Review: Delhi Airport Layover Old & New Delhi City Tour

So, you know, finding yourself with a long layover at Delhi Airport could be seen as a travel mishap, yet too it could actually be a pretty awesome chance to discover some Indian culture. That ‘From Delhi Airport Layover Old & New Delhi Guided City Tour’ could be a really interesting option, yet how well does it hold up? As a matter of fact, I am going to take a look and share the ups, the downs, and some important info you might, I think, need if, arguably, you’re thinking about checking it out. Actually, it is a tour that offers travelers passing through Indira Gandhi International Airport the chance to use their layover time efficiently, arguably getting a snapshot of Delhi’s past and present.

First Impressions & Booking

Alright, first off, booking this thing, it turns out, is pretty simple. You could check it out through several online travel agencies or directly with tour companies that offer it. So, arguably, what really struck me, at the start, was how many choices you get in customizing the tour; it seems to be pretty flexible depending on what, to be honest, you want to see and how long you have available. Now, I am just saying, remember to carefully read through what’s included; often, things such as entrance fees to monuments or lunch usually aren’t part of the base package and, arguably, cost a bit more. Yet, to be honest, what can you do? Communication from the tour operator once I booked was actually pretty clear and quick; I also got detailed instructions as to where to meet my driver/guide, something that felt nice, smooth and just organized right from the beginning.

The Old Delhi Experience

So, the Old Delhi leg is that bit where the city’s past really hits you hard. Typically, you’ll go visit places like Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, and just a walk through the incredibly crowded markets of Chandni Chowk. Arguably, it is that whole overload of senses – spices, sounds, people everywhere! – that really tells you that you’re somewhere, very, very different. Yet that is good. A little note about Jama Masjid: ensure, really, that you dress respectfully (shoulders and knees covered), or potentially you might have to rent something at the entrance. That walk through Chandni Chowk can be crazy, alright, so I, really, recommend accepting the rickshaw ride option, it’s really worth the few extra bucks and something you could be very happy to, actually, have. Anyway, the guide generally provides some really good historical context which turns a pretty chaotic experience into a, like, really engaging cultural lesson.

Exploring New Delhi

Then, as a matter of fact, there is the sharp change to New Delhi. This part, actually, is generally about wide, grand avenues, government buildings, and sites such as India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb. India Gate, that’s a war memorial, by the way, can be very moving, alright, particularly knowing the history there. As a matter of fact, Humayun’s Tomb could be said to be something like a calm counterpart to the older part of town, and a great introduction to Mughal architecture. Seemingly, this is all done in a pretty quick amount of time; arguably, that tour, very often, is really about, that, like, capturing the main things rather than, arguably, going deep. To be honest, that is, naturally, understandable considering the, naturally, limited time.

Guide and Transportation

Actually, what I realized during the tour was that your guide really is something important, like the one I had was knowledgeable, spoke really good English, and seemingly knew all these small little, I mean, shortcuts which can be invaluable for, like, really dealing with Delhi traffic. As a matter of fact, the transportation, typically in a private air-conditioned car, became a total lifesaver given Delhi’s climate, alright. Although, as a matter of fact, Delhi traffic tends to be a big talking point. So, naturally, prepare yourself, in the first place, for a few delays and try to enjoy that ride in a taxi for just sightseeing. As I was saying, that coordination that’s needed to collect you from the airport and drop you back off promptly needs some serious attention, and that operator, really, handled that, pretty, well. Anyway, it gave, too, me a bit of faith for when it came to catching the next flight.

Things to Consider

Clearly, there are certain things which you should be aware of if you were going to consider going on this type of tour. Actually, first up, there’s food. So, it might be really tempting to try everything you notice on the street, yet seemingly maybe be somewhat cautious about where you get your food. Apparently, it may be worth choosing a restaurant, arguably, that the guide advises. Anyway, another important tip? Bargain when you shop, okay? Chandni Chowk is a total haggler’s place, and knowing how to negotiate, typically, could make your money really go further. Of course, I probably, too, ought to bring up Delhi’s pollution. Sometimes, it is a bit rough, so it, too, would probably be good, arguably, to check the air quality index beforehand and take the, obviously, required precautions, like perhaps wearing a mask. Of course, as I said earlier, the entrance fees, sometimes, are something you will need to factor in too. At the end of the day, there can be a cost associated if, for example, you are keen to enter all sites on the tour; just double check if these, in short, are already factored into that initial package price.