From street-food stalls and spice markets to temples and tombs, the Delhi metro is your ticket to the city’s attractions. It’s fast, cheap and easy to ride, if you follow this handy guide.
Delhi is one of the largest cities in the world – which means that getting around can be tricky. Sure, you can use a ride-sharing app or take a rickshaw, but because there’s so much traffic, those journeys can take forever, which is why taking the Delhi metro may be your best bet. Bonus: hopping on the metro is also a great way to get to know the city and it’ll save you money, too. So, here’s everything you need to know about the Indian capital’s public transit system.
A brief history
For starters, the metro system in Delhi is still relatively new. One of the most important facts about it is that it’s the first railway system in the world to get a United Nations certification for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, locals are very proud of their metro.
The metro has ten main lines, divided by colour – red, yellow, blue, green, violet, magenta and pink – plus one, the orange line, that goes directly to the airport. There are around 271 metro stations in total, both underground and above ground – but they’re all air conditioned.
Read more: Everything you need to know about overnight trains in India
Getting around
As you may expect from such a sprawling railway system, there are a couple of key rules and guidelines that you should know before you go. If you get overwhelmed and travelling as part of a small-group trip with Intrepid, you can always lean on your local leader for support even when you head off for solo travel time.
Buying a ticket
Where it used to be queues at ticket counters and purchasing tokens, now downloading the DMRC Travel App is the easiest way to buy digital QR code tickets. Alternatively, you can also buy them via the DMRC WhatsApp ticketing number (+91 9650855800) by simply saying ‘Hi’ to the number, selecting your preferred language, and following the chat prompts to purchase your QR ticket, before completing the payment process. You can also buy a Tourist Card for unlimited travel on the metro network at the customer care centre of any Delhi metro station across the network (excluding the Airport Express Line). Even more conveniently, if you’re travelling with Intrepid, most transportation is already included. But you’ll still need to get a ticket if you decide to explore the city solo.
The fare is not a set rate – it’s based on where you’re going
Unlike cities like New York, which have a set rate for a subway ride no matter where you’re going, the Delhi metro charges you based on the distance travelled. To find out how much one ride costs, type in your departure and arrival stations here.
Read more: A rickshaw ride in India that puts women in the driver’s seat
If possible, try to avoid peak travel times
The metro gets very crowded. Locals say that peak travel time in the morning is anywhere from 9 am to 12 pm, and in the evening, it’s from 6 pm to 8 pm. Of course, avoiding the metro during these times may not be possible, so if that’s the case, just be prepared for a squeeze.
Each train has six to eight cars
One of these cars is reserved only for women. Although the metro system was opened in 2002, the women’s-only car arrived in 2010. While India is generally a safe place to visit for women travellers, additions like this allow you to travel with even more confidence and comfort.
Your bag will be scanned before you board
For security reasons, every metro station has an X-Ray scanning machine to check your bag before you board. At most stations, there are weight and size limits of one bag not exceeding 80 cm x 50 cm x 30 cm in size and 25 kilograms in weight. This rises to two bags, not exceeding 90 cm x 75 cm x 45 cm in size and 32 kilograms, for the Airport Express Line.
You’re not allowed to eat on the train
That said, many stations have kiosks where you can buy coffee, tea and local snacks. Some stations even have entire food courts filled with popular local and international chains where you can buy full meals. Hot tip: Go for local chains and pass on the internationals… because you can do better than that.
Using the Delhi metro to get to your hotel from the airport
The Orange Line – which goes directly to the airport – runs from Terminal 3 and New Delhi metro station (which is opposite the New Delhi railway station). Trains run nearly every 10 minutes, from around 5 am to 11:30 pm every day.
And that’s not all. The DMRC opened a additional Magenta Line (Line 8) in 2017 that goes to the airport, too. While it’s not an express train like the Orange Line, it gives you even more airport-to-hotel options. The Magenta Line has 26 stations total – many of which interchange with other lines – and operates from Terminal 1.
Read more: The best places to go in India based on your travel vibe
The best Delhi metro stations for sightseeing
One of the coolest parts about taking the Delhi metro is that the metro itself is a sight to be seen. That said, you can also use it to get to other awesome attractions, too. Riding a country’s rail system is the best way to get to know about daily life and culture. Here are five solid stations that will place you right in the middle of the action.
1. Chandni Chowk on the Yellow Line
This brings you to Old Delhi which, while busy, is a must-see. You can walk to the Red Fort from here and, around the area’s famous Mughal-era bazaar and spice market, there are tonnes of street food stalls to try.
2. Rajiv Chowk on the Yellow and Blue Lines
When you get off at this station, you’ll be close to Connaught Place, the commercial business and financial hub of Delhi – known for its Georgian-era, white-colonnaded buildings – that also has heaps of markets and stalls. This is where you go to get all of the Indian trinkets you want.
3. Hauz Khas on the Yellow Line
Hauz Khas village is the hipster neighbourhood of Delhi. Expect to drink artisanal beer and quality coffee, visit artsy clothing and jewellery boutiques and stroll through colourful, graffiti-covered alleyways. Built around a 13th-century reservoir, there’s a huge park to explore, dotted with medieval ruins – acting as a green lung to the city.
4. Nehru Place on the Violet Line
Nehru Place sits right by the Lotus Temple, a place of worship, constructed in the shape of a flower that’s one of the most popular attractions in Delhi. The Epicuria food court here is also worth checking out for a modern take on Delhi’s food scene.
5. Central Secretariat, on the Yellow and Violet Lines
Get off here to be close to the Indira Gandhi Memorial, Lodhi Garden, India Gate, the Parliament House and more.
Try out Delhi’s metro on your next small-group adventure in India with Intrepid.
