Getting around the huge city and capital of India, Delhi along with 14 million other passengers is an true adventure. Endless, 24 hours traffic mixed with motorbikes, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, buses, taxi’s and several super fancy cars. Many of them drivers will have no shame in charging tourists at least 10 times the regular fare. Make sure to follow strict guidelines, agree upon prices before taking off, and try accepting the fact they take a rupee or two more.
Taxi The most convenient and safe way to get around is by Delhi taxis, of which most are old but reliable Ambassadors in distinctive black-yellow livery. Please note, Ambassador taxi’s don’t have air condition. When you’re planning a little sightseeing tour, a cab is an requirement. Use for example TriCabs which charge Rs. 950 (about $20us) a day. For short trips, you can hail a taxi at the street. The meter starts at Rs. 6 (about $0.12us) plus Rs. 7 (about $0.15us) per km. although most meters are rigged, try agreeing upon the price in advance. Most trips within Delhi should be around Rs. 50-100 (about $1 to $2us), while the airport fee should be Rs. 200 (about $4.25us), and an 8 hour charter Rs. 500 (about $11us). Tip is expected when the driver is helpful, up to 10% of the total fare. As of recent years, the modern taxi operators Delhi Cab, Easy Cab, Quick Cab and Metro Cab have been catching on business rapidly, they’re twice the price per kilometer at Rs 15 (about $0.32us) per km but offer air condition and modern, clean cabs. Be sure to never take unofficial taxi’s, they might take you to the wrong place, or try to upsell you unwanted and overpriced tours, hotels and day trips.
Auto Rickshaw The auto rickshaws, also known as three-wheeled scooters or in short autos are perfect for short trips through Delhi. They reminded me of the Bangkok tuk-tuk’s. They drive around in distinctive yellow-green livery, and have no doors. About three people can sit in the back and in general are much cheaper than regular taxi’s. Although rickshaw drivers should charge according to meter by law, starting at Rs. 10 (about $0.21us) for the first km, and thereafter Rs. 4.5 (about $0.09us) per km, it doesn’t happen to often. This rate is unrealistically low, you will be hassled for an higher price. The shortest journey costs about Rs 20 (about $0.42us), remember to not pay over Rs. 100 (about $2.10) for anywhere within Delhi. In case you have serious troubles with the auto-rickshaw driver try calling the tourist police number on the vehicle, he will be fined with 500 rupees (about $10.70us) according to law.
If you don’t like the hassle and haggle of pricing, there’s also a number of “prepaid” auto-rickshaw stands run by the police. Tell them your exact location, pay upfront and receive a coupon. You will have to pay an extra service fee of Rs. 5 (about $0.10). Once you have arrived at your final destination, you hand the coupon to the driver. No further payment is necessary.
Cycle Rickshaw The cycle rickshaws, are three-wheeled, pedal-powered rickshaws, with a double seat in the back and a driver in the front. They are often used to travel places too far to reach by foot. Cycle rickshaws don’t use meters, be sure to agree upon the price before stepping on. Rs. 20 (about $0.40us) is reasonable for most short trips, with a maximum of 2 km. Although most locals pay below 10 rupees per ride. The cycle rickshaw is an ideal, unique and cheap way exploring the Old Delhi city center, as well feeling, hearing and viewing the tense streets of Delhi.
Bus All of Delhi’s districts are well connected by public buses, tickets range from 5 to 15 Rs. (about $0.10us to $0.30us) which is the cheapest way of transport, but they are also the least comfortable means of transport, and not easy to use for tourists. Public buses in Delhi are ever crowded, have no air-condition and drivers are famous for driving rashly. Bus stops and routes often have Hindi writing, and there’s no route lists for tourists. Asking locals is your best guess when traveling by bus. They do run every 15 to 20 minutes, which is pretty frequent. There’s two types of buses driving in Delhi; the Goverment DTC buses and Privately run Blue-Line buses. If you have choice, choose the DTC buses. They are known to stop less, and will be less crowded. Although, both buses will stop anywhere within Delhi if enough people get on or off.
When you board the bus, you have to purchase a ticket from the ticket seller right next to the entrance door. Hang on to your ticket, believe it or not Indian authorities check perform ticket checks frequently. Some basic guidelines include that the seats on your left hand side may be reserved for women and handicapped, as well once it’s time to get off move to the front of the bus near the drive. As you can expect, each and every guideline are ignored when it’s crowded. As I’ve seen, pretty much 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 12 months per year.
Metro The three underground metro lines Dilshad Garden-Kashmere Gate-Rithala (Red) Jahangirpuri-Kashmere Gate-Connaught Place-Central Secretariat (Yellow) Noida-Connaught Place-Dwarka Sector 9 (Blue) provide air-conditioned, cheap and quick but more importantly a hassle-free way of traveling around the city. Fares range low as Rs. 8 (about $0.16us) up to Rs. 30 (about $0.61us). You have to purchase tokens in order to travel to your destination, for each trip you need to re-purchase tokens. If you are planning using the metro as your main way of transportation you’re better off purchasing a “Tourist Card” which costs Rs. 100 (about $2.10us) per day, or Rs. 250 (about $5.36us) for three days. Although it’s unlikely you will travel enough to break even, you can save a great deal of time and hassle by skipping the queues.
Each line has it’s use, for instance line 2 is popular and useful for traveling to Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations, as well the ISBT bus terminal and “backpacker heaven” Paharganj. Line 3 allows you to visit the western parts of Paharganj and the Akshardham. The metro/subway network is still expanding, they next scheduled project is an direct Airport Link which should be finished this year.
Train Although trains are an excellent way of transport through India itself, there’s a limited services within Delhi itself, you simply can’t begin to compare to it’s user-friendly and futuristic Metro system and stations. Within Delhi, train stations are inconveniently location, most of the time on the outer spaces of the city. Besides the fact that there’s no passenger services within the Delhi Ring Railroads outside regular rush hours.
Foot Walking around Delhi, isn’t something I can recommend. Most of the time it’s to hot to walk, the distances are long, the road sings are poor and in touristic areas you will be constantly bothered by beggars and touts (ignore them). Not to begin about crossing roads in Delhi, a good advice on this is one is to crawl behind a group of locals and walk in their shadow. Oldest trick in the book but works every time. Further more it’s not advised to walk alone at night, always be friendly with the locals when walking around, as well watch out for pickpocketing and bag snatchers.
If you are seeking places to walk I would recommend the safe route from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s house) to India Gate on the Rajpath, or simply try walking from Jama Masjid to Red Fort in the Chandni Chowk area.
Overall To summarize it all together, traveling around in Delhi, India whether you go by private taxi, metro, auto/cycle rickshaw or bus is cheap and most of the time effective. Stand your grounds when making the prices with the drivers. Keep in mind the city has many methods of traveling around, it’s advised to try different ones, even if it’s only to experience one and another.
