Riding the Delhi Metro: the Best Way to Get Around
Most visitors are surprised to find out that Delhi has a fantastic metro system. It’s actually one of the best metro systems in the world.
It’s also cheap, clean, easy to use, and it goes everywhere. I live in Delhi and take the metro all the time. This is a city of 33 million people with terrible traffic – the metro is the lifeline of the city.
I have a lot experience riding the Delhi Metro and will tell you exactly how to use it. But you don’t really need to read an article – everything is in English and it’s very user friendly.
Riding the Delhi Metro: The Best Way to Get Around
There are times when the metro is not the best way to get around Delhi. It’s fantastic for longer distances, or if you’re really close to a station and just need to go a few stops. But if you’re only going a short distance it sometimes makes more sense to hop in an auto rickshaw. They’re cheap too.
I often use auto rickshaws to get me to the metro station, or from the metro station to where I need to be. The auto rickshaw/metro combination works well to get you door to door.
Delhi Metro Hours of Operation & Fares
The Delhi metro runs between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm every day.
Single fares range from INR 10 to INR 60 depending on distance. Metro card users and off peak travel get a 10% discount. Children under 3 feet tall travel free.
The Delhi Metro Network
Currently the metro is 393 km long and has 288 stations. The first lines started operating in 2002 and it is constantly being expanded. It is forecast to be the third largest metro network in the world by end of 2026.
The Delhi metro is differently-abled friendly with elevators, extra wide pay gates, ramps, tactile paths, handrails along stairs and accessible toilets.
It’s environmentally friendly system and has won many awards for its green initiative.
Free App for the Delhi Metro & Planning Your Route
Delhi Metro Rail has an app you can load onto your smart phone to help navigate the system. The most helpful features are the interactive route map and the route finder.
There is also a route planner on the official Delhi metro website.
How to Use the Delhi Metro
Here’s exactly how to use the Delhi Metro. Don’t worry about it being in Hindi – the entire system is also in English.
The Delhi Metro is Colour Coded
Everything on the Delhi Metro is colour coded making it easy to navigate.
Train lines are named by colour and each train has a coloured stripe on the exterior indicating which line it operates on. Directional signs and footprints painted on the floors are colour coded, and pink signs and seats indicate carriages for women only.
It’s nearly impossible to get lost on the Delhi Metro.
Buying the Fare – Tokens and Metro Cards
You can pay for your fare with tokens or a metro card. Both of these can be purchased at the ticket windows or automated machines in the station.
Metro cards must initially be purchased from the ticket window, but can then be topped up using the automated ticket machines.
I have always used cash at the metro. The Delhi Metro does accept credit and debit cards, but they may not accept foreign credit or debit cards. Not all Indian government sites do.
Tokens
Tokens are valid for a single, one way journey and must be used on the day of purchase. The token must be used at the station purchased, which means you cannot buy two and use one later for the return trip.
Tell the clerk which station you are traveling to and they will issue you a single journey token. If using the ticket machine, just enter the name of the station and it will calculate your fare and issue the token.
Metro Card (Smart Card)
If you are planning to use the metro more than two or three times I recommend getting a Smart card. It’s more convenient than buying a token for each trip, and enables you to enter all gates of the metro, not just the ones with ticket windows or machines.
There is a INR 50 refundable deposit for the card and you have to put INR 200 on it initially. After that it can be topped up by INR 100s to a maximum of INR 3000. Any balance remaining is completely refundable minus a INR 5 processing fee.
Tourist Card
I don’t recommend getting a tourist card. It’s just not a great deal, and is limited on use. You can’t use it on the airport express line, or rapid metro Gurugram and the Aqua line (Noida-Greater Noida).
The regular Smart card is cheaper and more versatile.
If you still want a tourist card, they are available for 1 day (INR 200) or 3 day (INR 500) with unlimited metro rides.
This includes the INR 50 refundable deposit for the card. Unused balances are not refundable on a tourist card.
Security at the Delhi Metro
Before entering the paid zone, all riders must go through security. There are separate lines for men and women.
Bags and purses have to go through a scanner, and riders must walk through a metal detector and be wanded. The lineups are sometimes long, but they move fast.
Place anything you’re carrying on the security conveyer belt (just like at the airport). You don’t need to remove electronic devices or anything from your bags. Just put them down as they are. I don’t leave my mobile in my bag, I carry it with me.
Then go through the metal detector and pause so the security officer can scan you. You do not need to remove anything.
Usually men’s is on the right, and women’s is on the left. The women’s security area is sectioned off for modesty and policed by female security guards.
Then pick up your bags and make your way toward the platforms. It sounds lengthy, but it moves fast.
Paying and Getting to the Platform
To pay your fare, scan your metro card or token on the reader at the top of the automated fare collection machine. If you’re using a metro card, the reader will display the remaining balance. Immediately go through when the flaps open.
Follow the directional signs and make your way to the train platform. Keep your token or metro card handy because you will need to scan it again to exit the metro system.
Exiting the Delhi Metro
Before exiting the metro, you have to scan your Smart card or drop your token into the automated fare collection machine. You do not need to go through security again.
Most stations have multiple entrance and exit gates that will be well signed. It’s very helpful to know which gate to exit so you can avoid unnecessarily having to cross the busy Delhi streets.
I often use Google maps to show me which end of the station I should exit, and which side of the street. It doesn’t work flawlessly, but it helps.
Using the Metro with Auto Rickshaws for Door to Door Transit
This is what locals do, and I also do it often. If I’m not close to a metro station, I grab an auto rickshaw outside (or order one using Uber), and take it to the metro station. I use the metro, then take another auto rickshaw from the metro station to my destination.
There are always auto rickshaws outside metro stations, so they’re easy to find.
What is Not Allowed on the Delhi Metro
Sharp objects are not allowed on the Delhi metro. I was with a seamstress friend of mine and her fabric shears were nearly confiscated. Security let her keep them, but I think this was because she was a foreigner and managed to explain the situation in broken Hindi.
Pets are not allowed on the Delhi metro. As a small dog owner, this is the only thing I don’t like about the metro. My life would be so much easier (and cheaper) if my dog could ride the metro!
Photography and eating is also prohibited. As of June 30, 2023, passengers are permitted to bring up to 2 unopened bottles of alcohol on the metro.
Women’s Carriages
Each train has a women’s only carriage. It is the first carriage in the direction the train is moving.
If you are a woman traveling without a male companion, I recommend riding in these carriages. They are not as busy, and you won’t end up in a crowded carriage with mostly men.
The location of the women’s carriage is easy to spot on the platform, just look for the bright pink sign with flowers.
If you’re a man and you find yourself in a carriage with all pink seats, you’re in the women’s carriage. Walk through the carriage to the next one as quickly as possible.
If you’re a foreigner you’ll probably be forgiven, but if you’re an Indian man who should know better, you will be harshly redirected and scolded by the female passengers.
As a female I have always felt completely safe riding the Delhi metro, another reason it’s the best way to get around Delhi.
Is the Delhi Metro Safe?
Yes, the Delhi Metro is safe. I have used it extensively for years and so have many of my local and foreign friends.
However, if you’re female I recommend using the ladies only carriage and not riding the metro at night. The latest I’ve taken it is probably 8 pm and it’s been fine.
The Delhi Metro is a modern, well maintained system. There’s security and cameras everywhere. Crime on the metro is very rare.
Airport Express Line
It’s easy to get to all terminals of the airport using the metro. The Orange Line is the Airport Express Line and it stops at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 3.
The Airport Express Line operate from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm daily. It takes 23 minutes to travel from New Delhi station to the airport.
You can use a regular metro card and the fare is INR 10 – INR 60, depending on which station you board at. There are racks for luggage.
If you are flying out of Terminal 2 you can easily walk there from Terminal 3. It’s well signed and less than 5 minutes. There are also shuttle buses.
If you are traveling to Terminal 1, the Airport Express line does not stop there. Instead, take the Magenta line to T-1 IGI Airport station.
For all options on how to get to Delhi from the airport, see this guide on getting into Delhi from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Which Metro Stations are Closest to the Train Stations
Delhi has five major train stations. If you are taking a day trip or travelling to your next destination, chances are you will travel from one of these stations:
- Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI) – Chandni Chowk metro station (Yellow Line)
- New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) – New Delhi metro station (junction of Yellow and Orange Lines)
- Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) – Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station (Pink Line)
- Anand Vihar Railway Station (ANVT) – Anand Vihar metro station (junction of Pink and Blue Lines)
Visit the Metro Museum
The Patel Chowk metro station (on the Yellow Line) is home to the Metro Museum. I wouldn’t make a special trip just to see the museum, but it’s worth a look if you’re traveling on the Yellow Line.
The most surprising thing I learned at the museum was that the metro system was constructed in accordance with Vedic Hindu principles, though this really shouldn’t be surprising given how spiritual India is.
The museum is open 10:00 am – 11:00 pm daily. Admission is free if you’re traveling on the metro, or INR 10 if you aren’t.
Last Words on Riding the Delhi Metro: the Best Way to Get Around
Now you are ready to ride the Delhi Metro like a pro and get everywhere you need to go easily. You shouldn’t need any more convincing about why riding the metro is the best way to get around Delhi, but did I mention it’s air conditioned?
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