Delhi Getting there & around

Getting around

Local buses can get horrendously crowded so autorickshaws and taxis are desirable alternatives. Keep small change handy for fares.

Bus & tram

Bus

The Ex-Servicemen’s Air Link Transport Service (EATS; 23316530; F-Block, Connaught Place; 8am-10pm) has a bus service between the airport (both terminals) and its office, near Indian Airlines. The fare is Rs 50, plus Rs 10 per large piece of luggage. The bus will drop you off at most of the major hotels and, en route, at the Ajmeri Gate entrance to New Delhi train station (for Paharganj). There’s no set timetable as the bus operates according to flight arrivals.

When leaving the international terminal, the counter for EATS is just to the right as you exit the building.

Bus

The Delhi Transport Corporation runs some buses, and others are privately owned, but they all operate along the same set routes. Tickets cost a maximum of Rs 15 for travel within the city precincts. Whenever possible, try to board at a starting or finishing point, such as the Shivaji Stadium terminal , as there’s more chance of a seat.

Useful buses:

Bus 101, 104 or 139 Shivaji Stadium terminal to the Red Fort.

Bus 505 Janpath to Qutb Minar.

Bus 604 or 620 Connaught Place (on Sansad Marg) to Chanakyapuri.

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Local transport

Taxi

Look for the Delhi Traffic Police Prepaid Taxi Booth to the right just outside the international terminal entrance. It costs about Rs 220 to Paharganj; there’s a 25% surcharge between 11pm and 5am.

You’ll be given a voucher with the destination on it – insist that the driver honours it and, if not, return to the booth. Never surrender your voucher until you get to your destination; without that docket the driver won’t get paid.

At the domestic airport, the prepaid taxi-booking counter is inside the terminal.

Metro

Delhi’s outstanding Metro system has extremely efficient services with arrival/departure announcements in Hindi and English. Smoking and eating is prohibited, as is carrying firearms and travelling on the roof!

At the time of writing, three sections of the Metro system were operational: the Shahdara–Rithala phase (18 stations), the Vishwa Vidalaya–Central Secretariat route (10 stations) and the Dwarka–Barakambha Rd line (28 stations). The Metro is scheduled for completion around 2010.

Tickets (Rs 6 to Rs 22) are sold at Metro stations; there are also one-/three-day (Rs 70/200) ‘tourist cards’ for unlimited short-distance travel. For the latest developments (as well as route maps) see www.delhimetrorail.com or call 24369912.

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