New Delhi. I wasn’t prepared to what you have showed me. Overwhelmed by your rich history and century old architecture and monuments.
Flight
I traveled to New Delhi from Bahrain by Gulf Air. Travel time is around 3hrs. Flying here in the middle east is not as cheap as traveling SEAsia from Philippines because of limited availability of budget airlines. Though there are available like Air Arabia and Fly Dubai, those airline usually have to stop over in UAE (unless you’re from UAE). I got my roundtrip airfare at BD 125 ( ~PHP 17k).
Sana may piso fare din dito!!!😩😫😩.
Visa
I applied visa online. Filipinos are eligible to apply e-visa for the purpose of recreation, sight seeing, visiting friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme or medical treatment. You can apply here.
For online application, you are required to provide a scan copy (pdf format) of your passport information page and a 2×2 colored picture. Fill up the online application form and pay the corresponding visa fee. I paid USD 82 (~PHP 4300) for the e-visa using credit card after completing the application form. Processing of the visa will take 72hours, so make sure to apply for it at least 5days before your flight to give some allowance whenever you encounter some issues. I was given a double entry visa valid for 60days. An Electronic Travel Authorization will be emailed to you once your e-visa is approved.
Upon arrival, you must present a printed copy of your Electronic Travel Authorization, so make sure you have it printed before your flight. It may also be required during your check in on your chosen airline.
Accommodation
I often book my accommodation through booking.com. Cheap accommodations are mostly located in Pahaganj (near the railway station) or in Karol Bagh. I booked Rockwell Plaza under Fab Hotel chains in Karol Bagh for BHD 16 for 2nights ( ~PHP 2200). It was in the middle of the night bazaar, so if you hire a driver/car, they might have difficulty going near to your hotel at night like what happened to me. You may be asked to just walk to your hotel. But don’t worry, it is safe to walk along the buzzling night bazaar especially if the weather is good. Though I’m not sure how it will be during summer.
Tip: when booking accommodation you may try to view it by “map” to give you an advance idea about the location of the hotel.
Airport Transfer
There are several options for you to reach your accommodation from the airport
Prepaid Taxi
– Fixed rate as mandated by the govt
– Ticket booths are available inside and outside the terminal. Advisable to get ticket inside the terminal to avoid touts.
– 400-500 Rupees to city center
Uber / Ola
– almost same rate as the prepaid taxi
– You need internet to book your ride.
Metered Taxi
– a little more expensive that the prepaid taxi
– Expext to pay around 600-700 rupees to the city center
Bus
– can be your cheapest option
– new delhi traffic can be an issue
Express Train
– conveniently accessible from terminal 3 but may need to transfer to city metro to reach you destination like in Karol Bagh
– Good option for those without big luggage as you may need to go up or down some stairs.
Private Transfer
– the most convenient way
– Most expensive option, it may go up from 1000-3000 Rupees.
– If you avail a tour or hire a driver for your golden triangle tour, airport transfer are usually included in their package.
– I book my 5days Golden Triangle Tour (transport/guide/driver) thru India passion tours. Airport pick up and drop off is included
Activities
I booked 5days Golden Triangle Tour from India Passion Tours. I made a review about India Passion Tours in TripAdvisor and you can read it here, 5 star! My day 1 was scheduled for New Delhi Monument tours. I was picked up by 9am by my driver and we headed first to Jama Masjid.
You can also stop by in Red Fort before going to Jama Masjid. Unfortunately, Red Fort was closed during my New Delhi tour.
If you have a driver/guide like me, it is advisable that you just take a rickshaw going to Jasma Masjid and leave the driver/car in the parking beside the red fort as it will be too crowded near the mosque where even the rickshaw have difficulty to maneuver. Rickshaw ride is 200INR only roundtrip.
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is a mosque that is still being used by Muslim worshiper. It is located in Old Delhi. It is the largest and best known mosque in India. The mosque was built during the Mughal Empire in 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, the same emperor who built the Taj Mahal. The masjid or mosque comprises a courtyard that can seat up to 25,000 devotees, three large gates, four towers and two 40 meters high minarets.
Entry to the mosque is basically free but 300INR is required if you have a camera with you. Shoes and slippers are not allowed inside the courtyard and the mosque. You have the option to walk barefoot or have a shoe cover sold at the entrance gate. Just take note that if you leave your shoes in the gate, a person will be watching there and you have to pay 100INR. Don’t worry, the floor in the courtyard is clean aside from some pigeon droppings.
Here is a hyperlapse i made.
If you have plenty of time after Jama Masjid, you can explore the busy street of Old Delhi.
Qutb Minar
About an hour away down south of New Delhi is the Qutb Minar Complex. This is my second stop for the day. 500INR is the entry fee on this monument. Luckily, world heritage week is being celebrated during my visit and all monument fees under the unesco World Heritage is free. Tripod is not allowed inside the complex and if you have one, you can just leave it in the security officers and just take it back afterwards. And if you don’t have a guide with you, there is a publication store just right after the security check where you an buy some info book/guide about the complex. I bought one for 65INR since i already got a free entry.
Qutb complex …
My driver guide dropped me in Chimney Restaurant nearby Humayun’s Tomb for lunch. I had chicken tikka, butter nan and a potato and bean masala. This small restaurant is clean and have a good service, i check its rating in Tripadvisor and i agree with the good reviews. I was not able to take a picture of what i ordered as i get busy when a couple from France joined me in the table and had a good small talk over our lunch. Meeting strangers during travels and sharing experiences is always a bonus when traveling solo.
Humayun’s Tomb
My third and last stop for the day is the Humayun’s Tomb. 500INR is also the entrance fee, but still its FREE during my visit.
Humayun’s Tomb is said to be the epitome Taj Mahal in terms of its symmetrical structure, minus the marbles of the Taj. It is surrounded by lush garden with Grid of water channels and paths. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida on 1562 AD, and designed by a Persian architect. It was the first garden-tomb of its kind in India and considered to be the first monument to use red stones as main material in such big scale.
After visiting these three monuments, i returned back to hotel and had dinner afterwards.
Tips Where to Eat
You can always ask google for restaurants near you, check ratings, i prefer 4 star up. Then check reviews in Tripadvisor. Locate and enjoy your food.
Chimney Restaurant near Humayun’s Tomb, small but clean and quick service.
I ate dinner in Kitchen With A Cause in Karol Bagh in the middle of night bazaar. Recommended, thumbs up!
You can also check the restaurants in Pandara Market near India Gate. I ate my lunch in Have More on my last day in New Delhi.
Summary of Expenses
| BHD | INR | PHP | |
| Airfare (Bahrain – New Delhi vv) | 125.00 | 23750 | 17375.0 |
| India Passion Tour (5days) | 80.00 | 15500 | 11120.0 |
| Accommodation – 2nights with free breakfast | 15.00 | 3100 | 2085.0 |
| Dinner in Hotel (egg and bread only) | 1.58 | 300 | 219.5 |
| Rickshaw to Jama Masjid | 1.05 | 200 | 146.3 |
| Entry Fee to Jama Masjid | 1.58 | 300 | 219.5 |
| Entry Fee to Qutub Minar (free during my visit) | 2.63 | 500 | 365.8 |
| Lunch at Chimney Resturant | 3.68 | 700 | 512.1 |
| Entry Fee to Humayun’s Tomb (free during my visit) | 2.63 | 500 | 365.8 |
| Dinner at Kitchen with a Cause | 4.47 | 850 | 621.8 |
| TOTAL | 237.63 | 45,700 | 33,030.8 |
| 628 USD |
Next destination: Agra