Delhi

Where to stay

Most budget hostels cluster in Paharganj, the neighborhood directly west of New Delhi Railway Station, where Main Bazaar Road puts you within walking distance of the metro. Majnu Ka Tilla, the Tibetan colony in North Delhi near the Yellow Line's Vidhan Sabha station, is quieter and a good pick if you want to sidestep the railway station chaos entirely.

Getting around

• Get a Delhi Metro smart card at any station. It gives a 10% discount per ride and the Yellow, Blue, and Violet lines cover nearly every major sight, from Chandni Chowk to Humayun's Tomb.
• Skip the taxi and tour-guide touts outside New Delhi Railway Station. Walk past the prepaid auto stand and use Ola or Uber instead. The app shows a fixed fare before you confirm.
• For spices, textiles, or electronics, go to Lajpat Nagar Central Market or the wholesale lanes off Chandni Chowk rather than the tourist stalls in Paharganj. Prices are a fraction of what you'll pay in the backpacker zone.

When to go

June and July are cheapest, when temperatures top 45°C and hostels sit half-empty. October through February is when Delhi fills fast, especially around Diwali in October or November, when beds in Paharganj book out weeks ahead.