Overview
The Delhi Metro is India's largest and busiest rapid transit system, serving Delhi and its satellite cities (Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Bahadurgarh, and Ballabhgarh) with 271 stations across 374.466 km of track. As a visitor, you board at any station by tapping your smart card or ticket at the entry gate, travel on one of the colour-coded lines, and exit at your destination. The system is clean, air-conditioned, efficient, and—thanks to its extensive coverage—connects to nearly every neighbourhood worth visiting in the capital.
The network
As of 2026, the Delhi Metro operates 10 colour-coded lines with 12 branches, all of which use a mix of underground, at-grade, and elevated sections:
- Red Line (Line 1): Dilshad Garden–Rithala
- Yellow Line (Line 2): Samaypur Badli–HUDA City Centre
- Blue Line (Line 3/4): Dwarka Sector 21–Noida Electronic City, with a branch from Yamuna Bank–Vaishali
- Green Line (Line 5): Mundka–Inderlok, with a branch from Ashok Park Main–Kirti Nagar
- Violet Line (Line 6): Kashmere Gate–Ballabhgarh
- Orange Line (Airport Express): New Delhi–IGI Airport–Dwarka
- Pink Line (Line 7): Inner Ring Road line (driverless since 25 November 2021)
- Magenta Line (Line 8): Outer Ring Road line (driverless since 28 December 2021)
- Grey Line (Line 9): Dwarka–Najafgarh–Dhansa Bus Stand
The metro makes over 4,300 trips daily and had annual ridership of 235.8 crore (2.35 billion) passengers in 2025. You can also interchange with the Noida Metro, Rapid Metro Gurgaon (via shared ticketing), and the Delhi-Meerut RRTS (rapid rail).
Tickets & fares
Fares are distance-based and change on weekends and national holidays. Single journey fares (approximate):
- 0–2 km: ₹11 (all days)
- 2–5 km: ₹21 (Monday–Saturday), ₹11 (Sunday and national holidays)
- 5–12 km: ₹32 (Monday–Saturday), ₹21 (Sunday and national holidays)
- 12–21 km: ₹43 (Monday–Saturday), ₹32 (Sunday and national holidays)
- 21–32 km: ₹54 (Monday–Saturday), ₹43 (Sunday and national holidays)
- 32+ km: ₹64 (Monday–Saturday), ₹54 (Sunday and national holidays)
Ticket validity ranges from 65–180 minutes depending on distance.
Smart Card: A reloadable card with a ₹50 non-refundable security deposit. You can load ₹150–₹2,000 per transaction; the card is valid for 10 years from the last value-added date and the balance is refundable at any station Customer Care Centre. Discounts apply during off-peak hours (6am–8am, 12pm–5pm, 10pm onwards) at 20% off, and on Sundays and national holidays you receive a ₹10 discount. A loyalty reward of ₹10 travel credit applies on every ₹100 of journeys.
Tourist Cards: Available for 1 day (₹200, comprising ₹150 travel credit plus ₹50 refundable security deposit) or 3 days (₹500, comprising ₹450 travel credit plus ₹50 refundable security deposit).
You can buy smart cards and top up at station Customer Care Centres and ticket windows throughout the network. The system also accepts payment via the official mobile app and website for smart card recharge at dmrcsmartcard.com.
From the airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), the arrival point for most visitors, is connected to central Delhi by the Orange Line (Airport Express), which runs from New Delhi station through IGI Airport to Dwarka. This is the most direct public-transport option into the city centre. The Airport Express line operates as part of the main metro network, and you can purchase a tourist card or smart card at the airport for your journey.
Etiquette & customs
Delhi Metro follows several local customs and courtesies you should observe:
- Queuing: Queue in an orderly line when boarding; do not push or crowd the doors.
- Women's carriages: The metro has dedicated women-only cabins, which are particularly busy during rush hours; use them if you are a woman traveller.
- Escalators: Stand on the left side of escalators to allow others to walk past on the right (or follow the behaviour of local commuters, which may vary by station).
- Priority seating: Seats marked for elderly people, pregnant women, and people with disabilities should be vacated if needed.
- Eating and drinking: Food and drink are generally not allowed on trains; water bottles are acceptable.
- Rush hour: Peak hours are typically early morning (6am–9am) and evening (5pm–8pm); expect crowded trains during these times, particularly at major interchanges.
- General behaviour: Keep noise levels low, avoid blocking doorways, and be respectful of other passengers.
Official links
Survival terms
- मेट्रो (Metro): Subway / metro train
- टिकट (Ticket): Ticket
- लाइन (Line): Line
- प्रवेश द्वार (Pravesh Dwaar): Entrance
- निकास (Nikas): Exit
- स्थानांतरण (Sthanantaran): Transfer / interchange
- एकल किराया (Ekal Kiraiya): Single fare
- दिन पास (Din Pass): Day pass
Download a map of the Delhi Metro network before your trip or use the official mobile app to plan your journeys, which will help you navigate the system with confidence and avoid getting lost at major interchanges.