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    14 Things For Travelers To Keep In Mind Before Booking A Flight To Delhi

    Delhi has her own charm!

    Abha Ahad
    by Abha Ahad

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Delhi, the national capital of India, also known as the Dilli or Dehli, is definitely a must-visit. The crowded streets, food, museums, and monuments — Delhi has her own charm. But if you are planning on visiting Delhi, you gotta be aware of some stuff.

    shows tourists visiting Lodi Gardens
    Dominique Faget / AFP via Getty Images

    1. Getting to the city

    Delhi airport runway
    Hindustan Times / Hindustan Times via Getty Images

    If you are landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport (you most probably are), you can get to the city via the Delhi metro or take a cab. The most popular services are Ola and Uber. 

    2. The best time to visit Delhi is during February and March

    Cityscape of Delhi
    Sw Photography / Getty Images

    The months from April to July are very hot summer months. While the rains in Delhi can be unpredictable, August and September is generally rainy season. December and January are very cold winter months. Even though October and November months are good times to visit, climate-wise, the air quality is at its lowest during this time. 

    3. Learn basic Hindi phrases

    Hindi alphabets
    Olha Furmaniuk / iStockphoto / Getty Images

    Delhi is a metropolitan city and most people can speak English or at least understand basic English phrases. That being said, learning basic Hindi phrases can make your trip a bit easier.

    4. Delhi is crowded

    A shot of Old Delhi
    Danny Lehman / Getty Images

    Delhi is a densely populated city. Be prepared for the crowded streets, public transport, markets, and tourist places. You can find people from all over the country in Delhi. 

    Pickpocketing is a major issue in Delhi's crowded streets. Even the locals get their wallets and phones stolen on a daily basis. Make sure to keep your stuff safe.

    5. Know when to catch the major festivals

    Colorful hand at Holi celebration with multicolor from flat angle
    Bambam Kumar Jha / Getty Images

    The major festivals celebrated in Delhi are Diwali and Holi. Diwali, the festival of lights happens in October. Holi, the festival of colors happens in March. 

    6. Make use of Delhi metro

    Delhi metro station
    Mirko Kuzmanovic / Getty Images

    Delhi has a well-connected metro system with 10 color-coded metro lines. Most tourist spots and monuments have metro stations within walking distance. It is cheap and saves you from the crazy road traffic of Delhi. 

    7. Pre-agree and bargain before entering taxis, cycle rickshaws, and autorickshaws

    Panoramic arial view of central New Delhi
    Hindustan Times / Hindustan Times via Getty Images

    Apart from the metro, cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, and taxis are the best ways to get around the city. It's always a safe bet to establish a cost of travel before entering into these modes of transportation.

    8. Make sure to check the visiting times before going to a place

    Crowded Delhi streets
    Arkadij Schell / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Different tourist spots in Delhi have different functioning times. Make sure to check these while you plan your trip. Most monuments stop issuing tickets at 5 P.M. 

    While you are free to wear whatever you like while roaming around the streets, some places, especially worship places, have dress codes. Make sure to follow these.

    9. Visit local markets and places, not just monuments or tourist places

    A girl at a local market
    Bhupi / Getty Images

    Delhi is definitely famous for its historical monuments and museums, but do make a plan to visit local markets there as well! 

    Sarojini Nagar market, Jhanpath, Palika Bazaar, Dilli Haat, and Kamla Nagar market are some of the popular ones. These markets are closed during one day of the week which varies from place to place. Make sure to confirm these beforehand. 

    10. Stick to bottled water for drinking

    Water dripping from a tap in Old Delhi
    Nurphoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Tap water in Delhi is usually not for drinking purposes unless it's RO treated.

    11. Be prepared for stares and selfies

    An aerial view of the city
    Hadynyah / Getty Images

    If you are a non-Indian person visiting Delhi, you might be stared at, in some places at least. People might also come up to you and ask for selfies. 

    12. Wear face masks

    Rashtrapati Bhavan shrouded by smog
    Hindustan Times / Hindustan Times via Getty Images

    No, not because of the pandemic. Delhi's air quality is very bad and can make you sick, especially if you have preexisting respiratory conditions.

    13. Try out Delhi's street food

    Two girls eating aloo chaat
    Bhupi / Getty Images

    Delhi is famous for its street food. Try out the Gol Gappes, momos, Old Delhi's Sherbet-e-Mohabbet, chaat, chole kulche, and more. 

    14. Carry sanitisers and toilet paper rolls

    A girl using hand sanitiser
    Wagnerokasaki / Getty Images

    Toilet paper rolls are not available in most public toilets in Delhi. If you are planning to go street food hopping, sanitisers are a must.