First Time in Delhi Survival Guide

Is it your first time in Delhi? Travelling to Delhi for the first time is an unforgettable experience. Most visitors find India’s capital city overwhelming, but it is manageable.

I lived in Delhi for several years, and still return regularly for extended stays. The advice in this article will transform your first visit to Delhi into a positive experience.

Delhi can be noisy, crowded, smelly, and confusing. But it is also a fascinating city with so much history and culture. Delhi will captivate you if you give it a chance.

First Time in Delhi Survival Guide

Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world, and together with its status as the capital of India, it is a place like no other on earth.

In this first time visitor survival guide, I’m going to cover everything to help you plan and have a great first visit to Delhi.

When to Visit Delhi if it’s Your First Time

February, March, October and November is the best time to visit Delhi, especially for a first time visitor. Temperatures are pleasant and pollution levels are lower in these months.

The summer and monsoon months are very hot and humid, and most people avoid going out during the day. Temperatures can reach over 45°C in May and June.

December and January are cool and foggy, with increased levels of pollution. Most places do not have central heating, just electric or oil heaters. It can get chilly indoors as temperatures go down to the single digits.

Read my guide to visiting Delhi in winter if you’re planning to come at that time.

Where to Stay in Delhi if it’s Your First Time

The best areas to stay in for a first time visitor are South Delhi or Central Delhi up to Connaught Place. Most of Delhi’s top places to visit are in these areas, and it’s where the best hotels are.

Avoid Paharganj and Old Delhi. Paharganj is the backpacker area, full of cheap hotels. It is dirty, congested, noisy and has a higher crime rate. Old Delhi is enormously important historically and you should visit, but don’t stay there.

I don’t understand why anyone would recommend a first time visitor stay in Paharganj or Old Delhi. There are much safer and better located budget options in my suggestions.

If you’re looking for budget lodging, here are the best budget places in Delhi for tourists.

These are the best places to stay in Delhi, whether it’s your first or tenth trip:

• The Imperial Hotel, New Delhi (luxury): Beautiful heritage hotel full of charm and character. Excellent location for first time visitors on Janpath within walking distance of numerous sites, restaurants, shops and Connaught Place. A very walkable area. This is my favourite Delhi hotel. From $300 USD.

• Hotel Palace Heights: (mid-range) Small hotel located right in the centre of Connaught Place. This location is busier with lots of foot traffic, but it does quiet down at night. Easy to navigate area with shops, restaurants and the Delhi metro just outside the door. From $80 USD.

• Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (budget): Family run guest house in a residential neighbourhood of Hauz Khas, South Delhi. Immaculately clean. A local market with amenities and the Delhi metro are a short walk away. Great location to explore Delhi from. From $65 USD (breakfast included).

• YWCA International Guest House: (budget) Amazing location in Connaught Place, close to many 5 star hotels. The hotel is no-frills, but rooms are large, clean, have AC and ensuite bathrooms. It’s the best deal in this area, which is one of the most exclusive in Delhi. From $37 USD (breakfast included).

For more suggestions, see this detailed article on which areas and hotels to stay in Delhi for every budget.

Should You Stay by the Airport?

I don’t recommend staying near the airport unless you are flying out again the next day.

Aerocity hotels are very convenient for the airport, but they’re 16 km from the centre of Delhi. It can take an hour or more by car or metro to get into the centre.

How to Get from the Airport into Delhi

The most important tip I can give you is to ignore anyone who approaches you outside the airport terminal. They are all touts, and many tourists have been scammed.

This is how to get into Delhi from the Indira Gandhi International Airport:

• Book a private transfer through your hotel or guest house. It’s the most expensive, but convenient option. Drivers wait inside or just outside the terminal.
• Welcome Pickups airport transfer service. Drivers speak English and monitor your flight. Very convenient.
• Pre-paid taxi with Mega Cabs or Meru Cabs. Booths are located on the first ‘island’ across the roadway when you exit the terminal. Cost is about INR 800 ($8.50 USD) to the centre.
• Uber or Ola ride share apps. The pick up point is in the parking garage across from the terminal exits. Make sure you select the correct terminal for pick-up. The pick-up area is a bit chaotic, so watch for your car.
• Delhi metro airport express line. The airport metro station is beside terminal 3. You can buy tickets from the ticket machine.

Getting WiFi or a Data SIM Card in Delhi

You can get a tourist SIM card at the airport when you arrive. There is an Airtel kiosk in arrivals at Terminal 3, before the exit.

The last time I did this there was a crowd and it took a while, but it’s way easier getting it at the airport than in Delhi. Airtel is one of the best cell providers. I was in Delhi 3 months last time, and would just go into a local Airtel shop to top it up each month.

India has excellent WiFi, and data is inexpensive. I paid around 400 INR for a month with lots of data in 2025 (after the initial purchase at the airport, where they charge a premium).

If you didn’t get a SIM card at the airport head to a Reliance Jio, Vi or Airtel shop to get a pre-paid SIM card. Be prepared to provide your passport, a passport size photo, entry visa and possibly proof of residence or where you’re staying. It should be activated while you are in the shop.

ATMs and Exchanging Money if It’s Your First Time in Delhi

I think the most convenient way to get money is through an ATM, but I’ll also tell you how to exchange cash.

ATMs in Delhi

ATMs are everywhere and often give the best conversion rates. Some ATMs give the option “with or without conversion.” Always select WITHOUT conversion. That way the conversion is done at your bank, usually with a better rate.

Not all ATMS take foreign cards – look for an ATM with the logo of an international banking system like Cirrus, Maestro, AMEX or Visa. Transaction fees also vary bank to bank. I usually use HDFC or ICICI bank machines.

Many ATMs only allow a withdrawal of INR 10,000 at a time. You can withdraw more, but have to do it in multiple transactions.

Where to Exchange Cash in Delhi

Avoid banks and hotels, which have terrible rates. Forex Money Exchange has a number of locations across Delhi. You can check their daily rate here: Forex Money Exchange website.

For cash exchanges I use these two places which both have competitive rates:

• Damini Money Changer: M Block Market, GK1 (don’t ask me why, but he sells perfume too) 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, closed Sunday
• Tradex Financial Services: L-4, Connaught Place (next to Haldiram’s) 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, closed Sunday

Can You Use Digital Payments in Delhi?

Digital payments are widely used in Delhi, but you need a local SIM and Indian bank account. So, generally speaking digital payments are not an option for tourists.

How to Get Around Delhi if it’s Your First Time

Considering how large and populated Delhi is (33 million), it’s remarkably easy to get around. There are several ways that are good for Delhi first time visitors: the Delhi metro, auto rickshaws and Uber.

Using Uber in Delhi

Uber and Ola (India’s version of Uber) are widely used all across Delhi. I prefer Uber because almost every time I use Ola the price increases during the ride.

Both have apps you download onto your phone. You’ll need data to use them, so pick up a SIM card at the airport when you arrive.

The Delhi Metro

First time visitors in Delhi are always surprised at how good the metro is. It’s a newer system and has won lots of awards. Don’t hesitate to use it. The Delhi metro is bilingual in English and Hindi.

Delhi’s metro goes everywhere, and is by far the most efficient way to move around. It’s cheap, user friendly and clean. The first car in the moving direction is reserved for women only. For door to door service, I take an auto rickshaw to and from the metro station.

For more information and photos, see my complete guide on how to use the Delhi metro.

Auto Rickshaws

If it’s your first time in Delhi, you will notice auto rickshaws or tuk tuks are widely used. They are an excellent option for shorter distances, or getting you from the metro station to your hotel or vice versa.

Always negotiate the price before getting in and expect to pay between INR 50-80 for a few kilometres. Prices go up at night, if it’s raining, or if there are several passengers.

Auto rickshaws are always outside metro stations, markets, malls and Delhi’s monuments and attractions.

Local Buses

Delhi has a vast system of local buses, but I don’t recommend you use them. They can get extremely crowded and are not safe for women, especially after dark. If you look inside a Delhi bus, you’ll see most of the passengers are men.

Between the metro and auto rickshaws, it’s very unlikely you would need a bus. I’ve never taken one, and I’ve been all over Delhi.

Hiring a Private Driver

The easiest way to hire a driver for the day is to ask your hotel or guest house to arrange it. It can make getting around Delhi much easier.

Here’s what you should know before hiring a driver: it’s the most expensive option, there will still be traffic, and some drivers will steer you to shops and restaurants where they earn a commission.

Here’s what I do if I need a car for a day: I book an Uber for 6-8 hours with multiple stops. The cars are not as nice as private drivers, but it’s a lot cheaper and does the same thing.

How to Dress in Delhi for First Time Visitors

India is a conservative country in many aspects and this pertains to clothing. Men can pretty much wear what they want, but women should dress modestly.

Here’s more detailed information on what to wear in Delhi and a packing list.

Wear clothing that covers knees and shoulders, and definitely no cleavage. In clubs and bars clothing is much less conservative, and almost anything is acceptable there.

If you’re going to be in India for a few weeks, it’s smart to purchase a few kurtas and loose cotton pants. They are the most comfortable in hot weather, and you’ll blend in more easily.

Central Market Lajpat Nagar is one of the best and cheapest markets in Delhi for Indian clothing.

Ladies, buy a dupatta and keep it with you. A dupatta is very handy for covering your head in mosques or gurudwaras, covering shoulders or chest, and using as a face mask if you end up on a scooter or motorcycle.

How Expensive is Delhi?

Delhi can be extremely expensive or very cheap, depending on your choices. There is extreme wealth and poverty here, and services for both ends of the spectrum.

And while there is exorbitant wealth in the city, the per capita income in 2025 was under $5,500 USD per annum. It’s easy to do everything on a budget in Delhi – food, transportation, shopping and accommodation in Delhi.

	Budget	Expensive
Tea/Coffee	$0.15 (chai wala on the street)	$3.00 (Starbucks)
Meal	$5.00 (vegetarian meal at a casual sit-in place like Kake Da Hotel in CP)	$45.00 (luxury restaurant like Spice Route in the Imperial Hotel)
Transportation	$1.00 (Delhi metro across city trip)	$10.00 (Uber across city trip)
Accommodation	$30.00 (Bed & Chai Guesthouse, 2 star)	$250.00 (Shangri-La Eros, 5 star)
Site/Attraction	Many are free, particularly those off the beaten path	$7.50 (admission at the Red Fort, a UNESCO site)

Tipping in Delhi

It is common practice to tip in Delhi, but not on everything. Tip amounts depend on the level of service received and personal preference.

Generally speaking, at a sit down restaurant, a hairdresser or other personal care service a 10% tip is appropriate. Some restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically, so check before leaving a tip.

There is no need to tip street food and chai vendors or auto rickshaw drivers, though I sometimes tip the auto rickshaw driver if he was extra nice or helpful.

When taking Uber, you could round up the figure if you want to leave a small tip. If using a private driver for a full day, an INR 500 tip is appropriate.

Is Delhi Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

The truth is Delhi does have a reputation for being unsafe for women, and it’s not totally without merit. But solo females can do a lot to keep safe.

I lived alone in Delhi and travelled to and from Delhi and around Delhi extensively. I still spend time there every year. So, I know what I’m talking about. I’ve never had an issue – but I’m careful.

During the day Delhi is safe. You can ride the metro, explore, take auto rickshaws and be a tourist. That’s not the case at night. At night you shouldn’t go anywhere alone. Not even one block down the street. If you’re going out, use a trackable ride share app, like Uber or Ola.

Is it Safe to Eat Delhi Street Food?

The quick answer is yes, but you have to keep a few things in mind.

Delhi has a thriving street food scene, and first time visitors should experience it. This is one of the best things about Delhi, and a quintessential Delhi experience.

I love street food and eat it every chance I get. Many times, tourists have stood around watching me eat street food – but they’re afraid to try it. Big mistake! Street food is super fresh, delicious and cheap!

The golden rules for eating street food in Delhi are:

• No street food in monsoon or summer when food spoils quickly.
• Nothing with water, like gol gappa or flavoured, crushed ice.
• No meat – unless it’s one of the famous spots in Old Delhi where they have very high turnover.
• Wash your hands or use sanitizer wipes.
• Choose kiosks that are busy and have a steady stream of customers.

For more tips and information, see how to eat local and stay healthy.

How First Time Visitors Can Stay Healthy in Delhi

First of all, Delhi has world class medical and dental care. Better than what I’ve experienced in Canada. I prefer to get most of my medical and dental work done there.

Facilities and professionals are top notch, and it’s extremely inexpensive compared to Canada, USA and Europe. That being said, you should have travel health insurance, just in case.

• Get the right vaccines before arriving in India. Check the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website for up to date information on recommended vaccines. Carry the vaccine certificates with you, especially yellow fever which is mandatory if arriving from certain countries. I have been asked for evidence of this at Delhi immigration.

• Do not drink tap water or water that may not be bottled or filtered. Delhi water is not safe to drink. Better restaurants, hotels and many Airbnbs have filtered water. Stick to bottled water while out and make sure the top is sealed. Do not drink anything with ice cubes (unless they were made with filtered water).

• Use mosquito repellent. Mosquitos in India can carry dengue and Chikungunya. Odomos is a good local brand repellent that comes in spray or cream form and is widely available.

• Stay hydrated. Delhi can be very hot, temperatures soar to 45°C (113°F) in the summer. It’s important to carry water and drink it.

• Prescription drugs and non-prescription medicines are easy to find. Delhi has lots of pharmacies, but you may need to provide the generic name of the medicine (ibuprofen instead of Advil, for example). Medicine is inexpensive.

General Travel Tips for First Time Visitors in Delhi

• Keep small bills on you. You’ll need them for small purchases and auto rickshaw drivers.
• Ignore touts and unsolicited offers. Just keep walking. They are especially bad around Connaught Place and major tourists sites.
• Be prepared for beggars and ignore them. This includes child beggars. Begging is organized in Delhi (crime cartel).
• Do not drink the tap water. Stick to bottled or filtered water.
• Bring the right power adapter. India uses C, D, and M type electrical outlets and electrical voltage is 230V.
• Many monuments and attraction have different prices and line-ups for foreigners. Prices are higher, but the line-up is shorter.

Last Words on First Time in Delhi Survival Guide

Delhi can feel very overwhelming when you first arrive. The airport is calm and quiet, and then you step outside and it’s pandemonium! But Delhi has so much to offer a first time visitor, if you give it chance.

This is a city that grows on you over time, as you start to appreciate everything there is to see and experience.

Also Recommended:

• 29 Amazing Things to Do in Delhi By a Local
• The Perfect One Day in Delhi: An Insider’s Guide
• How to Avoid Delhi Belly While Eating Everywhere in India’s Capital
• Best Things to do in Delhi at Night
• Golden Triangle India: How to Do It On Your Own

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