What you should know before hiring a car in Delhi
| Delhi city centre | ||
| Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL): 8 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Delhi: practical information
Where to rent a car in Delhi
Planning a trip to India’s buzzing capital of Delhi? There’s a lot to take into account when planning a trip to Delhi. First, there’s making sure you find cheap flights to Delhi and then there’s the transportation once you arrive. A rental car from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) will be very useful if you want to escape the city.
A car hire is essential for visiting far-flung sites within and around Delhi. If you don’t pick up your Delhi rental car from the airport, look for one from a reputable international company near one of the central train or bus stations. Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Avis all have locations in Delhi.
Driving in Delhi: parking and other tips
It can be difficult to drive in Delhi if you’re not used to Indian traffic and their style of driving. Some car hires come with the option of also hiring a driver. This is a great idea if you’re exploring unfamiliar territory. Summer floods are also common in Delhi, which can bring traffic to a standstill.
Parking isn’t as much of a problem as you’d expect in Delhi. It really depends on where you go. Place outside the city centre tend to have parking available but you’d probably want to leave your rental car at your Delhi hotel if you’re visiting the popular sights anyways.
Road trips from Delhi: what to do, what to see
Agra
Agra is home to India’s most popular tourist site, the Taj Mahal. It’s a 3-6 hour drive from Delhi, depending on traffic but now there is a new 6-lane express motorway joining the two cities and journeys can be made in just 2 hours. Remember that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Shimla
Shimla is the summer capital of British India and the mother of all hill stations in India. The town and region are full of scenic and historic locations, with some pretty Victorian architecture. Take a walk along the Mall with its pretty Raj-era charm, trek through the nearby mountains, visiting the Seo Wildlife Sanctuary while you’re there and shop at the Lakkar Bazaar.
Bandhavgarh National Park
Want to see some tigers while on holidays in Delhi? Take a road trip with your Delhi car hire to Bandhavgarh National Park where a tiger preservation project is located. This park has the highest density of tigers in India, so you’re almost guaranteed to spot some.