Delhi One Day Itinerary

Just arrived in Delhi and you just have a day? If you are looking for a one day itinerary help to plan your trip in Delhi, then here you go. We have provided with some ideas to help you plan your Delhi itinerary! Start early so that you get to experience and explore more of it.

With just one day in hand, the best and the quickest way to see around Delhi is to hire a taxi that is available in plenty. But, keep one thing in mind while hiring a taxi is that to go by the meter or fix the price in advance.

Delhi is too vast in history. The edifices are a testimony to its historic and multi cultural background. You might need to rush through the sights because there’s a lot to see, yet very less time in your hands and of course do not underestimate the peak-hour Delhi traffic.

If you are starting from the airport, head off straight to the Qutab Minar, in Mehrauli, which is 9.6 kms from the airport and will take about 20 minutes time to reach.

After Qutub Minar, it is now time to proceed towards the Garden of Five senses, which is 1.5 kms away from the Qutub Minar and is about 15 mins drive from Qutub Minar. The Garden is a must see for a truly rejuvenating experience.

Following the experience in the Garden of Five senses, visit the famous Lotus Temple also known as the Bahai Temple located at Nehru Place, which is 6.4 kms away and just over 15 mins from the Garden.  Take a look around, enjoy and relax the peace and quiet inside the temple.

Next on the agenda could be the Red Fort in old Delhi or Purani Dilli which is 11.6 kms away and is around 25 mins drive from the Lotus temple. Just bypass the local shopkeepers you will find in front of the Red Fort and don’t get carried away by their wares. Remember, you seriously have no time to haggle with prices.

Close to Red Fort is the memorial of the Father of our Nation - Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. It is just at a distance of 1.5 kms from the Red Fort. The memorial is placed in the midst of beautiful green lawns. It is a black square platform with the last words of Bapuji inscribed on it.

By this time it should be a little late in the afternoon so now it’s time to get in the cab and head off directly to Connaught Place which is 4.2 kms away. It is the right place to be in to grab a bite with plenty of restaurants all around CP. But, booking in advance would be advisable as these places can get very crowded, especially on weekends and Sundays.

If you would like to roam around for a tits and bits of shopping, CP has plenty of attractions. Janpath, Palika are some of the places to do good bargain shopping for all kinds of products.

The final visiting places would be the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the official residence of the First citizen of India, The President of India and is about 2.8 kms away from Connaught Place and then the famous India Gate, a memorial for the soldiers who fought in the WW1, which is another 2.9 kms away.

These two spots should be reserved towards the evening or night as the Rashtrapathi Bhavan presents a splendid view when lit up, while India Gate appears captivating with the eternal flame under the arch - the Amar Jawan Jyothi, burning steadily.

Cab Charges:
A/C car Rs. 2500 – Rs. 3000 (Approx.)
Non A/C car Rs. 1000 – Rs. 1500 (Approx.)

The Delhi Transport Corporation operates sight Seeing Tours from Scindia House daily.  The Journey starts at sharp 09:15 am from DTC Office, Scindia House and then pick-up Tourists from Information Kiosk of Delhi Tourism Baba Kharak Singh Marg and thereafter from ITDC Office, Janpath for onward journey to the tourist places as per the following program.

The visiting places include-

• Red Fort – Halting Time: 45 mins
• Raj Ghat (India Gate by Pass) - Halting Time: 20 minutes
• Birla Mandir - Halting Time: 30 minutes
• Qutab Minar - Halting Time: 45 minutes
• Lotus Temple - Halting Time: 45 minutes.
• Humanyun's Tomb - Halting Time: 45 minutes
• Akshardham Temple (Swami Narayan Temple) - Dropping only.

The journey finally comes to an end at 17.45 hrs.

The Route followed by these DTC buses while sightseeing is-

The Delhi Gate, then Shanti Van, crossing Tilak Mark, then Akbar Road, Sansad Marg, Shanti Path, Siri Aurbindo Marg, Press Enclave Road, Out Ring Road (Nehru Place), Modi Floor Mill, Ring Road, Mathura Road, Lodhi Road, Pragati Maidan, Nizamuddin Yamuna Bridge, Laxmi Nagarl, DDU Marg & Connaught Place.

Charges for AC bus
Adult: Rs.200/-
Children: Rs.100/- (between the age of 5 –12 years).
The children will however not be entitle for a seat in the bus.
For Enquiry and Reservation
Phone: 23752772,  Extn. 244
Address: Delhi Darshan Counter
Scindia House, Connaught Place

Delhi Tourism departments has provided special sightseeing buses for its tourists in the form of Hop-On/Hop-Off, popularly known as HOHO buses. These buses are suitable for the tourists willing to explore the perimeters of Delhi, but have a tight and active schedule. 

These Hop-On/Hop-Off buses are specially designed buses for the tourists which move continuously through a route, allowing its tourists to board or alight at any stipulated pick up/ drop off points. The route of HOHO buses covers the all the important garden, monuments, museums, art galleries, markets and shopping malls.

Their trips have been well divided into four types, which includes –

Evening trips - showing 8 destinations
Charges for Indians
Adult: Rs. 300
Children: Rs. 150
Charges for Foreign Nationals
Adult: Rs. 600
Children: Rs. 300

Red Route - showing 13 + destinations
The First Bus starts at 8:30 am & then after every 45 mins one can board the bus at Baba Kharak Singh marg, Connaught place.
Charges for Indians
Adult: Rs. 300
Children: Rs. 150
Charges for Foreign Nationals
Adult: Rs. 600
Children: Rs. 300

Green Route - showing 10+ destinations
The first bus starts at 8:30 am & then after every 60 mins one can board the bus at India Gate.
Charges for Indians
Adult: Rs. 300
Children: Rs. 150
Charges for Foreign Nationals
Adult: Rs. 600
Children: Rs. 300

Red+Green Route - showing 19+ destinations
Red Bus: The First Bus starts at 8:30 am & then after every 45 mins one can board the bus at Baba Kharak Singh marg, Connaught place.
Green Bus: The first bus starts at 8:30 am & then after every 60 mins one can board the bus at India Gate.
Charges for Indians
Adult: Rs. 300
Children: Rs. 150
Charges for Foreign Nationals
Adult: Rs. 600
Children: Rs. 300

Sightseeing by Hoho buses cover the following places-

• Baba Kharak Singh Marg
• Red Fort
• India Gate
• Purana Qila
• Dilli Haat
• Embassy Lane
• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Connaught Place
• Feroz Shah Kotla
• Rajghat
• National Gallery of Modern Art
• Humayun’s Tomb
• Safdarjung Tomb
• Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
• Nehru Museum
• National Museum
• Jantar Mantar
• Lajpat Nagar
• Lotus Temple
• Saket Malls
• Qutub Minar
• Hauz Khas Village

It will be a great idea to start your day with the citadel of Lutyens' Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Rashtrapati Bhawan now serves as the official residence of the President of India, the First citizen of India. Visiting Rashtrapati Bhawan, you may also pay a visit to the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, located near Rashtrapati Bhavan at the quiet Church Lane.

Your next destination can be the Parliament House, which is at a walking distance from Rashtrapati Bhawan. The Parliament House is the home to the highest law-making body in India. But, one can move inside the building only if they have special permission.

The next stop on this art-filled journey is the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) at the Jaipur House. You may again take an auto or walk down through Rajpath via India Gate and the distance is about 2kms.

4 kms away from India Gate, there stands the Teen Murti, the official residence of our first Prime Minister, Late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. You may take an auto or take a local bus from India Gate to visit Teen Murti Bhawan. From there you may then head towards the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum that houses her personal effects and many other belongings.

After visiting all these places, rest a while, before moving on to Connaught Place for a wholesome lunch using local bus or an auto.

Connaught Place (CP) and Pandara Road is the hub for speciality and multi-cuisine restaurants and fast-food joints. You will find many good places for any budget and preference to have your lunch. Some of the best and known restaurants include The Gulati’s at Pandara Road, Nizam’s Kathi Kabab at Connaught Place, Parikrama – The Revolving Restaurant at Connaught Place, Berco’s at Connaught Place, Have More at Pandara Road and many more.

After a good lunch, it’s time for you to do some quick shopping at Connaught Place and Janpath Market. Either buy branded stuff from various brands or collect souvenirs from the Emporia Complex or the Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Baba Kharak Singh Marg. Those looking for cheaper thrills and can shop at Janpath, which has made one of the highest contributions in making Delhi’s street fashion best in India.

If you now have the time and energy, take a stroll from the Patel Chowk metro station to Jantar Mantar, the world's oldest astronomical observatories.  Now its time to Savour your evening with a slice of history in the bylanes of Chandni Chowk and Old Delhi. You can take a metro from Patel Chowck to Chandni Chowck metro station, which is about 6 kms. 

The best way to explore Old Delhi is by walking or on a cycle-rickshaw. You can start with the Jama Masjid, one of the oldest, largest and most famous mosques in India. From there, now you can visit the Red Fort. Next can be the Gauri Shankar Temple, Central Baptist Church, Bhagirath Palace, Sunehri Masjid, Fatehpuri Mosque, Gurudwara Sisganj, Khari Baoli, Chunnamal ki Haveli and Ghalib's Haveli.

Chandni Chowck is also famous for mouth-watering street food - Chholey Bhature, Chaat, Paranthas - it even has an alley called the Paranthewali Gali, which is too popular for deep-fried, delicious Paranthas. City's best lassi can also be found here in the streets of Chandni Chowck.

And yes did I forget to mention about the sweets? Go for the Sohan Halwa, Pinni and Jalebis.  And, if you are not so fond of street food, there are the usual restaurants and some fast-food outlets all over Chandni Chowk. Chandni Chowk is the Old City's famous shopping street with all the main wholesale market in Delhi. There are varieties of things that you can pick up from this market.

Charges: It is advisable to get a Tourist Card which is issued for unlimited travel with a short span of time. The validity of this card ranges from one day to three days. The amount charged for one day is Rs. 100/- only, whereas for three days card it is Rs. 250/- only. Refundable deposit: Rs 50/- payable at purchase (refundable on return of card).

Tourist Card: This is issued for unlimited travel with a short span of time. The validity of this card ranges from one day to three days. The amount charged for one day is Rs. 100/- only, whereas for three days card it is Rs. 250/- only. Refundable deposit: Rs 50/- payable at purchase (refundable on return of card)  - See more at: https://www.delhionline.in/about/travel/metro#sthash.9g9BnioB.dpuf

Tourist Card: This is issued for unlimited travel with a short span of time. The validity of this card ranges from one day to three days. The amount charged for one day is Rs. 100/- only, whereas for three days card it is Rs. 250/- only. Refundable deposit: Rs 50/- payable at purchase (refundable on return of card)  - See more at: https://www.delhionline.in/about/travel/metro#sthash.9g9BnioB.dpuf

Delhi is a divine mix of all religions. One would be amazed to find so many religious places here for people of all faiths in one city. So, it’s a must thing for you to make a day plan to visit these beautiful religious places. 

Hire a a/c or non a/c cab or just get your tickets for those various tourist buses, but make sure to not to miss a visit to these religious spots around Delhi. Here Delhi Online brings for you a list of some of these famous and very important religious places that must definitely find space in your religious itinerary.

Lotus Temple is one of the most beautiful and remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. The place provides a serene and immaculate environment for peace, meditation and wisdom. The temple has no restrictions for any religions and is open to people from all caste and creed.
Address: Lotus Temple
Bahapur, Kalkaji, New Delhi-19

The famous Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu Temple that features an exhibition on the history of India and on incidents from the life of Swaminarayan. 

The temple also includes an IMAX feature, Neelkanth - a musical fountain on the messages of the Upanishads (Hindu philosophical texts).

Address: Akshardham Temple | Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (B.A.P.S.), N.H. 24,
Near Noida Mor, New Delhi, Pin - 110092

The Jama Masjid is the largest & most widely known mosque in India. Located at Chawri Bazar in Old Delhi, the mosque houses several relics including an antique copy of the Holy Quran (Holy Text of Muslims) written on deer skin.

Address: Jama Masjid, Chawri Bazaar, Delhi- 110006

It is one of the largest Gurudwara (place of worship of Sikhs) in Delhi, and marks the place where the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Harkrishan, breathed his last. And by the time you reach Bangla Sahib, it will be afternoon, so just do not miss a chance to have The ‘langar,’ or free kitchen, lunch at the Gurudwara. It is quite amazing to see 180 people together having langar at a time and in every 15 minutes.

Address: Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Ashok Rd, Connaught Place, New Delhi-01

It is also known as the Viceroy Church and is one of the most magnificent churches in India. It was built in the British era to meet the spiritual needs of the British officers.

Address: Cathedral Church of Redemption, 1, Church Road
New Delhi- 110001

St James church was built in 1836 and is one of the oldest churches in Delhi & was attended by the Viceroy of India until the Cathedral Church of Redemption was built in 1931.

Address: St. James Church, Church Road, Mori Gate
New Delhi-110006

The ISKCON Temple is the architecture blends with the traditional Vedic & contemporary style. It is also called the Hare Krishna Temple and is a famous Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna & Radharani.

Address: ISKCON Temple, Hare Krishna Hill
East of Kailash, New Delhi-110065

Chhatarpur Temple is considered the second largest Hindu temple complex in India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, it also has shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, RadhaKrishna & Lord Ganesha.

Address: Chhatarpur Temple, On Gurgaon-Mehrauli Road, South
New Delhi-110074

Apart from the religious places mentioned above, you might also want to visit the Laxminarayan Temple, Sis Ganj Sahib Gurudwara, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gurudwara Nanak Piao, Central Baptist Church, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj & Idgah.

Cab Charges:
A/C car Rs. 2500 – Rs. 3000 (Approx.)
Non A/C car Rs. 1000 – Rs. 1500 (Approx.)

Delhi had witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties and with it is blessed with having some memorable monuments to add star in the pride of its history. So, if you are in Delhi, and just have a day to spare for sightseeing, then Delhi Online highly recommends making it to the various monuments and museums that this city can boast about.

• Rajghat
• Shanti Van
• Shakti Sthal
• Veer Bhumi
• Vijay Ghat
• Humayun's Tomb
• Safdarjung Tomb
• Lunch at Green Park
• Tughlaqabad Fort

• A good pair of foot wear is a always a must and essential thing since there’s lot of walking to be done.
• Always avoid shoes with shoe lace while traveling as they may be a hindrance to remove and put on, while visiting places of worship.
• Eateries are available at every corner of the city; ensure you go to the reputed ones.
• Always book your travel operators and hotels before hand.
• Make sure to take along essentials like torch and extra set of batteries.
• Manner speaks a lot about you, so try and be courteous.
• Be Ready to Walk to get a taste of the place you are visiting.
• Be Careful about What You Wear and always opt for comfy wear while travelling
  
• Careful of Pickpockets.
  

And finally I must say that a single trip to Delhi is truly not enough!