India Unbound’s Secret Delhi: A Guide to Travel in New Delhi City India’s Capital

An insider’s guide to New Delhi city India’s capital: The first in a five part series guiding you through the dos, don’ts and must haves of Delhi from India Unbound founder and India resident Lincoln Harris

Be sure you prepare for . . .

Arrival at Delhi airport, where it seems that half the city’s 14 million residents have come to welcome you.

Touts, hawkers and slightly annoying behaviour from just a handful of people who seem intent on putting a dampener on what is otherwise a friendly and truly amazing city.

New Delhi City

Five rules for the city:

DO use the prepaid taxi service from the airport, which is inside the arrival building, before you exit into the general public area – if you haven’t already arranged a transfer in advance.

DON’T believe the taxi driver if he says your hotel has closed down, burnt down or can’t be accessed due to some ‘Hindu-Muslim problem’ – it’s just an attempt to get you to the hotel where he gets a commission.

DO look both ways before crossing the street, even if it is a one way street. Traffic laws are obeyed at the driver’s discretion. If you are having trouble getting to the other side, attach yourself to a local and go when they do. DON’T expect vehicles to stop for you or the green man

DO try to get the auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to use the meter. DON’T expect that they will.

DO visit Old Delhi – especially if you are excited by the prospect of wandering aimlessly; getting disoriented and even slightly lost; trying strange snacks; drinking chai and generally just soaking up the old world vibe. This part of the city is from another epoch. Take a business card from the hotel where you are staying, so you can get an auto-rickshaw back when you’re lost or have had enough. If the thought of doing it alone scares you, try a guided walking tour such as www.delhiheritagewalks.com DON’T try to rush your visit to this part of the city – the roads are like car parks, even for the human-powered cycle rickshaws that are great fun and the most effective way to get around (even if you do feel like a slave driver).

DO, in the name of cultural sensitivity, brush up on your cricket knowledge – even if you despise the game. All you need to say is that Steve Waugh is your favourite player – he garners respect on a scale normally reserved for India players. For self-preservations sake DON’T say anything about Sachin (no one calls him Tendulkar) other than the most glowing superlatives that you can think of.

India Unbound, with over two decades of expertise, specializes in crafting personalized itineraries for various destinations, including famous itineraries like 10 days Rajasthan itinerary, Rajasthan historical tour, luxury rajasthan tour, luxury golden triangle tour, golden triangle tour with Ranthambore national park. These tailored travel plans ensure a memorable and enriching experience for travelers, showcasing the region’s rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.