21 Practical Things to Know Before Going to Delhi 2026
This list of practical things to know will help you explore Delhi confidently and enjoy the city more. Delhi can be very overwhelming, but this practical advice will help.
Practical Things to Know Before Going to Delhi
Delhi was my home base for years, but I remember how confusing it was the first time I visited in 2016.
I was literally afraid to cross the street, and had no idea I could just take an auto rickshaw to where I wanted to go. My life would have been so much easier if I’d known these practical things before going to Delhi.
1. Delhi is one of the most historic cities in the world
Delhi is the site of 8 historic cities, and has been continuously occupied for 3,000 years. The city is littered with ancient structures everywhere, some dating back to 1052.
Delhi rivals Rome, Athens and Cairo when it comes to historic significance and number of historic places.
2. There’s a lot of English
English is the second official language of India and widely spoken in Delhi. You will see English everywhere – street signs, labels in grocery stores, the Delhi metro and shops.
You will run into people with limited English (generally Uber and auto rickshaw drivers, delivery people etc.), but most people do speak some English.
3. Don’t go in summer or middle of winter
Delhi is subject to extreme weather. The temperature can go up to almost 50° C in summer, and down to single digits in winter. Pollution levels in winter are also very bad, sometimes the AQI is over 500.
The best times to travel to Delhi is October to mid December, and February to mid March. Temperatures are pleasant and pollution levels are not extreme.
4. Delhi is massive – stay somewhere central
One of the most important things to know before going to Delhi, is that it’s a huge city with terrible traffic. If you don’t want to spend half your day in transit, stay close to where you need to be.
The best area to stay is Delhi is South Delhi. Many of Delhi’s historic monuments and attractions are in this area. You can easily explore the entire city from there.
5. The Delhi metro is really good
The Delhi metro is one of the best systems in the world. It is clean, cheap, safe and it goes everywhere. It’s a massive network and still expanding.
The whole system is in English and Hindi, colour coded and very user friendly. This is the best and fastest way to move across the city.
6. Get a local sim at the airport
Having a local sim will make life a lot easier in Delhi. You’ll be able to use Uber, order food or groceries, and have access to Google maps.
Don’t wait until you get into town for the sim, get it at the airport. There’s an Airtel kiosk at arrivals.
Getting a local sim from one of the cell service providers in the city can be a real hassle. I had to provide my lease, passport photos, and have a local with me to make sure it got done. It’s much easier to get it at the airport where they’re used to dealing with tourists.
7. Old Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi NCR are all Delhi
Old Delhi and New Delhi are parts of the mega city of Delhi. New Delhi is the capital of India. Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) is the mega city of Delhi plus the adjoining suburbs.
8. Only drink bottled or RO water
Tap water is not safe to drink in Delhi. I don’t even cook with it. Many homes, restaurants, Airbnbs and hotels have water filtration systems, commonly called an RO. When out and about only drink bottled water.
9. Auto rickshaws are safe and easy to take
Auto rickshaws are everywhere in Delhi and widely used. Do not hesitate to take one – just negotiate the price before you get in. Nobody in Delhi uses the meter.
Generally, for distances less than 1 km it’s INR 60-80, and 1-3 km INR 100-150. These are typical rates a tourist can expect to pay.
Do not take auto rickshaws at night if alone. Uber is safer.
Here’s more information about how to get around Delhi.
10. There is no visa on arrival
Only citizens of Japan, South Korea and the UAE qualify for visa on arrival. Everyone else needs a visa before arriving in India. E-visa is available for many countries.
Check the official government of India e-visa site for applications and regulations.
11. Use ATMs to get local currency
This is the easiest way to get Indian rupees. Delhi ATMs dispense a maximum of 10,000 INR at a time. If you need more, you have to do multiple transactions.
Always select the ‘without conversion’ option to ensure the exchange rate is set by your bank (usually a better rate). If using a foreign card, look for ATMs with the Cirrus, Visa, AMEX or Maestro logos.
12. Always have small bills on you
Keep your small bills and use the big ones in busier shops and restaurants.
Many small businesses, auto rickshaw drivers, street food stalls, etc. won’t be able to break large bills. Or, they will tell you they don’t have change so they can keep the whole thing.
13. Book train tickets in advance for busy routes
The best seats (EC, CC, AC first class) on popular train routes sell quickly, especially to Agra (where the Taj Mahal is). Book your ticket as soon as possible.
You can book tickets directly on the Indian Railways booking website or service provider MakeMyTrip.
14. Use the Archaeological Survey of India website to buy monument tickets
Use this website to buy your tickets for many historical sites in advance. It will save you having to line up, and tickets are 50 INR cheaper. You can even buy tickets for the Taj Mahal on this website:
Archaeological Survey of India website
This is one thing I really wish I’d known before going to Delhi. I would have save money and time.
15. Ignore the touts and beggars
Touts roam areas that tourists frequent, especially Connaught Place. Completely ignore them and don’t worry about being rude (I’m Canadian and this did not come naturally to me).
They will offer to show you where to go or tell you monuments are closed. Do not engage with them in any way, they will eventually go away. Trust me on this: no male Indian that approaches you when you are sightseeing is trying to be nice – he wants to make money from you.
Beggars can be anywhere, not just tourist areas. Child begging is often part of an organized criminal network, so under no circumstances give them money. It only exacerbates the problem. Beggars also approach cars stopped at traffic lights. Don’t make eye contact. Like the touts, they will give up and move on.
16. Dress modestly
Delhi is a conservative city (unlike Mumbai which is more Western in attitude). You don’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention. Wear clothing that covers shoulders, chest, and knees. This goes for women and men.
For women, it’s a good idea to always carry a dupatta (long Indian scarf). You’ll need it to cover your head in gurudwaras and mosques, and it makes a good cover up.
Here’s more about what to wear in Delhi.
17. Remove your shoes before entering religious places
Shoes and socks have to be removed before entering temples, gurudwaras (Sikh temples) and mosques.
Usually there’s a shoe minder (leave a small tip), but if there isn’t, just leave your shoes outside where the other ones are. For this reason it’s a good idea to wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
18. Be prepared for selfies
If you look like a foreigner a lot of Indians will ask to take a selfie with you. As a woman, I decline these requests by men. An Indian man would never ask an Indian woman for a selfie – it would be inappropriate and disrespectful.
I have a soft spot for families with kids so I usually agree to those – but it’s entirely up to you.
19. There’s a lot of security
There’s a lot of security. Delhi shopping malls, hotels, the metro and many attractions require purses and bags be scanned (like at the airport), and you will get frisked with a security wand. Don’t be alarmed, it’s normal in Delhi.
These checks are segregated with a private area for women.
20. Take advantage of Blinkit, Big Basket, Swiggy and Zomato
If you have an Indian sim, you can download these apps for food and grocery delivery.
Blinkit and Big Basket are grocery delivery services and used by almost every Delhiite. Blinkit delivers in less than 30 minutes, and Big Basket in a few hours or the next day, depending on when you place your order.
Swiggy and Zomato are restaurant delivery apps. All of them have cash payment options.
21. Delhi has a thriving night life with beautiful clubs
Delhi has a lot of beautiful lounges and clubs, some of which stay open until the morning. Because of the weather, almost all bars and clubs have large outdoor spaces. They use outdoor heaters in winter and misting fans in summer.
Most alcohol in clubs is imported and subject to excise taxes, so drinks are on the expensive side.
Last Words on 21 Practical Things to Know Before Going to Delhi
This list of things to know before going to Delhi will make your time in the city a lot smoother. It is India, so there will always be surprises, but at least now you will be better prepared.
