New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) — Complete Passenger Guide

New Delhi Railway Station handles close to half a million passengers every single day, making it one of the busiest stations anywhere in Asia. If you're arriving here for the first time, the sheer chaos can feel overwhelming — but once you understand the layout, getting around is surprisingly straightforward.

Station Layout and Platforms

NDLS has 16 platforms numbered 1 through 16. Platforms 1–9 are on the Paharganj side (the older side), and platforms 10–16 are on the Ajmeri Gate side. The two sides are connected by foot overbridges and a subway (underground passage) near platform 8.

Here's a quick orientation:

Side	Platforms	Nearest Exit	Landmark
Paharganj Side	1–9	Gate 1 (Main Gate)	Paharganj Market, Main Bazaar Road
Ajmeri Gate Side	10–16	Gate 2 (Ajmeri Gate)	Ajmeri Gate, New Delhi Metro Station

Most long-distance trains from the south and west arrive at platforms 1–9. Shatabdi and Rajdhani services frequently use platforms 5–8. The Gatimaan Express to Agra typically uses platform 1 or 2.

Getting to NDLS

By Metro

New Delhi Metro Station is on the Yellow Line and is directly connected to the Ajmeri Gate side via a covered walkway. If your train is on platforms 1–9, you'll need to cross over using the foot overbridge — budget an extra 10 minutes for this.

The metro station has two exits: Exit 1 leads toward Connaught Place, and Exit 3 leads directly to NDLS Ajmeri Gate side.

By Auto/Taxi

Prepaid auto and taxi booths are outside both Gate 1 (Paharganj side) and Gate 2 (Ajmeri Gate side). Typical prepaid rates:

• NDLS to Connaught Place: ₹30–50 by auto
• NDLS to IGI Airport Terminal 3: ₹350–450 by taxi
• NDLS to Old Delhi Station: ₹60–80 by auto

App-based cabs (Ola/Uber) pick up from the designated area outside Gate 2. The Paharganj side gets extremely congested, so if you're booking a cab, the Ajmeri Gate pickup point is much smoother.

By Bus

DTC buses stop on both Chelmsford Road (Paharganj side) and Ajmeri Gate Road. Routes 505, 522, and 729 connect to major Delhi destinations.

Facilities Inside the Station

Waiting Rooms and Lounges

The AC waiting room is on platform 1, first floor — you need a confirmed ticket for the same day to enter. The upper-class waiting room (for 2AC/1AC passengers) is also on platform 1 but has separate access. Both have charging points and clean washrooms.

The Executive Lounge run by IRCTC is near Gate 1, above the food court. It costs around ₹150–200 for a few hours and includes WiFi, refreshments, and comfortable seating. Honestly worth it if you have a long wait.

Food Options

The Paharganj side food court (near Gate 1) has stalls serving everything from South Indian dosas to Punjabi thalis. A decent meal costs ₹80–150. The Jan Aahar stall on platform 1 sells subsidized meals for ₹20 — basic but filling.

For something better, step out to Main Bazaar Road in Paharganj where you'll find dozens of restaurants. Sita Ram Diwan Chand (famous chole bhature) is a 5-minute walk from Gate 1.

WiFi

RailWire free WiFi is available throughout the station. Connect to the "RailWire" network, enter your phone number, verify via OTP, and you get 30 minutes of high-speed access. The signal is strongest on platforms 1–5 and near the main concourse.

ATMs and Essentials

SBI and PNB ATMs are inside the station near platform 1. There's also an ATM cluster outside Gate 2. A pharmacy is available on platform 1 near the first aid room. The station master's office is between platforms 8 and 9.

Navigation Tips

Tip 1: Check which side your platform is on before entering. If you enter from Paharganj (Gate 1) and your train is on platform 14, you'll waste 15 minutes crossing over. The display boards outside both gates show platform assignments. Tip 2: The subway between platforms gets extremely crowded during peak hours (7–10 AM and 5–8 PM). Use the foot overbridge near platform 5 instead — it's longer but far less packed. Tip 3: Porters (coolies) wear red uniforms and have numbered badges. Official rates are ₹40–50 per bag, but negotiate before they pick up your luggage. Don't follow anyone who isn't wearing an official badge. Tip 4: If you're catching an early morning train, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. NDLS platforms are long, and finding your coach position takes time. Coach position charts are displayed on yellow boards at both ends of each platform.

Cloak Room and Left Luggage

The cloak room is on platform 1, near the Paharganj exit. Rates are ₹30 per item for the first 24 hours and ₹40 per item per day after that. You need a valid train ticket to deposit luggage, and bags go through an X-ray scan. The cloak room operates from 4 AM to midnight.

Nearby Accommodation

If you need to spend a night near the station:

• Paharganj (Gate 1 side): Budget hotels from ₹500–1500/night. Main Bazaar Road is backpacker central.
• Connaught Place (1.5 km away): Mid-range and upscale hotels, reachable by metro or auto in 10 minutes.
• Retiring rooms inside the station: Available on platforms 1 and 9. Book through IRCTC or at the counter. AC rooms cost ₹800–1200 for 12 hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't confuse New Delhi (NDLS) with Delhi Junction/Old Delhi (DLI) or Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM). These are three different stations, each several kilometers apart. Always double-check your station code on your ticket.

Don't buy food or chai from random vendors walking on tracks between platforms — stick to stalls with IRCTC or FSSAI signage.

For live train tracking and PNR status while at NDLS, IndianRail.app works well even on the station WiFi. You can check platform assignments and real-time delay updates without fighting through the crowd to read display boards.

Accessibility

NDLS has elevators on platforms 1, 8, and 16. Battery-operated vehicles (golf carts) are available for elderly passengers and those with disabilities — ask at the station manager's office or call 139. Wheelchair ramps exist at both main entrances, though the Ajmeri Gate side ramp is smoother and better maintained.

Final Thoughts

New Delhi Railway Station is not glamorous. It's loud, crowded, and perpetually under some form of renovation. But it connects you to practically every corner of India, and once you figure out the Paharganj-vs-Ajmeri-Gate divide, navigating it becomes second nature. Give yourself buffer time, keep your belongings close, and you'll be fine.