Delhi's climate is extremely dry and hot in summers. The only relief that the town gets from the heat is during the season of monsoon, which arrives in the month of July. The best time to visit Delhi is in the months of October to March, although December and January can be decidedly chilly. Springtime in February and March can be a beautiful experience especially as the parks and gardens are filled with flowers of different hues and shades. Avoid traveling in the summer especially in the months of May and June, as the heat is relentless and scorching.

Area:   1483 sq. kms.

Altitude:   239 mts.

Languages Spoken:   Hindi, English, Urdu and Punjabi

Best Travel Season:   September to March

Tempreture:   Summer: Mid-March to end Of June (Min. 25° C - Max. 45° C), Winter: Late November to Mid-February (Min. 3° C - Max. 11° C)

Rainfall:   26 cms. average yearly

Cloths:   Summer: Cotton, Winter: Light Woolens

Reaching Delhi by Air

Delhi is well connected by air with major cities in India and world through many airlines flying into and out of Delhi. There are two airports, the Palam Domestic Airport and the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is located some 23-kms away from the city center. The two airports are linked by bus/coach services. There is an official prepaid desk for booking taxis and therates are fixed. One can pay for the same before boarding the taxi. The Taxi counter is located just outside the customs hall in the International terminal and just outside Baggage claim area in the domestic arrivals.

Reaching Delhi by Rail / Train

Delhi is the headquarters of the Northern Railway and is well connected with all of the major places in India. Delhi is very well connected by rail to all parts of India. Delhi currently has various major railway stations as Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station and , Nizamuddin Railway Station.

The main office for making train reservations is located between the New Delhi Station and Connaught Place on Chelmsford Road. For foreigners, there is a separate reservation office located on the first floor of the New Delhi Railway Station. Special quotas are available till the last moment on various trains against foreign currency payment.

Direct trains connect Delhi to Guwahati (Rajdhani Express, Prushotam Express, Gomati Express, Brahmaputra Mail), Lucknow (Shatabdi Express), Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath Express), Mumbai (Rajdhani Express), Agra (Taj Express), Bangalore (Karnataka Express) and Thiruvannanthapuram (Kerala Express).

With the addition of special fast trains, Delhi is now well connected with majority of the State Capitals and important towns. These overnight trains are known as Rajdhani trains. Then there are the Shatabdi(s). These are the trains that leave Delhi in the morning and return back to Delhi the same day. The most famous is the Shatabdi for Agra (takes just 2 hours either way) and ideal for executives and tourists alike. The other is the Shatabdi for Jaipur (takes just over 5 hours either way). Due to their popularity, similar trains are operating from other cities also e.g. From Chennai to Mysore via Bangalore and back and from Mumbai to Pune and back.

Reaching Delhi by Road

Delhi is Linked with Bus Services of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and state roadways of the neighbouring states to all important cities and destinations in North India. The Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) located at Kashmiri Gate is fully equipped with a bank counter, tourist information center, post office and snack bars. Another Bus Terminus is at Sarai Kale Khan. Situated on Ring Road, this terminal is for inter-state buses going to Agra, Mathura, and Vrindavan. For buses to Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh, there is another ISBT at Anand Vihar in East Delhi. Plans are afoot to make more at the outskirts of Delhi for South and West Delhi.

Local Transport in Delhi

Taxis: They are metered and tourist should ensure that the meter is flagged down before he starts. Rates of these vehicles change after sometime and new rate cards are available with all drivers. Each colony has a taxi stand. They stand out due to their colours - black and yellow. Though metered, these are always outdated. So do check the fare chart, which is with the driver before paying. The all-white taxis are not metered and have a flat rate based on hours. A new concept recently introduced are the Radio Taxis known as "Dial-a-cab". They can be contacted on 1920. Charges are more than those of the normal taxis.

Auto Rickshaws: The most convenient and economical means of transport.

Delhi Transport Corporation: Delhi Transport Corporation Runs a large fleet of buses operating in the entire city. Some of them on certain routes are available at all the railways stations and the Interstate Bus Terminals. The peak hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the frequency being slightly lower from 1p.m. to 2.30p.m.in the afternoon. Night service buses are also available on selective routes and they are operated from the railway stations too. The timings are from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m and for confirmation of exact bus fare contact bus booth.

Rent A Car: There are several private operators, who offer this facility and if one has a valid driving license, there are several outlets, which provide self-driven cars too. Chauffeur driven cars are also available.

Sightseeing: Chauffeur driven cars can be hired or one can go on a conducted tour, which is the best way to see various places of interest in the least possible time. There are also private operators apart from the tours conducted by the India Tourism Development Corporation,Delhi Tourism Development Corporation and Delhi Transport Corporation.

Conducted Tours

For conducted tours please contact to...

Delhi Transport & Tourism Development Corporation (DTTDC)
Central Reservation Office, Coffee Home, Baba Kharak Singh Marg
Phones: 23365358, 23314229, 23314229, 23315322
Delhi City Tour: Rs. 300/- (Full day), Rs. 200/- (Half day)

Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)
L-1, Connaught Place
Phones: 23412336, 23415331, 23412336, 23410331
Delhi city Tour: Rs. 300/- (Full day), Rs. 200/- (Half day)

DTTDC Information Offices in Delhi

N-36, Bombay Life Building, Middle Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110 001. Phone: 23314229, 23315322, 23730416

New Delhi Railway Station, Phone: 23961083

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal I, Phone: 25675609, 25675126 Extn. 2297

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal II, Phone: 25691213, 25652021 Extn. 2136

Transport Office (open round the clock), West Kidwai Nagar, Shri Aurobindo Marg, Opp. INA Market (Near Dilli Haat). Phone: 24674153, 26884312

Head Office: 18-A, DDA SCO Complex, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 110 024. Phone: 24622364, 24654520, 24601500

Distances from Delhi to

Agra: 203 kms.
Almora: 373 kms.
Amritsar: 447 kms.
Bharatpur: 190 kms.
Calcutta: 1490 kms.
Chandigarh: 238 kms.
Gwalior: 319 kms.
Haradwar: 200 kms.
Jaipur: 258 kms.
Khajuraho: 596 kms.
Kullu: 502 kms.
Lucknow: 514 kms.
Mathura: 147 kms.
Mumbai: 1520 kms.
Mussoorie: 269 kms.
Nainital: 318 kms.
Shimla: 343 kms.
Shrinagar: 376 kms.
Udaipur: 663 kms.
Varanasi: 738 kms.