Self-Launched Old & New Delhi in a Day
1 days · Delhi
Taj Voyages Tours charges £71
No-markup version: ~£32 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A fully independent one-day loop of Delhi's greatest hits — the Mughal monuments of Old Delhi, the colonial boulevards of New Delhi and the UNESCO-listed Qutb complex — using the Delhi Metro, cycle rickshaws and a cheap rideshare app instead of a private car and guide. You'll cover Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar and the Lotus Temple at a fraction of the private-tour price, with total flexibility to linger over street food or skip a sight. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Old Delhi monuments in the morning, New Delhi landmarks in the afternoon
Delhi
Start early (7:30-8:00) to beat the heat and crowds. Take the Delhi Metro (Yellow Line to Chandni Chowk, ~£0.25 a ride; buy a Day Pass or use a rechargeable metro card) or a metered auto-rickshaw from your hostel. Begin at the Red Fort (Lal Qila) — entry around £5 for foreigners; arrive at opening to walk the Lahori Gate, Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas without the crush. Cross to Jama Masjid (entry ~£0.30, plus a small camera fee) — climb the minaret for a rooftop view over Old Delhi if open. Then dive into Chandni Chowk on foot and by cycle rickshaw (~£1-2 for a short ride): Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed parathas, the Khari Baoli spice market, and a masala chai stop. Continue to Raj Ghat, Gandhi's simple black-marble memorial (free), a 10-minute auto ride away. Break for lunch in Old Delhi or near Connaught Place (£2-4 for a thali). In the afternoon, hop the metro to Central Secretariat / Udyog Bhawan and walk the Rajpath (Kartavya Path) axis: India Gate and a view of Rashtrapati Bhavan (exterior only — interior tours need advance booking and are often closed to casual visitors; skip unless pre-arranged). From there, take a rideshare (Uber/Ola, ~£1.50-2.50) to Humayun's Tomb (~£5 entry), the Mughal garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, then continue by auto (~£1.50) to the Lotus Temple (free entry; closed Mondays) for late-afternoon light. Finish at the Qutb Minar complex (~£5 entry) if time allows — it's further south, so it's the one to move earliest in the day if you want it. Return by metro or Ola to your hostel by 18:00. A guided walking tour of Old Delhi via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£12-18, e.g. a Chandni Chowk food walk) is the one optional paid add-on if you want local context on day one.
🚌Delhi Metro day pass (~£1.50) plus 3-4 auto/rickshaw hops (~£0.50-1 each) and one or two Uber/Ola rides (~£2 each); total roughly £7-9
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Paharganj or near New Delhi station (£10-16/night dorm or basic private)
- →Red Fort (Lal Qila) self-guided visit
- →Jama Masjid and minaret climb
- →Chandni Chowk market walk and spice market
- →Cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
- →Raj Ghat memorial
- →India Gate and Kartavya Path walk
- →Humayun's Tomb
- →Lotus Temple
- →Optional: GetYourGuide Old Delhi food walking tour (~£15)
Self-launched vs. Taj Voyages Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Taj Voyages Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£32 | £71 |
| Duration | 1 days | 1 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £39 per person (55%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Taj Voyages Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£32
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Old & New Delhi in a Day cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £32 per person for 1 days in Delhi. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Taj Voyages Tours?+
Yes — Taj Voyages Tours charges around £71 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £32 — a saving of roughly £39 (55%) per person.
How long is the Delhi trip?+
This itinerary runs 1 days, covering 1 day-by-day stops through Delhi.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Delhi, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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