The ultimate guide to getting around Delhi

19.07.2024 - 08:24 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 18, 2024 • 5 min read

Delhi is a mega city, home to 33 million people, with all the sprawl, congestion and transport madness that implies. While the old city – where many of the major historical sights are located – is best tackled on foot, you’ll need to get familiar with Delhi’s efficient metro, as well as using rideshares, cars and autorickshaws, if you want to see all that the city has to offer.

Old Delhi’s sights are nicely concentrated and best visited on foot; it’s fascinating to wander the bustling lanes in any case. If you’re worried about getting lost (which is a valid worry!), there are lots of guided walking tours on offer, including options that provide employment to former street kids, such as those run by Street Connections .

Once you get beyond the historic quarter of old Shahjahanabad, walking is not really an option. However Delhi’s massive metro is fast and efficient, with information in Hindi and English. The first carriage is reserved for women only – look out for the pink sign on the platform.

Some metro stations are large and crowded, but if you have to change line, look for the colored footprints on the ground that match the line you need, then just follow them to the correct platform.

Tip for taking the metro: Buy a Smart Card rather than a Tourist Card. These are generally better value and, unlike Tourist Cards, Smart Cards can be used on the Airport Express.

There was a time when one of the most fraught aspects of travel in Delhi was the constant need to haggle with autorickshaw drivers for a ride. Thankfully, in recent years rideshare apps have revolutionized transport in India’s major cities.

You can use Uber and Ola for both autorickshaws and cars. These offer cheaper rates and eliminate the need to haggle, keep small notes to pay drivers and explain where you’re going.

However, there are a couple of catches. The first is that you need an Indian SIM card to use rideshares. There’s a bit of paperwork involved in getting a SIM and it’s easiest to do this at the airport before you leave the arrivals hall. If you need to get a SIM card in the city, you’re best advised to organize it through your hotel as you need a local contact to verify your application.

The second catch is that sometimes the driver will call to check the pickup location, which can be tricky if you don't speak Hindi.

Similar to tuk-tuks in Southeast Asia, autorickshaws are three-wheeled motorised vehicles with a tin or canvas roof and sides, usually with room for two passengers (although you’ll often see many more squeezed in) and limited luggage. They are also referred to as autos, scooters and riks.

Autorickshaws are typically around half the price of a taxi. They usually have a meter, but