Delhi travel blog

Delhi is a fantastically cultural place with a blend of Old Delhi charm, the New Delhi post-colonial influences and the vibrancy that a city of 33 million people brings. It would be fair to say that anyone planning a trip to Delhi would have some trepidations in relation to the food, the chaos and the roads. That’s why we’re here, for your one stop travel guide to Delhi, what to do and how to keep safe whilst you’re doing it!

Delhi has plenty to keep you busy, so dependant on what you are wanting to see and do whilst there will vary the amount of time you will need to see everything.

Between 2-4 days would be more than enough to see most of the sights, experience what Delhi has to offer and give you a chance to explore what other beauty’s lie within India’s borders. However, if you’re seeking something more specific, you may need a little longer!

Delhi has so much to offer, from vibrant bustling streets to calmer, more sedate neighbourhoods – something not usually synonymous with thinking about Delhi! Here are few must sees whilst you’re there:

· Hauz Khas Village – this quieter part of Delhi has a bustling street scene with mid range restaurants, rooftop bars, shops and cafés. The Main Street is pedestrianised in an evening, meaning the road is much quieter and easier to walk down after dark (just watch out for bikes!) There’s lots of food choice, with the option of Northern and Southern Indian food, alongside more western cuisine if that is what you are looking for. Only a 20 minute walk from Green Park Metro Station makes getting there much easier too!

· Lodi Park – this is a great place to explore in a quieter part of New Delhi. Again, it is close to the metro network, so easily accessible. The park offers a huge green expanse with lakes, stepping stones, bird gardens and grassed fields. It also boasts some truly impressive mausoleums from the Lodi times of India, where you can explore - all free of charge!

· The Red Fort – Originally built by the Mogul emperor to move the capital of India to Delhi and is also the first place the Indian Flag was raised following Independence in 1948. It is now the focal point of Old Delhi. The fort itself is a must visit for the fascinating history, but the area surrounding the fort is where you will really experience authentic Old Delhi – as long as you don’t mind big crowds!

· Khan Market – This is a lovely area of New Delhi where you can get a very good cup of coffee should the craving hit you. The market itself boasts high end stores, trendy coffee shops and independent boutiques. If you’re in need of escaping the hustle and bustle and enjoying a bit of quiet time over a well-made hot drink, Khan Market is the place for you.

· Food Tour – The food in Delhi, as with everywhere in India, is delicious. However, as any prospective traveller to India will know, the risk of Delhi Belly is high. Food Tours offer a safe way to try the local street food and restaurants with a guide who knows the area. Using a highly rated guide will give you the experience of an Indian food local, without the risk of food poisoning later on. Get in touch for a recommendation.

There is no getting around it, a city big enough to be home to 33 million people is bound to be huge and it does not disappoint. Travelling around Delhi though is much easier than you might think – here’s some of our tips:

· Uber – an absolute must for India. It offers cars but also Tuk Tuks, which are a brilliant and cheap way to get around. The Taxi fares on Uber are very reasonable, and an hour journey in a Tuk Tuk is unlikely to cost you much more than £3 and a Car will probably be around £5 – at the most. Uber also has several safety features embedded for extra security, including giving a PIN to the driver to ensure it’s the right car, journey tracking and driver ratings. Even better, there’s no haggling needed on your fare!

· Metro – Delhi has a very modern metro system which provides exceptional coverage across the city with multiple lines. Buying tickets can be done on the machines provided, however you can also buy them from the staffed ticket booths. Fares are very reasonable costing between 10p-80p depending on how far you are going. There is also a security station prior to getting on the trains with metal detectors for passenger safety.

· Tuk Tuks/Rickshaws – These line the streets of Delhi and walking along the street without at least 5 offers from passing drivers is a rarity. They offer a convenient way to get around the city and are very efficient at getting you from A to B. Just bear in mind that you will need to barter with them to make sure you get a good price

· Walking – this is certainly a viable option, and a great way to get a true feel for where you are staying, as long as the distance isn’t too far. Make sure you cross roads with caution, and if possible use over passes and designated crossing zones. Be sure to check your footing regularly too as there are occasions where the footpaths are not in best condition!

Delhi is a large city with lots of accommodation choices. Neighbourhoods such as Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, Connaught Place and Defence Colony came up as great options during our research. Old Delhi, East Delhi and North Delhi had more budget options, but these are very busy areas. 

We stayed in an Air BnB in Hauz Khas and would highly recommend. The room was very comfortable and it was located down a quiet side street, making for a very relaxing stay. We had a view of Hauz Khas Fort which was great. Also free water bottles every day. It was £50 a night but worth it for the location. The link is available on our accommodation India page under Travel tips.

There are ample food opportunities in Delhi. We only really had time to explore the restaurants of Hauz Khas, which had some great restaurants:

- Naivedyam for South Indian Cuisine. Dishes will cost 1-3 GBP

- Coast Cafe for authentic Kerala food. Dishes will cost 2-5 GBP

- Street food tour

- Khan Market

For more  tips on where to eat (especially Gluten Free friendly) check out our Instagram page and see the India GF reel! 

Most of what we have told you above covers our experience in Delhi and how best to get around and what to see. A couple of general tips though would be make sure if you do have ice in your drink, it is from filtered water. When you arrive at the airport, make sure to get a Sim Card and a little bit of cash. And finally, if you intend to withdraw money from a cash point, make sure you have a VISA card as Mastercard is not as widely accepted.