Delhi, the capital city of India is a melting pot of cultures. From the quintessential chole bathure to the piping hot Tibetan thukpas, the city has an endless number of experiences to offer. If you’re a foreigner who is visiting India, most likely your flight will land in Delhi. The crowded city can seem intimidating but only until you get a hang of it.
For every foreigner who’s planning to visit Delhi, here are 7 travel tips to keep in mind:
1. When to visit Delhi: Delhi is located in the central North of India and has a subtropical climate. The extreme climate leads to hot summers and chilly winters. The rains are unpredictable too. So, the best time for a foreigner to visit would be in the months of February, March, October and November.
2. Language in Delhi: If you learn just a few Hindi phrases, language it Delhi shouldn’t be a problem for you. Hindi is the most spoken language here but almost all the locals also speak good English. So, even if you meet someone who doesn’t converse in English, basic words like ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘please’ ‘thank you,’ ‘sorry’ and ‘bye’ are known to all.
3. Food in Delhi: Delhi is a city known for its food in India. The variety is so extensive that even if you’re a non-vegetarian, you can live on Delhi’s vegetarian food without missing meat. But, the city is famous for both. Karim’s, Sagar Ratna, Jain Chawal Wale, Dee’s Biryani, Rajinder Da Dhaba, ITC Bukhara, Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Gulati’s, Wenger’s, Moolchand Paratha, The Big Chill Café and Moti Mahal are some spots that you can hit.
4. Drinking water in Delhi: As a foreigner travelling to Delhi, your stomach can take some time to adjust to the food and drinks here. So, only drink bottled water unless you are invited to a local’s home where they have an RO (reverse osmosis) filter system. Stay away ice cubes as even those can make you sick.
5. Useful apps in Delhi: The Zomato app is your go-to while deciding where to eat or what to order in. It has information about almost every restaurant along with reviews and menus. For cabs, you must have the Ola and Uber app on your phone.
6. Travel in Delhi: If you don’t want to get stuck in traffic, save time and money while getting around Delhi, the Delhi Metro is your best bet. The metro connects most parts of Delhi really well with separate dedicated coaches for female passengers. Otherwise, tuk tuks, auto rickshaws and Ola cabs are easily available throughout the city.
7. Learn to negotiate: From clothes to accessories to many more things, bargaining in Delhi works big time. The simplest way to negotiate in the city is to cut the quoted price in half and negotiate your way up till you reach an agreement with the shopkeeper. Local markets in Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, Hauz Khaz Village, Banjara Market and a few more are where you should show your bargaining skills. It even works in a few big designer showrooms.
Like every other city in the world, Delhi too has its pros and cons. As a foreigner, you might be more susceptible to scams but if you just show a little courage in the starting and be careful, exploring Delhi can be one of the most enriching experiences of your life. Happy travelling!
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