Delhi Airport (DEL) Transit Experinces

[Daver6]

I've just booked Mel to Delhi on QF, arriving in the evening. I then fly the next day, BA to London. What are my best options for this overnight layover? I'm happy to get a visa to leave the airport but also happy with an airside transit hotel if this is a thing at Delhi airport.

Thanks!

Leave the airport and pick your favourite brand of hotel at Aerocity. That's my advice.

 

[Mr H]

Leave the airport and pick your favourite brand of hotel at Aerocity. That's my advice.

It's a matter of personal preference and also the timing of your flights. My preference is to get the metro to Shivaji Stadium and walk to The Park hotel. From the Park, I like to visit Nirula's for a hot chocolate fudge sundae or have a meal at Daryaganj (although it was closed for refurbishment when I looked in a couple of weeks ago). This is a more Indian experience. If you would prefer to be cocooned in a tiny slice of Western Europe then stay in an Aerocity hotel - which will be extremely comfortable but hideously expensive.

A third option exists - for almost no money there are many hotels a short ride away in Mahipalpur Village where you can sleep in a windowless room for almost no money. I have done that too and it's fine if you have only enough time to sleep.

 

[dvt]

It's a matter of personal preference and also the timing of your flights. My preference is to get the metro to Shivaji Stadium and walk to The Park hotel. From the Park, I like to visit Nirula's for a hot chocolate fudge sundae or have a meal at Daryaganj (although it was closed for refurbishment when I looked in a couple of weeks ago). This is a more Indian experience. If you would prefer to be cocooned in a tiny slice of Western Europe then stay in an Aerocity hotel - which will be extremely comfortable but hideously expensive.

A third option exists - for almost no money there are many hotels a short ride away in Mahipalpur Village where you can sleep in a windowless room for almost no money. I have done that too and it's fine if you have only enough time to sleep.

I do like the idea of this. For a first timer in New Delhi, would this be a straightforward layover? I'm a seasoned traveller with hand luggage only. But I have no idea about the metro system or how difficult or busy it might be to navigate late at night and first thing in the morning!

 

[Mr H]

I do like the idea of this. For a first timer in New Delhi, would this be a straightforward layover? I'm a seasoned traveller with hand luggage only. But I have no idea about the metro system or how difficult or busy it might be to navigate late at night and first thing in the morning!

You would need to check the metro operating hours but it is not complicated. The airport and Shivaji Stadium are on the same line (the orange one) and Maps.Me will assist with getting to the hotel. I would be hesitant to walk to the hotel at night as you have to go through back streets (although the monkeys are possibly as much of a threat as any bad people) but early in the morning the streets will be deserted.