Last updated 17 September 2026
Delhi covers roughly 1,500 square kilometres, and the distance between two things you want to see is usually further than it looks on a map. Getting this right is the difference between seeing four monuments in a day and seeing two.
The short version: the Metro is genuinely excellent and beats road transport at rush hour; app cabs are cheap and remove all negotiation; autos are useful for short hops if you agree the fare first; and a private car earns its cost on a day with several stops or in the heat.
The options, compared
| Option | Cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | Very low | Rush hour, long distances, airport run | Crowds 8–10am and 5–8pm; not every monument is near a station |
| App cab (Uber / Ola) | Low | Door to door, at night, with luggage | Surge pricing; drivers cancelling short trips |
| Auto-rickshaw | Low | Short hops, last mile from a Metro station | Meters often refused — agree the fare before you sit |
| Private car with driver | Higher | Full sightseeing days, families, summer heat | Unsolicited shopping stops with commission operators |
| Walking | Free | Old Delhi lanes, Lodhi Garden, Khan Market | Distances between areas are much longer than they look |
The Metro
Delhi's Metro is one of the best in Asia — clean, air-conditioned, cheap and fast. Trains run roughly from early morning until about 11pm, and every station has security screening on entry, which takes a minute or two.
Pay with a travel card or a QR ticket bought at the station or in the DMRC app. A card is worth it if you plan more than a couple of journeys.
The Airport Express Line connects Terminal 3 with New Delhi railway station in about twenty minutes. At rush hour it comfortably beats a taxi, which can take an hour or more for the same journey.
The front carriage of every train is reserved for women. Bulky luggage is allowed on the Airport Express but awkward on the regular lines during peak hours.
App cabs and autos
Uber and Ola both work across Delhi and are inexpensive by international standards. The advantage is not only price — it is that the fare is fixed in advance and there is nothing to negotiate. Both also offer auto-rickshaws in the app, which solves the meter problem entirely.
Flagged-down autos are still useful for short distances. The meter is frequently refused; agree a price before getting in, and expect to be quoted high initially. A short hop across a neighbourhood should be modest — if the number sounds like a taxi fare, it is one.
At the airport, use the official prepaid taxi counter or an app pickup from the designated zone. Do not accept an offer from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall.
Private car with driver
For a sightseeing day this is usually the right answer, and not mainly for comfort. Delhi's monuments are spread across the city; with a car the vehicle waits while you go in, your bags stay with you, and you are not renegotiating transport five times a day in 40-degree heat.
It matters more with children, with elderly parents, in May and June, and on any day where you want to see more than three places.
One thing to settle before you start: shopping stops. Many drivers earn commission from emporiums and will build them into your day. A reputable operator does not. Say at the start that you do not want unplanned stops — and if you do want to shop, say that too, so it is on your terms.
Traffic, and how to plan around it
Delhi traffic is heaviest roughly 8–10am and 5–8pm on weekdays. In those windows a journey can take three times as long as the map suggests, and the Metro will usually win outright.
Old Delhi is its own case. Around Chandni Chowk, vehicles barely move and the lanes are too narrow for cars anyway. Arrive by Metro or drop at the edge and walk in — a cycle-rickshaw through the bazaar is slow, but it is also one of the better twenty minutes of a Delhi trip.
Sunday morning is the quietest the city gets. If your itinerary has one day with a lot of ground to cover, make it that one.
- Allow 45–60 minutes between areas during peak hours, not the 20 minutes the map shows
- Group sights by area rather than by interest — Old Delhi together, central Delhi together, south Delhi together
- Monument entry closes well before sunset; the last hour of the day is better spent somewhere open in the evening
Common questions
Is the Delhi Metro good for tourists?
Yes — it is cheap, air-conditioned, clean and far faster than road transport at rush hour. Buy a travel card or a QR ticket at the station. Bear in mind that several major monuments sit some distance from the nearest station, so you will often still need an auto or cab for the last stretch.
How do I get from Delhi airport to the city?
The Airport Express Metro reaches New Delhi station from Terminal 3 in about twenty minutes and is the fastest option at busy times. Otherwise use the official prepaid taxi counter or book an app cab from the designated pickup zone. Do not accept rides offered by people approaching you inside arrivals.
Should I use Uber or an auto-rickshaw in Delhi?
Uber and Ola remove the negotiation and fix the fare in advance, which makes them the simpler choice for most visitors. Autos are good for short hops and are cheaper — just agree the fare before getting in, since meters are frequently refused. Both apps also let you book an auto with a fixed fare.
Do I need a private car for a day of sightseeing in Delhi?
Not strictly, but it saves a great deal of time if you plan to see more than three places, and it matters in the summer heat or with children or older parents. The vehicle waits at each stop and your luggage stays with you, which the Metro and cabs cannot offer.