New Delhi DEL: What to Do on a Layover
Chandni Chowk in 4 hours: 1650 AD spice market, parathas, rickshaw chaos. DEL is worth leaving the terminal.
Getting from the airport
DEL to city center: 74 minutes by bus (392B). Trains run every 4 minutes. Service runs 05:00 to 22:00. Skip the taxi unless your connection is under 5 hours.
What to do in New Delhi
The stops worth making: India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Chandni Chowk. Rated above 4.4: India Gate (4.6), Jama Masjid (4.5), Khan Market (4.4), Humayun’s Tomb (4.5), Lodhi Garden (4.5). You do not need the full tourist circuit. Pick two and commit.
Visa and entry
New Delhi is US passports get visa on arrival. Check the embassy site before booking. The border process at DEL is standard — budget 30 minutes.
How long do you need
The minimum useful layover is 6 hours. That gives you 74 minutes in each direction plus about 122 minutes on the ground. Up to 48 hours is a proper overnight.
DEL airport
DEL has 8 lounges. For short connections under 4 hours, the terminal is the destination — food options, showers, and enough space to reset before the next leg.