8 hours stopover in Delhi

saragat

On Friday 24 of August we will land from Udaipur to Delhi at 15.30 wit Jet airways. We will have the next flight at 01.50 AM from International terminal. According to your experience can be worthwhile to try and visit something in Delhi in that timeframe?
Thanks for your advice.

Indojingai

I dont know if its worthwhile to go to Delhi for that length of time. If you do, make sure to turn back on your way to the airport 3 hours before the flight time. Traffic, political 'rallies', cows and religion ... you dont wanna miss your flight... do you?

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saragat

No I do not want to loose the flight of course...but it seems to me plenty of time... and waste of time staying at the airport.

My departure flight is at 1.50 AM that means actually 10 hours later. I take out 1h30 to go to Delhi and 1h30 to come back+3 hours before the flight, are 6 hours. I should still have 4 hours to visit something, isn't it? What can be more easy to reach from the airport (excluding Qutab Minar, that seems to me quite near...)

shashank.aggarwal

I guess you can start with Qutub Minar, and after that spend some time in Old Delhi, because in eveing all other might monuments might close. You can stroll in Chandni chowk, probably visit Jama Masjid and if available spend some time in Cannought Place, which would be good for people watching..

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camelgirl

You could go to a government tourist office in Delhi (don't know where this is but someone here might--there are many, many fake government tourist offices, so beware!) and pick up a 1/2 day tour which would give you interesting sights. You do have enough time to spend 4 hours. The traffic to and from the airport from Delhi is a nightmare all the time, even in the middle of the night.

You could go just one place for a few hours (red fort?). There are many interesting places to see and just one would probably use up all your time because of traffic.

ranjan154

There is hardly any time available for the sight seeing in Delhi at that time, but you may cover at least one or two destination such as Kutub Minar because of its closeness to the airport so that you may board the next flight comfortably. Try to arrange everything in advance so that you may not loose the important time while arranging transportation etc.

Then the best option is to have a great escape to old Delhi and visit the grand Red Fort and do not forget to take a stroll at Chandni Chowk.

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hfot2

You arrive at 15:30. By the time you get your luggage and get into town it will be pushing late afternoon?

I'd just go one place where I wouldn't mind photographing in the diminishing sun, which sometimes is better than the harsh light of day. Do check closing times on any sites you try to see.

We love wandering around Chandni Chowk so that would get my vote.

Mickey S

It won't take you 1h30 to get to the airport. The last time I took a cab from New Delhi Railway Station to the International terminal (about 3 weeks ago, at 3am) it took half an hour - although the driver was driving like a lunatic. You only need allow 45 minutes to an hour maximum.

saragat

Wow, lot of replies in few hours. Thank you...I just forgot one thing. We will have our luggage with us. What should we do? keep it with us in the taxi or try to store it at the airport in the International terminal?
I said 1h30 because of the traffic. In the night I think that can be a bit better...but I prefer to stay on the safe side.

I excluded Qutub Minar because we would probably visit it when we arrive in India on the way to Agra. In case we cannot menage we will choose it. A week later we will be back in Delhi and we will have a full day to visit the city but we do not want to waste completely an afternoon ...and what about Humayum Tomb? Too late in the afternoon?
It would be nice to walk in Chandni chowk and visit Jama Masjid. I will check the timing because it would be Friday and I do not know if it would be close for prayers. It would be nice to be on the tower (apologies I don't know the name on English) at sunset.
the important think is not to risk to miss the flight!

machadinha

Airport left luggage: http://www.airportsindia.org.in/igi/...cilities.jsp#2 (site open during business hours only).

If you're going to the Red Fort/Old Delhi area btw I really recommend checking if the Sound & Light show just close by is on (or if it still exists that is), it starts just after nightfall. It's tacky as hell and way over the top, and the 2nd time I saw it years ago the sound had noticably deteriorated, yet it's amazing for what it does with its simple techniques, and will provide a genuinely interesting introduction to India and its history.

Bring mosquito repellent if you do visit, the show grounds are infested with them.

btw I think Jami Masjid is closed to visitors for Friday prayers yes. Not sure if that's all day. I understand the tower (minaret) is something of a mad rush btw, I haven't visited.

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Shark

It is a shame your flight didn't land a little earlier you could visit the International Toilet Musuem near the aiport. It is a real hoot.
I would go to Paharghanj for something to eat and a few beers and then wander down to Old Delhi and then to the aiport.

saragat

Probbaly I could go for example to Humayun Tomb on my first arrival in Delhi before driving to Agra and spent the hours during this stopover to Qutub Minar to be on the safe side