Delhi wears history on every corner: from the Sultanate and Mughal capitals to Lutyens’ imperial avenues and a modern metro that hums beneath it all. You’ll traverse centuries in minutes—one moment sipping masala chai by medieval walls, the next gazing at bougainvillea in Lodhi’s art-filled gardens.

Three UNESCO World Heritage sites—Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb—anchor the city’s must-sees, while Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk provides a sensory deep dive into spice markets and sweet shops. Food is half the fun here: kebabs by Jama Masjid, chole bhature in tucked-away eateries, kulfi stuffed in seasonal fruits, and South Indian thalis that won’t strain your wallet.

Practical notes: the Delhi Metro is safe, clean, and cost-effective; consider a Tourist Card (about INR 200 for 1 day, INR 500 for 3 days). Air quality can fluctuate—check the AQI and carry a mask if sensitive. For flights and trains, book ahead during holidays; UPI/contactless payments are widely accepted, but keep small cash for rickshaws and market stalls.

Delhi

India’s capital is a tapestry of “seven cities” layered into one. Old Delhi preserves the Mughal heart—Jama Masjid’s sweeping steps, tangles of silver shops, and perfumed attars—while New Delhi spreads out in orderly circles and tree-lined avenues designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Top highlights include the sandstone sweep of Humayun’s Tomb (a Taj precursor), the ornate marble of Safdarjung’s Tomb, and the soaring victory tower of Qutub Minar surrounded by medieval pillars. Between monuments, pause at cafés, explore Hauz Khas’s lake-and-ruin scenery, and join locals at Lodhi Garden for a morning stroll.

Where to stay (budget-forward, with options):

• Search all stays in Delhi: VRBO Delhi | Hotels.com Delhi
• Best budget pick: Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station — clean, modern rooms, great transit access; typically excellent value.
• Good midrange: The Suryaa New Delhi — convenient for South Delhi, rooftop views, solid breakfast.
• Heritage splurge: The Imperial, New Delhi — museum-like corridors, classic Raj-era ambiance.
• Luxury classics: ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (home of famed Bukhara) and The Leela Palace New Delhi for impeccable service.

Getting to/around Delhi:

• Flights: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Indira Gandhi International (DEL) is the main hub.
• Airport to city: Airport Express Metro to New Delhi Station takes about 20–25 minutes (roughly INR 60–100). App cabs to Connaught Place often run INR 400–700 depending on traffic.
• Trains within India: For intercity routes, check Trip.com Trains.
• Local: Use the Metro (INR 10–60 per ride), auto-rickshaws for short hops (agree on fare; typical INR 60–150), and walk in pedestrian zones.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place, and Old Delhi at Night

Morning: Fly into Delhi. For best prices and routes, search Trip.com or Kiwi.com. On arrival, ride the Airport Express to New Delhi Station and drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Ease into the city around Connaught Place (CP). Grab a budget-friendly North Indian lunch at Jain Chawal Wale (try the rajma chawal or kadhi chawal) and a pastry at Wenger’s, Delhi’s storied bakery. Sip a specialty brew at Indian Coffee House (retro vibe, classic filter coffee) or a flat white at Blue Tokai nearby.

Optional guided start (highly recommended if you arrive early):

Join the Old & New Delhi Private Tour - Half or Full Day (Rated Excellent) to cover Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and Qutub Minar with a driver–guide. It’s efficient on a short stay and lets you orient quickly.

Evening: Dive into Old Delhi. Metro to Jama Masjid (Violet Line) and wander the lanes: sample kebabs at Karim’s or Al Jawahar, charred and juicy from coal-fired pits. Pop into Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed parathas (ask for a modest ghee portion) and end with seasonal fruit kulfi at Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale. If it’s a Thursday, consider spiritual qawwali at the Nizamuddin Dargah after sunset (dress modestly).

Day 2: Full-Day Taj Mahal & Agra Fort by Superfast Train

Experience the Taj without the highway slog on the Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train. You’ll typically depart Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin around 8:10 a.m. on the Gatimaan Express (about 1h 40m), meet a local guide in Agra, and visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and often Mehtab Bagh for sunset views. Most tours include hotel pickup/drop-off in Delhi, reserved train seats, and monument tickets; some include meals—check inclusions on booking.

Expect to return to Delhi early evening. Keep a light dinner plan—try Sita Ram Diwan Chand (legendary chole bhature) if you’re near Paharganj, or a simple thali at Annapurna Bhojanalaya for comfort food before turning in.

Day 3: Tombs, Gardens, and One Last Feast

Morning: Start at Humayun’s Tomb (a serene Mughal precursor to the Taj). The complex opens early; arrive at opening time to enjoy the charbagh gardens in soft light. Continue to Lodhi Garden for a stroll past domed 15th-century mausoleums and shaded lawns where locals practice yoga. Breakfast ideas: grab idli–dosa and filter coffee at a South Indian café or a quick aloo puri from a neighborhood halwai.

Alternative foodie morning:

Book The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk to taste jalebis from cauldron-sized woks, nihari by Jama Masjid, frothy lassi, and heirloom sweets while learning the neighborhood’s layered history. It’s ideal if Day 1 ran short.

Afternoon: Head south to the Qutub Minar complex (UNESCO) to see the 73-meter tower, intricately carved sandstone, and the Iron Pillar. If time allows, stroll the Mehrauli Archaeological Park for ruins tucked amid scrub and banyans. Lunch on the way: Andhra Bhavan Canteen (near India Gate) serves a beloved, budget-friendly thali with unlimited refills—spicy, satisfying, and fast.

Evening: Wrap up in Khan Market or Hauz Khas depending on your vibe. For a budget dinner, try Khan Chacha–style rolls or a hearty biryani from a local counter; for something classic before the airport, savor kebabs and dal at a neighborhood dhaba. If you’d like one last guided sweep of key sights you missed, you can also opt for the half-day version of this tour:

Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available keeps logistics tight and costs predictable, perfect before an afternoon departure. Leave for the airport 3–3.5 hours before your flight; the Airport Express from New Delhi Station is the most time-certain route during rush hour.

Money-saving tips for a 30/100 budget:

• Ride the Delhi Metro with a Tourist Card; plan clusters (Old Delhi in one go, South Delhi another) to cut transport time and costs.
• Eat like a local: chole bhature breakfasts, thali lunches, and kebab or roll dinners are filling and inexpensive.
• For major monuments, buy combined tickets when offered and aim for early entry to avoid peak crowds.

Optional extras if you have spare time: Gandhi Smriti (where Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days), the National Museum’s sculpture galleries, and the sunset view of India Gate from Kartavya Path. Night owls can browse late cafés around CP or chill by the lakeside in Hauz Khas Village.

Another way to see the Taj (by car, if you prefer not to train):

All Inclusive Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Baby Taj from Delhi by Car offers door-to-door convenience with tickets and meals bundled—useful if train seats sell out.

Summary: In three days, you’ll taste Old Delhi’s stories, admire New Delhi’s symmetry, and stand before the Taj Mahal’s marble glow—all on a traveler-friendly budget. With metros, short guided tours, and smart meal choices, Delhi becomes both accessible and unforgettable.