Getting to New Delhi: Airport and Transport Guide

TLDR

Getting to New Delhi is straightforward. This guide covers every transfer option , taxis, public transport, shared shuttles, and private transfers , with current prices and journey times.

From Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Terminal 3 handles all international arrivals and most full-service domestic flights. Terminal 1 handles IndiGo and SpiceJet domestic. Free DIAL shuttle buses run between terminals every 20 minutes (free with a same-day boarding pass).

The Airport Express Metro (Orange Line) is the fastest budget option to central Delhi. From T3, the train runs every 10 to 15 minutes from 4:45 AM to 11:30 PM, costs 60 INR, and reaches New Delhi Railway Station in 19 minutes. From there, Hotel Metro Heights is an 8 minute walk down Arakashan Road. Full timetable on delhimetrorail.com.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing from the Airport

The official prepaid taxi counter is in the arrivals hall after baggage claim. To Paharganj it is 500 to 600 INR for a sedan, paid by card or cash before you leave the counter. The driver gets the receipt; never hand it over until you arrive.

Uber and Ola work fine. Pickup point is the dedicated app-cab zone at Gate 6 (T3) or the multi-level car park (T1). Expect 350 to 500 INR to Paharganj, 600 to 900 INR with surge during 11 PM to 2 AM. Avoid the touts in arrivals offering ‘cheap taxi’; they charge double and detour to commission shops.

Arriving at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)

If you are training in from elsewhere in India, NDLS is the closest mainline station to Hotel Metro Heights. Use the Ajmeri Gate side (south exit) and walk 8 minutes via the Arakashan Road footbridge. The Paharganj side (north exit) is closer but the lane around it is chaotic.

Auto-rickshaws from NDLS to the hotel should be 60 to 80 INR. Use the prepaid auto stand on Ajmeri Gate side (50 INR fixed). Cycle rickshaws are charming but the road is too busy for them at peak hours.

Inter-State Bus Terminals

Kashmere Gate ISBT is the main long-distance bus station, 30 minutes by metro yellow line from Hotel Metro Heights (change at Rajiv Chowk). Anand Vihar ISBT serves Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand routes (45 minutes by blue line). Sarai Kale Khan ISBT handles Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh routes (35 minutes by violet line via Mandi House).

Volvo AC buses to Manali, Dharamshala, and Jaipur leave in the evening for overnight runs. Tickets are 800 to 1,800 INR depending on the route. Book on the official RedBus app or directly at the Kashmere Gate counter.

Getting Around New Delhi Once You Arrive

The Delhi Metro covers most tourist areas (Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate). A single-journey token is 10 to 60 INR. The Delhi Metro Smart Card costs 50 INR refundable plus a 100 INR top-up; it gives a 10 percent discount and saves queue time.

Auto-rickshaws should run on the meter (25 INR for the first 1.5 km, then 8 INR per additional km). Drivers often try to negotiate a flat fare with foreigners. Insist on the meter or use Uber Auto for transparent pricing. Cycle rickshaws are useful for Chandni Chowk lanes (60 to 100 INR for short hops).

From Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Terminal 3 handles all international arrivals and most full-service domestic flights. Terminal 1 handles IndiGo and SpiceJet domestic. Free DIAL shuttle buses run between terminals every 20 minutes (free with a same-day boarding pass).

The Airport Express Metro (Orange Line) is the fastest budget option to central Delhi. From T3, the train runs every 10 to 15 minutes from 4:45 AM to 11:30 PM, costs 60 INR, and reaches New Delhi Railway Station in 19 minutes. From there, Hotel Metro Heights is an 8 minute walk down Arakashan Road. Full timetable on delhimetrorail.com.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing from the Airport

The official prepaid taxi counter is in the arrivals hall after baggage claim. To Paharganj it is 500 to 600 INR for a sedan, paid by card or cash before you leave the counter. The driver gets the receipt; never hand it over until you arrive.

Uber and Ola work fine. Pickup point is the dedicated app-cab zone at Gate 6 (T3) or the multi-level car park (T1). Expect 350 to 500 INR to Paharganj, 600 to 900 INR with surge during 11 PM to 2 AM. Avoid the touts in arrivals offering ‘cheap taxi’; they charge double and detour to commission shops.

Arriving at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)

If you are training in from elsewhere in India, NDLS is the closest mainline station to Hotel Metro Heights. Use the Ajmeri Gate side (south exit) and walk 8 minutes via the Arakashan Road footbridge. The Paharganj side (north exit) is closer but the lane around it is chaotic.

Auto-rickshaws from NDLS to the hotel should be 60 to 80 INR. Use the prepaid auto stand on Ajmeri Gate side (50 INR fixed). Cycle rickshaws are charming but the road is too busy for them at peak hours.

Inter-State Bus Terminals

Kashmere Gate ISBT is the main long-distance bus station, 30 minutes by metro yellow line from Hotel Metro Heights (change at Rajiv Chowk). Anand Vihar ISBT serves Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand routes (45 minutes by blue line). Sarai Kale Khan ISBT handles Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh routes (35 minutes by violet line via Mandi House).

Volvo AC buses to Manali, Dharamshala, and Jaipur leave in the evening for overnight runs. Tickets are 800 to 1,800 INR depending on the route. Book on the official RedBus app or directly at the Kashmere Gate counter.

Getting Around New Delhi Once You Arrive

The Delhi Metro covers most tourist areas (Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate). A single-journey token is 10 to 60 INR. The Delhi Metro Smart Card costs 50 INR refundable plus a 100 INR top-up; it gives a 10 percent discount and saves queue time.

Auto-rickshaws should run on the meter (25 INR for the first 1.5 km, then 8 INR per additional km). Drivers often try to negotiate a flat fare with foreigners. Insist on the meter or use Uber Auto for transparent pricing. Cycle rickshaws are useful for Chandni Chowk lanes (60 to 100 INR for short hops).

You might also find these useful: Best Day Trips from New Delhi, Best Restaurants in New Delhi: Where to Eat, Best Time to Visit New Delhi: Month by Month Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions