Everything you need to plan a Delhi trip — what to see, when to go, how to get there, ready-made itineraries, and a free calculator to estimate your own cost.
Few cities on earth wear their history quite as openly as Delhi. India's sprawling capital is, in truth, a layering of at least seven historic cities, each built and abandoned by successive dynasties over more than a thousand years. The result is a metropolis where a 12th-century minaret, a 16th-century Mughal garden-tomb and a sweeping colonial avenue can all be visited in a single afternoon.
The city splits, broadly, into two souls. Old Delhi — the walled city of Shahjahanabad founded by Shah Jahan — is a glorious tangle of narrow lanes, spice markets and the call to prayer drifting from the colossal Jama Masjid. A few kilometres south, New Delhi, laid out by Edwin Lutyens, unfolds in ordered, tree-lined elegance around India Gate.
For travelers, Delhi is the natural gateway to North India and the starting point of the famous Golden Triangle with Agra and Jaipur. Three of its monuments — the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort — are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you'll want at least two unhurried days to do them justice.
From Mughal masterpieces to lotus-shaped marvels, here are the unmissable sights of India's capital.
Shah Jahan's mighty 17th-century sandstone fortress and the symbolic heart of the nation, where the Prime Minister hoists the flag each Independence Day.
How to do it: Metro to Lal Qila and enter via Lahori Gate. Closed Mondays — return at dusk for the light-and-sound show.
A soaring 73-metre victory tower from 1193 and India's tallest brick minaret. The surrounding complex holds the famous rust-resistant Iron Pillar that has puzzled metallurgists for 1,600 years.
How to do it: Metro to Qutab Minar, then a 10-min auto. Pair it with the ruins of Mehrauli Archaeological Park next door.
The graceful garden-tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal — a 1570 Mughal masterpiece of red sandstone and white marble.
How to do it: Metro to JLN Stadium or Hazrat Nizamuddin. On Thursday evenings, stay nearby for the Sufi qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah.
A 42-metre war memorial anchoring Lutyens' grand ceremonial avenue. The lawns come alive at dusk with families, ice-cream carts and the newly built Central Vista.
How to do it: Metro to Central Secretariat. Come at sunset when it's floodlit; skip the midday heat. Great for a relaxed evening stroll.
A serene Bahá'í House of Worship shaped like a blooming white lotus. Open to all faiths, its calm prayer hall is a refreshing pause from the city's energy.
How to do it: Metro to Kalkaji Mandir (5-min walk). Dress modestly, keep phones silent, and note photography isn't allowed inside the hall.
Climb the minaret of India's largest mosque for sweeping rooftop views, then plunge into Old Delhi's frenetic 17th-century bazaar — silver, spices and sizzling street food.
How to do it: Metro to Jama Masjid, then explore Chandni Chowk by cycle-rickshaw. Dress modestly and remove shoes at the mosque; avoid Friday prayer times.
Also worth your time: Akshardham Temple, Lodhi Gardens, the National Museum, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and the cafés of Hauz Khas Village.
Delhi has dramatic seasons. For sightseeing comfort, the cool winter months are unbeatable.
Weather right now & the next 5 days
Best season — highly recommended
Pleasant 8–25°C days, ideal for fort-hopping and walking tours. Peak festival season with Diwali, Christmas and the Republic Day parade (26 Jan). Book hotels early.
Hot — for budget travelers
Temperatures soar to 40–45°C. Sightseeing is best limited to early mornings and evenings, but hotel rates and crowds drop sharply. Carry water and sunscreen.
Humid with refreshing showers
Warm, humid days broken by heavy bursts of rain that green the gardens. Fewer tourists and lush parks, though occasional waterlogging can slow travel.
As the capital, Delhi is among the best-connected cities in the world.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India's busiest, with direct flights from across the globe and every major Indian city. The Airport Express Metro reaches the centre in ~20 minutes.
Three major stations — New Delhi (NDLS), Old Delhi (DLI) and Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) — link the city to the entire country. Fast trains reach Agra in ~1.5 hrs and Jaipur in ~4 hrs.
National highways and slick expressways connect Delhi to neighbouring states. Within the city, the clean, cheap Delhi Metro is by far the easiest way to get around.
Delhi is sprawling, but it's easy to navigate once you know your options.
Fast, cheap and air-conditioned, with lines reaching almost every sight. Buy a tourist smart card for unlimited rides.
Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Ola) are the easiest for door-to-door trips. For auto-rickshaws, insist on the meter or agree a fare first.
Old Delhi's lanes are best explored on foot or by cycle-rickshaw — the only way to weave through the bazaars of Chandni Chowk.
The Airport Express Metro links T3 to the centre in ~20 minutes. Pre-paid and app taxis are available 24/7 from all terminals.
Hour-by-hour plans that group sights by area to cut travel time. Start early to beat the heat and crowds; price any plan with the calculator below.
Leave the car behind — Old Delhi is metro (Chandni Chowk / Lal Qila) plus cycle-rickshaw.
A private cab/driver is easiest for the spread-out New Delhi sights.
Follow the classic two days above at a relaxed pace, adding the National Museum and a guided Old Delhi food walk.
Catch the 6am Gatimaan/Vande Bharat express (~100 min). Taj Mahal at sunrise, then Agra Fort; back by evening — or stay overnight.
Drive NH48 (~5–6 hrs). Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars — completing the Golden Triangle.
Add Rishikesh for the Ganges and yoga, or fly to Varanasi for a spiritual finale.
From backpacker hubs to leafy upscale enclaves — pick the area that matches your budget and pace.
The buzzing heart of New Delhi — colonial-era circles, shops and restaurants, superb metro links and mid-range to upscale hotels.
Best for: first-timers who want to be central.
Lively backpacker territory beside New Delhi station — cheap guesthouses, street food and easy onward train connections.
Best for: budget travelers & rail journeys.
Leafy neighbourhoods like Hauz Khas and Saket plus the airport's Aerocity — chic hotels, fine dining, cafés and nightlife.
Best for: comfort, dining & late flights.
Delhi is one of India's greatest food cities — a collision of Mughlai richness, Punjabi comfort food and centuries-old street snacks. Come hungry and eat at busy, popular stalls.
Tip: drink only bottled or filtered water and eat where there's a steady local crowd.
Delhi is the perfect launchpad for North India. These trips are all doable in a day or as an easy overnight.
The Taj Mahal & Agra Fort — the classic add-on, reachable by fast morning train.
The royal Pink City of forts and palaces — completes the Golden Triangle.
The birthplace of Lord Krishna — temples, ghats and joyous festivals.
A restored 15th-century fort-palace with ziplining — a popular weekend escape.
TourVila is a free guide — we don't sell tours or take payments. See what realistically fits in 2, 3 or 5 days and the approximate per-person cost, then check live prices and book directly with trusted travel sites.
Quick taster
What you'll fit in
Best for: layovers & quick stopovers
The sweet spot
What you'll fit in
Best for: first-time Delhi, comfortably
Delhi + nearby
What you'll fit in
Best for: Delhi plus a taste of nearby
Golden Triangle
What you'll fit in
Best for: the full first North-India trip
Compare every trip length — 2 days & up
Comfort level, per person, approximate · excludes flights. Prices follow the currency switcher (bottom-left).
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Tour packages in Delhi
Tours, tickets & reviews in Delhi
Trains & official
Prices are approximate ranges for guidance only and vary by season, group size and availability. Links lead to independent third-party websites; TourVila is not affiliated with them and does not process bookings or payments.
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Sightseeing & activities (per person)
Daily costs (per person × nights)
Diwali (Oct/Nov) — the festival of lights, when the whole city glows with lamps.
Republic Day (26 Jan) — India's grand parade down Kartavya Path.
Holi (March) — the joyous festival of colours.
Qutub Festival (Nov/Dec) — classical music against the floodlit Qutub Minar.
Two to three days are ideal to cover the major monuments of Old and New Delhi at a comfortable pace. Add a day for day trips or deeper food and market experiences.
October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant. Avoid the peak summer heat of May–June when temperatures can exceed 45°C.
It varies hugely with your style. Use our free cost calculator above to build your own estimate, or compare ready-made packages from trusted travel sites.
The Delhi Metro is fast, cheap and tourist-friendly. For door-to-door comfort, hire a private car and driver for sightseeing — many packages include this.
Absolutely — Delhi is the starting point of the classic Golden Triangle. See our Packages page to combine all three cities in 6–7 days.
Estimate your cost in seconds, or compare ready-made packages from trusted travel sites.
