Travel Guide Delhi
Capital of India, in the north of the country, New Delhi has 13 million inhabitants. Between the Himalayas and the Rajasthan desert, Delhi is bathed by the Yamuna, a tributary of the Ganges. This sprawling and vibrant city offers a unique experience. A shock if you are visiting India for the first time! Immersed in the bath, you will quickly (or not so quickly...) get used to the overpopulation, the noise level, the smells and the abundant colors and will fully enjoy an intense discovery. This is a gourmet destination. The gastronomy in New Delhi is as cosmopolitan as the city. Opt for tandooris, dal dishes, biryanis accompanied by naans, trying to avoid the spiciest versions! You can also indulge in shopping, for example by browsing the boutiques of Connaught Place or the Dilli Haat market, which brings together artisans from all over the country (especially in the field of fabric). Party people will dance in the country's most rocking nightclubs. In a more peaceful version, you will enjoy the parks and gardens of Delhi including Lodhi Garden, Hauz Khas Village. As for the heritage must-sees, they are numerous! You will not miss the visits of the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid mosque, admire the Indian Gate, the monumental gate of India. Go from one neighborhood to another with the impression of changing country. One atmosphere in the old streets of Chandini Chowk and another one in the Muslim quarter of Nizamuddin. It's several trips in one city!
What to visit Delhi?
Suggested addresses Delhi
When to go to Delhi?
The high tourist season begins in October, after the monsoon, and continues until April. The temperatures are then pleasant during the day, even cool in Delhi. At night, the thermometer drops, sometimes approaching 5°C. During this period, the prices of restaurants and hotels are multiplied by two or three... The low tourist season starts in May and ends at the end of September. From May to the beginning of July, the heat is stifling. Because of this heat, tourists do not visit Delhi and its surroundings during this period. Prices are low, but you really need to have courage to bear the heat and humidity. The excitement is at its peak during the festivals of Holi, in February or March, the festival of colors that marks the beginning of spring, and Diwali, in October or November, the most important Hindu festival of the year, the festival of lights and candles to celebrate the return of Rama to his kingdom.
Weather at the moment
New Delhi is characterized by a semi-arid subtropical climate with large temperature differences between the mild and sunny winter and the very hot and humid summer. January is the coolest month with days around 20°C and nights around 8°C. The most uncomfortable months are May and June with days where the temperature often exceeds 40 °C and nights where the temperature hardly goes under 26 °C. At the beginning of July, the monsoons begin.
Currency
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). The cost of living is more expensive in Delhi than in secondary cities. However, with a budget of 10 to 15 € per day it is modest hotel, small gargotes and public transport, with 50 to 70 € per day, comfortable hotel, quiet district, modern restaurant, car with driver to visit the surroundings, with 150 to 200 € per day, you are a maharaja!
To travel to New Delhi, as in the rest of the country, a visa is required. You can obtain a tourist visa online, it allows you to reside in New Delhi for 30 days. For this you will have to fill out a very detailed form (www.indianvisaonline.gov.in). Make sure that your passport is in perfect condition, that it has two blank pages and that it is valid for 6 months after your return date.
No vaccine is required to enter the Indian territory and therefore New Delhi. Only an anti-malaria certificate is required for travelers coming from infected areas, notably by the yellow fever virus. However, precautions must be taken. It is recommended to be vaccinated against certain diseases such as hepatitis A and B and to have an up-to-date vaccination booklet (DT Polio, tetanus...). You should also know that few visitors escape a tourista during their stay in New Delhi. Always be careful about your food and drinks.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Delhi? Our advice & tips
New Delhi is in the catalog of travel agencies. You can include the capital in a tour to the north of the country or concentrate on the only capital whose richness you will not exhaust even in one month. Booking your stay in New Delhi is a good choice because this sprawling city impresses and a specialist will know how to choose for you the best districts, the best tours, the best periods. Booking your stay for the festival of Diwali, will simplify your life!
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationWith a direct flight, it takes 8 hours to reach New Delhi from Paris. It is possible to organize your stay alone, even if for a first time, it may seem ambitious to manage alone. You need a good knowledge of the city to begin to find your way around and understand how it works.
In New Delhi the main means of transportation are motorized or bicycle-pulled rickshaws. You can travel long distances with them at low cost. Negotiate the price of the ride before you get on. There is also an extensive bus network. In addition, New Delhi has a metro system that continues to expand its lines.
