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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 this intriguing city.
I live in Delhi and know exactly what you can do in a limited amount of time. No matter how long your layover, I’ve got some great 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. India’s capital is one of the most historic and interesting cities in the world. Don’t waste it in the airport!
First Things First
Before you get ready to step out of the airport, there are a couple of things to consider.
Make Sure You Have a Visa
Before you exit the airport, you’ll need a visa. There’s no visa on arrival in Delhi (except for citizens of South Korea, Japan and UAE in some cases), which means you have to plan your layover ahead of time.
The best way to get your visa is through India Visa Online, the official government website. To be honest, the website is a bit glitchy and it can test your patience, but it’s the fastest and cheapest way to get your visa.
Get Some Local Currency
Make sure you have some Indian rupees before you leave the airport. Many shops and restaurants accept credit cards, but not all. There are ATMs and a currency exchange in the arrivals hall.
Things to Do on Your Delhi Layover
I recommend you don’t leave the Delhi airport unless you have at least a 6 hour layover. Delhi is a really big city with terrible traffic – it takes time to get around. Also, Indira Gandhi International Airport advises passengers to arrive 3 hours before an international flight, and 2 hours before a domestic flight.
CyberHub (6 hour layover)
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 here is the restaurants.
You can easily reach CyberHub with the airport metro line, by Uber or pre-paid taxi from the airport. CyberHub is located in Cyber City, which is basically the Silicone Valley of Delhi. It’s open 10:00 to 11:00, daily.
Ambience Mall Gurugram (6 hour layover)
I know a trip to the mall is not exactly a cultural excursion, but it’s still 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. It’s open 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, daily.
Mangal Mahadev Birla Kanan – Shivaji Murti (6 hour layover)
If you’re looking for something more cultural to do on your Delhi layover, this is a good spot. You can even stop here on your way to CyberHub or Ambience Mall. This is an outdoor temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most important Hindu gods.
It’s right beside the airport and you can get there in about 10 minutes by Uber or taxi. You’ll have to remove your shoes before entering. It’s open 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, daily. Admission is free.
Indian Air Force Museum (6 hour layover)
This is a pretty cool 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 is impressive and includes vintage jets, and crashed planes from 1972 India Pakistan war.
It’s open 10:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Entry is INR 100 for adults. There’s a small restaurant on the grounds.
Akshardham Temple (8 hour layover)
This is one of the best places you can go with an 8 hour layover in Delhi. Not only is Akshardham one of the largest and most beautiful Hindu temples in the world, it’s very visitor friendly. You must dress modestly to enter (arms, legs and shoulders covered), but there are sarongs available to borrow if needed.
Besides the temple, there is a cultural boat ride, 3D dioramas and a large screen movie (there’s a fee for these). The cafeteria serves North and South Indian food, and it’s good. I’ve eaten there a few times.
Admission to the temple is free. It’s open 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, closed Monday. The fastest way to get there is by Delhi metro. It is within walking distance of the Akshardham station.
India Gate & Bikaner House (8 hour layover)
India Gate is one of Delhi’s most iconic symbols. It’s actually a war memorial, but it has become a local hang out spot, and it’s always a hive of activity.
At the opposite end of the street is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the famous British built parliament building. Lots of people walk or take an auto rickshaw to see both. India Gate is open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, daily and is free.
While you’re 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. Admission is free. It’s open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm every day.
Connaught Place (8 hour layover)
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 a commercial and retail centre for the British. CP is very walkable and easy to navigate.
There’s plenty to do – CP has excellent shopping, 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.
Dilli Haat INA (8 hour layover)
This purpose built outdoor market is a one-stop shop for handicrafts from all around India. Artisans and craftsmen change every two weeks, and the variety of crafts, arts and textiles is excellent. You’ll see lots of Indians and tourists here.
If you’re hungry, grab something at one of the many food stalls. You can sample food from just about every state in India. I’ve eaten there many times and never had an issue.
Dilli Haat is open every day 10:30 am to 10:00 pm. Admission is INR 100. The best way to get there is by metro to the Dilli Haat metro station.
Humayun’s Tomb & Sunder Nursery (10 hour layover)
Delve into Delhi’s history by visiting the 16th century tomb of the Emperor Humayun. This garden style tomb was the first of its kind built in India, and was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The UNESCO site has several restored tombs, but the most impressive is Humayun’s.
It’s open daily 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entry is INR 600 at the site, but you can buy tickets online in advance on the Archeological Survey of India website for INR 550. The nearest metro station is JLN Stadium.
Next door to the Humayun’s Tomb complex is Sunder Nursery, a stunning heritage park. It’s a lovely spot to wander around, and there are Mughal tombs and ruins throughout. The main path in the park is built over the Grand Trunk Road, the ancient trade route. Grab a meal or drink at Fabcafe by the Lake while in Sunder Nursery.
It’s open 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, daily. Admission is INR 200.
Safdarjung Tomb, Lodhi Garden & Lodhi Art District (10 hour layover)
With 10 hours, you’ll have time to do one of my favourite group of sites in New Delhi. This area is one the nicest and most affluent neighbourhoods in the whole city.
Take the metro to Jorbagh station and visit Safdarjung Tomb first. It was built in 1754 during the decline of the Mughal empire, and was partly constructed with marble and sandstone removed from other tombs. It’s one of the largest and most impressive monuments in Delhi. It’s open 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Tickets are INR 300 but can be purchased in online in advance for INR 250 on the Archeological Survey of India website.
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 just also happens to have these incredible ruins. It’s open daily 6:00 am to 7:30 and is free.
While you’re at 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. There’s also excellent restaurants here like Jamun, Guppy and Tres.
Old Delhi: Red Fort & Chandni Chowk (10 hour layover)
With 10 hours you’ll have enough time to explore Old Delhi. Take the metro to Lal Quila station and walk over to the Red Fort entrance.
I highly recommend you purchase your ticket in advance. This is Delhi’s most visited site and it can get busy. It’s open 8:00 am to 9:00 pm every day except Monday. Tickets are INR 600 at the site or INR 550 online.
The Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan in 1639 (he also built the Taj Mahal). The Fort remained the palace of all subsequent rulers until 1857, when the British deposed the last emperor. It’s an impressive complex and sits at one end of the most famous street in Delhi, Chandni Chowk.
After the Red Fort, explore Chandni Chowk, the most historic street in Delhi. Chandni Chowk is closed to motorized traffic during the day, so you can easily walk from end to the other (1.3 km). You’ll pass by temples, markets, street food stands and shops selling elaborate Indian wedding fashion. Many of the shops and markets are closed on Sundays.
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 one of the hotels by the airport, and do a bit of sightseeing. Either choose one of the suggestions above, or do my comprehensive self-guided one day Delhi itinerary.
If you don’t want to worry about any logistics, I recommend this full day guided tour of Delhi.
What to Do With an Overnight Layover
What should you do if your fight arrives in the evening and your layover is overnight? Delhi does not have the best reputation for safety, and I don’t recommend you go wandering around on your own after dark. But here’s what you can do:
- Either pre-book an Uber for several hours, or arrange for a car and driver to pick you up at the airport (it’s not a good idea to ride public transit at night).
- Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – it’s open 24/7 and is safe to visit at night.
- See a live music show at Khubani in the Andaz Hotel, Aerocity. Check the Khubani FB page for events and to contact them.
- If you’re into nightlife, Delhi has many lounges and dance clubs that are open until the wee hours.
How to Get Into Delhi
There are several good options 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
Delhi has excellent hotels near the airport for all budgets. But 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 terminals in minutes. Besides wonderful hotels, there are many shops and restaurants in Aerocity.
Most hotels offer a paid airport pick up service. Here are my top picks for Aerocity hotels:
- Pullman New Delhi Aerocity Hotel (luxury)
- JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi (luxury)
- Novotel New Delhi Aerocity (mid-range)
- Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport (mid-range)
The Wrap-up on Layover in Delhi: How to Maximize Your Time 2024
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. Who knows, after you spend your layover exploring Delhi, don’t be surprised if you want to come back and see more!
Looking for More? You May Also Like…
- Delhi Airport: A Complete Guide to Indira Ghandhi International Airport
- Delhi Airport Lounges: What You Should Know 2024
- Is Delhi Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Go
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
