Two world capitals, two millennia of stories. In Delhi, empires rose and fell—Mughals, sultans, and the Raj—leaving behind sandstone forts, marble mausoleums, and a cuisine that hums with spice and smoke. In London, Norman towers guard crown jewels, Gothic abbeys host coronations, and pubs spill out onto cobbled lanes at golden hour.

Expect contrasts you’ll talk about for years: the dawn glow of the Taj Mahal on an easy day trip from Delhi, and the solemn chime of Big Ben across the Thames; the chaos of Chandni Chowk’s bazaars, and the calm of St James’s Park. This itinerary is paced for 7 days, including a morning flight between cities, and mixes guided tours with local favorites for coffee, street food, and classic British fare.

Practical notes: India’s e-Visa is standard for many nationalities (apply ahead). Delhi Metro and London Underground are safe and efficient; carry a Delhi Metro Smart Card and use contactless/Oyster in London. Dress modestly for temples and mosques. In both cities, book major attractions and intercity travel in advance, especially during holidays and summer.

Delhi

Delhi is a palimpsest: Qutub Minar’s victory tower, Humayun’s Tomb (prototype for the Taj), Jama Masjid’s vast courtyard, and Lutyens’ grand avenues of New Delhi. Food is half the journey—kebabs that melt, parathas fried to blistered perfection, chaat that snaps and sings.

• Top sights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden.
• Essential bites: Karim’s mutton qorma, parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali, kulfi on a stick, butter chicken near Moti Mahal’s old haunts, South Indian breakfasts at Saravana Bhavan.
• Fun fact: Delhi’s Metro operates one of the world’s cleanest rapid-transit airport lines; 20th-century New Delhi overlays a city settled since the 6th century BCE.

Where to stay (Delhi)

• Classic heritage: The Imperial, New Delhi (art deco glamour, lawns, museum-like corridors).
• Polished and plush: The Leela Palace New Delhi (rooftop pool, refined North Indian dining).
• Iconic dining address: ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (home to the famed Bukhara).
• Solid mid-range: The Suryaa New Delhi (South Delhi convenience).
• Value pick near rail hub: Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (bright, functional, great price).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Delhi | Hotels.com Delhi

Getting there and around (Delhi)

• Flights to Delhi: compare fares on Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com (global flights), or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: Airport Express Metro to New Delhi Station (~20 min; ~INR 60–100). App cabs run ~INR 500–800 depending on traffic.
• Trains in India: for independent rail (e.g., to Agra), see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi, Connaught Place Stroll

Afternoon: Land in Delhi and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop around leafy Connaught Place (central colonnades, Raj-era geometry). Coffee at Indian Coffee House (vintage servers in starched turbans) or Blue Tokai for single-origin espresso.

Evening: Dinner ideas near the center: United Coffee House (retro chandeliers, Anglo-Indian classics), Saravana Bhavan (crispy dosas and filter coffee), or Pandara Road’s Gulati (butter chicken royalty). Nightcap at The Imperial’s 1911 Bar if you’re staying nearby.

Day 2: Old & New Delhi Highlights with a Private Guide

Morning: Light breakfast—Sita Ram Diwan Chand for fluffy chole bhature or a masala dosa en route. Then join a guided city immersion: Old & New Delhi Private Tour - Half or Full Day (Rated Excellent).

Afternoon: With your guide, weave Old Delhi’s lanes by rickshaw to Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, then contrast with Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Lutyens’ boulevards. Lunch in Old Delhi: Karim’s (legendary kebabs and qorma) or Al-Jawahar across the lane.

Evening: Modern-Indian dinner at Indian Accent (clever tasting menus, ask for the blue cheese naan) or Moti Mahal for old-school butter chicken. If you prefer something airy and artsy, Cafe Lota at the Crafts Museum plates regional hits with flair.

Day 3: Taj Mahal by Superfast Train—Agra Day Trip

Morning: Early pickup to catch the Gatimaan Express to Agra on this top-rated excursion: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train. Seating is reserved; coffee and a snack are usually served on board.

Afternoon: Guided visits of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Many tours include a lavish lunch; otherwise try Pinch of Spice (North Indian mains) or a thali near Sadar Bazaar. Browse marble inlay workshops before the return train.

Evening: Back in Delhi, refuel with smoky tandoori at Rajinder Da Dhaba (standing tables, cult following) or rolls at Khan Chacha in Khan Market. Turn in early—tomorrow is a flight day.

London

London is a city of layers: Roman walls under glass, Tudor timber, baroque domes, and glass shards spearing the skyline. The Thames is its spine; the Underground, its circulatory system. Royal pageantry, world-class museums, and pub culture keep it endlessly walkable and wonderfully social.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, South Bank, Borough Market.
• Great eats: Monmouth Coffee, Borough Market grilled cheese at Kappacasein, fish & chips at Poppies, flat whites in Soho, Indian breakfasts at Dishoom, nose-to-tail at St. John.
• Fun fact: London’s Blue Badge guides train for years to earn certification—worth seeking for dense historic areas like Westminster.

Where to stay (London)

• Grande dame: The Savoy (Art Deco sparkle on the Strand, riverside views).
• Best for families and first-timers: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (walk to the London Eye and Big Ben).
• Near the Tower: Novotel London Tower Bridge (handy for the City and riverside walks).
• Smart budget: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (compact, clean, transport hub).
• Hostel picks: YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras.
• Browse more stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Getting there and around (London)

• Fly Delhi → London (nonstop ~9–9.5 hours; typical one-way economy ~$450–$900). Compare on Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com, or Kiwi.com.
• From Heathrow: Piccadilly Line or Elizabeth Line (~45–60 min; ~£6–£13), or Heathrow Express (~15 min; ~£25–£28).
• Get an Oyster or tap contactless; Zone 1–2 daily cap is around £8–9.
• UK trains for day trips: Omio Trains.

Day 4: Fly to London, South Bank at Sunset

Morning: Delhi to London flight. Book early for best fares via Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Aim to land by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs along the South Bank: from Westminster Bridge to the Millennium Bridge, you’ll pass the London Eye, book markets, and skyline views. Coffee at Monmouth (Borough) or watch street performers near the National Theatre.

Evening: Dinner in Borough Market’s orbit: Padella (silky hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe), Wright Brothers (oysters), or Poppies in Spitalfields for classic fish & chips. If energy allows, an after-dinner walk over Tower Bridge is a mood-setter.

Day 5: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Royal London

Morning: Full English at Regency Cafe (art deco interior, no-frills charm). Then meet a Blue Badge guide for Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London—you’ll decode monarchs, memorials, and ceremonial routes.

Afternoon: Picnic or cafe lunch in St James’s Park (pelicans have lived here since the 1600s). Browse Covent Garden’s market arcades and Seven Dials boutiques. If you like easy overview transit, consider the London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour for flexible sightseeing between neighborhoods.

Evening: Pre-theatre dishes at Dishoom Covent Garden (black daal worth the wait) or Barrafina (no-reservation tapas bar). Catch a West End performance or a jazz set in Soho; finish with a pint at The Harp near Trafalgar Square.

Day 6: Tower of London, Borough Market, and a Thames Dinner Cruise

Morning: Beat the crowds to the fortress that shaped Britain: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket. Arrive near opening to see the regalia without a queue; linger for a Yeoman Warder story session.

Afternoon: Walk to Borough Market for lunch: Kappacasein’s molten raclette toastie, Padella’s fresh pasta, or Ethiopian injera plates at the market’s edge. Cross the Millennium Bridge for a look at St Paul’s dome.

Evening: Dress for a glide down the river on the London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River: multi-course meal, live entertainment, and postcard views of Parliament, the Shard, and Tower Bridge illuminated.

Day 7: Neighborhood Morning and Departure

Morning: One last wander: pastel mews of Notting Hill, Bloomsbury garden squares, or a quick pop into the National Gallery. Coffee and pastry at Gail’s or Flat White in Soho; if it’s Sunday, Blacklock’s roast is a local favorite (book ahead).

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. The Tube/Elizabeth Line is cost-effective; Heathrow Express is fastest. Grab a final sandwich from a bakery and watch London roll by.

City-to-City Travel (Built Into Day 4)

• Delhi → London: nonstop ~9–9.5 hours; typical fares ~$450–$900 one-way. Search and book on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Morning departure recommended; you’ll arrive early-mid afternoon local time.

Extra Delhi Activities You Can Swap In (if you want more structured touring):

• Old Delhi food walk packed with history: The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk.

In a week, you’ve crossed continents and centuries: spice-scented lanes in Delhi, the marble poetry of the Taj, Westminster’s storied stones, and the Thames by night. You’ll go home with a phone full of palace façades and market snacks—and a head full of dates, dynasties, and tube maps that finally make sense.

Bookmark this plan for your next return: swap in a Jaipur day trip from Delhi, or add Oxford, Bath, or the Harry Potter Studio Tour from London for a deeper dive.