Overview
Delhi, India s sprawling capital of over 30 million people, is a sensory overload in the best possible way. The city layers 1,000 years of empires — Mughal forts and tombs, British colonial avenues, and gleaming modern towers — into a chaotic, fascinating whole. Old Delhi s labyrinthine lanes around Chandni Chowk deliver some of the greatest street food on earth, while New Delhi s tree-lined boulevards house world-class museums, restaurants, and the monumental government district designed by Edwin Lutyens. The Indian rupee (INR) makes Delhi one of the cheapest major capitals in the world for visitors.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget travelers ($25/day): Stay in Paharganj hostels or backpacker guesthouses, eat legendary street food in Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh for $1-3 per meal, ride the modern Delhi Metro for under $0.50 per trip, and visit monuments with Indian-price entry where possible.
Mid-range travelers ($70/day): Book a comfortable hotel in Connaught Place or South Delhi, enjoy Mughlai cuisine at renowned restaurants like Karim s and Moti Mahal, hire Uber/Ola for door-to-door transport, and visit the Red Fort, Humayun s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and Jama Masjid.
Luxury travelers ($220+/day): Stay at The Imperial, The Oberoi, or Taj Palace, dine at award-winning restaurants like Indian Accent (one of Asia s best), hire a private car and guide, and enjoy spa treatments and rooftop cocktails with views over Lutyens Delhi.
Where to Save
Delhi s street food is a legitimate reason to visit the city — paranthe (stuffed bread) in Chandni Chowk, chole bhature, dahi bhalle, and jalebi all cost under $1 and are extraordinary. The Delhi Metro connects nearly every tourist attraction and costs $0.15-0.50 per ride. Many parks and neighborhoods — Lodhi Garden, Connaught Place, Hauz Khas Village — are free to explore. Humayun s Tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal, costs 600 INR ($7) for foreigners and is worth every rupee. Auto-rickshaws are cheap but always agree on a fare before getting in — or better yet, use Uber/Ola apps.
Where to Splurge
Indian Accent, routinely ranked among Asia s best restaurants, serves a modern Indian tasting menu that is genuinely life-changing — and still a fraction of comparable Michelin dining in London or New York. Humayun s Tomb at sunset is one of the most beautiful sights in India. A guided walk through the spice market and street food stalls of Chandni Chowk reveals layers of history and flavor impossible to navigate alone. The Red Fort s sound and light show brings Mughal history to dramatic life. A day trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra (3 hours by train) is the obvious add-on and absolutely worth it.