What You Need to Know Before You Travel to Delhi

Delhi is one of India’s most popular travel destinations for a good reason. There is much to see and experience in the city with world class hotels and some of India’s most famous festival celebrations. Even for a seasoned traveller, any trip to Delhi should still be preceded with some knowledge of the city to avoid overwhelm or an unpleasant experience for a first time visitor. Here are some things to think about:

• Hotel Amenities
  

If you decide to go with luxury hotels in Janpath Delhi such as The Imperial, many of the on-site amenities will prevent the need for unnecessary trips and can provide a memorable travel experience in themselves. The Imperial, for instance, has a spa, gym, salon, and even a yoga studio where you can get instruction on meditation from an expert. There is no need to be ripped off by street shoe shiners when the hotel can provide one for you complimentary. You can even buy your souvenirs without having to leave the hotel. You could pick up treats from the hotel’s patisserie or clothes from the boutique.

• Airport Transport
  

This is a big part of your trip to think about as it can leave you drained before your vacation has even started or take too much time and stress and ruin your vacation. Most luxury hotels provide a shuttle service which can take as little as half an hour depending on location. Whichever method you use to get to and from the airport, it is best to decide it before hand to avoid scammers.

• Scams
  

Various types of scammers operate throughout Delhi and it is wise to be aware of them. It goes beyond just pickpockets or overpriced goods. Both Lonely Planet and Rough Guides report a common scam of taxi-wallahs at airports and train stations acting as touts for your hotel. They will claim that your hotel is overbooked, closed, poor quality, or even burnt to the ground. They will even pretend to call your hotel to confirm then drive you to another hotel which will give them a commission.

Another common scam is travel agents who pose as tourist offices to try and plug their services to you. Remember that the only official tourist office in Delhi is at 88 Janpath. Keeping a level head and not allowing yourself to be bought into any scams will prevent them from ruining your vacation.

• Festivals
  

Festivals such as Diwali are a popular time to visit Delhi when the city literally lights up. It does mean, however, that hotels are much more likely to be fully booked or charge more than at other times of the year. Even train and air travel should be booked in advance and will cost more. The streets will also be very busy during this time and there will be a lot of noise at night from all of the fireworks. In fact, Delhi is often considered the noisiest city during Diwali. But if you are willing to put up with all of this, Diwali can be the best time of year to visit Delhi.

• Local Dishes
  

Possibly the biggest draw to Delhi after its history and festival atmosphere is the food. Everything is available from a three course dinner at a hotel restaurant to a simple fare from a street vendor. Obviously you will be curious about the local cuisine and staple dishes of the region. The street vendors are particularly famous in Delhi. The best dishes to try, according to eatyourworld.com, include butter chicken, chole bhature, kadhi paneer, kebabs and kofta, plus an Indian style afternoon tea. There are dozens more which are recommended, so check some food blogs before you travel to avoid missing out on the best.

• Traffic
  

The traffic in Delhi is an ongoing issue that can be surprising for new visitors. Delhi drivers are known for driving erratically, ignoring accidents, not keeping to any lane, and blaring horns. Animals, particularly cows, also wonder around the city streets as if the traffic doesn’t exist. It can get particularly bad around festival times. Still, it could still be considered part of the Delhi experience so with a little planning and a lot of patience, you can still make it work around your travel plans. Real time traffic alerts can be found online.

A little research and prior knowledge such as this will allow you to make the most out of your visit to Delhi, whether you’re visiting for work or pleasure. Being aware of safety and the traffic situation will make you less likely to be a victim or be caught blindsided by a scammer. Knowing also about festivals and local food and culture allows you to plan ahead and experience the things you want most.