Compare Prices from All US Cities
| From | Airport | Est. Price | Flight Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BESTSeattle | SEA | $651 | ~15h | View → |
Boston | BOS | $659 | ~15h | View → |
Portland | PDX | $662 | ~15h | View → |
New York | LGA | $675 | ~16h | View → |
New York | JFK | $675 | ~16h | View → |
Newark | EWR | $676 | ~16h | View → |
Minneapolis | MSP | $677 | ~16h | View → |
Detroit | DTW | $683 | ~16h | View → |
Philadelphia | PHL | $683 | ~16h | View → |
Chicago | ORD | $690 | ~16h | View → |
Baltimore | BWI | $690 | ~16h | View → |
Washington D.C. | DCA | $692 | ~16h | View → |
Salt Lake City | SLC | $704 | ~16h | View → |
San Francisco | SFO | $711 | ~16h | View → |
Denver | DEN | $713 | ~16h | View → |
St. Louis | STL | $713 | ~16h | View → |
Charlotte | CLT | $722 | ~17h | View → |
Nashville | BNA | $725 | ~17h | View → |
Las Vegas | LAS | $730 | ~17h | View → |
Atlanta | ATL | $737 | ~17h | View → |
Los Angeles | LAX | $740 | ~17h | View → |
San Diego | SAN | $749 | ~17h | View → |
Phoenix | PHX | $750 | ~17h | View → |
Dallas | DFW | $756 | ~17h | View → |
Orlando | MCO | $762 | ~17h | View → |
Tampa | TPA | $768 | ~18h | View → |
Houston | IAH | $773 | ~18h | View → |
Austin | AUS | $773 | ~18h | View → |
San Juan | SJU | $773 | ~18h | View → |
Fort Lauderdale | FLL | $774 | ~18h | View → |
Miami | MIA | $776 | ~18h | View → |
About Delhi
Delhi is one of the most overwhelming, exhilarating, and historically layered cities on the planet — and it rewards travelers who lean into the chaos rather than fight it. As the capital of India, it sits at the intersection of eight centuries of continuous imperial history: Mughal forts, British colonial boulevards, and ultramodern Metro lines all coexist within a few kilometers of each other. The contrast between the medieval alleyways of Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) and the broad tree-lined avenues of Lutyens' New Delhi is genuinely shocking, and navigating between them feels like traveling across centuries in a single afternoon.
For Americans, Delhi is almost certainly the entry point for any India trip, which means first impressions hit hard. The airport is genuinely world-class, but stepping outside into Delhi's air, traffic, and sensory bombardment is a different story. Don't try to hit every site on day one — let yourself decompress in a good hotel, eat something local, and walk a neighborhood before making big plans. The city operates on its own logic and it will start making sense after 48 hours. Prices are absurdly cheap by US standards: a full meal at a sit-down restaurant costs $3-6, Metro rides run under $0.50, and even mid-range hotels clock in well under $80/night.
The food scene is what many repeat visitors cite as the primary reason to return. Delhi is the undisputed capital of North Indian cuisine, with Mughlai, Punjabi, Rajasthani, and street food traditions all competing for your attention. Chandni Chowk alone — a single market street in Old Delhi — has vendor families who have been cooking the same dishes for 150+ years. Karim's near the Jama Masjid has been serving nihari and seekh kebabs since 1913. The Lodi colony area and Khan Market serve excellent modern Indian food alongside international options for when you need a break from the intensity.
Logistically, Delhi is the natural base for the Golden Triangle circuit (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur), which is the most popular tourist route in India and can be done in 5–7 days. The city itself has enough to fill 3–4 days easily: Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Lodhi Garden, Hauz Khas, and the National Museum are all genuinely excellent. Skip the tourist traps and rickshaw tours that circle Connaught Place — use the Metro, hire a driver through your hotel for full-day outings, and spend your evenings eating your way through a neighborhood market.
Best Time to Fly to Delhi
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Track Delhi flights →Airport to City: How to Get There
The Delhi Metro Airport Express is your best option: runs from T3 directly to New Delhi Railway Station in 19 minutes for ₹100 (~$1.20). Trains run every 10–15 minutes from 5am to 11:30pm. From New Delhi station, switch to the regular Metro or grab a prepaid taxi to your hotel. For door-to-door convenience, pre-book an Ola or Uber from the app inside the terminal — airport rides to central areas like Connaught Place or Hauz Khas run ₹400–700 (~$5–8.50) with no haggling. Avoid the white government prepaid taxi booth unless you prefer older, non-AC cars; Ola/Uber are faster, cheaper, and tracked. Never accept rides from touts inside the terminal.
Neighborhoods & Where to Stay
The commercial heart of New Delhi with its distinctive circular colonial architecture — good transit connections, tons of restaurants, and convenient for first-timers. Stay here if you want walkable access to shops and easy Metro access, but it attracts aggressive touts and gem store scammers. Wenger's bakery and Kake da Hotel are neighborhood classics worth hitting.
The budget traveler hub with dense guesthouses, cheap eating, and a massive market for clothes and electronics. Hotels like Hotel Amax Inn or Cottage Yes Please run $15–35/night and are perfectly safe and clean. It's chaotic, loud, and genuinely Delhi — perfect if you want to feel the city rather than be insulated from it.
A medieval reservoir complex surrounded by boutique cafes, design stores, and rooftop restaurants — Delhi's coolest neighborhood for 20- and 30-somethings. Social (the bar/cafe) overlooks the actual Hauz Khas lake ruins and serves excellent cocktails. Great base if you want Delhi's modern creative energy alongside easy access to South Delhi neighborhoods.
Delhi's poshest neighborhood cluster, home to the Lodhi Hotel (one of the best hotels in Asia), independent bookshops, excellent restaurants like Chez Nini and The Big Chill, and the stunning Lodhi Garden park. Khan Market feels more like an upscale DC neighborhood than anything in typical tourist India. Budget ₹12,000–25,000/night ($145–300) for accommodation here.
The classic backpacker strip directly behind New Delhi Railway Station — chaotic, cheap, and functional. Stay here only if you're on a very tight budget or arriving/departing by train, as it's gritty and the streets flood badly in monsoon. Hotel Metropolis Tourist Home and Hotel Shelton are clean choices in the ₹800–1,500/night ($10–18) range.
The gleaming hotel district built next to IGI Airport — Marriott, Pullman, Ibis, and JW Marriott all cluster here, connected directly to T3 by Metro. Zero authentic Delhi experience, but ideal for one-night layovers or early morning flights. Prices are inflated for the location (JW Marriott runs $120–200/night) but you're paying for airport convenience.
Daily Budget: What to Expect
$10–12 guesthouse in Karol Bagh or Paharganj, $10 food (₹150 thali lunch + street food dinner), $2 Metro for the day, $8–10 entry fees to one major monument like Red Fort
$50–65 hotel (mid-range places in Hauz Khas or CP), $20 food (sit-down meals at places like Bukhara or Indian Accent lunch menu), $8 Uber rides, $15 monument entries and guided audio tour
$200–250 Lodhi Hotel or Taj Mahal Hotel, $60 food (dinner at Indian Accent or Bukhara at ITC Maurya), $20 private car for the day, $25 private guide for monuments
What to Eat in Delhi
Nihari at Karim's (Gali Kababian, Old Delhi): A slow-cooked beef shank stew that's been served from this kitchen since 1913. Order it with roomali roti at 7am when Karim's opens — it sells out. This is the single most important food experience in Delhi and it costs ₹280 (~$3.40).
Paratha at Paranthe Wali Gali (Chandni Chowk): A narrow alley in Old Delhi lined with families that have been stuffing and frying parathas for generations. Get the rabdi (condensed milk) or paneer versions — they're cooked on massive griddles in front of you and served with a rotating cast of chutneys. ₹60–100 per paratha.
Dal Makhani at Bukhara (ITC Maurya Hotel): This thick black lentil dal has been slow-cooking in the same tandoor overnight for 45+ years and is literally the most famous dal in the world — Bill Clinton reportedly asked for the recipe. Dinner entrees run ₹1,800–3,500 but it's worth every rupee as a one-time splurge.
Chole Bhature at Sitaram Diwan Chand (Paharganj/Pahar Ganj near Channa Market): Crispy, balloon-fried bhatura bread with intensely spiced chickpea chole — this is the definitive Delhi breakfast and Sitaram's version has lines every morning. Open only until the pots run empty (usually 1pm). ₹120 for a full plate.
Kulfi at Roshan di Kulfi (Karol Bagh): Delhi's best kulfi — a dense, saffron-and-pistachio frozen milk dessert that's nothing like American ice cream. The original shop has been operating since 1943 and the malai kulfi on a stick costs ₹60. Go after dinner when the market is still buzzing.
Flying from the US to Delhi
Airlines & Routes
- →Air India nonstop JFK–DEL (17.5 hours, daily)
- →Air India nonstop SFO–DEL (16 hours, daily)
- →Air India nonstop ORD–DEL (14.5 hours, several times weekly)
- →United Airlines via Frankfurt or London (code-share routing on Lufthansa/Air India metal)
- →Emirates via Dubai (great prices, 20–22 hours total from East Coast)
- →Qatar Airways via Doha (often the cheapest option from US, 18–21 hours total)
- →Lufthansa via Frankfurt (competitive fares from Midwest cities, 19–22 hours)
- →British Airways via London Heathrow (good mileage redemption option, 20–23 hours)
- →Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (often cheapest from East Coast, 20–24 hours)
- →Air France via Paris CDG (solid business class product, 18–21 hours)
Flight Duration
Safety Tips
Delhi is safer for tourists than its reputation suggests, but specific precautions matter enormously. The most common scam targeting foreigners is the 'closed monument' scam: a friendly stranger tells you that Red Fort/Taj Mahal/any attraction is closed today for a special reason, then steers you toward a gem store or travel agency where they earn commission. It's always a lie — verify opening hours directly on ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) website. Use Ola or Uber exclusively for transport — never negotiate with street taxi drivers, auto-rickshaws (unless you're comfortable negotiating), or anyone who approaches you first. For solo women travelers, Delhi's Metro has women-only cars at the front of every train — use them during rush hours and opt for verified ride-share apps over auto-rickshaws at night. Keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original. Air quality is a genuine health concern from October through February — download the SAFAR app (India's official AQI tracker) and carry N95 masks when AQI exceeds 150. Drink only bottled or purified water, and be cautious with raw salads and cut fruit from street vendors in summer.
Book the Indian Accent lunch tasting menu instead of dinner — it's the exact same kitchen and quality as their internationally ranked dinner service, but the 4-course lunch costs ₹3,500 (~$42) versus ₹8,000+ ($96+) for dinner. Indian Accent consistently ranks as one of Asia's best restaurants and reservations book out 2–3 weeks in advance even for lunch, so reserve immediately after booking flights. While you're planning, also download the Delhi Metro Rail app and load a stored-value QR Metro card before you arrive — it saves significant time at station queues and costs less per ride than single-journey tokens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to fly to Delhi?
The cheapest route to Delhi from the US is typically from Seattle (SEA), with estimated round-trip prices around $651. Prices vary significantly by season and booking timing.
What is the best time to visit Delhi?
The best time to visit Delhi is October, November, February, March. October-November and February-March have tolerable weather (70-85°F). December-January is cold (50°F mornings). April-June is brutally hot (100°F+). July-September is monsoon season. Avoid Diwali (crowds, pollution).
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Delhi?
US passport holders need an e-visa (processed online, $80, 30-90 days). Approval takes 3-5 days. Bring passport photos.
How long is the flight from the US to Delhi?
Flight time from the US to Delhi (DEL) is approximately 15 hours from Seattle. Flight times vary by departure city — eastern US cities are typically shorter to their destination.
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