Things to Do in Delhi After You Get Off the Train

Delhi's arrival station shapes your first move more than in most cities, since "Delhi station" actually means one of four different places, New Delhi, Old Delhi, Nizamuddin or Anand Vihar, each of which puts you within reach of a different part of the city. This guide assumes the most common case, arriving at New Delhi (NDLS), the busiest and most central of the four.

How far are the main sights from New Delhi station

A single day from the station

If you only have a day, split it between Old and New Delhi rather than trying to cover both fully. Start in Old Delhi: the Red Fort in the morning before the heat and crowds build, then the dense lanes of Chandni Chowk for a walk and an early lunch, parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali is the classic choice. Move south in the afternoon for India Gate and a walk down Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), then Humayun's Tomb, a genuine precursor to the Taj Mahal's design and usually far less crowded, before the light fades.

Beyond a single day

Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth a half day on its own, along with the surrounding archaeological park. Hauz Khas Village, a mix of a medieval reservoir and tomb complex with a modern cafe and boutique district built up around it, makes an interesting contrast for an afternoon. For a break from monuments, Lodi Garden offers a quieter walk among 15th-century tombs set in landscaped grounds, popular with local joggers and picnickers as much as tourists.

Best time of year

October to March is by far the most comfortable window, with cool mornings and clear skies for walking around outdoor sites like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar. April to June gets genuinely hot, often crossing 40 degrees Celsius, which makes long outdoor sightseeing uncomfortable in the middle of the day. The monsoon, July to September, brings humidity and occasional heavy downpours, along with November's well-documented air quality issues worth checking before a winter trip focused on outdoor sightseeing.

Getting a prepaid auto or taxi at the station

Prepaid auto and taxi booths operate at New Delhi station, and it's worth using them over an unmetered ride hailed on the street, since fares are fixed by distance and posted clearly. That said, for most central Delhi destinations, the metro is faster and avoids traffic entirely, worth the short walk from the platform to the station entrance.

Which trains connect most easily to Delhi

New Delhi station handles a huge share of the country's long-distance network, Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Express trains from almost every direction. If your ticket instead shows Hazrat Nizamuddin, Old Delhi or Anand Vihar, don't assume it's an error, Delhi genuinely splits its rail traffic across four major terminals, and each serves a different part of the city and a different set of routes. Check your specific train's live status page for its exact arrival station before you plan your onward transport, or read our full breakdown of which Delhi station is which if you are still unsure.

Food to try near the station

Paharganj, the budget travel district right next to New Delhi station, has a dense cluster of cheap eats and rooftop cafes if you want something quick before or after a train. For a proper meal, Connaught Place a short ride away has everything from old Delhi institutions to modern Indian restaurants, and it doubles as a good base for an evening out if you have a night to spare before an early train. Street food in Chandni Chowk, particularly around Paranthe Wali Gali and the chaat stalls near Jama Masjid, is worth the short detour on your Old Delhi morning.

Getting around once you're there

The Delhi Metro is the single most useful tool for a short visit, fast, air-conditioned, and largely free of the traffic that can turn a short road journey into an hour-long crawl during peak times. Buy a smart card or use a QR ticket rather than tokens for a multi-stop day, it saves queuing at each station. For destinations off the metro network, autos and app-based cabs cover the gaps. If your Delhi stopover connects onward to another city, check the trip planner for live trains rather than assuming a fixed timetable holds.