Delhi Sightseeing by Metro Day1

Delhi Sightseeing by Metro         Day 1

Delhi Metro is an excellent way to experience many unique landmarks, sights and food of Delhi.

It usually takes more than 2 days to experience monuments, landmarks, markets and food the city has to offer but we have suggested an efficient and curated itinerary to do most of it by metro in 2 days.

Facts & Suggestions before you start

• Delhi Metro is expanding network with 10 lines & 250+ stations, you can have more info at Delhi Metro Rail. 
• You can buy a Tourist Card for ₹ 200 (1 day) or ₹ 500 (3 day) for unlimited travel. You can also buy regular smart card for ₹ 200 or more.
• Avoid buying tokens as you would waste time at stations, standing in long queues to buy them.
• First coach in direction of travel is reserved for women.
• Get your walking shoes, umbrella and Google Maps on your smart phone.
• Start at about 9 am to make most your day.
• Plan your day well in advance in terms of the monuments/landmarks you would like to see and the time you would like to spend at each of them.
• Be prepared for long walks at stations and otherwise. 
• Ride time indicated in itinerary is time taken between stations, please keep some additional time for you to travel to platforms within stations.
• See more itinerary related suggestions at end of this read

However, if you are looking for more relaxed, immersive and personalised experience of Delhi, please look up GoTravi for their unique Delhi experiences.

Also read Delhi Sightseeing by Metro- Day 2

DAY 1

Start your Journey at Rajiv Chowk metro station (Connaught place/City Centre) 

Akshardham Temple 

Take Blue Line from Platform 3 of Rajiv Chowk towards Noida & alight at Akshardham Station ( 6th station/ 12 min + 2 min walk) 

The Akshardham Temple is a symbol of Indian culture, spirituality and architecture. This is a huge complex which consists of a central temple hall, a theatre, boat ride, musical fountain, hall of values, garden of India and a food court.

• Location: Near Akshardham Metro Station 
• Open: Tuesday to Sunday (Monday Closed)
• Timings: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Entry Fee: The entry into the complex is free but visiting certain areas of the complex, boat ride & musical fountain in evening is chargeable.
• Photography: Photography is not allowed within the complex and even mobiles and electronic goods are not allowed within the premises (A cloakroom is available to keep your goods).
• Time required exploring: About 60 Mins
• Other info: Food Court offers good vegetarian food & snacks

Walk back to Akshardham Station ( 2 min walk)

Agarsen ki Baoli

Take Blue Line from Platform 2 of Akshardham station towards Dwarka & alight at Barakhamba Rd Station ( 5th station / 10min + 8 min walk), Exit from Gate no 4, head south towards Halley Lane from Tolstoy Marg 

The Agarsen ki Baoli (Step Wells) is true representation of splendid architecture of India that existed more than five centuries back. This medieval Indian structure made of rock masonry is magnificent and in stark contrast to central New Delhi.

• Location: Halley Lane
• Open: All Days
• Timings: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Entry Fee: The entry is free 
• Photography: Photography is allowed 
• Time required exploring: About 20 Mins
• Other info: Great architecture, an excellent photo op for your Insta & FB stories

Walk to “Janpath” Station on Violet Line (8 min walk / 700 mts) . Head South west to Halley Road ( Not Halley lane) then turn right at KG Marg & then turn left for Tolstoy Marg

Jama Masjid 

Take Violet Line of Janpath station  from Platform 4 towards Kashmere Gate & alight at Jama Masjid Station ( 4th station/ 8 min + 5 min walk), Exit from Gate no 1 

The Jama Masjid is one of largest mosque and example of excellent Indo-Mogul architecture of Mogul emperor- Shahjahan.This red stone 17th century structure is unmissable part of old Delhi.

• Location: Near Netaji Subash Marg, Chandni Chowk 
• Open: All days
• Timings: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm; every day (tourists not allowed during the prayer hours)
• Entry Fee: The entry is free, Minaret access: ₹100. Shoes need to be removed for entry
• Photography: ₹300 for taking camera inside
• Time required exploring: About 30 Mins
• Suggestions: Do try nearby street food and restaurants for some authentic Mughlai food & kebabs ( Karim’s, Al Jawahar, Aslam Chicken,Qureshi Kebab etc are nearby )

EXIT from Gate no 3 of “Jama Masjid” for walk to Red Fort (12 min walk)

Red Fort

From Gate no 3 of Jama Masjid head North via Esplanade Road for walk to Red Fort (13 min walk) / E-rickshaw ( 8 min)

The Red Fort is UNESCO world heritage site and a magnificent Red Stone grant structure built by mogul emperor Shahjahan in 17th Century. It is a huge complex with various attractions like diwan-e-khas, Hyat Bagh(garden), Step Wells, Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal, Museum and more to explore inside.

• Location: Chandni Chowk
• Open: Tuesday to Sunday (Monday Closed)
• Timings: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Entry Fee: Indian ₹35, Foreigner ₹500
• Photography: Photography is allowed , Camera ₹35
• Time required exploring: About 60-90 Min

It is about 5-10 min walk to Chandni chowk, our next destination

Chandni Chowk 

5-10 min walk from Red Fort

The Chandni Chowk is the oldest market of Delhi where huge treasures of history can be found in numerous lanes and bazaars. On entering Chandni Chowk main road from Red Fort side you can see Jain Temple on your left. Historical buildings such as Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib (Sikh temple), Central Baptist Church, Sunehri Mosque, Townhall are on this road and are a must-see. If you venture till end of the road, you will reach Fatehpuri Mosque and Delhi’s famous spice market.

• Location: Opposte Red Fort 
• Open: All days, shops are closed on Sundays 
• Time required exploring: About 60-90 Mins
• Suggestions: Do try excellent street food including paranthas-shallow fried Indian bread, chaats and other delicacies of old Delhi.
• Point to Note: It is a very busy area, be careful of your belongings

Walk to Chandni Chowk Station  on YELLOW Line ( 5-10 min walk), station is near to gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib (Sikh Temple)

Jantar Mantar 

Take Yellow Line from Chandni Chowk station  from Platform 1 towards “HUDA” & alight at Rajiv Chowk Station ( 3rd station/ 5 min + 7 min walk), Exit from Gate no 6 , Walk towards Parliament street between Parking & Palika Bazaar

The Jantar Mantar is astronomical observatory and equinoctial sundial   built during the 18th century. There is a Sun Watch and other interesting outdoor instruments made out of masonry. 

• Location: Parliament Street
• Open: All days
• Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm 
• Entry Fee: ₹15 for Indians; ₹200 for foreigners
• Photography: Free, Video recorders- ₹ 25
• Time required exploring: About 30 Mins

Walk via Jai Singh Road to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (7 min / 600 mts)

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib ( Sikh Temple) 

Walk from Jantar mantar via Jai Singh Road & YMCA to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib ( 7 min / 600 mts), Enter lane opposite Delhi police HQ 

The Bangla Sahib  is prominent place of worship for Sikhs but people of all religions throng this beautifully built Sikh temple. Stone work at entrance and gold impanelment inside temple are worth seeing. The complex also has  Sikh museum for further insight into Sikh history. Free tour is conducted for foreigners on request

• Location: Entrance from Ashoka Road, BKS Marg and Hanuman Road. 
• Open: All days
• Timings: Round the clock
• Entry Fee: The entry is free 
• Photography: Free but not allowed inside the temple 
• Time required exploring: About 30 Mins
• Suggestions: Do see Free Kitchen in operation which feeds 50-100k people everyday run purely by volunteers. You can also participate in ‘Sewa’ if you want 

Walk to “Shivaji Stadium” Metro station (5 min / 300 mts) , Ensure you Exit on Baba Kharag Singh Marg from the complex

Parliament House, President House , North South Block & India Gate ( If you opt to do it on Day 2, the Skip and head straight for Connaught Place)

Take Airport  Line of Shivaji Stadium station  from Platform 2 towards New Delhi (1 stop/ 3 min) , at New Delhi station change to YELLOW LINE and from platform no1  towards “HUDA City Centre”  alight at Central Secretariat Station ( 3rd station/ 5min + 6 min walk), Exit from Gate no 3 

The President House & Parliament House are one of the most impressive colonial era buildings in India. They are nearby and you can easily walk through now renovated Kartayva path to see their true splendour.

In other direction you can also see India Gate which is most recognisable symbol of Delhi.

• Location: Kartavya Path 
• Open: All days
• Entry Fee: Free  
• Time required exploring: About 30 Mins
• Suggestions: The buildings are lit in the evenings and can become a perfect backdrop for your most impressive #Delhi pictures.  

Walk back to “Central Secretariat ” Station, gate no 3 (5 min walk)

Connaught Place ( City Centre) 

Take Yellow Line from Central Secretariat station from Platform 2 towards “Vishavidaya / Samaypur Badli” Station & alight at Rajiv Chowk Station (2nd station  / 4 min), Exit from Gate no 5 or 7 

Connaught Place (CP) is heart of Delhi and offers excellent choice of eateries, shopping, and entertainment. It is always busy and a great place to end your day with excellent food, drink & shopping options. The Georgian architecture still looks impressive. Central Park is also worth a stroll. Palika Bazaar ( Underground market near Metro exit gate no 6) & Janpath market ( On Janpath road from Outer Circle) are must visit for excellent choice of clothes, electronics and souvenirs.

• Location: City Centre, Rajiv Chowk Metro Station
• Open: All days
• Timings: 7am to 11pm (Last Metro)
• Time required exploring: 30-120 mins 
• Movie Theatres- Plaza, Odeon 
• Suggestions: 
  • • • Museums & Attractions –
        • • • • Charkha Museum (open till 9pm), opp Regal Building outer circle
              • Madam Tussaud’s  ( Open till 7:30 pm) at Regal building
      • Eateries &  Restaurants-

Wenger’s Pastry Shop, Nizam’s, Punjabi by Nature, Farzi Cafe, Sarvaan Bhavan, Haldiram’s, GT Road, Social are only a few of scores of iconic restaurants and eateries in the area.

This brings us to the end of Day 1 experience of Delhi Sightseeing by Metro , you can take Metro from Rajiv Chowk Station to your destination.

Itinerary Suggestions :

• What is suggested is intense itinerary to make most of your day and suggests quite a bit of walk, if you cannot walk as much due to weather or time you have , we suggest-
  • • • • • you can take E-rickshaws/ Auto Rickshaws at some stations to your destination 
          • you can skip Red fort from Jama Masjid and go straight to Chandi chowk
          • you can skip going to Presidents House & parliament from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and walk straight to Connaught Place via Baba Karag Singh Marg, maybe see some State Emporiums on the way 

Hope you had a great experience and looking to follow up with  second day of Delhi Sightseeing by Metro 

Read Delhi Sightseeing by Metro- Day 2

Travelling to Delhi?

Book you stay at Best Budget accommodation in Central Delhi 

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Want to know more on Delhi History ? Read Tale of Eight Cities a very good info on Delhi’s timeline.

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