New Delhi, nothing can prepare you for a city like this: the sound of tuk-tuk horns, the smells of spices from the stalls, and the bustle from the crowds at the main sights like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. As an adventurous traveler, it’s everything you could ask for in a destination.
For a capital city, you would think New Delhi would be more expensive than it is, but it’s far from it. In this budget travel guide, we’ll show you how to take an affordable trip to New Delhi and enjoy your getaway comfortably without spending a fortune.
How to Get From New Delhi International Airport to the City Center
New Delhi only has one international airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport, located around 12 kilometers from the main center. As a tourist, you’ll have a few transport options available to make your way into the city, including bus, metro, taxi, or Uber.
If your accommodation is near a metro line, this will be the fastest option as the ride only takes about 20 minutes to get into the center. After you’ve got through passport control, you’ll need to head to the metro station and take the Airport Express Metro. They run every 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day, and tickets cost INR 60 (€0.64); pretty cheap, right?
Riding on the bus into the city will take a little longer than the metro due to traffic and all the stops it makes before it reaches the center. Usually, the journey takes around 45 minutes, but don’t hold me to that one; anything is possible in Delhi. The bus company that operates the service is called the Delhi Transport Company (DTC). They depart every 30 minutes, and tickets cost INR 15 (€0.16) to ride the non-AC bus and INR 25 (€0.27) for the AC bus.
Taxis are available from the airport, but I advise you to take an Uber instead because it’s cheaper. There’s a dedicated ridesharing app rank where you’ll have to walk to get picked up; it will be signposted when you enter the arrivals section. Fare prices vary based on the location where you want to get dropped off, but they usually start at around INR 250 (€2.68).
How to Enjoy New Delhi on the Cheap
Experience the Chaos at Chandi Chowk
Every trip to Delhi should start with a walk down Chandi Chowk; it’s one of the city’s oldest markets, dating back to the 17th century. When you first jump out of your tuk-tuk, it will be like a sensory overload. Picture vendors screaming ‘samosa, samosa’ for a couple of rupees, elaborate traditional dress shops on every corner, and buckets of cumin dominating your sense of smell; that’s Chandi Chowk for you.
While Chandi Chowk doesn’t have any distinct opening hours, most shops and stalls here open early and don’t close until late. It’s best to come after dark when the humidity dies down as it’s a bit more bearable and the crowds are even bigger, so you can experience it in its proper form.
Venture to See One of the Biggest Mosques in India, Jama Masjid
Set amongst the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi is the Jama Masjid, the city’s biggest mosque famed for its red sandstone-covered design. It was built between 1650 and 1656 by Shah Jahan, a Mughal Emporer known for constructing some of India’s most notable landmarks, including the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.
In total, the Jama Masjid can hold a whopping 25,000 people for prayer service; unfortunately, as a tourist, you won’t be able to witness this as there are rules in place against it. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; as long as no prayers are being held, you can enter for a small fee of INR 300 (€3.21). Both males and females have to cover up when they go inside; if you arrive without any coverings, they will give you long clothes, but you’ll have to pay INR 100 (€1.07) to borrow them. Be aware that there will be men outside telling you to take off your shoes, but when you return, they’ll ask you for a tip if you leave them there, so carry them with you instead.
Get Your Picture Taken at the Red Fort
Another of Shah Jahan’s finest developments is the Red Fort; it’s only a 15-minute walk from the Jama Masjid, so you can easily squeeze visits to both in one outing. Shah Jahan constructed the Red Fort to be the palace fort of what was the walled city of Shahjahanabad, but now it is Old Delhi.
When coming to the Red Fort, I recommend you get here as early as possible so you miss the crowds. This is mainly for weekends, as many Indians flock to Delhi on Saturdays and Sundays, so the demand for tickets will be higher.
Entry costs INR 500 (€5.35) for all foreigners, and if you want to use a video camera, an extra INR 25 (€0.27) fee will be added to your ticket. Even if you’re not too fussed about going inside the fort, you can catch a pretty nice view of it from the front gate without paying in.
Go and See the India Gate Light up Once It Gets Dark
Did you know New Delhi has its own version of Paris’s Arc-de-Triomphe? The India Gate is a 42-meter high archway situated in the Rajpath area that was established in memory of the Indian soldiers who passed away in WW2 battling alongside the British army.
The chances are, you’ll probably drive past the India gate at least once while you’re in the city unknowingly, but I suggest you head there at night to catch it when the floodlights are on. It’s often lit up in different colors, along with the fountains nearby; sometimes, they put the India flag on them, which is cool to see.
India Gate is completely free to enter; you’ll just need to pay for your ride there unless you walk. After you arrive, you’ll have to walk through a park from where the tuk-tuk drops you, but another road will separate you from India Gate. To get to the gate itself, you’ll have to look out for a set of steps nearby, which will take you down to an underpass leading to the landmark.
Pay a Visit to the National Gandhi Museum
Across the street from Raj Ghat is the National Gandhi Museum, a must-visit for all history buffs. This fascinating display has been set up to tell the story of the ‘father of the nation.’ It’s made up of five pavillions, each hosting a variety of artifacts, including personal diaries, photographs, books, and even the very glasses he once wore.
One part of the display that takes everyone by surprise is some of the evidence that was at the scene of his assassination. You’ll be able to see the actual bullets that were removed from his body on the day he was killed.
There’s no entry fee for visitors at the National Gandhi Museum; Delhi is back with the great free attractions once again! If you’re looking to pick up a souvenir, they do have a little gift shop onsite with lots of cool books and mementos related to Gandhi.
Learn About the Country’s Hindu Culture at Akshardham Temple
India is a country where 80% of the population practices Hinduism, so visiting at least one Hindu temple is essential while you’re in Delhi. Don’t just take my word for it; ask any local, and they’ll tell you the magnificent Akshardham Temple should be at the top of your list.
Opened in 2005, the spectacular sandstone and marble Mandir was constructed with the help of more than 8000 volunteers who came from different countries to assist with the building efforts. The temple stands at an impressive 43 meters tall and is a true masterpiece with nine massive domes, 234 pillars, 20,000 detailed statues, and 20 towering spires.
For an attraction as impressive as Akshardham Temple, you would think the tickets would be pricey, but there are no fees to enter. However, if you want to watch the light and fountain show, which starts just after sunset, you’ll have to pay an INR 95 (€1.02) fee.
While the grounds themselves stay open until 8 pm, the last entry is at 6:30 pm, and they’re strict on this, so get there on time to avoid disappointment. Similar to a lot of religious attractions in India, you must take your shoes off before you go inside, and no mobile phones are allowed there either.
Best Time to Visit New Delhi
Most tourists coming to New Delhi will choose to visit during the dry season between October and March. The monsoon rains have disappeared, and temperatures are moderate, with lows of 8°C during the winter (December and January) and highs of 34°C around September time, but this slowly decreases as the months go on. However, while all this is favorable, the city does get high levels of pollution around this time of year, so wearing a mask when you’re out in public is advised to avoid getting sick.
As April creeps in, temperatures start rising again in New Delhi with highs of up to 37°C, and they keep going higher further into the summer. The monsoon season kicks off around the end of June and lasts until the beginning of summer. The humidity is pretty intense around that time, and you’ll likely get heavy rain almost every day. So, don’t be too surprised if Mother Nature decides to shake up some of your plans during those months!
How Expensive Is New Delhi?
There’s no ifs or buts about it; New Delhi is as cheap as it gets when it comes to capital cities. Even when you compare it to other popular Asian cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, you can enjoy more for less here.
Many establishments accept debit and credit cards as a form of payment in New Delhi, but cash comes in handy when you’re buying bottled water in corner stores or eating at local restaurants. ATM fees in New Delhi vary greatly, but on average, you should expect to pay between INR 150 (€1.60) and 300 (€3.21) per withdrawal. However, you’ll notice that some ATMs will only let you withdraw INR 10,000 (€106.93) at once, so make sure you check out a couple of them to see which has the highest limit. If you can, I would advise you to bring some Euros or USD with you; there are plenty of exchange offices around the city that charge a low fee to exchange your money for Rupees. When exchanging money, make sure you count the amount you get back and that the rate is correct, just so you don’t fall victim to a scam.
Local currency – Indian Rupee (INR); €1 = INR 94
Dinner/lunch – Street food bites like Aloo Tikki INR 28 (€0.32) or a main course at a cheap local restaurant INR 281 (€3)
Coffee – Between INR 94 (€1) and INR 281 (€3)
Beer – INR 94 (€1) and INR 281 (€3), but prices can be much higher in fancy bars
Wine – Around INR 328 (€3.50)
Hostel dorm (8 bed) – 468 (€5) a night
Cheap hotel/apartment – INR 1310 (€14)
Plan Your Escape to New Delhi Today
Our New Delhi guide has come to a close. One thing you can’t take away from the Indian capital is its affordability for travelers. Think low-cost accommodation in central locations like Connaught Place, free attractions such as the Akshardham Temple, and tasty street eats like samosas that are for little or nothing.
If you were on a tight budget, you could easily get by on INR 1864 (€20) per day. Those who like a bit more comfort will be able to travel easily on INR 3727 (€40). Regardless, your cash will likely stretch further here than in your home country.