Delhi: NDLS vs Old Delhi vs Nizamuddin, Which Station
Delhi has four major stations: New Delhi, Old Delhi, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar. Here is which one your train actually uses and how to avoid the wrong one.
TrainLiveStatus Desk · Updated · 4 min read
Photo: Shantum Singh / Pexels
Delhi has four major railway stations, and a ticket that says one of them doesn't mean you can simply show up at whichever is closest to your hotel. New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar each handle different parts of the network, and mixing them up is one of the most common ways travellers miss a train in this city.
The four stations at a glance
| Station | Code | Typically serves | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | NDLS | Most Rajdhanis, Shatabdis, and trains across all directions | Central Delhi, next to Paharganj and Connaught Place |
| Delhi Junction (Old Delhi) | DLI | Many north and northwest-bound trains, older long-distance routes | Old Delhi, near the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin | NZM | Many south and west-bound Rajdhanis (Chennai, Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Mumbai, Goa) and expresses | South Delhi, near Nizamuddin and Sarai Kale Khan |
| Anand Vihar Terminal | ANVT | Trains toward eastern UP, Bihar and the northeast | East Delhi, near the UP border and the ISBT bus terminal |
Why does my ticket say Nizamuddin instead of New Delhi
New Delhi station is the busiest and most congested of the four, and railways has deliberately shifted a share of long-distance trains, especially many heading south toward Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, to originate or terminate at Hazrat Nizamuddin instead, to spread the load. It isn't a mistake or a downgrade: NZM is a proper major terminal with its own full set of platforms and facilities, just in a different part of the city. If your ticket says NZM, plan your arrival there, not at New Delhi.
Which station for which direction
- Heading south (Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai via central routes): often Hazrat Nizamuddin, though many south-bound trains still use New Delhi, check your specific train.
- Heading north or northwest (Punjab, Jammu, Rajasthan): a mix of New Delhi and Old Delhi, historically Old Delhi handled more of this traffic and many trains still do.
- Heading east (Bihar, eastern UP, the northeast): frequently Anand Vihar Terminal, purpose-built to take pressure off the older stations for this corridor.
- Rajdhani and Shatabdi services generally: mostly New Delhi, though the Rajdhanis to Chennai, Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai (August Kranti and CSMT) and Goa run from Nizamuddin. There's no single rule, always check the specific train.
If you arrive at the wrong station
All four stations are connected by the Delhi Metro, though not always directly, and by taxi or auto. New Delhi and Old Delhi are the closest pair, a short metro ride or a 15-20 minute drive outside peak traffic. Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar sit further out in different directions, and travelling between any two of the four during Delhi's peak hours can take 45 minutes to over an hour by road. If you've mixed up your station and your train is close to departure, a taxi is usually faster and more predictable than the metro for a same-day scramble, budget generously for traffic.
Is Anand Vihar also relevant for some routes
Yes, and it's easy to overlook since it's less central than the other three. Anand Vihar Terminal in east Delhi handles a significant share of trains toward Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of the northeast, and it's also a major interstate bus terminus, which makes it a genuinely useful hub if your onward travel continues by road. It sits well away from the tourist centre of Delhi, so factor in extra transfer time if you're staying near Connaught Place or Paharganj.
Checking before you travel
The safest habit is to look up your specific train on its live status page, which shows the exact origin and destination station code, rather than assuming based on the route. Use the trip planner if you're choosing between multiple trains on the same route, since two trains to the same city can depart from two different Delhi stations on the same day.
A short history of why there are four
Old Delhi was the original major terminal, dating to the colonial era, and for decades handled the bulk of the city's rail traffic. New Delhi station was developed as the city grew and needed a station closer to the new capital area built in the 1920s and 30s. Hazrat Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar are newer still, expanded and upgraded over recent decades specifically to spread the load as Delhi's rail traffic outgrew what two stations could handle. Understanding that history helps explain why the split isn't random, it broadly follows both geography and how the network has grown outward from the old city centre.
A quick rule of thumb
When in doubt, New Delhi (NDLS) is still the single busiest and most central of the four, and the safest default for connections to the metro and the airport express line. But never assume, the only reliable answer for your specific journey is the station code printed on your own ticket.
Use it on your trip
Frequently asked questions
Why does my ticket say Nizamuddin instead of New Delhi?
Railways has shifted many long-distance trains, especially toward south India, to originate at Hazrat Nizamuddin to ease congestion at New Delhi. It's a full major terminal, just in a different part of the city.
How do I travel between these Delhi stations if I arrive at the wrong one?
All four are connected by the Delhi Metro and by road. Budget 45 minutes to over an hour by taxi during peak traffic between the more distant pairs, like Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar.
Which station is best for trains heading south?
Many south-bound trains now use Hazrat Nizamuddin, but not all, some still use New Delhi. Always check your specific train's origin station rather than assuming.
Is Anand Vihar also relevant for some routes?
Yes, it handles a large share of trains toward Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the northeast, and doubles as a major interstate bus terminus in east Delhi.
Sources
Rules and fares change. Check the official source before you travel. Last reviewed 29 September 2026.
