Layover in Delhi: How to Maximize Your Time 2026
If you have a 6 hour or more layover in Delhi, you can leave the airport and do something. While there’s plenty to do at the airport, nothing beats getting out and actually seeing a bit of the city.
I lived in Delhi for years and know exactly what you can do in a limited amount of time. Whether you have 6, 8, 10 or 24 hours, I’ve got suggestions so you can experience a bit of Delhi.
How to Maximize a Long Layover in Delhi
There are plenty of things to do on a long layover in Delhi. I’ve organized them by how much time you have.
Before You Leave the Airport
Before leaving the airport consider these things:
- Make Sure You Have a Visa: You’ll need a visa to exit the airport. Only citizens of Japan, South Korea and the UAE qualify for visa on arrival, so most travellers have to arrange one before their layover. The best way to get one is through India Visa Online, the official government website.
- Get Some Local Currency: There are ATMs and currency exchange in the arrivals hall, but the ATMs don’t always work. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere, it’s imperative to have some Indian rupees.
- You Need at Least 6 Hours: Delhi is a really big city with terrible traffic, so getting around takes time. You also need to allow enough time to return to the airport and go through security. Indira Gandhi International Airport recommends arriving 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic flight.
Things to Do on a 6 Hour Layover in Delhi
With only 6 hours, I recommend staying close to the airport. These are the best options:
1. Mangal Mahadev Birla Kanan – Shivaji Murti
If you’re just over the 6 hour layover threshold, this is best spot. It’s right beside the airport and you can get there in about 10 minutes by Uber or pre-paid taxi.
Mangal Mahadev Birla Kanan is an outdoor temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most important Hindu gods. Even though it’s outside, shoes must be removed before entering (like all Indian temples).
It’s open 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, daily. Admission is free.
2. Indian Air Force Museum
This is a pretty cool aviation museum located beside the airport.
Aircraft, vehicles, radar equipment, and anti-aircraft guns are displayed in a hangar and outside on the grounds. The aircraft collection includes vintage jets, and crashed planes from 1972 India Pakistan war. There’s a small restaurant on the grounds.
It’s open 10:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Entry is INR 100 for adults.
3. Ambience Mall Gurugram
I know a trip to the mall is not exactly a cultural excursion, but it is a Delhi mall, and a very popular one at that!
There’s loads of Indian brand shops and restaurants here, an excellent movie theatre and the largest indoor skating rink in India. Plus it’s only a 15 minute drive from the airport.
I really like the outdoor area called Hawker Street. It’s set up like a street food lane with food stalls and picnic tables. It’s nice for lunch or a coffee.
It’s open 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, daily.
4. CyberHub
CyberHub is a purpose-built entertainment and retail courtyard with many restaurants and cafes. It’s pedestrian friendly and pleasant to walk around. There are shops too, but the main focus is the restaurants.
You can easily reach CyberHub with the airport metro line, by Uber or pre-paid taxi from the airport.
It’s generally open 10:00 am to 12:00 am, daily but hours can vary.
Things to Do on an 8 Hour Layover in Delhi
With 8 hours you can head further into Delhi and see some of the city’s major sites.
5. Akshardham Temple
This is one of the best places you can go with an 8 hour layover in Delhi. Akshardham Temple one of the largest and most beautiful Hindu temples in the world, and it’s very visitor friendly.
The temple is built entirely of intricately carved pink sandstone and marble. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
If you’re hungry, there’s an excellent cafeteria that serves North and South Indian food. I’ve eaten there a few times.
Visitors must dress modestly (arms, legs and shoulders covered), but there are sarongs available to borrow if needed. All electronics must be left at security.
The fastest way to get there is by Delhi metro. The temple is a 5 minute walk from the Akshardham station. It’s open 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (last admission 6:30 pm), closed Monday. Admission is free.
6. India Gate & Bikaner House
India Gate is one of Delhi’s most iconic symbols. It’s a war memorial, but it’s also one of the most visited sites in Delhi and is always a hive of activity. It’s not somber at all.
At the opposite end of the street is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the famous President’s House. Lots of people take an auto rickshaw to see both. India Gate is open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, daily and is free.
While at India Gate, walk across the street to Bikaner House, the former palace of the Maharaja of Bikaner. It’s now a public art and cultural centre with several excellent cafes.
Bikaner House is free. It’s usually open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm every day, but hours can vary depending on what’s happening.
7. Connaught Place
Head to Connaught Place (known locally as CP) to stroll around the Georgian style shopping and restaurant hub. It’s a piece of Raj history, built in 1929 as the commercial and retail centre for the British. CP is very walkable and easy to navigate.
There’s plenty to do – CP is one of the best places in Delhi for shopping, there’s art galleries, salons, restaurants, coffee shops and an underground bazaar.
The Rajiv Chowk metro station is right in the middle of CP so you can easily get to the airport and back.
Most shops and restaurants are open 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, but hours vary.
8. Dilli Haat INA
Dilli Haat is a purpose built pedestrian market that sells handicrafts from across India. Artisans and craftsmen change every two weeks, and the variety of crafts, arts and textiles is excellent. It’s very popular with visitors and locals.
There’s an excellent food court with stalls selling regional specialties from just about every state in India. I’ve eaten there many times and never had an issue.
It’s open every day 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Admission is INR 100. The best way to get there is by metro to the Dilli Haat INA metro station.
Things to Do on a 10 Hour Layover in Delhi
With 10 hours, you can comfortably visit some of Delhi’s most historic neighbourhoods and monuments.
9. Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO) & Sunder Nursery
Humayun’s Tomb is the mausoleum of Mughal ruler Humayun built in 1572. This was the first garden style tomb built in India and one of the tombs that inspired the design of the Taj Mahal.
There are several other smaller, but beautifully restored tombs on the site.
Humayun’s Tomb is open daily 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Entry is INR 600. The nearest metro station is JLN Stadium.
Next door to Humayun’s Tomb is Sunder Nursery, a stunning heritage park. This is a beautiful spot to walk around. There are several Mughal tombs and ancient buildings, a fantastic children’s playground, and a very good cafe (Carnatic Cafe) near the lake.
Sunder Nursery is open 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, daily. Admission is INR 200.
10. Safdarjung Tomb, Lodhi Garden & Lodhi Art District
With 10 hours, you’ll have time to do one of my favourite group of sites in New Delhi. All 3 sites are within walking distance of each other, and in one the nicest and greenest areas of Delhi.
Take the metro to Jorbagh station and visit Safdarjung Tomb first. It was built in 1754 during the decline of the Mughal empire and one of the most impressive monuments in Delhi. It’s open 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Tickets are INR 300.
A short walk down Lodhi Road takes you to Delhi’s most captivating park, Lodhi Garden. This part of Delhi is extremely historic, and some of the tombs and mosques which were built in the 1400s are still standing in this park.
Lodhi Garden has lovely walking paths, a lake, and numerous species of flora and fauna. It’s open daily 6:00 am to 7:30 and is free.
After Lodhi Garden walk across the street and check out the 50 plus art murals in India’s first open air art district, Lodhi Art District. It’s in a quaint area called Lodhi Colony and there’s excellent restaurants here like Jamun, Tres, and Guppy.
11. Old Delhi: Red Fort & Chandni Chowk
With 10 hours you’ll have enough time to explore Old Delhi. This part of Delhi is noisy, congested and generally crazy. It’s the most demanding of my layover suggestions, but it’s also the most historical area of Delhi.
There’s a lot to see in Old Delhi, but I think the best way to see it with limited time is to just walk up Chandni Chowk from one end to the other.
Chandni Chowk starts from the Red Fort (UNESCO), Delhi’s most famous site. You need a ticket for the Red Fort (INR 600), but it’s the only site on Chandni Chowk that you have to pay for.
Here’s DIY Old Delhi Heritage Walk
A walk up Chandni Chowk will take you past famous temples, markets, mosques, street food and the Old Delhi Spice Market. It’s closed to motorized traffic during the day, so easy to walk.
The best way to get to Old Delhi is by metro. The Lal Quila station (Violet line) is closest to the Red Fort.
What to Do With an Overnight Layover
Delhi is not the safest city at night, and I don’t recommend you go wandering around alone after dark.
Do not use public transit at night. If you’re going to leave the airport, book an Uber for several hours or arrange for a car and driver.
The only site that is open 24/7 and safe to visit in my opinion is Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – Delhi’s most important and beautiful Sikh temple.
Another option, if you’re so inclined is a night club. Delhi has a thriving nightlife, and there are clubs that are open until the wee hours.
Here’s more things to do at night in Delhi, but most of these are not overnight options.
What to Do With a 24 Hour Layover
This is the perfect layover to have in Delhi. 24 hours is enough time to get some rest in a hotel and do some sightseeing.
Either choose one of the suggestions above, or do my self-guided one day in Delhi itinerary.
How to Get Into Delhi
There are several ways to get from the airport into Delhi.
If you don’t have luggage to haul around (you can store luggage at the Delhi airport), the fastest way is by metro. There’s a station right at the airport. The Delhi metro is one of the best systems in the world, don’t hesitate to use it.
You can also get an Uber or Ola from the airport, or a pre-paid taxi. Pre-paid taxi is the more expensive option, but it’s convenient.
The Best Airport Hotels
The best place to stay on a layover is Aerocity. It’s located beside the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and you can be at the airport in minutes.
Aerocity is a haven of luxury and mid-range hotels, shops and restaurants. Most hotels offer a paid airport pick up service, but Aerocity is also connected to the Delhi airport by metro
My favourite Aerocity hotels are:
- JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi (luxury): One of the very best hotels in Aerocity. The beds are the most comfortable I’ve slept in by the airport, and it’s pet friendly (I travel with my small dog).
- Andaz Delhi (luxury): Part of the Hyatt group of hotels. A contemporary hotel with the largest rooms in Aerocity. Also pet friendly.
- Novotel New Delhi Aerocity (mid-range): One of the few mid-range hotels by Aerocity. I like Novotel because guests can use all the amenities next door in the 5 star luxury Pullman Hotel.
Last Words on Layover in Delhi: How to Maximize Your Time
As you can see, there is plenty to do with a short amount of time in Delhi. With the metro, it’s so easy to get into the city and see something. After you spend your layover exploring Delhi, don’t be surprised if you want to come back and see more!
