Tips for New Delhi mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for New Delhi bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in New Delhi. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in New Delhi. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of New Delhi highlights.

What to expect when you take a bus tour around New Delhi City

When you tour New Delhi City you"ve got a lot of choice when it comes to private transport.

Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi, India

Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi, India credit: PIVISO Dominio público

New Dehli private bus and coach hire options

You are in India but also in a true metropool with all possible transport services. There are basic and VIP coaches and luxury minibuses to hire, as well as a choice of ‘car with driver’services. You can also take a trip in a local rickshaw and travel like a local. Most people skip over Delhi when they land in India but it has some fascinating sights. If you"re taking a bus tour then you"ll probably the only foreign face on the streets. So if you want to see real India then this is a good place to start. We recommend to hire a minibus and move around in small groups.

Ajay Travels Pvt Ltd 45 seats Mercedes Benz

45 seats Mercedes Benz from Ajay Travels Pvt Ltd

Attractions for your bus trip around New Dehli

This video starts with some shots of Delhi"s most charismatic attractions; the old rickshaws and the smiling inquisitive locals. Even the barefoot dirty street children are full of smiles for visitors. Lotus Temple is an engineering marvel, bettered only by Delhi"s most famous attraction; the Red Fort. Even here you"ll be bombarded with locals wanting your photograph. So why not photograph them, particularly the colourful and different ones shown at the end of this video. When reserving your rented bus make sure you’ll get local guide as well to make sure your driver can focus on route and the real Indian traffic

What to see during your tour in New Delhi with a rented minibus with driver

New Delhi is a fascinating city with world heritage sites, vibrant markets, colonial history, and fantastic food. It"s also the starting point of the famous Golden Triangle. We"ve given you some hints about what your group should include when hiring a minibus in New Delhi. Remember your bus driver is also a local guide so you can ask him what he recommends and what other groups like yours found most interesting.

15seater-tempo luxury Japji Travel

15-seater Tempo luxury minibus from Japji Travel

Vibrant Markets

As a capital city New Delhi is full of bustling markets displaying all the colours of India. Haggle for electronics, admire the multi coloured fabrics, and get talked into everything you want but you don"t need. For example try the Chandni Chowk, a 17th century market which is still one of India"s largest wholesale market. Or Dilli Haat an open air food and craft market where you can find all your souvenirs.

Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk credit: Ramón CC BY-SA 2.0

The Red Fort

New Delhi"s stand out attraction is this stunning red sandstone fort built in the 17th century. With ornately sculpted ceilings and glorious Mughal architecture you need at least half a day to really visit the many buildings and gardens. It can get packed with local tourists and school children who have come from all over the country to see the monument, so be prepared to have numerous requests for photos!

Red Fort

Red Fort credit: Luigi Guarino CC BY 2.0

Authentic Food

For most foreign visitors Delhi is the entry point to India, so you"ll become immediately acquainted with local food. Ask your bus driver for recommendations about restaurants to visit. Most curries are vegetarian and there are a hundred or so different varieties to choose from. The “Thali” is a metal tray containing a sample of a few different dishes and good for the beginner. Tell the chef your desired spice level and they will happily make it to your tastes. If you"re really brave ask for it “Indian style” and wait for the chilli to burn through your tongue.

UNESCO World Heritage

In 1193 the Qutub Minaret was the tallest building in the world. At 72.5 metres you can even spot it from the plane but it"s the intricate detail of the whole Qutub complex that"s most impressive. Hamayun"s tomb is what inspired the Taj Mahal and is completely devoid of tourists. You"ll have one of India"s most beautiful buildings all to yourself. A minibus with driver enables you to travel between the different monuments quickly.

Qutub Minar, New Delhi, India

Qutub Minar, New Delhi, India credit: PIVISO Dominio público

Sights Around New Delhi

New Delhi is the start and end point for the famous Golden Triangle, India"s most popular tourist route. On your group trip with rented minibus the following will be part of your itinerary.

Agra

The sun goes down directly behind the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal looks different throughout the day and sunset is often the best time for photos. Photo credit: Stephen Bailey

Probably the most beautiful building in the world, nobody can visit India without seeing the Taj Mahal. It"s far more breathtaking in real life than the photos. It"s best to visit at different times of the day, to see how the sun reflects differently off the white marble. You"re not the only visitor though. Watch out for the cheeky monkeys who patrol the perimeter and will make a grab at anyone carrying a samosa or pakora. Agra is around 3 hours drive from Delhi by rented minibus.

Jaipur

The Pink City is stunningly situated in the red desert of Rajasthan. What to see? Take your pick between old fort complexes, some of India"s most important temples, and regal palaces. There is no single stand out attraction and most tours allow 2 – 3 days so you can take your time experiencing the variety of architecture. Unlike the Taj Mahal, most attractions have relatively few tourists. Jaipur is around 3 hours drive by coach from Agra, and 3-4 hours drive by coach back to Delhi.

KL4_2682c - rampe Ambert Fort

KL4_2682c - rampe Ambert Fort credit: Koen CC BY-ND 2.0

Rajasthan Golden Triangle Add Ons

While New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur form a neat triangle that can be easily completed in a week, many people like to add on other destinations in Rajasthan to their group tour with rented minibus. There is the Blue City of Jodhpur, with an array of architecture similar to that of its pink relative. Or the real desert. With endless sand danes and impossible sunsets, many people head out to Jaisalmer where you can go on a camel trip and camp beneath the stars.

The tableau of Rajasthan

The tableau of Rajasthan credit: Public.Resource.Org CC BY 2.0

Read more about trips, transport, tours and bus rental in New Delhi city, or find information about sights, transport services and travel in the province of Delhi. You can receive competing quotes for bus hire in New Delhi directly by completing this quote request form. Getting offers for chauffeured coach or minibus hire inNew Delhi has never been easier!

More about New Delhi and Delhi for bus tours, tourism and travels

Read more about trips, transport, tours, taxis and bus rental in New Delhi, or find information about sights, transport services and travel in the province of Delhi . You can receive competing quotes for bus hire in New Delhi directly by completing this quote request form. Getting offers for chauffeured coach or minibus hire in New Delhi has never been easier!

More about New Delhi

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Bus tours in New Delhi