Away With The Steiners

10 Tips to survive – and thrive – for your first time in Delhi. 

Sarah Steiner

Delhi, India’s chaotic megacity capital is the place where most travellers will start their journey in the country.  Though beginning plans for that first time in Delhi can be justly overwhelming.   

Delhi is like the nerve centre of India.  It is a city of extremes in which ancient and contemporary cultures coalesce.  But it is a brilliant city to start your adventure in India from and with a bit of a heads up you too can find your feet in this incredible subcontinent.   

Let’s go through the ultimate tips to make your first time in Delhi unforgettable.

A little bit about Delhi first

Delhi is a perfect mixture of ancient history with modern dynamics.  Though arriving for your first time to Delhi can justly feel overwhelming with the spread of India’s megacity capital. 

Colloquially Delhi and New Delhi are used interchangeably, although old Delhi is likely what you’re picturing in your mind when you imagine the chaos of India!  This is the bustling and busiest part of the city and thus the best part to visit early on the first day of your Delhi itinerary.   

Central Delhi is centred around Connaught Place.  This is a fairly modern district in Delhi with lots of shops and restaurants and close to the sites of the old city. 

South Delhi is a more residential area of the city and is close to the Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar.   

What to expect for your first time in Delhi 

Delhi’s charm lies in its contrasts. It’s a city where ancient history meets modern sophistication, where bustling markets coexist with unexpected peaceful(ish) green(ish) parks. 

It is a lot to take in for a first time in Delhi.  But that is all part of the incredible allure of India. 

It is as people describe it to be an assault on all of the senses. Though in a good way!  It makes you feel alive and it really does feel like a privilege to experience such a historic and exciting capital city. 

1. Find your feet

India remains one of the world’s greatest and most rewarding travel experiences.  It is also, a leap in the deep end arriving to your first time in Delhi.  

Even repeat visitors to this megacity of a capital find themselves wide-eyed taking it all in.  Because it is a lot to absorb on any scale. 

You don’t have to go all pseudo hippy and dive right in as a rugged traveller on your first time.  

Instead, allow yourself time to find your feet in Delhi.  It is ok to feel overwhelmed initially.  Though be prepared for awe and excitement to follow suite. 

Do some research first and have a bit of a plan in mind for arriving.  We always find that with a new city or destination it takes at least 24 hours to make a fair judgement call.  (I call this our ’24-hour rule’ for somewhere new!). 

India is enormous and Delhi is just the beginning.  So give yourself a breather first and embrace that adjustment to the wonderful chaos and colours. 

2. Dress appropriately 

There isn’t officially a dress code for what to wear in India as a tourist.  

However, modest clothing is appreciated.  It’s physically comfortable for travel.  Plus it likely means you maaaay even get a few less stares, which (sorry, India) does happen. A. LOT.

Most Indian’s favour and appreciate modest, traditional clothing and you will likely find you enjoy your first time in Delhi much more and are better received if you do too.

Not to mention that it is also comfortable in the heat and makes it much easier to manoeuvre in and out of rickshaws if you are dressed for the environment. 

Shopping for clothes to wear in India as a female traveller.
Choices, choices…
My favourite new purchase blue and white Kurta and matching white trousers from Cha Cha Saree Bazar. 

3. Get a SIM card 

I know our forefathers in travel used to overland all the way from Europe with just a paper map.  But that doesn’t mean we need to feel guilty today for the convenience of modern travel connected with the internet.  (Right?). 

 We all rely so much on the internet these days.  For your first time in Delhi it is useful to have mobile data for navigating, translating, booking accommodation and getting the most out of activities.  Plus having mobile data is genuinely the best way of capturing all the incredible sights and sounds to share back home and on social media!

Hotels and accommodation in India do (mostly) have WIFI (it’s not that outdated).  But the truth is mobile data will make your first days in Delhi more relaxing so you can explore with confidence.  

To keep it simple, you essentially have three options for staying connected with mobile data while traveling in India: 

You could extend your plan from home and use your native SIM card internationally.  However, most international roaming plans (sorry) can be eye-wateringly expensive.  

We recommend it as a pretty much essential tip on travelling to India that you get a SIM card of some sort for your travels. 

A small phone shop in an old Delhi alleyway is perfect for recharging data. 

4. Carry cash

Carrying a pocket full of 100-rupee notes might seem a little unnecessary in modern times.  But this is India remember.  Small change is key, and it help you out considerably when paying for transportation or food at local restaurants.

Many auto-rickshaw drivers or small street food kiosks won’t be able to break a 500-rupee note.  And you can take my word for it that it isn’t fun running around in the heat and traffic to try and find an ATM that actually works with your international card.

5. Book a driver for Day 1 to maximise your first day in Delhi 

The capital city of India is grandly spread out.  Remember that more than 33 million people live here.  

At each of the main sites in Delhi (like Humayun’s Tomb and Jama Masjid) there are registered guides available advertised at the entrance.  So if you want to know more about a site or have a guided tour of somewhere specific, this is a good option.  

Otherwise the best way to get around in Delhi is by auto rickshaw independently but with the same driver for the day. 

We have a fantastic driver contact to recommend in Delhi.  

Sunny and his brother Vinny are two of four brothers, who with their father all work in tourism and transport in Delhi driving rickshaws and taxis all over this megacity.  

We know that trying to find a trustworthy and safe driver in the chaos of Delhi’s some 100,000 rickshaws is like searching for a needle in a haystack.  

We can recommend Sunny and Vinny to take all the stress out of navigating transport around the busy city.  And by using a local driver who speaks English you can find treasures in the city and quiet places in Delhi to experience what is truly the best of India’s capital. 

They can wait for you outside at each site.

Send Sunny a message on WhatsApp for any bookings or transport in Delhi.

Driver Sunny waiting patiently outside the busy India Gate in Delhi. 

6. Don’t attempt Delhi all at once on your first time

It’s important to prioritize what you want to see and how since Delhi has so much to see.  

But the biggest choice before getting into the nitty gritty and planning details on your Delhi itinerary is whether to schedule consecutive days in Delhi.  Or to break it up and visit for your first time in Delhi just for one day at the start and again for further time at the end of your trip. 

We suggest if you have the option to first spend one day in Delhi at the beginning and allow for two more days of exploring at the end of your itinerary. 

There are loads of great things to see and do (and taste) in Delhi.  Jama Masjid and the streets of Old Delhi are an incredible first introduction to India.  Though there are too a few sites that I’d recommend skipping on Day 1 as non-essential.  

The oft-photographed Baha?i House of Worship (Lotus Temple) is awkward to get to and not as exciting as Delhi’s older attractions. 

The peaceful stepwell is an interesting, quiet and quick stop on your Day 1 itinerary for Delhi.

7. Ease into accommodation (and the different neighbourhoods in Delhi)

Delhi has a range of accommodations that suit every budget and style.  Budget travellers can find low-cost guesthouses and mid-range hotels across the city.

But trust me when I say that the neighbourhood you choose to stay in will shape your perception of Delhi.

First impressions matter.  Which goes for cities too.  

So for your first time in Delhi it’s best to heed a heads-up about the main neighbourhoods to choose accommodation from. 

Paharganj is world famous as the backpacker area of Delhi.  The old hippy strip known as Main Bazaar still buzzes with cheap places to eat, sleep and and sip a cold Kingfisher beer.  

Generations of travellers have dived into the tangled lanes of Paharganj.  Albeit it is close to New Delhi Railway station and Connaught Place.  But for your first time in Delhi I don’t necessarily recommend jumping in the deep end.  Paharganj and Main Bazar can be visited as part of your daytime site seeing. 

Central Delhi is centred around Connaught Place.  This is a fairly modern district in Delhi with lots of shops and restaurants.  There are many chain hotels here and it is close to the sites of the old city too. 

South Delhi is a more residential area of the city and is close to the Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar.  There are many accommodation options in South Delhi as well. 

Nehru Bazar is a bustling local market place off Main Bazar. 
Locals making even the overcrowded rickshaw ride feel more of an adventure in Paharganj.

8. Learn a few basic Hindi phrases for your first time in Delhi

Did you know that India has 22 official languages? Though in fact the most widely spoken language in India is Hindi. 

English is also one of the national languages and is widely spoken (to some extent) in the cities of India.  But learning a few basic phrases in Hindi can be helpful on your first time in Delhi. 

These are some common phrases that will help you on your travels in India (and that you will get used to hearing a lot): 

Of course every conversation or interaction ends with the famous head wobble (you may need to get some practice in before arriving as it could mean one of many things!). 

9. Carry hygiene essentials 

Yes.  Travel in India is synonymous with hygiene challenges and the potential for getting sick.  

It isn’t a guarantee.  And there are absolutely tips to help you avoid Delhi Belly and to feel healthy and comfortable while you travel.  

The first reassurance is that there are pharmacies all over Delhi.  Literally hundreds and thousands of them.  Medicines and over the counter treatments are cheap and actually for a lot of prescription medicines you can also get those over-the-counter too.  

So that is worth bearing in mind. 

The second best tip is to always carry hygiene essentials. 

This is a bit like a packing list for keeping healthy and hygienic which may sound obvious.  But if it is your first time in Delhi this is also advice worth heeding! 

In our day pack that we head out with every day (not in our luggage back at the hotel) we have a small toiletry bag containing some essentials. 

We also always carry our own cutlery as there are many times it isn’t offered and in case your hands don’t confirm hygienic enough despite the sanitiser! 

I don’t recommend the public toilets in Delhi.  (No traveller does).  If you have that kind of an emergency pop into a high-end hotel.  There is usually a customer toilet (western style) near reception. 

Carry sanitiser and don’t miss out on the street food and chai in India.

10. Go with the flow

Ultimately the best advice for your first time in Delhi is to go with the flow.  Be patient.  Be flexible.  Enjoy the famous chaos of this historic and colourfully amazing city.  

I hope reckon that with these tips you’ll be well-prepared to navigate Delhi with confidence and excitement.

With the lure of adventure, an open-minded attitude, and a few deep breaths, it is a great place to get your first experience of incredible India. 

Accommodation options and where to stay on your first time in Delhi

If you are arriving in India and spending just the first day in Delhi it makes sense to stay near the airport before heading off to other destinations.  We always stay the first night at Taurus Sarovar Portico with our Group Trips and fly to Jaisalmer the next day. 

Otherwise there is a multitude of accommodations options in other neighbourhoods of Delhi. 

A double room at Hotel Taurus Sarovar Portico near Delhi International Airport. 

Read more about travel in Delhi and North India

More about planning before your first time in Delhi

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

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