Climate :

The summer season lasts from mid-March to the end of June, with average maximum and minimum temperatures of 36º C and 25º C. The monsoon season, following the hot summer, continues until the end of September, with an average rainfall of about 26 inches. The winter season extends from late November to mid-February. The coldest month is January, when both the mean maximum temperature and the mean minimum temperature are at their lowest--21º C and 7º C, respectively.

Best Season :

For Sightseeing, the best season to visit Delhi is between October to March. Summers in Delhi are very hot and it is not recommended to visit it during May, June or July.

top

How to get there ?

» Air - Delhi has an extensive network of international and domestic flights. All the major airlines in the world fly through Delhi and it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Domestic air links cover Delhi from all the major cities in the country.

» Train - The Indian Railway with their modern and organized network connects Delhi to major and minor destination in India. There are three important railway stations in Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India, namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Rly. Station. Trains run from all the parts of the country to Delhi. For nearby places like Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gwalior, Bhopal, Lucknow and Kanpur, the Shatabdi Express is recommended.

» Bus - Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport Corporation and Road Transport Corporations of the neighboring States provide frequent bus services through Air Conditioned, Deluxe and Ordinary Coaches. Buses from all the major places in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi. During summer months, air-conditioned coaches are recommended.

» Airports - Delhi has two airports. Indira Gandhi International Airport, is 20km away towards city in the same area. Palam is city bound Internal Terminal Airport. Between the two shuttle coach service is in operation. SBI is the banker of both the terminals, for hotel's booking ITDC and serving the tourists with information is Tourist Booth with round the clock service, besides there are other arrangements. Indira Gandhi links Delhi with the whole world. Flights of almost all Airways of the World come to Delhi besides Air India. IAC, Alliance Air, Vayudoot and such other Airlines serve from Palam to all parts of the country. They have Airbuses, Boeings, Dornier and other planes. From both the terminals, Ex-Servicemen Air Link Transport Service (EATS) brings passengers to city at cheap rate. On the way they stop on request. Delhi Transport Corporation's buses also bring Air passengers to New Delhi, Delhi Jn and Kashmiri Gate bus std. Passenger bus (780) runs from outside the Airport, Taxis (prepaid) is available.

top

Tipping

Tipping is optional, although cabbies and rickshaw drivers seem to expect tips from foreign tourists. Make sure the driver turns down the meter after you get in. If he refuses to do so (cabbies and rickshaw drivers may refuse to do so late at night or early in the morning or if you want to travel a short distance), hail another cab or rickshaw. If nothing else, ensure that you fix a price before you get in. It is generally expected at hotels and restaurants. Ten per cent of the bill or around Rs. 5 for other services is in order.

Conducted Tours

To see all the places of historical interest in Delhi, it is advisable to use a guided tour. Delhi is a round and widely spread out city, and it may be difficult to get to all the places with considerable ease. Compared to Bombay, Delhi has a much more complex structure and easier to get lost in, so be careful. You can rent a chauffeur-driven car or join a conducted tour that is probably the best way to see most in the least amount of time.


Inland Travel India offers many facilities for tourists' travel within the country. However, special permits are required for visiting certain border areas as specified from time to time. These can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs Office at Lok Nayak Bhawan, opposite to Khan Market (Phone: 461 2543, 469 3334) from Monday to Friday .

Doctor/Chemist If you need a doctor, your hotel can contact a house physician. The medical stores in Super Bazar, Connaught Circus and in AIIMS and at some private hospitals such as Batra (Tughlakabad Institutional Area) and Spring Meadows (East of Kailash) are open 24 hours.

Food and Beverage
Delhi has an amazing variety of non-vegetarian and vegetarian cuisine. Contrary to what you may have heard, all Indian food is not hot and spicy. Most dishes are only richly garnished to provide an exciting flavour. You will find excellent restaurants that serve Indian, Chinese, Continental and other cuisine in Delhi. Consumption of liquor is prohibited in public places.

Shopping
India is a shopper's paradise. Delhi markets specialise in carpets, handicrafts, jewellery, readymade garments and leather goods. It's best to buy goods only from the more established shops and official Indian Government outlets.

Beggars
If you encounter beggars, who are rare in New Delhi, give in kind rather than in cash.

Bargaining
Asking for a discount is part of the shopping experience - you might be lucky and the shopkeepers may oblige. Otherwise the prices are more or less fixed at most places. Remember, it's a game you should both enjoy and if you get "swindled", you are contributing to the local economy! At Connaught place, Meena bazaar, Palika bazaar and other shopping centres, bargaining is necessary. Begin by quoting half of whatever the vendor quotes.

Telephone and Telegraph
You can direct dial to most cities in India, and to countries abroad. For elsewhere book a call through the operator. On the direct dial facility within the country, note that while during the day - 6 am to 7 pm - the full rate is charged. On Sundays and National Holidays there is a concessional charge of 50%. Half rate is applicable daily 7 am to 8 am and 7 pm to 8.30 pm. The tariff from 6 am to 7 am and from 8.30 pm to 11 pm is 1/3 the rate, and from 11 pm to 6 am it is 1/4 the rate.

For details contact:
International Telegraph Office (Phone: 336 2881 / 336 2754).

Tourist Information:
Government of India Tourist Office, 88 Janpath (Phone: 332 0005 and 332 0342).

Safety Tips
• Carry your wallet and credit cards in an inside jacket pocket or side trouser pocket, never in the rear pocket.
• Keep pocketbooks on your lap when dining out, not dangling over the back of a chair.
• Leave valuables and important papers, such as jewellery and passports in your hotel's safe deposit box. Never leave these items unattended in your room.
• Beware of unexpected persons coming to your hotel room. Never open the door to unsolicited room service or maintenance people.
• If you schedule a meeting with a potential client, research the company and the individual with whom you are meeting. Meet in a public place, such as a restaurant.
• Make sure that luggage is only given to a member of the hotel's bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage. Never leave luggage or other expensive items, unattended at airports or taxi stands.
 

top

Hotel Bookings

Car - Coaches Rental

{HOTEL BOOKINGS}   {CAR & COACHES RENTAL}   {CONFERENCE FACILITIES}   {TRAVEL AGENTS TIE UP}