Tips · India
Delhi for first-timers: airport transfers, the metro and staying safe
Delhi airport by express metro, bus or taxi, key metro stations, the main sights, alert levels, the 3 October protest notice and emergency numbers.
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What to know before a first trip to Delhi
India's capital is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb. Ride the metro between Old Delhi's Mughal lanes and bazaars, New Delhi and India Gate, and the temples and gardens scattered across the south. The guide suggests 2 to 3 nights.
Both Delhi Tourism and Incredible India recommend October to March, when the weather is at its best. According to Delhi Tourism, December-January is cool at about 5-25°C, so bring warm layers.
One thing to check before you go: on 3 October 2026 Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised caution over continuing and spreading protests in central New Delhi. The safety section below covers this with the travel-alert levels.
- Airport → Airport Express Line to New Delhi Railway Station (about 25 min)
- Old Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk
- New and South Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Akshardham
- Closed Mondays: Red Fort, Akshardham, Lotus Temple
Airport to city: four options
The Airport Express Line (Orange Line) has direct access to Terminal 3, where international flights arrive. According to the airport, it runs between New Delhi Railway Station and Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 and takes about 25 minutes to New Delhi Railway Station. First train 4:45 a.m.; last train 11:30 p.m. from New Delhi. Ticket machines are in the T3 and T2 arrival areas, and Terminal 2 is a short walk or shuttle ride from Terminal 3. Check fares officially.
Terminal 1 (domestic only) is served by the Magenta Line at the underground Terminal 1-IGI Airport station, a 300-400 m (5-7 min) walk through a covered subway. Trains run about every 5 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., via stations such as Hauz Khas and Kalkaji Mandir. Check fares officially.
DTC city buses run 24/7 from T3 Arrivals toward Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and ISBT. Check routes at dtc.delhi.gov.in and fares officially.
Prepaid and fixed-rate taxis and app-based cabs are available 24/7 outside arrivals at all three terminals. At T3, the pickup area is Level 0 of the Multi-Level Car Park. Check fares officially.
- Airport Express Line: direct from T3, about 25 min to New Delhi, first train 4:45, last 23:30; check fares officially
- Magenta Line: T1 (domestic), about every 5 min 5:30-23:30; check fares officially
- DTC buses: T3 Arrivals, 24/7
- Taxis: prepaid and fixed-rate; at T3, Multi-Level Car Park Level 0
- DMRC 24/7 helpline: 155370
Getting around: metro, buses and rickshaws
Incredible India recommends the clean, efficient Delhi Metro for longer distances. Check fares and hours on the official DMRC website or app.
A few key stations help: Rajiv Chowk (Yellow/Blue interchange, Connaught Place), Chandni Chowk (Yellow), Central Secretariat (Yellow/Violet, for India Gate), Jangpura (Violet, for Humayun's Tomb) and Akshardham (Blue). For the Lotus Temple, the nearest station is Kalkaji Mandir.
According to Incredible India, Old Delhi's narrow lanes are best explored on foot or by cycle rickshaw. Delhi Tourism (DTTDC) runs transport counters and tourist information offices at the airport, railway stations and Connaught Place, rents vehicles at a fixed tariff and operates a Delhi sightseeing tour. It takes bookings for heritage walks on its official site. Check prices officially.
- Rajiv Chowk: Connaught Place (Yellow/Blue interchange)
- Chandni Chowk: Old Delhi (Yellow)
- Central Secretariat: India Gate (Yellow/Violet)
- Jangpura: Humayun's Tomb (Violet)
- Akshardham: Akshardham temple (Blue), a 350 m walk from the station
Old Delhi: the Red Fort and Jama Masjid
The Red Fort is the red sandstone palace-fortress Shah Jahan ordered in 1639 when he moved his court from Agra to Delhi. Enter through the Lahori Gate, pass the covered bazaar (Chhatta Chowk) and visit the Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas. According to Incredible India it opens 09:30-16:30 and is closed on Mondays, and the Jai Hind sound and light show runs every evening except Mondays. Check tickets with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) official booking (ASI says entry is free for those 15 and under).
Shah Jahan's Jama Masjid is one of India's largest mosques, with a courtyard that holds 25,000 people. Incredible India lists hours of 07:00-12:00 and 13:30-18:30, and Delhi Tourism notes it is closed to non-Muslims for about two hours during Friday midday prayers. Entry is barefoot and suitable attire is a must (it can be hired at the northern gate).
Chandni Chowk in front, the 17th-century market street laid out under Shah Jahan, is packed with spices, sweets and street food. The lanes are narrow and very crowded, so watch for the pickpockets at sights that Korea's foreign ministry warns about.
- Red Fort: 09:30-16:30, closed Mondays; Jai Hind show (except Mondays)
- Jama Masjid: 07:00-12:00 and 13:30-18:30; closed to non-Muslims for about two hours at Friday midday prayers
- Barefoot and modest attire (hire at the northern gate)
- Chandni Chowk: narrow, crowded lanes; watch for pickpockets
New and South Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, India Gate and Qutub Minar
Humayun's Tomb is the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent; according to Incredible India it is open from sunrise to sunset. Next door, the 90-acre Sunder Nursery opened to the public in 2018.
India Gate is a 42 m war memorial arch. According to Delhi Tourism it is open 24 hours, though some areas are closed to visitors after dark. Korea's foreign ministry noted on 3 October 2026 that protests are continuing in central New Delhi, so avoid any rallies and check the latest notices.
At 72.5 m, Qutub Minar is the tallest masonry tower in India, open sunrise to sunset (varies by season). Akshardham is open Tuesday-Sunday, first entry 10:00 and last entry 18:30, closed on Mondays. Temple entry is free; the exhibitions cost INR 260 for adults and the water show INR 110, and phones and cameras must go in the free cloakroom. The Lotus Temple is free to enter and closed on Mondays.
- Humayun's Tomb: sunrise to sunset, Jangpura station
- India Gate: 24 hours, some areas closed after dark, Central Secretariat station
- Qutub Minar: 72.5 m, sunrise to sunset
- Akshardham: closed Mondays, exhibitions INR 260, water show INR 110, no phones
- Lotus Temple: free, closed Mondays, Kalkaji Mandir station
Safety: travel-alert levels and the 3 October protest notice
Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rates Delhi at level 1 (travel caution), while Kashmir and Kargil city are at level 3 (leave/avoid).
On 3 October 2026 the ministry advised caution over continuing and spreading protests in central New Delhi, so avoid rallies and check your government's latest travel advice before you go.
Korea's foreign ministry warns of thieves who befriend travelers and offer drugged food or drinks. Don't accept food from strangers, and watch for pickpockets at sights and metro stations and for motorbike snatchers around railway stations.
Remove your shoes and dress modestly at places of worship. Cover your head at gurdwaras, and note that phones and cameras are not allowed inside Akshardham.
- Delhi: level 1 (travel caution)
- Kashmir and Kargil city: level 3 (leave/avoid)
- 3 October 2026 notice: protests in central New Delhi; avoid rallies
- Don't accept food or drinks from strangers
- Watch for pickpockets and motorbike snatchers
Emergency numbers and a checklist before you go
According to Incredible India, the national emergency number is 112 and the tourist helpline is 1363. Police 100, ambulance 102 and fire 101 also work. For metro questions, the DMRC 24/7 helpline is 155370.
Entry requirements (visas etc.) depend on nationality. Check the Indian government's official information before departure.
According to Incredible India, foreign cards are widely accepted and mobile payments such as UPI are common. In markets, bargaining is normal unless prices are fixed. The Red Fort, Akshardham and the Lotus Temple close on Mondays; if your trip includes a Monday, plan sunrise-to-sunset sites such as Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.
- National emergency 112, tourist helpline 1363
- Police 100, ambulance 102, fire 101
- Entry requirements (visas etc.): check official info
- Foreign cards and UPI widely used; bargain in markets
Plan your Delhi trip
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FAQ
How much is the metro from the airport to the city?
Check fares on the official DMRC website or app. The Airport Express Line takes about 25 minutes from Terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station; first train 4:45 a.m., last train 11:30 p.m. from New Delhi.
What is Delhi's travel-alert level?
Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rates Delhi at level 1 (travel caution) and Kashmir and Kargil city at level 3 (leave/avoid). On 3 October 2026 it advised caution over protests in central New Delhi, so check your government's latest travel advice before you go.
What is closed on Mondays?
The Red Fort, Akshardham and the Lotus Temple. On a Monday, plan sunrise-to-sunset sites such as Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.
What are the emergency numbers in India?
The national emergency number is 112 and the tourist helpline is 1363. Police 100, ambulance 102 and fire 101 also work.
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