If you’re flying to India, you’ll most likely arrive in Delhi. It is a large metropolis that can be confusing to those who are unfamiliar with it. North, South, East, West, Central, and Old Delhi are the six primary zones. It has an intriguing history, having been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, as seen by many sites across the city. You will see people taking Delhi to Agra Tour also.
Please don’t take everything you read on the internet at face value. I’ve lived in Delhi for many years, and some of the city’s so-called “facts” make me laugh. This is the first entry in the Backpacker’s Guide to Delhi’s Delhi Travel Tips series. Here’s a rundown of 15 things to bear in mind while visiting Delhi:
Delhi Sightseeing Tour Travel Tips
01 | When is the best time to visit Delhi?
February, March, October, or November are the best months to visit Delhi. Summers in Delhi are hot, and winters are foggy, so stay away during those months. Although Delhi rains are very unpredictable, it frequently rains between July and August. When it rains, Delhi looks gorgeous, but the city’s already slow traffic comes to a halt.
02 | Language in Delhi
In most places of Delhi, there would be no language barrier. Although Hindi is the most widely spoken language in Delhi, the majority of residents are fluent in English. Even if you meet someone who does not speak English, fundamental words like no, yes, please, excuse me, sorry, bye, and thank you will be understood.
03 | Delhi is Very Crowded
Prepare to be surrounded by people because Delhi is one of India’s most populous cities. Delhi-ites are the residents of Delhi. Due to a large influx of migrants from all across the country, it has become a melting pot of many distinct cultures. In this city, you may learn about many diverse cultures from all throughout India.
04 | Nightlife in Delhi
Because most pubs do not have the permit to stay open past 12:30 a.m., Delhi has a culture of “early nightlife.” If you want to buy alcohol to drink in your accommodation, ask the staff at your hotel or hostel to direct you to the nearest “Wine and Beer shop.” At 10:00 p.m., these stores close.
05 | Festivals in Delhi
The most prominent Indian festivals are Holi (February or March) and Diwali (October or November), which you will undoubtedly enjoy celebrating in Delhi.
Holi is a colourful celebration that may be a lot of fun in Delhi, but you should try to find a local family or friend who can invite you to join them in celebrating. I prepared a lengthy piece about how to enjoy Holi in India, which you can read here.
Diwali is a festival of lights, fireworks, and puja that is one of India’s most important festivals. The celebrations last for a month, and it’s a lot of fun to be in Delhi at this time. I’m going to have to make a separate blog entry about Diwali because I have so much to say about it. In general, expect wonderful food, sweets, a Diwali Mela (Fair), Dusshera, and Diwali parties with card games.
06 | Food in Delhi
Delhi offers some of the best food in the world. Period. Make some local friends and ask them to take you to their favourite locations for Mughalai curries, chaat (vegetarian street food), international eateries, and cuisines from all around India. Vegans and vegetarians will adore Delhi cuisine.
Unless you’re invited to a local resident’s home, where they have their own RO (reverse osmosis) filter system, only drink bottled water in Delhi. This also applies to ice, as ice cubes made from tap water can make you sick.
08 | Delhi Belly
Do you know what Delhi Belly is? If you’re not from India, you’ll almost certainly get “Delhi Belly” during your first week in Delhi, so bring your diarrhoea medicine with you. It normally only lasts a day, but it might last up to three days. If you acquire a “Delhi Belly,” avoid melons and papaya, however curd rice or bananas can assist.
09 | Toilets in Delhi
Yes, toilet paper is required in Delhi. Although the majority of hotels have them, some do not. The sanitation system in urban India is a “water gun” kind of jet sprinkler that cleans bums more effectively than toilet paper. This is referred to as a toilet jet. Try it; you’ll feel so clean that you’ll never want to use toilet paper again after number two.
10 | Cultural Shock
Be prepared for a culture shock. Some features of Delhi will astound you, such as poverty and beggars. Even though I have lived in Delhi for many years, it still astounds and saddens me whenever I return.
11 | Public Display of Affection
In many sections of Delhi, public displays of affection are not the best idea. Holding hands, on the other hand, is entirely acceptable in my opinion. It also depends on where you are in Delhi, as several areas of South Delhi are more liberal than the rest of the city, so be aware of your surroundings.
12 | Bargaining and Prices Bargaining is a way of life.
Cutting the quoted price in half and negotiating your way to a midway figure is the simplest method. Even in large designer shops, bargaining works – I did it when purchasing my wedding gown.
13 | Delhi Scams
Be wary of touts; they’re everywhere! If you arrive at Delhi’s international airport, go straight to the pre-paid cab stand. If you come by rail, be prepared for a barrage of touts who will try to persuade you to stay at the hotel or hostel that they recommend. Many of them will try to get you to stay in a filthy hostel in Paharganj – don’t do it!
14 | Traveling in Delhi:
Valuable Apps There is an app called Zomato (and a website) that is the SINGLE most useful resource for eating out and learning about Delhi’s nightlife. You can learn about practically every restaurant, read their menus, read reviews, get an idea of prices, and obtain directions to their location. This app is quite beneficial because it allows you to get a notion of where to eat and drink.
15 | Personal Space In Delhi
As well as the rest of India, the concept of personal space is essentially non-existent. Get used to moving shoulder-to-shoulder, whether you’re in a line or taking the subway.
