1931 by Lord Irwin, Viceroy of India. Lutyens designed the central administrative area of the city as a testament to Britain's imperial aspirations, now known as "Lutyens' Delhi".
The first major extension of New Delhi outside of Lutyens' Delhi came in the 1950s, after India's independence, when the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) developed the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri southwest of Lutyens' Delhi, where land was allotted for embassies, chanceries, high commissions and residences of ambassadors, around a wide central vista, called the Shanti Path (शांति पथ Shānti Path), literally the "Path of Peace".
Visitor information
[edit]The government tourist office is listed at Delhi#Visitor information.
Official website:
Talk
[edit]The native language of New Delhi is Hindi, which also happens to be the main official language of the Indian government. New Delhi residents are generally fluent in English, including lawyers and politicians, which again happens to the additional official language of the government.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL IATA) is the main arrival point for visitors into New Delhi, and a 20- to 30-minute ride by road from the city.
Other airports include Noida (DXN IATA) and Hindon (HDO IATA).
By train
[edit]
- 1 New Delhi NR (NDLS) (outside Paharganj, also known as the backpacker ghetto, about 40 min-1 hr to travel from New Delhi station to Delhi Airport by car). 6AM–11PM. A tourist ticket office called the International Tourist Bureau is open during office hours upstairs of, but still within, the main New Delhi railway station (on the side away from the metro, near platform 1). Note that it is only for foreign tourists, so you must have a tourist visa (i.e. student and working visas are not acceptable). Non-resident Indians can also book their tickets through this office. Passport will be requested. Even the visa number is needed. They also accept debit/credit from Visa/Mastercard and RuPay cards (which is an Indian way of payment). To get a ticket, first go to the centre of the room and get numbers for the reservation and information desks, as well as a form to fill out. Then line up at one of the two u-shaped lines of chairs, fill out the form, and prepare for a protracted wait. When your information number is called, have the clerk check the availability of the train(s) you desire and answer any questions you have about the form. Then wait for your reservation number to be called. Note that by the time you get to the reservation desk, your train may no longer be available, in which case you can try to reserve a different one. If you need a bathroom during this lengthy process, there is a relatively clean male and female toilet just outside on the verandah through the side door (the door you didn't enter through). The station is large, crowded, confusing and packed with touts. Allow one hour to find your train the first time you visit. Don't trust the electronic display boards, which often show incorrect information. Instead listen to the announcements and ask multiple people in uniform (including police officers) until you find your train.
Transport options:
- By metro: New Delhi station is served by Yellow 2 and Orange Airport Express lines of the Delhi Metro. Metro exits are at the Ajmeri Gate (second entrance) side near platform 16.
- By taxi: Depending on traffic, a taxi fare costs you about ₹400. Pre-paid taxi booth run by Delhi Police. If you are arriving at the station, and want to take a taxi, head to the Delhi Police pre-paid taxi booth. Unfortunately, this booth is at the extreme far north end (about 50 m from the station main exit) of the taxi parking and you will encounter touts claiming to provide prepaid taxi; just ignore them and find the pre-paid taxi booth run by the Delhi Police which are safe and least expensive. There is some chance that the booth clerk, who works for the police, will shortchange you less than anyone else who handles cash in Delhi. You can also take prepaid rickshaws and taxis from the plaza outside the main entrance.
For other stations, see Delhi#By train.
By bus
[edit]New Delhi is served by three major Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs): Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar. All three are outside the city limits; see Delhi#By bus.
By car
[edit]New Delhi is connected to other parts of India by national highways, including expressways. See Delhi#By car for details.
Get around
[edit]By metro
[edit]The fast-growing Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, mostly hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city, although its increasing popularity means that rush hour crowds at key interchanges are starting to resemble Mumbai. Fares range from ₹10-60. Special fares apply for travel on the Airport Express.
As of 2025, there are 9 lines operational:
- Red Line 1 : Dilshad Garden–Rithala
- Yellow Line 2 : Samaypur Badli–HUDA City Centre
- Blue Line 3/4 : Dwarka Sector 21–Noida Electronic City
- Blue Line branch: Yamuna Bank–Vaishali
- Green Line 5 : Mundka–Inderlok
- Green Line branch: Ashok Park Main–Kirti Nagar
- Violet Line 6 : Kashmere Gate–Ballabhgarh
- Orange Line Airport Express : New Delhi–IGI Airport–Dwarka Sector 21
- Pink Line 7 : Majilis Park–Shiv Vihar
- Magenta Line 8 : Krishna Park Extension –Botanical Garden
- Grey Line 9 : Dwarka–Dhansa
By bus
[edit]New Delhi is well-connected by buses and with tickets ranging from ₹5-25 they are very cheap, but they are also quite crowded most of the time. They buses are pretty frequent, running every 15-20 min or so on most routes.
There are two kinds of buses in New Delhi:
- Government run DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses (red and green with big windows)
- Privately run Blue-Line buses (orange)
On foot
[edit]Due to the city's urban planning, New Delhi is more pedestrian-friendly compares to the rest of the metropolis. Plus there are footbridges and subways to bypass the road traffic.
See
[edit]- Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
.jpg)
The main point of interest in New Delhi is the Kartavya Bhavan Area (literally the "House of Duty Area"), the city's central administrative district. Developed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the district is home to the India Gate (monumental arch for Indian soldiers), the Rashtrapati Bhavan (residence of the President of India), and of course the Kartavya Path (Path of Duty) connecting the two. The Kartavya Path is flanked by ministry buildings at both sides. The newest of them are the Kartavya Bhavans (Houses of Duty).
Being the capital of India, New Delhi is home to several national museums, showcasing India's history and cultural heritage. The National Museum and National Gallery sits right at the Kartavya Path. The Samvidhan Sadan (House of Constitution) is also worth visiting, showcasing the history of India's democracy. The building itself housed the Parliament of India until 2023, when it was shifted to a building adjacent to it. Both places are very much worth visiting and provide an excellent insight to how the world’s largest democracy operates. Tours are available, and you can sit and watch a live parliament debate when a session is ongoing.
Do
[edit]- Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
Take a walk at Connaught Place (CP), the heart of New Delhi. The British-designed colonial equivalent of a shopping mall, it's laid out in two concentric rings divided into blocks, all bursting with shops and lots of pampered pigeons waddling about. Long neglected, the area received an upsurge after the opening of the major Metro junction of Rajiv Chowk under it, and it's going more upmarket by the day. At the centre is a small but pleasant park, while on one edge is the notorious Palika Bazaar, an underground den of cheap wares, many pirated or smuggled from overseas. The area is surrounded by tall office buildings on nearly all sides. Train fans will want to check out the Metro Museum inside the Patel Chowk station, open Tu-Su 10AM-4PM (free with valid Metro ticket).
New Delhi is the place to go for parks; here are Delhi's Central Park, the Nehru Park which is a great place to hang out on a sunny afternoon in the winter, and the Kartavya Path which is the city's main parade route lined by grassy lawns and leading from the presidential residence Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate.
Learn
[edit]Although most of the higher education institutions of "New Delhi" are actually in Delhi, the city is home to AIIMS New Delhi as well as IIT Delhi. Both are world class institutions which house vast facilities. The exams, JEE and NEET are extraordinarily competitive and complex. It is very hard to get into the top Indian institutions.
There are many things to learn from India’s history in the parliament buildings.
Work
[edit]Buy
[edit]- Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
New Delhi is home to two major shopping districts:
- Connaught Place (CP) — the central business district, and a unique cross between a European shopping arcade, an Indian bazaar and an upmarket shopping mall.
- Dilli Haat — a paid-entrance open-air market cum food plaza, with crafts from all over the country.
Eat
[edit]- Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
If you come from the West, it may be interesting to eat at a fast food restaurant like McDonald's or Burger King. The menus are different and, unlike in the west, very vegetarian friendly - even KFC has a veg option.
The best place to go for chaat is the Bengali Market (metro: Mandi House 3/4 6 ) near Connaught Place in the city centre. The restaurants are high quality and the food is great. There are ATMs as well. One of the best known restaurants there is Nathu's. But for the really good chaat, you have to make your way to Old Delhi, and particularly to Ashok's near Chawri Bazaar. While connoisseurs insist that the best chaat is prepared on the street, most travellers try to find a comfortable middle ground between hygiene and authenticity.
United Coffee House in Connaught Place offers premium, historical vibe with first establishment in 1942.
Wengers in Connaught Place is also good option for western food, established in 1924.
Kake da hotel, in Connaught place with spicy parathas and great desserts, established 1931.
Drink
[edit]- Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
Sleep
[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹4,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹4,000–8,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹8,000 |
- Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
Budget travellers can check out the Paharganj area west of New Delhi station. Despite its noise, filth and touts, Paharganj is considered safe for tourists.
Much of New Delhi's expensive hotels are along the axis between Connaught Square and the airport. A few are in areas further south and west.
Smoking is not allowed in hotels.
Stay safe
[edit]Many first-time travellers find themselves falling victim to scams and touts. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice, including taxi and auto drivers. Carry your cash, passport, and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place.
New Delhi is unsafe for women travellers. If you are arriving for the first time at night, stay in either the lounge or well lit areas until daybreak if you haven't booked a hotel yet. It is recommended to walk with a male that you know to avoid sexual harassment.
The Tolstoy Road area near Jantar Mantar in Connaught Place is a hotbed of protests. Visitors are advised to stay away from protest sites.
Several tourist agencies have been known to swindle customers by changing their travel plans or charging them extra money. You should book your flights online and secure train tickets from the IRCTC website.
Many scammers around the New Delhi station will ask visitors for "help" to find a "ticket office for foreigners", where you will be overcharged and cajoled into signing up for cars, tours, etc. Some even try to block you from entering, demanding to see your tickets.
If arriving late at night at a transit hub, beware of a common taxi scam where the driver will take you to a barricade and suggest to take you to a different hotel. Then they will take you to a number of hotels which all say they are full up, so as to increase your desperation to pay more.
Stay healthy
[edit]New Delhi experiences moderate to unhealthy air quality throughout the year, resulting in smog that potentially harms the health of all residents and causes a few flight delays due to low visibility. Air quality tends to be the best in the monsoon because of the prevailing winds and frequent rainfall, and it is worst during the summer and winter, especially around the crop burning season of September–November.
Keep an eye on air quality data. Have masks (single-use surgical masks are okay), tissues, and eyedrops ready when going out.
The hospitals are listed at Delhi#Hospitals.
Connect
[edit]Cell phone coverage in New Delhi is excellent. There are three major service providers offering a wide variety of plans. Among them are Airtel, Jio and Vi. It might be a good idea to buy a cell phone and use one of those prepaid plans to get yourself connected while you are in the city.
Dial 112 for any emergency.
Cope
[edit]Embassies and High Commissions
[edit]Some embassies are outside the city limits, which are listed at Delhi#Embassies.
Africa
[edit]
1 Egypt, 1/50M, Niti Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2611 4096, +91 11 2611 4097, india_emb@mfa.gov.eg. M-F 9-11AM.
Asia
[edit]
2 Afghanistan, 5/50 F Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2687 5439, +91 11 2410 0412, +91 11 2687 1326 (visa section), newdelhi.hotline@mfa.af. Alternative website.
3 Bangladesh, EP-39, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2412 13 (ext. 89-94), +91 11 2412 1392. Bangladesh has resumed visa services
4 Bhutan, EP-4, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91-11-2688-9230, +91-11-2688-9809, fax: +91 11 2687-6710, myandelhi@gmail.com. 
5 China, 50 D Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 688 9028, +91 11 2611 2345. 
6 Indonesia, 50-A Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2611-8642 (/43/44), fax: +91 11 26874402 (General Inquiries), newdelhi.kbri@kemlu.go.id. 
7 Iran. M-F 9:30AM-1PM. 
8 Israel, 3, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, ☏ +91 11 3041 4500. 
9 Japan, 4 & 5, 50-G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2687 6581, +91 11 2687 6564, fax: +91 11-2688-5587, jpembjic@nd.mofa.go.jp. M-F 9AM-1PM, 2-5:30PM. Alternative website.
10 Malaysia, 50-M, Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2415 9300. 
11 Mongolia, 34, Archbishop Macarios Marg, ☏ +91 11 2463 1728, fax: +91 11-2463 3240, mongemb@vsnl.net. 
12 Myanmar, 3/50F, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri (If using public transport to get to the embassy, bus 604 leaves from the PALIKA KENDRA bus stop, which is opposite The Park New Delhi Hotel, and between the Jantar Mantar attraction and the Bank of Baroda. This bus stop is also on Sansad Marg about 400 m north-east of the State Bank of India. Depending on the traffic, bus 604 will take about 30 min to get to the stop near the Myanmar embassy. Bus 604 will drop you at a bus stop on Shanti Path about 75 m north of the roundabout of Shanti Path and Panchsheel Marg. It’s a 10-min walk from this bus stop to the embassy. The visa application office is at the entrance of the embassy on Nyaya Marg, which is two blocks south of Panchsheel Marg and one block west of Shanti Path.), ☏ +91 11 2467-8822, +91 11 2467-8823, fax: +91 11 2467-8824, myandelhi@gmail.com. Visa application time is 10-11AM. Visa pick-up is the next day at 4PM. 
13 Nepal, Bara Khamba Rd, ☏ +91 11 332 9969, +91 11 23476200. 
14 Pakistan, 2/50 G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 467 6004, +91 11 26110601. Visa services from the Pakistan High Commission have been suspended. Pakistan offers limited consular assistance in India, due to tensions.
15 Palestine, Jesus & Mary Marg, ☏ +91 241 080 6263. 
16 Singapore, E-6, Chandragupta Marg, ☏ +91 11 4600 0800, singhc_del@mfa.sg. 
17 South Korea, 9, Chandragupta Marg, ☏ +91 11 4200 7000. 
18 Sri Lanka, 27, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2301-0201, fax: +91 11 2379-3604, lankacomnd@gmail.com. High Commission is also accredited to Bhutan
19 Turkey, 50-N, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2688 9053, embassy.newdelhi@mfa.gov.tr. 
20 United Arab Emirates, EP 12, Chandragupta Marg, ☏ +91 11 26111111.
Europe
[edit]
21 Belgium, 50-N, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri. 
22 Czech Republic, 50, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2415 5200, newdelhi@embassy.mzv.cz. M-F 9-11AM. 
Finland, E-3, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4149 7500, +91 11 4149 7570 (visa section), fax: +91 11 4149 7555, +91 11 4149 7559 (visa section), sanomat.nde@formin.fi. M-F 9AM-noon. The embassy is also accredited to Bangladesh.
23 France, 2/50-E Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4319-6100, fax: +91 11 4319-6119, info_visa_delhi@ambafrance-in.org. 
24 Germany, 6/50-G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4419 9199, fax: +91 11 2687 3117. Alternative website.
25 Greece, EP-32, Dr S. Radhakrishnan Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 26880700-4, +91 96 5461 6196 (Emergencies), fax: +91 11 2688 8010, gremb.del@mfa.gr. 
Ireland, C17, Malcha Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4940 3200, fax: +91 11 4059 1898. 
26 Italy, 50E, Chandra Gupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2611 4355, fax: +91 11 2687 3889, ambasciata.newdelhi@esteri.it. M-Th 9AM-1PM, 2-6PM, F 9AM-1PM. 
27 Netherlands, 6/50 F, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 1124197600, fax: +91 1124197710, nde@minbuza.nl. M-F 9AM-5PM. 
28 Norway, 50-C, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4136 3200. 
29 Poland, 50-M Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 414 96 904, +91 11 414 96 992, +91 11 414 96 975, newdelhi.amb.wk@msz.gov.pl. 8:15AM-4:15PM. 
30 Russia, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 112611 0560, fax: +91 11 2687 6823, indconru@gmail.com. 
31 Slovakia, 50-M, Niti Marg,, ☏ +91 11 2688 9071. 
32 Spain, 12, Prithviraj Road, ☏ +91 11 4129 3000, emb.nuevadelhi@maec.es. 
33 Sweden, 4-5, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 44197100. 
34 Switzerland, Nyaya Marg, 110 021, New Delhi, ☏ +91 11 4995 9500. 
35 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2419 2100, fax: +91 11 2419 2491, web.newdelhi@fco.gov.uk. 9AM-5PM.
North America
[edit]
36 Canada, 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4178 2000, fax: +91 11 4178 2020, delhi@international.gc.ca. M-Th 8:30AM-5:30PM, F 8:30AM-1PM. Alternative website.
37 United States of America, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 2419 8000, fax: +91 11 2419 0017, ndwebmail@state.gov.
Oceania
[edit]
38 Australia, 1/50 G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, ☏ +91 11 4139 9900. M-F 8:30AM - 1PM & 2-5PM. High Commission is also accredited to Bhutan
39 New Zealand, Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, ☏ +91 11 4688 3170.
South America
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Agra — home to the Taj Mahal, a 3-6 hr drive or 2-5 hr train ride each way.
- Old Delhi — explore New Delhi's old sibling, established by Shah Jahan.
- South Delhi — for the Qutb Minar and its monuments.
