Is New Delhi Safe in May 2026?

A person near the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, or Qutub Minar tells tourists the site is closed today due to a government function, religious holiday, or maintenance. They offer to take tourists to a nearby "better" sight instead, earning commissions.

How to avoid: Check official monument hours at the Archaeological Survey of India website. Walk to the actual entrance to verify — these sites are almost never closed for tourist traffic. Ignore anyone telling you a monument is closed.

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi almost universally refuse to use the meter with tourists, insisting on a negotiated fixed fare that is typically two to three times the metered rate. Some drivers agree to the meter but then dispute the reading at the destination.

How to avoid: Use app-based ride services like Ola or Uber for fixed, transparent pricing. If taking an auto-rickshaw, negotiate the price firmly before boarding and confirm it covers the full destination. Alternatively, use Delhi Metro for most tourist routes.

Auto-rickshaw drivers outside major hotels offer tourists a free sightseeing tour of Delhi. The tour systematically visits multiple government emporiums, carpet shops, and gem stores where the driver earns a commission per visit regardless of whether the tourist buys. Pressure inside the shops can be intense.

How to avoid: Politely decline offers of free tours from drivers. If you want a city tour, arrange one through your hotel or a verified agency with a fixed itinerary. Tell any driver at the start of a legitimate journey that you do not wish to stop at shops.

Auto-rickshaw drivers claim their meter is broken or refuse to use it, quoting flat rates far above the metered fare. Some drive tourists to shops for commissions instead of the requested destination.

How to avoid: Use Ola or Uber apps in Delhi for transparent pricing. If taking an auto-rickshaw, insist on the meter by law. Alternatively, use the Delhi Metro which is excellent, cheap, and reaches most tourist areas.

Near New Delhi Railway Station, unofficial travel agencies display professional-looking signs mimicking the official Indian Railways booking office. Staff tell tourists their intended train is full and sell them overpriced tickets on private buses or inferior services, sometimes issuing completely fake rail tickets that are rejected at the platform.

How to avoid: Book train tickets only at the official Indian Railways booking counters inside the station, at the tourist quota counter on the first floor, or through the official IRCTC website. Any office on the street outside the station is unofficial.