Delhi has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mughal bazaars, grand boulevards and temples of every faith, but they are spread across a city of more than 30 million people. Booking a cab for local sightseeing in Delhi is the most comfortable way to see it in a day. This guide explains the Delhi local taxi fare, a tested one day itinerary, what is closed when, and how to book, from a driver who has shown Delhi to travellers for more than 25 years.
Why Hire a Cab for Delhi Sightseeing?
- The sights are far apart: Red Fort to Qutub Minar is about 20 km, often 45 minutes in traffic.
- The car waits for you: no hunting for an auto-rickshaw or app taxi outside every monument in the heat.
- One fixed price: a local sightseeing package covers 8 hours and 80 km, with no meter and no surge pricing.
- A driver who knows Delhi: the best order of sights, where to park, where to eat and which gate has the shortest queue.
- Safe and easy for first-timers: an English-speaking driver and a clean AC car make Delhi much less overwhelming.
Delhi Local Sightseeing Cab Fares (8 hrs / 80 km)
In Delhi, local taxi hire is sold as a package of 8 hours / 80 km. The price is per car, not per person, and includes fuel, the driver and his allowance:
| Vehicle | Seats | 8 hrs / 80 km |
|---|---|---|
| Maruti Dzire (Sedan) | 1 to 3 | ₹1,800 (approx. US$21) |
| Toyota Rumion (MPV) | 3 to 5 | ₹2,500 (approx. US$29) |
| Toyota Innova Crysta (SUV) | 4 to 6 | ₹3,000 (approx. US$35) |
| Force Tempo Traveller | 9 to 16 | ₹6,500 (approx. US$76) |
| Force Urbania 12+1 | 12 | ₹8,000 (approx. US$94) |
| Luxury Urbania 16+1 | 16 | ₹8,500 (approx. US$100) |
Toll tax, parking and monument tickets are extra at actuals. If you go beyond 8 hours or 80 km, extra time and distance are added at the rate in your quote. A full day of Old and New Delhi sightseeing usually stays within the package. See all cars and live prices on our Delhi local sightseeing cab page.
One Day Delhi Sightseeing Itinerary by Car
This is the route our drivers use most for a one day Delhi tour by car. It starts in Old Delhi while the lanes are quieter and ends in the south, close to most hotels and the airport.
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Pickup from your hotel by your English-speaking driver |
| 9:30 AM | Jama Masjid, then a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and the Khari Baoli spice market |
| 11:00 AM | Red Fort (inside or photo stop) and Raj Ghat |
| 12:30 PM | Humayun’s Tomb |
| 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 2:30 PM | India Gate, National War Memorial and the drive along Kartavya Path past Rashtrapati Bhavan |
| 3:30 PM | Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its community kitchen |
| 4:30 PM | Qutub Minar or the Lotus Temple |
| 5:30 PM | Drop-off at your hotel |
Prefer a slower day? Split it into an Old Delhi rickshaw sightseeing tour one day and New Delhi the next.
Best Places to Visit in Delhi by Cab
Red Fort and Chandni Chowk
Shah Jahan’s 17th-century fort is a UNESCO site, and the bazaar in front of it has been trading for almost 400 years. Your cab drops you at the Red Fort; a rickshaw is the best way into the narrow lanes.
Jama Masjid
India’s largest mosque, with room for 25,000 worshippers. Visitors are not allowed in at prayer times; robes are lent at the gate if your arms or legs are uncovered.
Humayun’s Tomb
The first great Mughal garden tomb, built in 1570 and the model for the Taj Mahal. Go in the morning or late afternoon for the best light.
Qutub Minar
A 73 m sandstone tower begun in 1193, surrounded by ruins and the famous iron pillar that has not rusted in 1,600 years.
India Gate and Kartavya Path
The war memorial at the end of the ceremonial avenue, with Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament at the other end. Beautiful when lit up in the evening.
Lotus Temple, Akshardham and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Three very different places of worship: the white lotus of the Bahá’í faith, the huge carved Swaminarayan temple (no phones or cameras inside), and the golden-domed Sikh gurudwara where anyone can share a free meal.
Lodhi Garden, Dilli Haat and Khan Market
For a quieter afternoon: 15th-century tombs in a green park, crafts and food from every state at Dilli Haat, and cafés and bookshops in Khan Market.
Closed Days and Timings
| Sight | Closed |
|---|---|
| Red Fort | Monday |
| Lotus Temple | Monday |
| Akshardham | Monday |
| National Museum, PM Museum | Monday |
| Chandni Chowk shops | Mostly closed Sunday |
| Jama Masjid | During prayer times, and longer on Friday |
| Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Bangla Sahib | Open every day |
Timings change from time to time, so your driver checks on the morning of your tour. Monument tickets for Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb can be bought online on the ASI website or at the gate; carry your passport.
Ajay’s Insider Insight
"Start at 9 AM, not later. Old Delhi at 9:30 is calm and you can take photos; by noon the lanes are packed and traffic on Ring Road slows everything down. And on a Monday, do not worry, we simply swap the Red Fort and Lotus Temple for Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and Lodhi Garden."
Private Cab vs App Taxi, Metro and Hop-On Bus
| Private sightseeing cab | App taxi (Uber/Ola) | Metro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost for a full day | Fixed, from ₹1,800 per car | Varies, surge pricing | Cheapest |
| Waits at each sight | Yes | No, book again each time | No |
| Door to door | Yes | Yes | No, plus walking |
| English-speaking help | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Best for | Families, first-timers, seniors, groups | One or two short rides | Budget solo travellers |
Tips for Foreign Tourists
- Dress: cover shoulders and knees for Jama Masjid and the gurudwaras; carry a scarf to cover your head at Bangla Sahib.
- Shoes off at all temples, mosques and gurudwaras; socks help on hot marble.
- Cash: carry small notes for rickshaws, shoe minders and tips. Cards and UPI work at monuments and restaurants.
- Heat: April to June is very hot; start early and keep the afternoon for indoor sights. October to March is the best season.
- Touts: ignore people who say a monument is closed and offer another tour. Your driver will tell you the truth.
- Food: ask your driver for trusted places. Bottled water is in the car.
Just landed? Read our Delhi airport arrival guide to plan your first day.
How to Book Your Delhi Sightseeing Taxi
- Send us your date, hotel and number of travellers on WhatsApp or through our enquiry form.
- We confirm the car and the price, and send your driver’s name and phone number before the tour.
- Your driver meets you at the hotel lobby or airport arrival gate. No advance online payment is needed for local sightseeing.
Many guests keep the same driver after Delhi for a same day Agra tour, a same day Jaipur tour or the full Golden Triangle tour with English-speaking driver.
Ready to explore? Book a cab for local sightseeing in Delhi from ₹1,800 for 8 hours / 80 km.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a cab for local sightseeing in Delhi?
With Tourist Driver India a Maruti Dzire sedan is ₹1,800, a Toyota Rumion ₹2,500, an Innova Crysta ₹3,000 and a Tempo Traveller ₹6,500 for 8 hours / 80 km of Delhi local sightseeing. Toll, parking and monument tickets are extra.
Is 8 hours enough to see Delhi by car?
Yes, for the main sights. In 8 hours you can cover Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Qutub Minar or the Lotus Temple. For museums or Akshardham, plan a second day.
Which is the best day for Delhi sightseeing?
Tuesday to Saturday. On Monday the Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Akshardham and most museums are closed, and on Sunday many Chandni Chowk shops stay shut.
Can a foreigner hire a taxi with driver for Delhi sightseeing?
Yes. Most of our Delhi local sightseeing guests are foreign tourists. You only need to send your hotel, date and number of travellers; carry your passport for monument tickets.
Can I book a Delhi sightseeing cab directly from the airport?
Yes. Your driver can meet you at IGI Airport and start the city tour straight away with your luggage locked in the car, then drop you at your hotel.
Is Uber or Ola cheaper than a local sightseeing cab?
For one short ride, yes. For a full day with eight or nine stops, a fixed 8 hrs / 80 km cab usually costs about the same, and the car and driver wait for you at every monument.
