DELHI FAQ`S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

The main airport servicing the city of Delhi is the Indira Gandhi International Airport located 9 miles away from the city center. If you have not booked a private transfer with us you have a few options; trains, buses, taxis and rental cars.

What types of transportation can I find at the airport?

The Delhi Metro Airport Express Line (orange line) is one of the fastest options to travel from the airport into the city center. The line operates from 4:45 am until 11:30 pm with trains departing every 15 minutes, the total journey takes around 25 minutes. There are Metro stations located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, tickets cost around R60. For more information visit www.delhimetrorail.com

Buses operate from the airport and are offered by Delhi Transport Corporation. They operate 24/7 from the airport to the city center and the journey takes around 50 minutes and tickets cost around R50 per adult, R25 per child below 12 years, R25 for heavy luggage. Buses can be found at all terminals and depart every hour. The bus stops are outside Terminal 3 at the `staging area` which is located opposite the Centaur Hotel.

Taxis are available at the airport in front of the terminals where the Delhi Traffic Police Prepaid Taxi counters can be found. Taxis to the city are at a fixed price and cost around R600 to New or Old Delhi, prices increase by 25% from 11 pm until 5 am. Some of the private companies include Meru Cabs available at the Radio Taxi stand located outside the arrivals hall of Terminal 3 and MEGA Cabs located outside the arrivals hall of Terminal 3.

You can also book a pre-paid taxi (fixed rates) at the booth found inside the arrivals hall or outside at the Taxi Bay of T3 and cost around R400 to R500 to the center.

Uber and Ola (the Indian version of Uber) and more are some of the car services that operate at the airport. These options can be cheaper and a lot more reliable than a pre-paid taxi. Simply download the app to your smartphone and input your pick up and drop off location and pay online.

Rental cars are available from the airport and the Carzonrent counter can be found in the arrivals hall of Terminal 3.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

The main station in Delhi is the New Delhi Railways Station located between Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj just north of Connaught Place. The New Delhi Metro Station is across the street and taxis, tuk-tuks and Uber are all available to connect you to your hotel and can be found in the plaza outside the main entrance of the stations.

There is a pre-paid taxi booth at the Railway Station, you can head here and the Delhi Police will provide you with a ticket after you pay. You can find the taxi booth at the far north end of the station about 165 feet from the main entrance.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

The Delhi Metro is the fastest way to get around the city, providing passengers with an efficient and cheap way to see the sights. The metro runs from 4:45 am until 11:30 pm all signs and announcements are made in English and Hindi, but the trains can be extremely crowded during rush hour (9-10am and 5-6pm). The first carriage is reserved for woman only. Tickets cost around R10 - R50 depending on the total distance traveled, a metro card can make journeys more convenient and are sold at the stations, for example, a three-day card costs around R200 with a R50 deposit which is refundable when you return the card.

The metro lines are as follows:

Red Line - Dilshad Garden - Rithala, Yellow Line - Jahangirpuri - HUDA City Center, Gurgaon, Blue Line - Dwarka Sector 21 - Vaishali - Noida City Center, Green Line - Inderlok - Mundka, Violet Line - ITO - Badarpur Border and the Airport Express Line - New Delhi Railway Station - Airport - Dwarka.

Buses in the city can be a cheap yet crowded option for traveling around. They cost around R5 - R15 and depart every 15 - 20 minutes. The red colored buses are Government run DTC buses which are air-conditioned, the green colored are also run by DTC but do not offer air conditioning. The bus routes are not displayed accurately and bus stops can be hard to find.

Taxis are available in the city and offer a comfortable way to get around.

Uber and Ola can be a more reliable service and you will not be faced with having to negotiate your fair or taking the chance of being ripped off as you ride is tracked and you receive an emailed receipt.

Rickshaws or tuk-tuks are three-wheeled scooters that can be found all over Delhi. These are a good option for a quick trip and are yellow and green in color and can seat three people. They can be much cheaper than a taxi and an authentic way to get around. Negotiate a price before getting in and expect to pay about R30 - R50 for a short trip.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

There are thousands of taxis operating in Delhi and the local taxis can be recognized by their black and yellow color and can be ordered ahead of time by phone or found at Taxi stands around the city. It is recommended to haggle your price before taking a taxi ride, there is a 25% surcharge between 11 pm and 5 am.

Is Delhi a walking city?

Many of the areas in Delhi are great places to take a walk including Connaught Place in the heart of New Delhi and see all the British-colonial style buildings and plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Stroll around the lovely parks in the city such as Central Park and the beautiful Lodhi Gardens which is filled with 500-year-old tombs and covers 90 acres of rare green space in the city. Wander around the markets and bazaars to look for that perfect souvenir to take home while enjoying delicious street food in an authentic vibrant atmosphere. There are plenty of amazing sights to walk around in this amazing city that is filled with magnificent temples set on stunning grounds decorated with beautiful gardens.

s Delhi a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

Delhi is a safe city to visit with a low crime rate when compared to American cities of similar size. Travelers should use common sense and practice street smarts when out and about in the city, especially at night. Keep your belongings secure and close to you at all times, pickpockets are not uncommon, especially in and around busy tourist sites, shopping areas and public transportation.

Watch out for touts, they are everywhere in Delhi and their goal is to scam you. You will get harassed; they try to scam you into going to a hostel or hotel they recommend, giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice.

Can I drink the water in Delhi?

You should only drink bottled water while in Delhi, Do Not Drink the Tap Water!! It is not safe to drink and will make you sick. Avoid drinking water and drinks with ice at bars and restaurants.

Should I be concerned about the air pollution in Delhi?

The city is extremely hot, very dusty and amongst one of the most polluted city`s in the world. During the summer the two conditions are combined it can drastically reduce visibility. April through June hottest months with temperatures soaring over the 100 F mark! Fog-related weather occurs during the winter when it can be difficult to even see across the street, it is best to stay informed of the daily air quality in the city when traveling to Delhi.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

Delhi has an exciting collection of markets and bazaars to explore for unique and authentic gifts. Chandni Chowk and Chowri Bazar in Old Delhi are two bustling areas filled with trade, food and local spices set up through narrow lanes and ancient alleyways. The Chandni Chowk is located within the Red Fort area where there are plenty of sights and attractions to explore on top of shopping. The Paharganj district by the main railway station is also a busy shopping area.

The markets in Delhi each have their own specialty there is the famous Old Delhi Spice Market, Kinari Bazaar is famous for `zardozi` (gold embroidery), Dariba Kalan for silver jewelry, Nai Sarak specializes in saris, shawls, and chiffon and the Chawri Bazaar sells beautiful wrapping paper and wedding cards.

If you’re looking for a mall to shop at and cool off check out the Press Enclave Marg in Saket, Citywalk offers three adjacent malls with top designer names and a movie theatre, DLF Place features the only 7 screen multiplex in the city and DLF Emporio boasts three stories of designer name stores such as Gucci, Armani and Hugo Boss and many restaurants.

What Kind of Festivals can I attend in Delhi?

Delhi is an important place for national events and festivals and is the location for the Republic Day, Independence Day on August 15th with the Republic Day Parade showcasing the country`s diverse culture and military strength proceeds down Raj Path where the iconic Indian Gate stands. The `Phool Walon Ki Sair` is a festival that symbolizes Delhi`s composite culture and takes place each year in the city in September. Diwali is the festival of lights and one of the most popular Indian festivals celebrated in Delhi for a month (October to November) and The Qutub Festival which is a huge cultural event with live music, dancing with Qutub Minar as the backdrop.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The units of currency in Delhi are the Indian Rupee (R) US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for pounds upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and in many locations throughout the city. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in India

Is there a certain dress code when visiting temples?

Yes, it is important to dress modestly in Delhi which is a very conservative city. Women should cover up their shoulders and legs as a sign of respect when visiting mosques and temples. Loose fitted clothing is advisable and will also keep you cool, wearing tight fitted, revealing clothing is not recommended. A scarf is a good idea for a woman to use to cover up when out sightseeing.

What is the food like?

The flavorful local cuisine found in Delhi is one of the best reasons to visit the city. You can sample a diverse selection of delicious street food especially in the Chandni Chowk area which has a diverse selection of food and chaats (savory snacks). Dine at incredible restaurants and feast on some of the best tandoori chicken and tandoori roti in the world along with chapattis and naan bread.

The city of Delhi is a melting pot of different cultures where you can find the delicious and flavorful local Indian cuisine along with a lot of vegetarian eateries and international cuisine all set in a different ambiance. The city has local dhabas (street food outlets) to dine at which are popular among the local residents and it has its fair share of high profile restaurants such as the Karim Hotel and the Punjab Grill and Bukhara.

Taking a food tour while visiting Delhi is a must if you are into food, they provide a great way to taste some unique local cuisine that you wouldn`t find on your own as well as sightseeing.

Coffee in Delhi is becoming increasingly more popular in the large chains such as Barista, Costa Coffe, Starbucks and Café Coffee Day with multiple locations found all over the city. There are also many independent cafes offering fresh ground coffee and delicious pastry treats.

What is the nightlife like?

The nightlife in Delhi offers many restaurants, bars, and clubs that offer live music and happy hour drinks, but most places close at 12:30 am in the city due to licensing. You can find different establishments around South Delhi and the villages including Hauz Khas Village, the Khan Market, Connaught Place and the DLF Cyber Hub.

There are other fun night time activities to enjoy in the city including the evening sound and light show on the walls of the famous Red Fort each evening from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm. Visit an Indian hookah bar and enjoy a relaxing lounge experience in a hip environment, or join the Delhi Bar Crawl which provides participants with a fun night out on the town hopping to 5 or 6 different bars/pubs and clubs in the city.

I don`t speak Indian will there be many people who speak English?

The official language spoken in Delhi is Hindi. English is spoken and understood by most individuals in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Indian Guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you and numbers 1-10.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In case of an emergency dial 100 for the police, 101 for the fire department and 102 for an ambulance.

Hospitals:

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals tel. 91-1860-500-1066

Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital tel. 91-11-4277-6222

Holy Family Hospital tel. 91-11-2684-5900