erica212

I will be in New Delhi for 1 day before meeting up with a group, can anyone advise the most efficient means to go to India Gate, Connaught Place, tibetan market and the market in Old Delhi,plus other markets - taxi vs. private car vs auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws. What do you think the cost would be? I will be staying in a 4 or 5 star hotel.
Thanks,
Erica

JaneB

We spent 5 days in New Delhi in February and used the auto rickshaws to get everywhere. The cost always varies--but is never expensive. It was usually $1 or less for our short trips (2 of us) around town.

Craig

I would hire a car and driver through your hotel. I wouldn't waste my time at Connaught Place by the way - there are better places to shop. The Tibetan market is right across the road from Central Cottage Industries, the government run crafts emporium - worth a visit. If you want to tour the market area in Old Delhi, a cycle rickshaw is the best way to do it. Delhi is pretty spread out so it is worth doing some research on the type of shopping you might want to do. Hotel arcades generally have stores with good quality - the jewelers are generally reliable. The Santushti complex is a good place for women's clothing and some crafts.

Fenno

If you do take a car and driver, it is best to hire by the day, much cheaper than using taxis. And get a driver with a cellphone as you will need to be able to let him know when you are ready to be picked up. When you go to Old Delhi, he aan drop you where the bicycle rickshaw wallahs are and will have to park some distance away, so either you have to arrange a time for pickup or call his mobile.

I hire a car and driver for Rs.500/day (8 hours, 80 kms) w/out aircon or Rs.750 with, no point giving you the details though as I stay way down in south Delhi and their base is in Haryana. It's an indication though.

You could use an auto rickshaw for the distances you plan on going, if you can stand the fumes and bargain hard each time you get in one. As you have only one day, you need to get the most out of it, so I would recommend a car and driver, who could then also mind your purchases, rather than you dragging them around with you.

jacketwatch

I agree. Hire a private car. It cost us around $12.00 US for the entire day. Actually that has been the case since our 1st trip to Delhi in 1978. No matter the changes in exchange rate it still comes to around that price in USD. Personally I like shopping in CP and would skip Chandi Chowk in Old Delhi-way too crowded. Good luck. Larry

hobbes

Def go car-driver. Also very convenient to keep dumping booty in the trunk rather than lugging it around. Specifically w.r.to the Old Delhi market the driver will drop you at a point very near the market where he will park and agree to a rate with a cycle rickshaw. In the market cycle rickshaw is most conveinet. Then the rickshaw returns you to the parking spot where your driver awaits. Whether or not to go is a personal choice - many people enjoy the completely authentic feel.

ILovebug

Yeah Connaught place is a waste of time, although if you want those miniature Indian drawings/motifs you can bargain with some of the hawkers and get a dozen or so for maybe 100-200 rupees total. $10 total for several little miniatures that would cost hundreds of dollars back home!!!

Also, FYI many hookers work the night at Connaught so it may not be a great couple destination in the evening.

Hire a driver - should cost you about $20-$30 for the day in a Tata Sumo or Toyota Qualis. Don't go for the Zen or Marutis as many of these have been converted to natural gas tanks which mean the possibility of BOOM.

Even luxury cars you can get for about $100 for the whole day of local driving .. in a place like Delhi it is worth it simply for the peace of mind of being in something crafted with German engineering

Cheers.