How To Use the Delhi Metro: Step by Step
Entry fees, opening times and fares in India change often. Please check before you travel.
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The network covers over 390 km across 12 colour-coded lines, reaching everywhere from the airport to Old Delhi to the southern suburbs. If you're spending more than a day in Delhi, you'll use the Metro more than any other form of transport.
Step 1: Getting Your Ticket
Single-Journey Tickets
Walk up to the ticket counter inside any Metro station and tell the staff your destination station. You'll get a paper QR ticket (a few stations still hand out the old round plastic token) and pay ₹11-64 depending on distance. You can also buy a QR ticket in the DMRC app and scan your phone at the gate.
Scan the ticket on the reader at the entry gate, and the gate opens. When you arrive at your destination, scan it again at the exit gate (tokens drop into the slot instead).
Metro Cards
The old closed-loop Delhi Metro smart card (the "One" card) is being phased out in 2026 in favour of NCMC cards, which are contactless bank-issued cards that work on the Metro, and QR tickets. Ask at the counter what's currently on sale. Card fares get a 10% discount on every journey, with a further 10% off at off-peak times (before 8 AM, noon to 5 PM, and after 9 PM). Tap at entry and exit; the fare is deducted automatically.
Tourist Card
If you're going to ride the Metro heavily, the Tourist Card gives unlimited travel: ₹200 for one day or ₹500 for three days, each including a ₹50 refundable deposit. It is not valid on the Airport Express Line.
Step 2: Security Check
Every Delhi Metro station has a mandatory security screening, similar to airport security but faster. You'll put your bags through an X-ray machine and walk through a metal detector. There are separate lines for men and women.
This takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the crowd. At major interchange stations like Rajiv Chowk or Kashmere Gate during rush hour, the security queue can stretch to 5-10 minutes.
Tip: Carry a small bag. The bigger your luggage, the longer security takes. Large suitcases are technically allowed but very inconvenient on crowded trains. If you're heading to the airport with big bags, use the Airport Express Line where trains are less crowded.
Step 3: Finding Your Platform
Once through security, follow the signs to your platform. The colour-coded system makes this simple:
- Yellow Line: the most useful for tourists, connecting Chandni Chowk, Rajiv Chowk (CP), and Millennium City Centre Gurugram
- Blue Line: runs east-west through Rajiv Chowk, Karol Bagh, and Dwarka
- Violet Line: connects Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh in Ballabhgarh, passing through Nehru Place
- Magenta Line: links Hauz Khas to Terminal 1 of the airport
- Orange Line (Airport Express): direct service from New Delhi station to Terminal 3, continuing to Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25
Each platform has electronic displays showing the next train's destination and arrival time. Announcements are in Hindi and English.
Step 4: Boarding the Train
Trains arrive every 2-5 minutes during peak hours (8-10 AM, 5-8 PM) and every 5-8 minutes off-peak. Stand behind the yellow line on the platform and let passengers exit before boarding.
The Women's Carriage
The first coach in the direction of travel is reserved for women. It's marked with pink signs on the platform and inside the train. Men can be fined for travelling in this carriage. If you're a woman travelling solo, this is a good option during rush hour; it's typically less crowded and more comfortable.
Rush Hour Reality
Between 8-10 AM and 5-8 PM on weekdays, popular stations like Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, and Botanical Garden get extremely packed. You may need to let one or two trains pass before you can board. If you can shift your sightseeing schedule to start at 10:30 AM instead of 9:00 AM, your Metro experience improves dramatically.
Step 5: Exiting
When you reach your station, tap your card or scan your ticket at the exit gate. Follow signs to the exit that's closest to your destination; large stations like Rajiv Chowk have 8+ exits, and picking the right one saves you a 10-minute walk above ground.
Google Maps will often tell you which exit number to use. The station maps posted near the exits also help.
Practical Tips
No eating inside trains and stations. Eating or spitting attracts a fine. A sealed water bottle is fine to carry; just be discreet if you take a sip.
Phone charging points are available at some stations but not inside trains. Keep your phone charged before you head out; you'll need Google Maps.
Lost something? Go to the station master's office at the station where you think you lost it, or call the Metro helpline at 155370.
Luggage limits exist (25 kg per person) but are rarely enforced unless you're carrying something obviously oversized. Don't bring bicycles or large carts.
For route planning and a full breakdown of the most useful stations, check our Delhi Metro map and tips guide. And for a broader overview of all your transport options, see our guide to getting around Delhi.
How Do I Buy a Ticket for the Delhi Metro?
Single-journey QR tickets (or the remaining plastic tokens) cost ₹11-64 depending on distance and are bought at ticket counters or vending machines at every station, or in the DMRC app. Card users get a 10% discount on every ride plus a further 10% off-peak; the old "One" smart card is being replaced by NCMC cards and QR tickets. A Tourist Card gives unlimited travel for ₹200 (one day) or ₹500 (three days), each including a ₹50 refundable deposit. Tap or scan at entry and exit gates.
Is the Delhi Metro Safe for Tourists?
Yes. The Delhi Metro is one of the safest public transport systems in India. Every station has airport-style security screening with bag X-rays and metal detectors. CCTV covers all platforms and trains. There's a dedicated women's carriage, always the first coach in the direction of travel, and a women's helpline number posted in every car.
What Are the Delhi Metro Timings?
The Delhi Metro runs from approximately 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily. First and last train times vary slightly by line and station. During peak hours (8-10 AM and 5-8 PM), trains arrive every 2-4 minutes. Off-peak frequency is 5-8 minutes. The Airport Express Line runs from roughly 5 AM to 11:40 PM.