Delhi Travel Guide: Sights, Seasons, Airports and Getting Around
Delhi is India's capital, and the Ministry of Tourism lists three World Heritage Sites in the city: the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar. Its Incredible India site sets narrow lanes and centuries-old monuments beside green spaces, modern buildings and colonial-era architecture, and it lists markets, museums, gardens and places of worship among the city's sights.
The site's schedule data records flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), 16 km from the city centre by its operator's figure, and from Hindon Airport (HDO), which is in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh, not in Delhi. Delhi Tourism, the Delhi government's tourism body, lists an Agra and Jaipur excursion, labelled the Golden Triangle, among its trips outside Delhi.
What to see in Delhi
World Heritage Sites on the Ministry's list
Red Fort Complex
The Red Fort was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad. With the older Salimgarh fort beside it, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, it forms the Red Fort Complex, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2007. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638, and the fort was begun in 1639 and completed after nine years.
ASI says the Mumtaz Mahal inside the fort now houses the Delhi Fort Museum. The Ministry of Tourism lists an evening sound and light show at the fort, called Jai Hind, and says the Prime Minister raises the national flag at the Red Fort every Independence Day.
Humayun's Tomb
The World Heritage Centre describes Humayun's Tomb as the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, and inscribed it in 1993. ASI records that Humayun died in 1556 and that his widow began the tomb.
Qutub Minar and its monuments
The World Heritage Centre lists the site as Qutb Minar and its Monuments, inscribed in 1993, and describes the minar as a red sandstone tower. The Ministry of Tourism, which spells it Qutub Minar, lists the Quwwat ul-Islam Mosque, the Alai Darwaza gate, the Alai Minar and the Iron Pillar in the complex. The World Heritage Centre dates the Alai Darwaza to 1311.
Checking hours and tickets at the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar
ASI and the Ministry of Tourism give different opening hours for the Red Fort, so check the Archaeological Survey of India's Red Fort page for current hours and access before you go. ASI lists ticketed entry to the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb, with online and cash payment options. For the Qutub Minar, the Ministry of Tourism says opening hours may vary seasonally.
Other sights on the Ministry's list
The Ministry of Tourism also names India Gate, the National War Memorial, Jantar Mantar, Raj Ghat, the Old Fort, Tughlaqabad Fort, Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, the National Police Memorial and the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya. It lists the Agrasen Ki Baoli stepwell, Mirza Ghalib Ki Haveli and Bhuli Bhatiyari ka Mahal, and Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which it says holds monuments of the Sultanate era, the Mughals and the British.
More places the Ministry lists
Museums on the list are the National Museum, the Crafts Museum, the National Rail Museum, Shankar's International Dolls Museum and the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets. Arts venues named are Mandi House, Kamani Auditorium, Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, the India Habitat Centre and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
Food and shopping areas on the list are Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Khan Market, Hauz Khas Village, Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar. Dilli Haat and the Khari Baoli spice market are listed as well.
Among the green spaces are Sunder Nursery, Lodhi Garden, the Garden of Five Senses, Talkatora Garden, the National Rose Garden, Buddha Jayanti Park, Amrit Udyan, the National Zoological Park and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Places of worship listed as sights
The Ministry lists places of worship among Delhi's sights: Akshardham Temple, Nizamuddin Dargah, Jama Masjid, Sri Digambar Jain Lal Temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and the Lotus Temple, which it says welcomes all faiths.
When to go to Delhi
The Ministry of Tourism describes October to March as Delhi's cooler months, when it says the weather suits exploring.
Festivals and events in Delhi
Delhi Tourism lists these festivals for the city: Christmas, Diwali, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Holi, Independence Day, Lohri, New Year and Republic Day. At the Red Fort, the Ministry of Tourism describes Bharat Parv, a five-day festival in late January, and the Independence Day flag-raising on 15 August.
Delhi's air quality plan
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) publishes a Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and its surrounding region, in a revision dated 29 September 2026. It sets four stages, from 'Poor' to 'Severe +', by Delhi's air quality, and says each stage's actions are brought in ahead of the air reaching that stage's level. Check CAQM for the stage in force when you travel.
Flying to Delhi
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
The airport's operator, Delhi International Airport Limited, lists three terminals. Which one you use depends on the airline and, for some airlines, the flight number, and the operator tells passengers to check their flight details. The Indira Gandhi International Airport page has the terminals, transfers, transport and the full list of routes.
The operator publishes winter travel advice on fog, with live runway visibility readings, and asks passengers to check with their airline for flight updates.
Hindon Airport, Ghaziabad (HDO)
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) describes Hindon Airport as a civil enclave in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh. AAI's transport page lists no parking at the airport, day or night, and pick-up and drop taxi services, with passengers arranging their own cab. The site's schedule data records IndiGo and Star Air flights from Hindon, and the Hindon Airport page has its routes.
Main routes recorded from Indira Gandhi International Airport
The main routes recorded from Indira Gandhi International Airport are Delhi to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Delhi to Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi to Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi to Hyderabad, Delhi to Chennai (Madras), Delhi to Pune, Delhi to Ahmedabad, Delhi to Guwahati, Delhi to Kochi and Delhi to Goa (Dabolim). The airlines the site's schedule data records on these routes are IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, though not every airline is recorded on every route.
Getting around Delhi
Delhi Metro
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) runs the metro, and its website lists the Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Violet, Pink, Magenta and Grey Lines, the Airport Express (shown as the Orange Line), the Rapid Metro and Line 12. The DMRC website also carries a service status panel, a fare calculator and a first and last train search, and posts notices when services change.
Buses in Delhi
According to Delhi Tourism, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) runs the city buses and DMRC runs metro feeder buses. Delhi Tourism names these inter-state bus terminals (ISBT): Maharana Pratap ISBT at Kashmiri Gate, Swami Vivekanand ISBT at Anand Vihar and Veer Hakikat Rai ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan.
Rickshaws, taxis and walks
Delhi Tourism lists auto rickshaws, taxis, radio taxis and car rental alongside the metro and city buses. The Ministry of Tourism suggests a cycle rickshaw for the narrow lanes and names heritage walks.
Side trips from Delhi
Delhi Tourism lists Shimla-Kasauli, and Agra with Jaipur, as excursions outside Delhi.
The Taj Mahal is in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Ministry of Tourism lists Indira Gandhi International Airport among the nearest airports to the Taj Mahal, and says the Taj Mahal has World Heritage status.
Jaipur has a direct route recorded from Delhi, Delhi to Jaipur, and its own Jaipur guide.
Questions about visiting Delhi
Is Hindon Airport in Delhi?
No. The Airports Authority of India describes Hindon Airport as a civil enclave in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh, and its routes have their own pages, separate from those of Indira Gandhi International Airport.
When is the best time to visit Delhi?
The Ministry of Tourism describes October to March as Delhi's cooler months, when it says the weather suits exploring. The Commission for Air Quality Management publishes a graded plan for Delhi's air, so check the stage in force before you travel.
What are Delhi's World Heritage Sites?
The Ministry of Tourism names three: the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar. The World Heritage Centre records the Red Fort Complex as inscribed in 2007, and Humayun's Tomb and Qutb Minar and its Monuments as inscribed in 1993.
Where do I check the Red Fort's opening hours in Delhi?
On the Archaeological Survey of India's page for the fort. The Ministry of Tourism's Red Fort page gives different opening hours, so check ASI's page before you go for current hours and access.
Is Noida International Airport the same as Delhi's airport?
No. Noida International Airport is a separate airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, and the Prime Minister inaugurated its first phase on 28 March 2026, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB). A PIB release calls it the second international airport for the Delhi NCR region, complementing Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Is the Taj Mahal in Delhi?
No. The Taj Mahal is in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and the Ministry of Tourism lists Indira Gandhi International Airport among its nearest airports. Delhi Tourism lists Agra, with Jaipur, as an excursion from Delhi.
Do foreign visitors need a visa to visit Delhi?
Foreign nationals, except certain categories, need a valid passport and a valid visa to travel to India, according to the Bureau of Immigration. The official e-Visa site, indianvisaonline.gov.in, says the e-Visa is not valid for visiting Protected, Restricted and Cantonment Areas, and entry rules are in the India travel guide. The Bureau of Immigration says the Government of India has not authorised any agent to charge a fee for arranging an emergency or express visa or e-Visa, so apply on the official site.
More city guides
Guides to other Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Siliguri and Darjeeling, Srinagar, Varanasi, and the India travel guide for the country.