The Safety of New Delhi for Backpackers and Explorers

NEW DELHI

If your first Google/ GPT query is “Is New Delhi Safe?”, you’re exactly where you need to be!

We’re drawing from 2024–25 sources, as of June 2025, and leaning on solo (hello, me, Jack 👋) experiences in key neighbourhoods like Connaught Place, Old Delhi, South Delhi, and areas around New Delhi Railway Station (spoiler: that one’s intense). We cover transport, local culture, and practical safety tips to help you explore Delhi's architecture & history with confidence. Whilst no travel can ever be guaranteed safe, we can up our safety by a bit of preperation and prior knowledge and thats what I am going to help with. 

NEW DELHI SAFETY QUICK-FIRE ROUND

• Air pollution & heat: Delhi can be smoggy and polluted and ironically whilst it is one of the most green cities in the world; there is no denying sitting in an open sided rickshaw tucked up tight behind a desil guzzling bus, I felt like I could taste carsonogenics. An immidate tip is to get a buff or a face mask and wear it unashamidbly!

• Summer heatwaves can reach 45 °C+; plan outdoor exploring in early morning/evening. I made a huge mistake of heading to Humayans tomb on a day that my weather app said 42° feels like 47°! There was a tap on the site but I made the huge mistake of not taking my filter bottle with me so ended up waiting for around 30 minutes to get to the tap, only to pour the water over my head in an attempt to cool my body temperature. I layed in the shade for a while and waited to get the footage I needed. If you watch my video on exploring Humayans Tomb, (release date July 5th) you will notice I am not smiling a lot, and that is because I was wondering if I was going to need some serious help! In fact you will notice I am sitting on the floor when I introduce the building, thats becuase of the heat! Truethfully, my advice would be, avoid the summer months!

• Tap water: Avoid it. Stick to bottled/filtered water, skip ice unless sure it has been bought in in bags. Water can be a cause of Delhi Belly, not necessarily the food, you need to be smart with both. 

• Railway station crowd risk: A tragic footbridge crowd crush in Feb 2025 killed 18 and injured 15, avoid peak times and overcrowded platforms. If you are going to end up at the station, its worth doing a reccy before going when you are more relaxed and have no bags (beware with your wallet and phone though).

• Road safety: Chaotic vehicle traffic; thousands die each year, use metro or app-hails, be super cautious when crossing roads I learnt the hard way that you need to check both ways EVERY SINGLE TIME, even if it is a one way as scooters and rickshaws go the wrong way down the road ALL THE TIME. In chandigarh scooters would even mount the bike paths and ride down them. At night I was minding my own business listening to a podcast when a scooter passed inches away from me (on the pedestrian path), it had no lights on, second lesson always keep one ear phone out because even when there are clear rules, they are just simply not followed. 

• Petty crime: Pickpocketing/bag-snatching is common in busy markets and transits, if you are in markets makesure you have a Maxtop or a Pacsafe Crossbody Bag I tend to keep things in my day bag, locked and carry it on my front in busy areas!

• Scams & touts: Expect overcharging (check uber for fair prices from rickshaws and taxis), fake guides in tourist spots do not go into a shop front place (it can be part of the sca, as your hotel or hostel who to book through and for an idea of costs, they are your best resource to a fair and safe vendor. Jumping into a random taxi on arrival from airports, trains or on the streets can lead to being taken in the wrong direction and asked for additional money or being dropped off outside the wrong hotel and told this is better and you need to stay here (see above on letting your hostel or hotel know your arrival time)

• Women’s safety: Use women-only metro coaches (front or back) men are fined for entering these carriges, stay well-lit/avoid deserted areas at night, pepper spray optional (buy after arrival), share rides' details and expected time of arrival with friends and always let them know where you are and what you are doing.

• Civil unrest: Protests happen occasionally, keep an eye on local news and avoid those areas.

1. Connaught Place & Central Delhi, Safety Overview

This buzzing commercial heartland is generally safe with heavy surveillance and police presence. Great for walking tours, architecture spotting, cafés, bars, and metro rides. The biggest thing you will encounter here is a world of people asking for photos. If you have ever wanted to feel like a celebrity, this is a good spot for it. One thing to note. I have been told these photos can also be ploys for a pick pocket to get you, so makesure you have your items on you safely. One other things ti note at India gate, you will not be allowed into the general area with a rucksack.

Pro tips:

• Keep bags zipped and valuables out of sight in crowded areas.

• Use pre-booked Uber/Ola; always verify plate and share ride details

• Visit early to avoid crowds and heat, especially at monuments.

2. Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid); Caution Zone

Chaotic, colourful, and full of energy; and also prime for pickpockets and scams. Best to go for guided walking tours and stay alert or super early when it is quiet.

Safety tips:

• Hire official guides (again talk to your hotel or hostel)

• Keep valuables close (crossbody bag or money belt).

• Avoid accepting food/drinks from strangers 

3. South Delhi (Hauz Khas Village, Greater Kailash, Saket) – Safer & Chic

Upscale, quieter, with easy metro access. Ideal for architecture fans and foodies.

Highlights:

• Good metro connectivity; stick to app-hails at night.

• Safe cafés, restaurants and lively communities .

• Dress modestly and still remain alert.

4. New Delhi Railway Station Area; High Alert

Following the Feb 15 footbridge crush, major safety upgrades have happened but avoid peak travel times and overcrowded platforms. Its worth noting this was due to people coming to and from a festival so make sure there are no popular festivals taking place when you travel. 

Tips:

• Arrive early, stay at platform centre, avoid footbridge edges.

• Use metro or booked taxis for station transfers.

5. Paharganj & Budget Backpacker Zone; Mixed Bag

Many backpackers stay here; lively but infamous for petty crime, touts, and scams.

Advice:

• If you stay, pick a well-reviewed hostel and avoid late-night walks alone 

• Safer options: Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, Saket. I stayed at Joeys in Laxmi Nagar and felt safe. Its not the nicest hostel in the world but the staff were welcoming and very informative, it was clean and close to the Metro.

• Safer options for those with a better budget are hotels like Two Green Park in the more affluent area.

6. Transport: Be Metro Smart

• Delhi Metro: Clean, safe, women-only coaches, great for sightseeing routes

• Uber/Ola: Reliable; always share ride with someone, verify car details

• Avoid autos/tuk-tuks at night, unless metered and well-lit or in groups.

• Trains: Book AC-class; avoid boarding moving ones

7. Health & Pollution

• Air quality: Carry N95 masks in winter; avoid long outdoor sessions during smog season.

• Heatwaves: May–June extremes demand early/late outings; stay hydrated.

• Food & water: Choose reputable, busy eateries; bottled water only, no ice

• Healthcare: Good hospitals available; Apollo, Max, Fortis.

8. Culture & Women-specific Advice

• Dress code: Cover shoulders/legs; avoid tight/revealing clothes. One friend said to me she wore more clothes than anywere else in here life and still felt naked!

• Women travellers: Share itinerary, use women-only metro cars, for late outings stay in groups and go home with the group; carry pepper spray if it makes you feel safer, unwanted attention can be common.

Delhi's 2025 Safety Stats Snapshot

• Crime dropped in Jan 2025 vs previous years: attempted murder, robbery, snatching, molestation all saw declines

• Road fatalities also slightly down but transportation remains one of Delhi's biggest safety risks.

Essential Delhi Safety Kit

• N95 mask + lightweight scarf/ buff

• Anti-theft/crossbody backpack or money belt

• Prepaid local SIM or eSIM with data

• Phone battery bank + live location sharing

• Pepper spray (buy on arrival)

• TSA-style luggage locks

• Travel insurance covering accidents & health, I use Safety Wing

Bonus Tips for Architecture & History Lovers

• Book guided walking tours: India Gate, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar; safer and richer in context.

• Visit early at dawn or later in afternoon; avoid crowds, heat and smog.

• Download Metro/Delhi Police apps.

• Monitor local news (like anti‑pollution alerts or protests) before heading out.

Summary Takeaway

New Delhi can be chaotic, inspiring, and architecturally spectacular; but it requires respect, planning, and awareness. Between metro rides, guided tours, and shielding from smog or heat, you’ll unlock a genuinely immersive experience. Stay smart, include these safety layers, and dive into the city's soul.

Enjoy discovering Delhi’s incredible history and architecture; and let me know how your journey unfolds! Also if you have advice for fellow explorers please feel free to drop a comment on the 'New Delhi Travel Safety Blog'