
India
Kolkata travel guide
Best: Oct – Mar
$18–$60/day
Very similar vibe to Delhi

Heart of Incredible India
Delhi is best visited in Oct – Mar. A typical trip costs $25–$80/day per person.
Three thousand years of continuous habitation compressed into one overwhelming, magnificent capital. Every neighbourhood is its own world.
📅Updated May 2026·Reviewed by the TripGenius Editorial Team
At a Glance
Best Time
Oct – Mar
Daily Budget
$25–$80/day
Language
Hindi, English
Currency
INR (Rupee)
Budget, visa and seasonal details are reviewed and current as of 2026. Costs are typical per-person estimates — always confirm prices and visa rules with official sources before you book.
Experiences
The best experiences in Delhi — from iconic landmarks to local favourites, ranked by what travellers love most.
The 17th-century Mughal fort followed by breakfast in Chandni Chowk — parathe at Paranthe Wali Gali, jalebi at Old Famous Jalebi Wala, and the chaos of the spice market.
The garden tomb that directly inspired the Taj Mahal — less crowded and arguably more harmonious. The Mughal garden layout is a masterpiece of symmetry.
The tallest brick minaret in the world, built in 1193. The surrounding complex has the earliest mosque in India and the 2,000-year-old Iron Pillar that hasn't rusted.
The legendary Mughal restaurant in the lanes behind Jama Masjid has been serving mutton korma and nalli nihari since 1913. Breakfast here is a Delhi institution.
The world's largest Hindu temple complex — opened in 2005 but built with ancient craftsmanship. The boat ride through 10,000 years of Indian history is genuinely impressive.
Edwin Lutyens' 42-metre war memorial anchors Delhi's grand ceremonial axis, now redesigned as Kartavya Path. Come after sunset when families picnic on the lawns, the arch glows warm, and Rashtrapati Bhavan sits illuminated at the far end of the boulevard.
Delhi's most beautiful green space wraps 15th-century Sayyid and Lodi tombs in 90 acres of lawns, bonsai gardens, jogging paths, and birdlife. It is the rare capital-city park where medieval domes, parakeets, and morning yoga all feel equally at home.
The shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya becomes one of Delhi's most moving experiences on Thursday evenings, when qawwali singers fill the marble courtyard with devotional music. Dress modestly, cover your head, and arrive before the lanes get packed.
This 18th-century astronomical observatory looks like a surreal sculpture park but was built to measure time, planetary movement, and celestial positions with remarkable precision. The giant sundial and curved masonry instruments make a quick, fascinating stop near Connaught Place.
A 14th-century reservoir, madrasa ruins, royal tombs, deer park, galleries, and rooftop cafes all collide in Hauz Khas. Visit the ruins at golden hour, then stay for South Delhi's most atmospheric evening scene.
Interactive Map
When to Visit
Delhi has extreme seasons. October–March is the best window — pleasant days and cool nights. April–June is brutal heat (45°C+). July–September is monsoon — hot, humid, but green.
Full month-by-month guide for Delhi →Explore Areas
TripGenius Destination Guide
Budget Breakdown
Prices in USD. Delhi is great value — world-class monuments and food at Indian prices.
Accommodation
$5–15 (hostel in Paharganj or Karol Bagh)
Food
$4–8 (street food, dhabas, thalis)
Transport
$2–5 (Metro day pass)
Activities
$3–8 (monument entries)
The Delhi Metro is world-class and covers every major sight. A Metro day pass costs ₹100–150. Street food at Chandni Chowk costs ₹30–60 per item.
Accommodation
$30–70 (3-star hotel in Connaught Place)
Food
$15–30 (restaurants, Mughal cuisine)
Transport
$8–15 (Metro + Uber)
Activities
$15–25 (all monuments + guided tour)
Karim's in Old Delhi for mutton dishes and Indian Accent in The Manor for modern Indian fine dining — one cheap, one special.
Accommodation
$100–300 (The Imperial, Taj Mahal Hotel, Leela)
Food
$50–120 (Indian Accent, Bukhara at ITC)
Transport
$30–60 (hotel car)
Activities
$50–100 (private heritage tours)
Bukhara at ITC Maurya has been serving its dal bukhara (slow-cooked black lentils) for 40+ years — presidents and prime ministers eat here.
Accommodation
Pick your area first — each neighbourhood has a completely different price point and vibe.
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Mughal & Chaotic
The Mughal old city — Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and the most intense bazaar culture in India. Chandni Chowk is an assault on every sense simultaneously. Stay here for history immersion.
Connaught Place & Centre
Colonial & Central
The British-era circular market district at Delhi's heart — colonial arcades, the best restaurants, Metro connections to everywhere. Most visitor-friendly central location.
Hauz Khas & South Delhi
Hip & Modern
A medieval reservoir turned creative district — galleries, cafes, boutiques, and the village-within-a-city atmosphere of Hauz Khas Village. The best nightlife in Delhi.
Not sure which area?
Search all hotels in Delhi and filter by neighbourhood
Dining
Use these practical dining formats to explore Delhi without relying on invented venue recommendations. Check current local reviews before choosing a specific restaurant.
Start around Old Delhi with busy, well-reviewed places serving the food of India. Ask what is cooked fresh that day instead of relying on a generic tourist menu.
Use a busy market or casual food street near one of Delhi's main sights for a flexible meal. Choose stalls with high turnover and food cooked in front of you.
Reserve one slower meal in Delhi at a restaurant with a regional menu, a memorable setting, or a view. Check current reviews and opening hours before booking.
Insider Knowledge
Practical planning principles based on this guide’s areas, attractions, and seasonal summary. Confirm changing local rules before travel.
Prioritise Red Fort early in the day before crowds build.
Pair Jama Masjid with nearby food stops instead of crossing the city repeatedly.
Check weekly closures and festival dates before locking the itinerary.
Carry water, sun protection, and a light layer; sightseeing days often take longer than map estimates suggest.
Book peak-season accommodation ahead, especially around long weekends and school holidays.
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FAQ
Common questions from travellers planning a trip to Delhi.
The best time to visit Delhi is Oct – Mar. The standout months are November, December, February. Delhi has extreme seasons. October–March is the best window — pleasant days and cool nights. April–June is brutal heat (45°C+). July–September is monsoon — hot, humid, but green.
A trip to Delhi typically costs $25–$80/day per person, covering accommodation, food, local transport and activities. Costs are highest in peak season (Oct – Mar) and drop noticeably outside it.
Delhi uses the INR (Rupee). Card acceptance varies outside major hotels and restaurants, so carry some cash for markets, street food and small vendors.
The main language spoken in Delhi is Hindi, English. In hotels and tourist areas of Delhi, basic English is usually understood.
Go Deeper
Practical planning resources for your Delhi trip
Compare seasons and choose the right travel window for Delhi.
Open resourceKeep the essential areas, costs, and planning details in one compact guide.
Open resourceKeep Exploring

Agra
City of the Taj Mahal

Jaipur
The Pink City

Mumbai
City of Dreams

Goa
Sun, Sea & Soul

Varanasi
The Eternal City

Udaipur
City of Lakes
Getting Around
A destination-planning framework rather than operator-specific advice. Check current local routes, fares, and licensed transport options before travelling.
Base yourself near Old Delhi if you only have 1-2 days.
Use official public transport, licensed taxis, or established ride-booking services where available; confirm the fare before an unmetered journey.
Group nearby sights into the same day and consider a licensed driver or organised excursion for spread-out day trips.
Start outdoor sightseeing early for better light, lower heat, and fewer crowds.
Keep a small amount of local currency for tickets, markets, parking, and places that do not accept cards.
Essential Apps
Delhi Metro App
Metro routes & fares
Uber / Ola
Cab booking
Google Maps
Navigation
Confirm the final transfer and late-arrival options with your accommodation before travel.
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