Old Delhi (DLI) Station — Heritage Railway Hub Guide

Old Delhi — officially Delhi Junction, station code DLI — is the oldest and most atmospheric railway station in the capital. Built in 1864, it sits right in the heart of Shahjahanabad, the walled city, with the Red Fort practically visible from the station entrance and Chandni Chowk's legendary food streets just steps away.

DLI handles many trains that New Delhi (NDLS) doesn't — particularly services to and from Rajasthan, Punjab, and some UP routes. With 16 platforms, it's a large station, though it feels more intimate than NDLS because of the old-city setting.

Station Layout

DLI has 16 platforms split across two sides:

Section	Platforms	Access
Main (Chandni Chowk side)	1–8	Main entrance on SP Mukherjee Marg
Extended (Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg side)	9–16	Rear entrance

The main building's heritage architecture — red brick with arched windows — is worth a glance. Inside, the station has been partly modernized with escalators and improved signage.

Getting To and From DLI

By Metro

Chandni Chowk Metro Station (Yellow Line) is about 400 meters from the main entrance. It's the most reliable way to get here. From Chandni Chowk metro, walk east toward the station — you'll see the heritage building.

Alternatively, Jama Masjid Metro Station (Violet Line) is 600 meters south.

By Auto

Prepaid auto stand outside the main entrance.

• DLI to New Delhi Station (NDLS): ₹50–70
• DLI to Connaught Place: ₹50–70
• DLI to Hazrat Nizamuddin Station: ₹100–130
• DLI to IGI Airport: ₹350–450

By Bus

DTC buses stop on SP Mukherjee Marg. Multiple routes connect to all parts of Delhi.

Old Delhi vs New Delhi vs Nizamuddin

Delhi has three major stations. Confusing them is the most common mistake travelers make:

• Old Delhi / Delhi Junction (DLI): Walled city area. Rajasthan, Punjab, some UP trains.
• New Delhi (NDLS): Paharganj/Ajmeri Gate area. Most Rajdhanis, Shatabdis, south-bound trains.
• Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM): South Delhi. Several trains to south and east India, some Rajdhanis.

They're 5–8 km apart. Always check the station code on your ticket. DLI is Old Delhi.

Facilities

Waiting Rooms

AC waiting room on the first floor, near platform 1. Confirmed ticket required. Well-maintained. Upper-class lounge for premium passengers.

General waiting hall on the ground floor. Gets crowded, especially during holiday rush.

Food

DLI's proximity to Chandni Chowk means you're minutes away from some of the best street food in India. But inside the station:

• Platform stalls: Chai, samosa, pakora, cold drinks
• Food court (main concourse): North Indian thali ₹80–120

Step outside for the real food experience:

• Paranthe Wali Gali: 500 meters — the famous fried-paratha lane. ₹50–80 per plate.
• Karim's: 800 meters — legendary Mughlai restaurant near Jama Masjid. Butter chicken, biryani.
• Natraj Dahi Bhalle: Chandni Chowk main road. Best dahi bhalle in Delhi.
• Old Famous Jalebi Wala: Right at Chandni Chowk crossing. Hot fresh jalebis for ₹30.

Honestly, if you have even 30 minutes to spare, step out and eat. The station food can't compete with what's just outside.

WiFi

RailWire WiFi available. OTP-based. Signal is better on platforms 1–8.

ATMs

SBI and PNB ATMs inside the station. Chandni Chowk main road has many more.

Medical

First aid center near platform 1.

Navigation Tips

Tip 1: DLI is in the most congested part of Delhi. Auto rides to and from the station can take twice as long as expected during business hours. The metro is far more reliable. Tip 2: The area around DLI is pedestrian-heavy, especially the Chandni Chowk side. If you're arriving by cab, you may have to walk the last 200–300 meters. Tip 3: Platforms 9–16 are accessed from the rear entrance. If your train is on these platforms, entering from the main (Chandni Chowk) side means a long walk across foot overbridges. Check your platform before entering. Tip 4: DLI gets extremely crowded during Navratri, Diwali, and Chhath. The narrow old-city streets around the station compound the chaos. Tip 5: For live platform assignments, use IndianRail.app. The display boards at DLI can be hard to read in the crowded main hall.

Cloak Room

Near platform 1. Open 5 AM–11 PM. ₹30 per bag. Valid ticket required. Drop your bags and explore Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid for the day.

Retiring Rooms

First floor. AC rooms ₹700–900 for 12 hours. Book via IRCTC.

Nearby Landmarks

• Red Fort: 500 meters — UNESCO World Heritage Site, walk from the main entrance
• Chandni Chowk: 300 meters — historic market street
• Jama Masjid: 800 meters — India's largest mosque
• Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib: 500 meters — historical Sikh gurudwara
• Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial): 1.5 km

Quick Reference

Info	Details
Station Code	DLI
Platforms	16
Zone	Northern Railway
Metro	Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line, 400m)
WiFi	RailWire (free)
Cloak Room	Platform 1, 5 AM–11 PM

Old Delhi station is inseparable from the walled city that surrounds it. It's chaotic, ancient, and alive in a way that New Delhi station will never be. If you're catching a train from DLI, build in extra time — but also build in time to eat your way through Chandni Chowk. You won't regret it.