Getting around in New Delhi can be somewhat of a challenge if you are a foreigner. Many public transportation options available will likely over charge because you are not a local except for metro and bus. Even though this is the case, there are some very cheap options that can help you get around New Delhi with out being ripped off.
Is Uber available in New Delhi?
Yes it is. Uber is an app that allows you to order a taxi and in New Delhi in most cases it will actually be a taxi. This was very surprising to us because in most countries we have visited, Uber is mostly a normal car. Uber allows you to choose your desired pick up and drop off location, while also providing you with the fare rate before you actually order. This is when you are prompted the option to pay by card or by cash. This is key because most taxis in New Delhi will not use the meter if you aren’t a local. As soon as you place the order and the app finds you a cab you will be provided with the description of the vehicle and plate number. For us whenever we use Uber it tends to be more the 5 times cheaper than the three wheelers (trikes)
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Best cabs in New Delhi
Like we said before we avoid using cabs in India due to most of them do not allow foreigners to get meter rates but with Ola Cabs it is essentially the same thing as Uber but the Indian version. We have never used it before but we have heard that it is just as good.
Traveling by Metro in New Delhi
The Metro is New Delhi seems to be brand new. Everything from the Metro stations to the trains them self are all super clean, air-conditioned and very easy to get around the city. In most cases your Metro ride will cost no more than 60 rupee which is 0.84 USD. As a tourist in Delhi you have three options pay per ride, Pay per day or pay for three days. These are the only options available to foreigners. The pay per ride cost depends on the distance you are going, the day pass is Rs 200/- (Rs 150 + Rs 50 refundable security) and the three day pass is Rs 500/- (Rs. 450 + Rs 50 refundable security). In most cases our main source of transportation is the metro although i do suggest avoiding it during rush hour due to pickpocketing and being so crowded. If you are a female they do have the front cart reserved for women.
Three wheelers
Also known as Moto Rickshaw or Trike are super convenient and everywhere in the city. Although they are so common they also can be expensive for foreigners. In most cases they will try and charge you a lot more then even an Uber do to you not being a local. I suggest you try and barter with the driver to make sure you get the lowest possible rate. We have noticed if you pick up one on the side of the road that already has people in it and it going near where you want you can get in for 15 INR ( 0.21 USD ) a person. In most cases if you order one or get one outside it will cost you 70-100 INR ( 0.98-1.40 USD ) depending on the distance you’re going. We have also found if you have only a short time in the city you can hire one for a full day for around ( 11.21 USD ) This will be the most convenient thing because you wont have to walk as far after taking the metro and it wont be as expensive as Uber.
Hire a driver in New Delhi
If you are staying at a hotel you can most likely hire a driver through the hotel. We have found that the going rate for this is around 1,426.91 INR (20 USD). This might be the best option if you are looking for comfort, Air-conditioned and only have a short time in the city. Also this is the best option if you don’t want to barter and haggle a Trike driver to get to a lower price.
If you are traveling to New Delhi or anywhere else in Asia make sure to check out our location specific Video guides and our Travel Checklist to help you find the spot that fit your preference in each country.
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