Paharganj, a popular neighbourhood in Central Delhi, is the ideal location for a traveler to stay in Delhi. It gives easy access to the monuments of Old Delhi like Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk as well attractions of New Delhi namely Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, India Gate, and the President’s House. The distance between Paharganj and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IATA: DEL) is 18 kilometers (11 miles). All international flights arrive at Terminal 3. Domestic flights arrive at Terminal 1.
Delhi International Airport
Overview of the Transportation Options from the Airport to Central Delhi (Paharganj)
Note 1: US $1 = 69 Indian Rupees (INR), December 2018
Note 2: All prices quoted with a “$” sign denote US Dollar (US$)
1. Free Hotel Shuttle
Nothing can be cheaper than free. Ask the hotel you are staying at if they provide free pickup from the airport.
2. Public Transportation
Public transportation options mentioned below are from Terminal 3. If your flight arrives at Terminal 1, then there is a free shuttle between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 that runs every 20 minutes.
(i) Public Buses
Airport Express Route 4 is the 24-hour bus service from terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station and it runs every 30 minutes. The approximate travel time from terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station is 1 hour 15 minutes. From the railway station, the hotel zone in Paharganj is a 5-minute walk (400 meters). Travelers with a lot of luggage can hail a cab from the train station to their hotel. The cost of the bus ride from the airport to the train station is Rs. 30 per-passenger (US$ 0.50). You can catch the bus at the ‘staging area’ opposite Centaur Hotel.
This is the cheapest option to get to Paharganj hotel zone from the airport.
(ii) Metro
The Metro Airport Express Line is the fastest way to get to Paharganj Hotel Zone from the airport. It takes 15 minutes and costs Rs. 60 per-passenger (US$ 0.93) to get to New Delhi metro station. From there, the hotel zone is a 13-minute walk (800 meters/0.5 miles). Cabs and tuk-tuks are readily available outside the New Delhi metro station. If you can fit your luggage in a tuk-tuk than that would be cheaper than a cab. The metro runs every 15 minutes from 4:45 AM to 11:15 PM.
The metro is the fastest way to get to Paharganj hotel zone from the airport.
3. Taxis
Taxis can be booked online or at one of the taxi counters at the airport. Taxis from the airport to Paharganj cost approximately Rs. 400-500 (US$ 6-8) with an additional 25% surcharge if you travel between 11 pm to 5 am. A taxi takes about 45 minutes but it really depends on the notorious Delhi traffic.
Taxi is the most comfortable way to travel from the airport to Paharganj
4. Uber or Ola
Uber and Ola are popular ridesharing options to travel between the airport and Central Delhi (Paharganj). They take the same amount of time as the taxis, approximately 45 minutes.
UberGo costs approximately Rs. 400 (US$ 6). But, UberGo cars are usually hatchbacks. Therefore, if you have a lot of luggage then UberX is a better option. UberX drivers drive sedans that have sufficient space for luggage and it costs approximately Rs. 500 (US$ 8). Ola Cabs cost about the same as Uber, approximately Rs. 400-500 (US$ 6-8).
5. Car Rental
If you are used to driving on the left-hand side of the road and you are brave enough to take on the madness called Delhi driving then you can rent a car at the airport. ZoomCar is the most popular car rental agency in India. And, their car rentals start at Rs. 1700 per day (US$ 26.50) and you get to drive the first 120 kilometers are included in the daily charge. Beyond that, they charge Rs 12-15/km depending on the type of the car. ZoomCar rental service is open 24/7.
You can rent the car online and call them once you arrive at the airport and they will bring the rental car at terminal 3 within 15 minutes. You do the same when you want to drop it off.
Qutb Minar Delhi
Summary
- Check with your hotel if you get a free shuttle.
- Traveling by public bus is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Paharganj costing US$ 0.50 per passenger. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Traveling by metro is the fastest way to get from the airport to Paharganj. The metro costs US$ 0.93 per passenger and takes 15 minutes.
- Taxi, Uber, or Ola are comparatively expensive costing US$ 6-8 and roughly takes 45 minutes and are best for people who want to travel with ease and comfort.
- Buses can and do get crowded at times. Therefore, metro is a better option if you are not used crowds.
- Metro is definitely the better option for traveling families or elderly who don’t want to reach Central Delhi for an economical price.