Questions for first night in Delhi..

sting

I'm arriving in Delhi around 10pm next Monday and getting a little nervous...

I plan on staying somewhere in Paharganj (Hotel Downtown, Hare Krishna). I suspect I won't get down there until around midnight. If I don't reserve, are the hotels open at that hour so I can just walk into a few to find a room? Will it be difficult to find a room?

At the airport, where do I get the proper taxi? How much should it cost to get to Paharanj? Is it safe taking a taxi alone at this time?

Thanks!
Sting

sunilg

Hello Sting, Welcome to India.

There should not be any problem getting a room in the midnight even if you don't reserve, u'll find most of these hotels open even at midnight, just knock the door .........can't just tell the taxi fare, but it is advisable that you take the prepaid taxi, which are much safer. Rate list for your destination will be provided to you beforehand at the prepaid Taxi/auto stand.


Best of luck....

__________________
...Bismillah

davey

sUNILG IS RIGHT, although it would have been best to pre book then arrange for the Hotel to organise a taxi to pick you up at the airport, saves a lot of hassles. Definitely geta pre paid cab if you have to. read as much on the forums about arrivals at night there are some great tips. Good Luck you'll eventually get to enjoy all of the hype

shanthi

Agreed entirely, DO try to get a pre-paid taxi - and you still do have time to book a room online, if you wish to do so, but you'll probably be fine. Delhi is a huge place and there's SO many different sorts of lodgings to chose from. Do also beware though that if you ask the taxi to take you to a hotel/guesthouse/lodging house that he may take you to a not so good, or not so cheap one, as he will get a cut from the hotel management. If he does do that and you like the look of the place form outside or the foyer/reception, ALWAYS have a look at the room before you dismiss the driver (before you pay him). There are thousands of cheap lodgings in Delhi and some, even though they look great outside have appalling rooms - I unfortunately had already dismissed the driver before I saw the room, the first time in Delhi and I had two kids with me at 11pm and had to stay where I was for that night - awful place altogether, but I sure learned my lesson!

sting

You say TRY to get a pre-paid taxi... is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to?

My plan was to get one and just tell him I DID have a reservation at Hotel X in Paharganj (although I won't ) just to get down there. I'll pay him on arrival and send him off. Then I was just going to walk around to a place or two in Paharganj, that way I can check out the rooms and choose what I like.

Sound OK?

Sting

thirdreel

Probably not. Taxi drivers are persistent and will follow you to hotels. You'll try sending them off and they'll insist on taking you into a certain hotel. If you ask them to take you to a restaurant before you go to the hotel, they will wait outside for you. If you don't know exactly where you're going, and how to tell if they aren't going there, you're at their mercy to take you wherever they want you to go. If you don't know exactly how much to pay, they'll overcharge you like crazy.

On top of that, Delhi traffic is like nothing you've seen before, and Paharganj is like nothing you've seen before, and the Delhi airport is not all that comforting in the dark of night. It might sound easy to just get dropped off at Paharganj and take a stroll, but if you're at all like me, you'll be in a state of shock.

It's good to have a room and ride reserved for the first night. After a week or two, you'll be in the India groove and ready to deal with the hassles of drivers and commissions agents, but when the first blast of Indian air hits you on the way out of the plane, you might be very glad to see your name on a board in the waiting room. I strongly suggest reserving a room with a hotel that does airport pickup, even if you only stay one night.

guerik

If you're taking an actual car-taxi rather than a rickshaw, chances are they won't be able to follow you into Paharganj anyway, the streets are usually clogged (the later you arrive the less clogged though) - so that might make things a bit easier.
Hare Krishna's internet booking rates seem to be much the same as in person so you might as well book in advance and avoid the hassle.

sting

So you're saying that a taxi won't be able to get into Paharganj? How far will I have to walk, to say the Hare Krishna?

Is it about 200R for a pre-paid taxi, and about 400R for an arranged hotel pickup?

Sting

Beena450

i stayed at Hare Krishna for my last couple of days in india. They organsied a airport drop off for me for 200 rupees. The hotel was nothing special, but I've seen worse. OK for a day or two.

Its about a 5 minute walk from the hotel to the "car park". But I'm sure the driver will walk you to the door if payment is withheld until then.

The drivers might be a pain in the ass to shake off, but they were very helpful in dropping me just outside where I wanted to go, not much they can say or do while you hold the money.

cyberhippie

Late at night the taxi will be able to drive right up the main bazaar, Paharganj! No problem!!

Casey

When I arrived in Mumbai I hadn't booked a place and ended up paying far more because I was so tired after the long journey and just wanted somewhere to sleep and fast. This time, I have booked at the Master Paying Guesthouse. It is a bit more than I would normally spend but I have heard wonderful things about it and worth itfor the luxury of having someone pick us up and drive us to a bed after such a long journey. The next day we can hunt for something cheaper. I would recommend finding something in your budget and booking it for the first night. Many places, even the budget ones will arrange for a pick up. It's pretty easy to do online and well worth it.