New Delhi Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in New Delhi.
Healthcare System
New Delhi has a dual healthcare system with both government-run and private facilities. Private hospitals offer world-class care and are preferred by most international visitors, while government hospitals are overcrowded but provide affordable treatment. Medical tourism is significant in Delhi, with many internationally accredited facilities.
Hospitals
Recommended hospitals for tourists include Apollo Hospital (Sarita Vihar, Indraprastha), Max Super Speciality Hospital (Saket, Patparganj), Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (Okhla), and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (Rajinder Nagar). Most accept international insurance and credit cards. Emergency rooms operate 24/7.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (chemists) are abundant throughout Delhi and many operate 24/7. Most common medications are available over-the-counter without prescription, often at very low costs. Apollo Pharmacy and Guardian are reliable chains. Ensure medications are properly sealed and check expiry dates. Many generic equivalents are available.
Insurance
Travel insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. Medical treatment at private hospitals can be expensive by Indian standards. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation, as air quality issues may exacerbate respiratory conditions requiring urgent care.
Healthcare Tips
- Carry a basic medical kit including anti-diarrheal medication, oral rehydration salts, and any prescription medications in original packaging
- Drink only bottled or purified water; avoid ice in drinks unless at reputable hotels
- Consider wearing a N95/N99 mask during high pollution days (November-January)
- Get travel vaccinations including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and ensure routine vaccinations are up-to-date
- Keep copies of prescriptions and medical records; bring sufficient supplies of prescription medications
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for health and safety updates
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded areas, tourist sites, and on public transportation. Thieves often work in groups and target distracted tourists.
Unmetered taxis, auto-rickshaws taking longer routes, fake prepaid taxi counters at airports, and overcharging are extremely common.
Delhi belly (traveler's diarrhea) affects many visitors due to unfamiliar bacteria, poor food hygiene, or contaminated water. Can range from mild discomfort to severe illness.
Delhi experiences severe air pollution, especially October through January, with AQI levels often in 'hazardous' range. Can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and exacerbate existing conditions.
Chaotic traffic, aggressive driving, lack of lane discipline, and pedestrians sharing roads with vehicles create high accident risk. Delhi has one of India's highest road accident rates.
Women travelers may experience unwanted staring, verbal harassment, groping in crowds, and inappropriate behavior. While most visits are incident-free, awareness is essential.
Persistent touts, guides, and vendors can be overwhelming and sometimes aggressive. Some work with shops for commissions, leading tourists to overpriced establishments.
Rare but documented cases of drinks or food being drugged, particularly targeting solo travelers, leading to theft or assault.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Taxis or touts claim your hotel is closed, overbooked, or in a dangerous area. They take you to a fake 'government tourism office' where agents pressure you into expensive tours or different accommodations that pay them commission.
A friendly local befriends tourists and eventually asks them to help export gems/textiles to their home country, promising huge profits. Tourists buy expensive fake items or get involved in illegal activities.
At airports or railway stations, scammers set up fake prepaid taxi booths near legitimate ones, charging inflated rates or issuing fake receipts that drivers don't honor.
Auto-rickshaw or taxi meters run fast or drivers claim meters are broken and quote inflated fares at the destination.
Card details are copied at restaurants, shops, or ATMs using skimming devices, leading to fraudulent charges.
Someone points out bird droppings or dirt on your shoes (often deliberately placed) and offers to clean them, then demands excessive payment, sometimes with accomplices becoming aggressive.
After taking photos at monuments, guards or officials claim you need a special camera permit and demand payment, even when you have the correct ticket.
People approach tourists with fake charity forms asking for donations to schools or orphanages, showing lists of previous 'donors' with large amounts.
Vendors or drivers give incorrect change, claiming they don't have smaller bills, or use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists unfamiliar with currency.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Transportation
- Use Delhi Metro for safe, efficient travel; it's modern, air-conditioned, and has security checks
- Download Uber and Ola apps before arrival; they're safer and more transparent than street taxis
- Always wear seatbelts in cars and helmets if on motorcycles/scooters
- Avoid riding on the roof or hanging from doors of buses, no matter how crowded
- Book airport transfers through your hotel or reputable services in advance
- Use women-only metro cars (first car) if traveling as a solo female, especially during rush hour
- Keep car doors locked and windows up in traffic to prevent bag snatching
- Avoid traveling long distances by road at night due to poor lighting and driver fatigue
Accommodation
- Choose accommodations in safer neighborhoods like South Delhi, Connaught Place, or near metro stations
- Read recent reviews focusing on safety and location
- Verify hotel booking directly with the property before arrival
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Check that rooms have working locks and keep doors locked from inside
- Know emergency exits and have hotel contact information saved
- Be cautious about inviting strangers or new acquaintances to your room
- Register with your embassy and provide them with your accommodation details
Money and Valuables
- Carry only necessary cash and cards; leave extras in hotel safe
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Keep emergency cash in a separate location from your main wallet
- Make copies of important documents and store separately from originals
- Use money belts or hidden pouches for passports and large amounts of cash
- Be discreet when handling money in public
- Have small denomination notes (₹10, ₹20, ₹50) for small purchases and tips
Food and Water Safety
- Start with mild foods and gradually try spicier dishes to allow your stomach to adjust
- Choose restaurants that are busy with locals, indicating fresh food and good turnover
- Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked and served hot
- Peel fruits yourself or choose fruits with thick skins you can peel
- Avoid buffets where food sits out, especially in hot weather
- Brush teeth with bottled water, not tap water
- Carry hand sanitizer and use it before eating
- If you get sick, stay hydrated with oral rehydration solutions and seek medical care if symptoms persist beyond 48 hours
Cultural Awareness
- Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites; cover shoulders and knees
- Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques, and some homes
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and religious ceremonies
- Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving (left hand is considered unclean)
- Avoid public displays of affection, which are frowned upon
- Learn basic Hindi phrases; locals appreciate the effort
- Be respectful during religious festivals and ceremonies
- Don't touch people's heads or point feet at people or religious objects
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card (Airtel, Jio, Vodafone-Idea) for affordable data and calls
- Download offline maps of Delhi before arrival
- Keep your embassy's contact information readily available
- Share your itinerary with family/friends back home
- Learn emergency Hindi phrases: 'Madad karo' (Help), 'Police bulao' (Call police)
- Save important contacts including hotel, embassy, and emergency services
- Use WhatsApp for free international communication over WiFi
- Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank
Personal Security
- Trust your instincts; if something feels wrong, remove yourself from the situation
- Avoid walking alone late at night, especially in poorly lit areas
- Stay in well-populated, well-lit areas after dark
- Don't display expensive jewelry, cameras, or electronics unnecessarily
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid being distracted by phones in public
- Keep a low profile and blend in as much as possible
- Have a plan for how to get back to your accommodation safely
- Consider traveling with a companion, especially for women travelers
Health Precautions
- Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation
- Bring prescription medications in original packaging with doctor's note
- Update routine vaccinations and get recommended travel vaccines
- Pack a first-aid kit with anti-diarrheal medication, pain relievers, and bandages
- Protect against mosquitoes to prevent dengue and malaria
- Wash hands frequently with soap or use hand sanitizer
- Monitor air quality daily and adjust activities accordingly
- Stay hydrated, especially during hot months and when experiencing stomach issues
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can safely visit New Delhi, but should exercise extra caution and awareness. While many women travel solo without incident, India has well-documented issues with sexual harassment and assault. The city has improved safety measures including women-only metro cars, increased police presence, and dedicated helplines, but cultural attitudes and the risk of harassment remain concerns. Preparation, situational awareness, and following safety guidelines are essential.
- Dress conservatively covering shoulders, cleavage, and knees; loose-fitting clothes are more comfortable and culturally appropriate
- Use women-only metro cars (first car of the train, marked with pink signs)
- Book accommodations in safe neighborhoods with good reviews from female travelers
- Avoid walking alone after dark; use app-based transportation instead
- Carry a charged phone with emergency numbers saved and local SIM card
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, leave immediately
- Consider joining group tours or traveling with companions
- Be firm and assertive with unwanted attention; don't worry about being polite to harassers
- Wear sunglasses to avoid unwanted eye contact and staring
- Book female drivers through apps like Uber/Ola when available
- Avoid alcohol in public or unfamiliar settings where you could become vulnerable
- Learn key Hindi phrases like 'Chodo mujhe' (Leave me alone) and 'Police bulao' (Call police)
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm to draw attention if needed
- Sit near other women or families on public transportation
- Don't share your accommodation details or travel plans with strangers
- Consider wearing a fake wedding ring to avoid unwanted attention
- Be cautious about accepting help from men, even if they seem friendly
- Save the Women's Helpline (1091/181) in your phone
- Join online communities for women travelers in India for current advice and support
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality was decriminalized in India in 2018 when Section 377 was struck down by the Supreme Court. However, same-sex marriage is not recognized, and legal protections against discrimination are limited. While this is a significant legal advancement, social acceptance lags behind, particularly outside major metropolitan areas.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection, regardless of sexual orientation (PDA is generally frowned upon in Indian culture)
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations, cafes, and venues before arrival
- Connect with local LGBTQ+ groups through social media for current information and support
- Be cautious about sharing your sexual orientation with strangers, taxi drivers, or casual acquaintances
- Delhi has occasional LGBTQ+ events and Pride celebrations; check local listings
- Hauz Kaus Village, Connaught Place, and certain South Delhi areas are more accepting
- Use LGBTQ+ travel apps and forums to connect with the community safely
- Be aware that many Indians may be curious or ask personal questions; set boundaries as needed
- Consider staying in international hotel chains that have non-discrimination policies
- Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics in conservative or rural areas
- Don't assume acceptance based on Western standards; err on the side of caution
- Save contact information for LGBTQ+ support organizations in Delhi
- Be prepared for varied reactions; some people are supportive while others may be uncomfortable or hostile
- Transgender individuals may face particular challenges; research specific resources and support networks
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for visiting New Delhi due to multiple risk factors including air pollution that can exacerbate health conditions, high rates of stomach illnesses requiring medical care, traffic accidents, and the potential need for medical evacuation. While private healthcare is excellent, it can be expensive. Insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings. The chaotic traffic, pollution levels, and food safety concerns make medical coverage particularly important.
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