Flights to New Delhi
The capital of India and, quite literally, the city of hearts, Delhi translates to Dil-li -meaning captured heart in Hindi. While we don’t have to elaborate on the city’s cultural diversity and historical legacy, we still want to. Because let’s face it - it’s practically impossible to stop talking about it!
Flavorful street food, mighty forts, Mughal architecture, and various shopping hotspots make it one of the best tourist destinations in the world.
The second most populated city in the country after Mumbai, Delhi has more than its share of tourist attractions and is the best place for you to learn more about India’s glorious history.
But if you’ve already made up your mind and are looking for flights to New Delhi, you should probably bookmark this article. Because we are about to dish out some really important tips on how to find cheap plane tickets to New Delhi that you can’t afford to miss (just like your flights to New Delhi).
If that last joke didn’t work out for you, don’t worry. This guide definitely will.
We’ll Help you fly.
Through your flights to New Delhi, of course. We’ll do this by bringing you every little tidbit of information about the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
Coded DEL throughout the world, the airport is spread across 5000 acres of land in Palam. An important gateway to the Indian territory for travelers, the airport has three terminals (T1, T2, (T3). All three terminals are connected to the main hall.
The T1 is meant for local low-cost flights (it would possibly be your next destination if you’re looking to visit some other city in India), the T2 is used for the remaining domestic flights, while the T1 expansions take place and the T3 caters to the city’s international public.
And luckily for the foreign visitors, people have been raving about T3, its newest addition and the airport’s international terminal.
There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport for two hours, but if you’re an international traveller, you may have to contact the information desk for access. It also has multiple charging points to help you operate your digital devices while traveling.
Sleeping Arrangements
Before you book your plane tickets to New Delhi, it’s essential to prepare for a layover or an overnight flight.
The airport has a huge shopping area, where you’ll find comfy couches to rest on and several seats without arm seats to accommodate your naps. If you’re okay with sleeping on the carpeted floor, there is plenty of space. That said, the airport does offer transit hotels and sleeping pods.
If you ask us, we would recommend the latter, since the airport is a very busy day in and day out. There are hundreds of thousands traveling every day. So if you’d like to go for the budget-friendly options instead, carry a good pair of headphones.
And if your New Delhi flights do not involve sleeping in the airport, it’s all going to work just fine for you. But if you’re even a tiny, bit interested in checking out lounges, the Delhi airport has some great ones in all the terminals.
The Plaza Premium Lounge has a pay-at-the
-door, one-time visit policy, ensuring that you don’t have to pay for more than what you need.
Recreational Activities
The third terminal offers duty-free shopping. You can pay with US$, INR, euros or pounds to buy whatever catches your eye. If you’ve somehow forgotten to buy a souvenir (unthinkable in Delhi!), you can grab some last-minute gifts here.
The shops are open 24 hours and offer a huge variety of international brands. The airport has baby care facilities, like toys and children’s lounges. In addition, the airport has free strollers to help you manage your toddlers.
There is a gaming area too, set up to help travelers enjoy their visit one last time before returning. The exciting thing is - the airport has a flight simulator! You can pilot a Boeing 737 with various weather patterns.
When it comes to food and drinks, there is no limit to all that you can eat in India. With a various lip smacking restaurants in the vicinity, taking a stroll out in the cold Delhi air would leave you with an experience like no other.
Airlines
There’s a huge list of airlines operating in the Delhi airport, some offer cheap flights to New Delhi, while others entertain only premium travelers.
Some of the most popular airlines operating in the Delhi airport are - Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Italy, AirAsia, Asiana Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Bhutan Airlines, British Airways, China Airlines, Emirates, Flydubai, Flynas, GoAir, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines
For US travellers, the cheapest New Delhi flights for a roundtrip are Allegiant Air, Air France, Lufthansa and Spirit Airlines. Their prices fall around a maximum of 2000-2500 US$.
But if you’re looking for direct flights to Delhi from New York or Chicago, a one-way trip may cost you even less than a thousand dollars. So if you’re in these cities, just pack your bags already!
Attractions
From the ancient walls of Purana Qila to the luxurious Leela Palace, Delhi has something for everyone. For the purpose of simplicity, we will divide the attractions into New Delhi and Old Delhi.
The former was created by the English in 1931 to serve as the capital seat of the country. The latter, however, has always been the soul of the city. The ancient monuments, the rich history and soulful music comes from Old Delhi. So as soon as you get off your flights to New Delhi, get ready to explore these places.
1. Qutub Minar.
Built by the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, Qutb-al-Din-Aibak, towards the end of the twelfth century, the tower has 5 different floors. Once on top, you can glimpse the huge garden and its various stone structures.
The two lower floors that were built during his reign are made up of sandstone. The upper two were made of red sandstone on the command of his son-in-law Iltutmish, another legendary ruler of the sultanate.
When the highest floor was damaged due to a lightning strike, it was renovated by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, and lavishly put together with marble. Needless to say, the monument has a huge historical significance.
2. The Red Fort.
The main residence of the Mughal emperors, the Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan during the peak of the Mughal power and its influence in India. The monument shares its architect with one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal.
3. The India Gate.
A monument built to remember the 90,000 Indian soldiers that lost their lives while fighting for the British empire. The stone-carved structure is lit up spectacularly during the night and remains a significant memorial for the people of India.
4. Jama Masjid.
This beautifully designed monument is among one of India’s largest mosques. This glorious mosque was also Shah Jahan’s final architectural project. People around the world are fascinated by its lovely minarets and we definitely recommend that you check it out.
5. Humayun’s Tomb.
Positioned in the heart of a blooming square garden, the tomb of Humayun was built on the orders of his widow, Haji Begum, named so due to her famous pilgrimage to the Hajj. Her objective to create a beautiful resting place was surely achieved. If you can, do check it out when it’s lit during the night.
Culture and Night-Life
Apart from these beautiful pieces of Mughal architecture, the city is famous for its museums that display various gems of India’s history. Janpath road and Sarojini Nagar markets will offer you unique and affordable shopping experience.
However, if your trip is not on a budget, you can experience branded shopping at Khan Market, Connaught Place, etc.
There is a huge cultural diversity. Old Delhi has a majority Muslim population, while the CP park is better to know as ‘Mini Bengal’. A huge number of Punjabis also live in Delhi, leading to a fusion of different cuisines
From the Punjabi paranthas (stuffed bread), the nation’s favourite golgappas (spicy water balls) to Delhi’s social momos (a dish borrowed from Nepal), you’ll find many lip-smacking dishes in the city.
The Nightlife in New Delhi is straight out of a night owl’s dream. The Kitty Su and the Hauz Khas club should be on the top of your party list. You can also check out the Mocha Art House, Little Owl Cafe, The Blue Bar or the Hard Rock Cafe to make your nights a little more interesting.
Best Season to visit New Delhi
While we strongly suggest you hop on a New Delhi flight whenever you can, we understand that some seasons are better than others.
And so, we bring to you the best season to visit New Delhi.
- Summer
Let’s start with the summer. Since it’s located in Northern India, the city doesn’t get a lot of sun and that’s for the best! (Pro tip: Some places in India are hot. Very, very hot.)
- Winter
The airfare to New Delhi remains approximately constant throughout the year, but during the winter (December, especially) you’re likely to find New Delhi flights at much cheaper rates.
This is due to the fact that the winters in Delhi are extremely cold, more so if you’re from the southern states. But if you can brave the cold, this is absolutely the best time to visit New Delhi. The flowers are blooming, festivals all around, and it would be a great start to your new year!