Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a megacity and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India.
About Delhi
Overview
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a megacity and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its right bank, Delhi shares borders with the state of Uttar Pradesh in the east and with the state of Haryana in the remaining directions. Delhi became a union territory on 1 November 1956 and the NCT in 1995. The NCT covers an area of 1,484 square kilometres (573 sq mi). Travellers with little experience of visiting developing megacities may find Delhi to be chaotic at its worst, crowded and for much of the year, polluted. Air pollution has been a major problem in Delhi since the 1980s, with much of the day dominated with a very unhealthy amount of particles.
- India Gate
- National Museum of Natural History
- National War Memorial
- National Museum of India
- Bengali Market
- Khan Market
Top Destinations in Delhi
View All DestinationsTour Packages for Delhi
Culture & Heritage
Delhi's culture has been influenced by its lengthy history and historic association as the capital of India.
- Traditionally seven cities have been associated with the region of Delhi. The earliest, Indraprastha, is part of a literary description in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata (composed c.
- Travellers with little experience of visiting developing megacities may find Delhi to be chaotic at its worst, crowded and for much of the year, polluted. Air pollution has been a major problem in Delhi since the 1980s, with much of the day dominated with a very unhealthy amount of particles.
Travel Information
How to Reach
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), about 14 km
- Pragati Maidan railway station, about 2 km
- Buses arrive from Kathmandu and Chitwan in Nepal (36 hr+) and virtually every city in India. Although not as comfortable as the trains, buses are the only choice for some destinations, mainly those in the mountains.
Travel Tips
- Staying safe: Many first-time travellers to India find themselves falling victim to scams and touts, and unfortunately Delhi has a lot of both. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice.
- Getting around: Getting around Delhi is always an adventure. Traffic is, by and large, horribly congested and many drivers will think nothing of quoting ten times the going price to a tourist.
- Climate: The climate in Delhi goes through five distinct seasons.
- Heat: Daytime highs reach about 38°C in May; carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning.
- Rain: The wettest months are July, August and September; check road and site conditions before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Delhi is most comfortable in January, February, March, October and November, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is May (average high 38°C) and the wettest months are July, August and September.
The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), about 14 km away. The nearest railway station is Pragati Maidan railway station, about 2 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include India Gate, National Museum of Natural History, National War Memorial, National Museum of India, Bengali Market and Khan Market.
A stay of 2 days covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 19°C to 38°C over the year, with about 787 mm of rain in total.