City trip Delhi

When is the best time to go?

October to March are the best months for Delhi: pleasant dry weather with temperatures of 10 to 28 degrees Celsius. October is the absolute highlight: after the monsoon, the air is clear, greenery is lush and temperatures are perfect for sightseeing (18 to 32 degrees during the day). November brings cooler evenings and the Diwali festival period with impressive fireworks and light shows.

February and March are ideal for round-trip travellers: spring begins (12 to 30 degrees), flights are cheaper outside the peak season and the major monuments are less crowded than in December or January. Strictly avoid April to June: heat waves regularly reach 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. July to September is the heavy monsoon season with daily rainfall, flooding and severe transport disruptions.

The best neighbourhoods in Delhi

• Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) The historic centre around Red Fort and Jama Masjid: narrow lanes (galis) full of stalls, the Chandni Chowk bazaar with spices, silverware and sweets, and the dense atmosphere of centuries-old Mughal neighbourhoods. Visit early morning before the crowds.
• New Delhi (Connaught Place area) The colonial heart built by the British: the circular Connaught Place shopping complex, India Gate on the central boulevard and government buildings along Rajpath. Good hotel, restaurant and metro connections.
• South Delhi (Hauz Khas and Vasant Vihar) The trendy, modern face of Delhi: Hauz Khas Village with cafes, galleries and boutiques around a medieval reservoir; the Qutb Minar area; shopping centres like Select Citywalk. Relatively cleaner and less chaotic than Old Delhi.
• Lodi Colony / Defence Colony Quiet residential neighbourhoods with modern restaurants, coffee shops and the beautiful Lodhi Garden green zone (free). Ideal for a morning walk among medieval Lodi-era tombs.
• Paharganj The classic backpacker district right behind New Delhi Station: cheap guesthouses, local thali restaurants and a buzzing street atmosphere. Conveniently located for the station and metro but noisy.

Top 5 attractions in Delhi

• Red Fort (Lal Qila) The imposing red sandstone fortress of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is Delhi's most famous monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry for foreigners: approximately 950 rupees (~10.50 euros). Open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 to 17:30; closed Monday. There is an evening light and sound show. Buy tickets in advance at the Lahori Gate entrance.
• Humayun's Tomb The impressive mausoleum of Mughal emperor Humayun (1565) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the prototype for the Taj Mahal in Agra. Entry for foreigners: approximately 550 rupees (~6 euros), including Sunder Nursery. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Quietest early in the morning; beautiful golden light for photography.
• Qutb Minar The 73-metre minaret from 1193 is the oldest surviving Islamic monument in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry for foreigners: approximately 550 rupees (~6 euros). Located in South Delhi (Mehrauli). The surrounding 13th-century ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam complex are included. Metro: Yellow Line to Qutb Minar or Saket.
• Lotus Temple (Bahai House of Worship) One of the most impressive modern religious buildings in the world: 27 marble-white petals rising like a lotus flower. Free entry. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 to 19:00 (summer) / 9:30 to 17:30 (winter). No specific dress code but silence is requested. Metro: Violet Line to Kalkaji Mandir.
• Jama Masjid India's largest mosque (1656), built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard accommodates 25,000 worshippers. Entry for foreigners approximately 300 to 400 rupees plus photography permit 300 rupees. Visit outside prayer times (avoid Friday afternoon). Located in Old Delhi, within walking distance of Red Fort.

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Delhi

KLM (daily) and Air India (daily) fly non-stop from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in about 8 hours 15 minutes. Return tickets start from approximately 720 euros (Air India, book early) to 800 to 950 euros (KLM). Prices are higher during the Christmas holidays and around the Diwali festival period.

There are no direct flights from Eindhoven (EIN) to Delhi. Travellers from the south of the Netherlands take the train to Schiphol (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and fly from there. Connections via Abu Dhabi (Etihad) or Dubai (Emirates) are alternatives, sometimes 100 to 200 euros cheaper but with a longer travel time of 11 to 14 hours.

From the airport to the city: Delhi Metro Airport Express (Orange Line) in 20 minutes for approximately 0.65 euros (60 rupees). The metro is strongly recommended over taxis outside the official prepaid counter to avoid price disputes. Delhi Metro (9 lines) covers almost all major sights; a single journey costs 10 to 60 rupees (~0.10 to 0.65 euros).

What does a trip to Delhi cost?

Return flights from approximately 720 euros (Air India, book early). Accommodation: hostel from about 8 euros/night, budget guesthouse Paharganj 20 to 40 euros, mid-range South Delhi 50 to 100 euros, boutique hotel 80 to 150 euros. Food: street food (paratha, chaat, biryani) 1 to 3 euros; restaurant meal 5 to 15 euros; dinner at a mid-range restaurant 15 to 30 euros. Entry Red Fort ~10.50 euros, Humayun's Tomb ~6 euros, Qutb Minar ~6 euros, Lotus Temple free. Daily budget (excl. flights): approximately 25 euros (backpacker) to approximately 80 euros (mid-range).