New Delhi Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(New Delhi, Delhi, India)

New Delhi is a bustling city and as India's capital, there is always something going on. Local businessmen in New Delhi lead a fairly fast-paced life and visiting travellers will be able to soak up the atmosphere, sightseeing at their own speed.

Whilst most locals in New Delhi are honest and generally pleasant, there are some scams operated by locals, who tend to see tourists as an easy target. Especially prevalent in New Delhi are a growing number of unofficial travel agencies, which should be avoided. The only official tourist office is the India Delhi Tourism outlet listed below. Also be on the look out for hotel touts and never be dissuaded from your original hotel choice, especially when you have reserved a room. Refer to our travel tips shown here about life in New Delhi, so that you are fully aware of what you can expect.

Useful Contact Details

A tourist counter can be found upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, while other outlets can be found at the main train stations. Student cards can be either obtained or renewed to the Student Travel Information Centre.

India Tourism Delhi (Government of India Tourist Office)
Address: 88 Janpath, Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110 001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2332 0008
Website: www.incredibleindia.org
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 14:00

Student Travel Information Centre
Address: ITDC Hotel Janpath, Janpath, New Delhi, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2336 8760
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00

Delhi Travel and Transportation Development Corporation
Address: N36 Middle Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110 001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2331 5322

Haryana State Tourism Development Corporation.
Address: 36 Janpath, Chanderlok Building, New Delhi, 110 001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2332 4910

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Address: 36 Janpath, Chanderlok Building, New Delhi 110 001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2332 5320

Madhya Pradesh State Tourism
Address: 204 / 205, Kanishka Shopping Plaza, 19 Ashoka Road, New Delhi, 110 001, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2332 6528

New Delhi Post Offices
Address: GPO, New Delhi, 110 001, India, IN
The New Delhi GPO is located within the centre of a busy roundabout, just a short walk to the south-west of Connaught Place. A further post office branch is located on Connaught Place itself.

Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO)
Address: Level 2, East Block 8, Sector 1, RK Puram, New Delhi, India, IN
Tel: +91 011 2671 1443
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 13:30 and 14:00 to 15:00

Language and Dialect

Hindi is the official spoken and written language in New Delhi, although English is also considered to be another official language, along with Punjabi and Urdu. However, Hindi will always be India's most notable language and is both spoken and recognised by most. A selection of basic Hindi phrases are shown below.

Hi / Hello - namaste
Goodbye - alavidha (namaste)
Thank you very much - aapakaa bahut bahut dhanyavaad
I don't understand - mai nahii samajta hu
Please - kripaya
What? - kya?
Who? - kaun?
Please write it down - zara likh dijiye

Visa Information and Passports

Those arriving in New Delhi from outside of India will need to bring a valid passport and tourist visa. Multiple entry visas are available from local Indian embassies and remain valid for six months, from their date of issue.

Useful Advice and Scams

• Banks and ATMs - cashpoints are connected to all of the major banking networks and particularly plentiful around Connaught Place and the Main Bazaar
• Beggars - avoid giving cash to beggars and also street children in New Delhi, as there is always the possibility that others nearby will consider you a 'soft touch' and quickly descend
• Clothing and Dresscode - women wearing revealing tops and short skirts will always draw attention to themselves when visiting New Delhi, often causing the locals to stare. This may not be suitable attire when visiting shrines, when you may even be asked to remove your shoes before entering
• Credit Cards and Cash - although credit cards are widely accepted throughout New Delhi, it is worth exchanging some Indian Rupees, particularly if you plan to shop in some of the markets and bazaars. When using credit cards for shopping in New Delhi, always keep your card in sight and do not let the shopkeeper take it away for any reason
• Drinking Water - do not drink tap water anywhere in New Delhi and always avoid ice. Bottled water is safe, provided the seal is still intact. Consider bringing water purification tablets
• Haggling - when visiting shops that cater specifically to tourists, be prepared to haggle over the price, as they are usually inflated
• Hotels - it is always wise to book your New Delhi hotel in advance, since the best accommodation can fill up quickly
• Internet Access - a number of Internet centres are located within Connaught Place, although you will find more in the main tourist hubs, such as Paharganj
• Mobile Phones - bring your mobile phone to New Delhi. It is easy to get hooked up to India's local network and regional calls are fairly inexpensive
• Pickpockets - wherever there is a jam-packed crowd in New Delhi, you would be wise to conceal your valuables and consider using a money belt for cash. Such instances include travelling on busy buses, shopping at the market, and also during major festivals
• Sole Travellers - if you are travelling alone, consider sharing your transport, such as taxis, auto rickshaws and hire cars with a driver. This can save you a lot of money
• Telephones - countless telephone kiosks are dotted around central New Delhi, a number of which offer both Internet access and fax services
• Tipping - porters, restaurants and taxi drivers in New Delhi will all expect to be tipped to some extent, although this is always at your discretion
• Toilets - mid-range hotels and more upmarket accommodation all have sit-down toilets with toilet paper provided, where a bin is available for disposal. However, in New Delhi's most basic budget hotels, you may also have some Indian-style 'squat' toilets, where toilet paper is not always supplied, and instead you will be expected to use the tap and a strategically placed jug
• Travel Agents - an increasing number of dodgy travel agents are preying on tourists visiting New Delhi. Always ensure that the agent is a member of an accredited association, such as the Travel Agents Association of India, and insist that you also receive written confirmation of what has been promised