Delhi is a major international gateway. It’s also a centre for domestic travel, with extensive bus, rail and air connections. Delhi’s airport can be prone to thick fog in December and January (often disrupting airline schedules), making it wise not to book back-to-back flights during this period.
By Air
The domestic terminals (Terminal 1) of the Indira Gandhi International Airport are around 15km southwest of Connaught Place, and the international terminal (Terminal 2) is a further 8km away. There’s (free) shuttle bus between the two terminals: catch it from within the Arrivals area of the International Airport and allow lots of time for the transfer.
Domestic (Arrivals & Departures)
Check-in at the airport for domestic flights is one hour before departure. Note that if you’ve just arrived and have an onward connection to another city in India, sometimes Air India flights depart from the international terminal, not the domestic terminal.
International (Arrivals & Departures)
The international airport’s arrivals hall has 24-hour money-exchange facilities, an ICICI ATM, prepaid taxi counters, a tourist information counter and a train reservation counter.
At the check-in counter, ensure you collect tags to attach to hand luggage (mandatory to clear security later).
By BUS
Bikaner House, near India Gate, operates good state-run buses. There are services to Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur. Delhi’s main bus station is the Inter State Bus Terminal, a north of the (Old) Delhi train station. It has a 24-hour left-luggage facility. This station is a chaotic so arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your departure time. State-government bus companies (and their counters) at the ISBT include (timetables are online):
Delhi Transport Corporation
Haryana Roadways
Himachal Roadways
Punjab Roadways
Rajasthan Roadways
Uttar Pradesh Roadways
By TRAIN
For foreigners, it’s easiest to make ticket bookings at the helpful International Tourist Bureau. Do not believe anyone who tells you it has shifted, closed or burnt down – this is a scam to divert you elsewhere. There are reportedly railway porters involved in scams, so stay on your toes and don’t let anyone stop you from going to the 1st floor of the main building for booking
When making reservations at the International Tourist Bureau, tickets must be paid for in rupees backed up by money-exchange certificates (or ATM receipts) or in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling; any change is given in rupees. Bring your passport. There’s a train booking counter at the airport (opposite).
There are two main stations in Delhi – (Old) Delhi train station in Old Delhi, and New Delhi train station, make sure you know which station serves your destination (New Delhi train station is closer to Connaught Place). If you’re departing from the Delhi train station, allow adequate time to meander through Old Delhi’s snail-paced traffic.
There’s also the Nizamuddin train station, south of Sunder Nagar, where various trains (usually for south-bound destinations) start or finish. Railway porters should charge around Rs20 to Rs30 per bag. Consult Trains at a Glance available at most newsstands, or ask tourist office staff.
I am a traveler from India, I like to explore every part of my great country. I am also writing on Agra, cheap hotels, budget hotel, hotel booking and online hotel booking.
Subscribe to my RSS Feed