The New Delhi subway—officially the Delhi Metro—is one way to travel across the city, alongside intercity rail, buses, taxis and private cars. Which option fits your journey depends on your destination: the Airport Express Line serves the airport, while rail stations connect Delhi with destinations across India.
- Metro: DMRC reports an operational network of 416 km and 303 stations, including the Noida–Greater Noida Aqua Line and Rapid Metro Gurugram.
- Metro hours: Services are generally available from 06:00 to 23:00; station-specific first and last trains can differ.
- Rail: New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin are three important railway stations serving the city.
- Airport: Delhi Airport offers metro, taxi or cab, bus and private car transport options.
Metro, rail and road options at a glance
Delhi’s metro suits journeys between stations on its network, while rail, buses and road transport serve different parts of a wider trip. Delhi Tourism says the city has rail connections to major and nearly all minor destinations in India, as well as road and national-highway links to major cities.
For a bus journey, Delhi’s three major bus stands are Kashmiri Gate ISBT, Sarai Kale-Khan Bus Terminus and Anand Vihar Bus Terminus. Government and private providers operate bus services from them.
Start by identifying your destination and the relevant station or terminal. If your trip involves a train, check which of Delhi’s railway stations your train uses; for a metro journey, use DMRC’s journey planner to check the route and fare.
When is the New Delhi metro a practical choice?
The metro is a practical option when its stations connect your starting point and destination, and its operating hours match your plans. DMRC’s general service window is 06:00 to 23:00, but you should check the first and last train at the stations on your route.
Ticket choices include smart cards, tourist cards, National Common Mobility Cards, and app-based or paper QR-code tickets. Tourist cards allow unlimited travel on the DMRC network, excluding the Airport Express Line.
DMRC provides an online fare calculator. Airport Express fares can vary according to the interchange station, so use the journey planner for the exact fare. For help with routes and tickets, this guide to using the New Delhi metro covers the practical basics.
How do you connect New Delhi Railway Station with onward journeys?
New Delhi Railway Station is one of three important railway stations serving Delhi, along with Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. Check the station named on your rail ticket before choosing how to travel to or from it.
Delhi’s rail links reach major and nearly all minor destinations in India. If your journey continues by bus, the city’s three major bus stands are Kashmiri Gate ISBT, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar; government and private providers operate services from them.
The metro’s history includes the Yellow Line section between Shahdara and Tis Hazari, which began commercial service on 25 December 2002.
What are the options for Delhi airport transfers?
Delhi Airport identifies the metro, taxi or cab, bus and private car as ways to travel to and from the airport. DMRC advises airport passengers to use the Airport Express Line and change at New Delhi or Dwarka Sector 21, depending on their route.
The Airport Express Line serves New Delhi, IGI Airport (Terminal 3) and Dwarka Sector 21. For journeys involving the airport, check the route and interchange that suit your terminal and destination.
Pickup arrangements differ by terminal. At Terminals 1 and 2, app-based cabs, prepaid or fixed-rate taxis and car rentals are available outside the arrivals area. At Terminal 3, the pickup point for those services is the Multi-Level Car Park, Level 0; Evera EV electric cabs are also available there.
App-based options vary: Uber, Ola and Rapido operate at Terminal 1, Uber and Ola at Terminal 2, and Uber and Ola, along with Evera EV, at Terminal 3.
From Park Boulevard Hotel in the Mehrauli area, Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 70 minutes by car. For a closer look at airport connections, this overview of routes between Indira Gandhi International Airport and New Delhi compares the options.
Planning routes from the hotel area
From the Mehrauli area, begin by checking the full journey to your destination rather than assuming the metro will cover every leg. Compare the available metro route with a road transfer, and allow for the airport terminal or railway station you need to reach.
If you’re planning a day around South Delhi, this one-day South Delhi itinerary from a Mehrauli-area base gives the journey a local focus.
Before you go: Service hours, fares and airport pickup arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go. Consult DMRC for metro routes, train times and fares, and Delhi Airport for current terminal transport details.
FAQs
Which railway stations serve Delhi?
New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin are three important railway stations serving the city.
Does the Airport Express Line serve Terminal 3?
Yes. The Airport Express Line serves IGI Airport (Terminal 3), as well as New Delhi and Dwarka Sector 21.
How long does the Rapid Metro network take to cross?
Rapid Metro’s operator gives an approximate full-network journey time of 35 minutes and routine operating hours of 06:00 to 22:00.