February 23, 2023 by Soul Travel India
Wondering where to stay in Delhi, India’s vibrant but crazy capital? As the first port of call for many travellers to India and mixed reviews, trying to work out where is the best area to stay in Delhi for travellers can be overwhelming – which is what I help you solve in this guide. Read on to find out which are the best Delhi hotels and which areas are safe!
How to Choose the Best Accommodation in Delhi, India – for Travellers
As the first stop on arrival in India for many international travellers, deciding on where to stay in Delhi, India can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’re visiting New Delhi for the first time.
As a sprawling city of over 20 million people, Delhi extends on and on into suburban cities – making where you choose to stay in Delhi really important – especially if you don’t want to spend most of your visit stuck in a big traffic jam! The answer to where is the best place to stay in Delhi is fortunately not that difficult to answer, once you know where to look.. So read on!
One of the problems of working out where to stay in New Delhi, is that not all areas of the city are safe or good options for tourists. Unfortunately, some of the best known tourist ghettos are just that, and are distinctly seedy – so in this blog I’m going to guide you through finding the best hotels in Delhi – but also where NOT to stay in Delhi.
Where to Stay in Delhi for Tourists – Area Guide
When looking for a safe place to stay in Delhi, choosing the right area to stay in is super important. Different areas of Delhi have their own unique vibes – some are relaxed, easy-going and relatively green with lots of eating and shopping options, while others are not safe to stay in.
- Paharganj / Area next to New Delhi Railway station – Unfortunately perhaps the best known backpacker enclave in Delhi is also one of the really not great areas to stay in Delhi. From touts who surround you from the minute you exit New Delhi railway station or approach this area and try to direct / misdirect you to hotels that will give them commission, to dirty small box rooms with no windows, the worst thing about this area is it is also New Delhi’s red light district, littered with brothels, and as such it is not safe to walk around at night alone in for women. Despite the temptingly cheap budget hotels in Delhi here, I really do not recommend staying in Paharganj unless you have a super early/late train you are catching from New Delhi railway station and you don’t mind somewhere very basic to rest your head for a few hours.
- Connaught Place (CP) – Located right in the heart of New Delhi, CP is one of the first options you’ll probably come across when searching for where to stay in Delhi, India. If you want to be in the thick of everything, this is a good option – with lots of shops and restaurants around, and access to Rajiv Chowk metro station on your doorstep for quick access around the city. However, the downsides are some not great hotels (check reviews before booking – with the better options being a couple of blocks away from CP itself), a lot of loud traffic, and there are also touts who approach tourists here so beware offers of help, and of course the dreaded “shopping tours” by tuk-tuk/auto.
- Old Delhi – If you want to soak up the ancient atmosphere of Delhi and the thought of being surrounded by twisting lanes and spice markets is your thing, then consider staying in Purani Dilli – arguably the true heart of India’s capital city. There are some beautiful Havelis (restored traders houses) which you can stay at.You’re also just a stones’ throw from the Jameh Masjid, Red Fort and Old Delhi sights at Chadni Chowk. The downside to this area is access at night – you’ll have to walk dark narrow lanes so it’s not necessarily ideal for solo female travellers – although the locals are pretty friendly and used to tourists.
- Karol Bagh – A favourite area with tour groups (in case you’re wondering where do foreigners stay in Delhi) because of the plentiful options for mediocre, cheap hotels, Karol Bagh is a step up from Paharganj in terms of accommodation, but far from the best area to stay in Delhi. The main advantage to staying here is its location right on the metro and plentiful accommodation options, however I have never felt safe walking around this area of Delhi at night by myself, and would advise female travellers to go with other areas of Delhi instead.
- South Delhi – If none of the above options sound appealing with avoiding touts and dodging seedy hotels along the way – I have better news! South Delhi may just be the place for you. Dotted with parks, ancient tombs and green space, wide streets, trendy restaurants, bars and cafes, South Delhi is hands down my favourite place to stay in Delhi and the best location in Delhi for safety as well as the general vibe. Although you’re a little further from the city centre here, the rest of town is easy to access via the super efficient Delhi metro.
- Delhi Airport – Unless you only have an overnight or a few hours between flights, not many people choose the airport hotels for their stay in New Delhi, as the city is well connected to the airport and it is not a long drive (around 40 mins). However, if you want to be right next to the airport, then there are a couple of decent chain options in the AeroCity complex which is just a 5 minute drive from the airport terminal. Check if your hotel offers a shuttle service. If you’re searching for where to stay near Delhi airport, then recommended options include the Pullman AeroCity International Airport or the Aloft AeroCity.
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