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Delhi sightseeing by cab

Delhi in 1 day: what to see, in what order

Leave at 08:00 for the Qutub Minar, then Humayun's Tomb and India Gate, and lunch. In the afternoon, the Red Fort from about 14:10 and the Jama Masjid at about 15:45. It is about 45 km by cab, back by about 16:45. Not on a Monday, when the Red Fort is closed.

5 places45 km by cabtimed against opening hours
How long do you have?
Day 1

Qutub Minar to the Red Fort

The Qutub Minar at about 08:40, before the crowds, then Humayun's Tomb from about 10:30 and India Gate at about 11:55, then lunch. After lunch, the Red Fort from about 14:10 and the Jama Masjid at about 15:45, after the midday prayer. About 45 km by cab, back by about 16:45. Not on a Monday, when the Red Fort is closed.

08:00 to 16:415 places45 km by cab
  1. 1Qutub Minar
  2. 2Humayun's Tomb
  3. 3India Gate and the National War Memorial
  4. Lunch
  5. 4Red Fort
  6. 5Jama Masjid
  7. Back
  1. Leave Connaught Place
  2. 1

    Qutub Minar

    1 h 30 min here
    Qutub Minar
    Photo: A.Savin, FAL

    The 73 m tower of red and buff stone started in 1199 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Delhi sultan, and finished by his successors. Around it are the ruins of Delhi's first mosque, built from the stones of older temples, the 1,600 year old iron pillar that has not rusted, and the Alai Darwaza gateway.

    Forts & tombsSunrise to sunset, every day (modelled with winter times; Delhi Tourism says to 20:00). Indians ₹35 online or ₹50 at the counter, foreigners ₹550 or ₹600; under 15 free

    Tip: You cannot climb the tower. Tickets are cheaper online. Mehrauli Archaeological Park, with more ruins, is next door.

  3. 2

    Humayun's Tomb

    1 h 15 min here
    Humayun's Tomb
    Photo: Komal Sambhudas, CC0

    The tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun, built in the 1560s by his widow, and the first great garden tomb in India: the plan the Taj Mahal followed 80 years later. Red sandstone and white marble rise from a garden cut into four by water channels. Smaller tombs, like Isa Khan's, stand in the same grounds.

    Forts & tombsSunrise to sunset, every day (modelled with winter times). Indians ₹35 online or ₹40 to ₹50 at the counter, foreigners ₹550 to ₹600

    Tip: Tickets are cheaper online. From the counter it is a short walk through two gateways to the tomb. Sunder Nursery, a big park with more tombs, is next door.

  4. 3

    India Gate and the National War Memorial

    1 h here
    India Gate and the National War Memorial
    Photo: A.Savin, FAL

    The 42 m arch at the end of Kartavya Path, built in 1921 to 1931 for the Indian soldiers who died in the First World War; their names are carved on it. Since 2019 the National War Memorial just east of it holds the names of the soldiers who have died since 1947, in rings round an eternal flame. The statue of Subhas Chandra Bose stands under the canopy nearby.

    MemorialsIndia Gate is open all the time and free. The National War Memorial is open every day, 09:00 to 19:30 from November to March and to 20:30 from April to October, free, with a security check

    Tip: There is little parking on the C-Hexagon, so the cab drops you and comes back. The War Memorial is a few minutes' walk east of the arch. The roads close for Republic Day rehearsals in January and on some event days.

  5. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  6. 4

    Red Fort

    1 h 30 min here
    Closed on Mondays
    Red Fort
    Photo: Lucky181993, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The red sandstone fort Shah Jahan built in 1639 to 1648 when he moved the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. You go in through the Lahori Gate and the covered Chhatta Chowk bazaar, then on to the halls where the emperor met his people (Diwan-i-Aam) and his nobles (Diwan-i-Khas), the marble palaces along the old river front and the small Moti Masjid. The Prime Minister raises the flag here every Independence Day.

    Forts & tombsOpen 09:30 to 16:30, closed on Mondays. Indians ₹35 online or ₹50 at the counter, foreigners ₹550 online or ₹600; under 15 free. Closed every year from about mid-July to mid-August for Independence Day, and on some event days

    Tip: The cab drops on Netaji Subhash Marg and you walk to the Lahori Gate. Buy tickets online to skip the counter queue. Bags are checked at the gate. Closed on Mondays. The Jai Hind sound and light show runs in the evening, Tuesday to Sunday.

  7. 5

    Jama Masjid

    45 min here
    Jama Masjid
    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0

    India's biggest mosque, built by Shah Jahan from 1650 to 1656 on a rise facing the Red Fort. The courtyard holds about 25,000 people, and three marble domes and two 40 m minarets rise above it. You can climb the south minaret for a view over the Old Delhi rooftops to the fort.

    Temples, mosques & gurdwarasAbout 07:00 to sunset; visitors are kept out during prayers (about 12:15 to 13:45) and the half hour before sunset. Free for Indians; a camera or phone fee (about ₹200 to ₹300) is charged; foreigners may be charged entry. Remove shoes; robes for hire at the gate. Fridays are busy with prayers

    Tip: Visitors are kept out during prayers, about 12:15 to 13:45, so time it around that. Shoulders and legs must be covered; robes are lent at the gate. The minaret climb costs extra. Fridays are crowded at midday.

  8. Back at Connaught Place

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Delhi traffic is heavy, worst from about 09:00 to 11:00 and 17:00 to 20:30 on weekdays, and the roads into Old Delhi are slow at any time, so allow extra time. Chandni Chowk's main street is closed to cars in the day: the cab drops at the Red Fort end and you walk or take a cycle rickshaw. Parking is scarce at India Gate, so expect a drop and pick-up rather than a wait. Roads round Kartavya Path close for Republic Day rehearsals in January and on some event days. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for this day

Call or message a local Delhi operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

1 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Qutub MinarSunrise to sunset, every day (modelled with winter times; Delhi Tourism says to 20:00). Indians ₹35 online or ₹50 at the counter, foreigners ₹550 or ₹600; under 15 freeEarly morning, before the crowds and the heat.1 h 30 min
Humayun's TombSunrise to sunset, every day (modelled with winter times). Indians ₹35 online or ₹40 to ₹50 at the counter, foreigners ₹550 to ₹600Morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft on the red stone.1 h 15 min
India Gate and the National War MemorialIndia Gate is open all the time and free. The National War Memorial is open every day, 09:00 to 19:30 from November to March and to 20:30 from April to October, free, with a security checkLate afternoon into dusk, when the arch is lit and families come out.1 h
Red Fort09:30 to 16:30, closed on Mondays. Indians ₹35 online or ₹50 at the counter, foreigners ₹550 online or ₹600; under 15 free. Closed every year from about mid-July to mid-August for Independence Day, and on some event daysAs it opens at 09:30, before the queues and the heat.1 h 30 min
Jama MasjidAbout 07:00 to sunset; visitors are kept out during prayers (about 12:15 to 13:45) and the half hour before sunset. Free for Indians; a camera or phone fee (about ₹200 to ₹300) is charged; foreigners may be charged entry. Remove shoes; robes for hire at the gate. Fridays are busy with prayersMid-morning before the midday prayer, or the afternoon after it.45 min

More or less time in Delhi?

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Delhi in 2 days

Old Delhi and India Gate · Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and Akshardham

See the 2-day plan →
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Delhi in 3 days

Old Delhi and Akshardham · New Delhi, Humayun's Tomb and Nizamuddin · Qutub Minar, Hauz Khas and the Lotus Temple

See the 3-day plan →

All 25 places in Delhi

Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.

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Questions people ask

Why start in the south and end in Old Delhi?

The Qutub Minar opens at sunrise and is best before the crowds and the heat, while the Red Fort opens only at 09:30. The Jama Masjid shuts to visitors during the midday prayer, so it fits the afternoon after it.

What if my day is a Monday?

The Red Fort is closed. Keep the Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and India Gate, then go to the Jama Masjid and walk Chandni Chowk in the afternoon, or add Lodhi Garden and Safdarjung's Tomb.

Can I fit in the Lotus Temple, Akshardham or Chandni Chowk?

Not without dropping something. Chandni Chowk is a few minutes from the Jama Masjid, so if you still have energy at 16:30, walk it before heading back. Akshardham needs three hours and the Lotus Temple closes on Mondays; both are on the second day of the 2-day plan.