# Delhi airport (DEL) to city safely: prepaid taxi, Uber, or metro?

> Delhi's arrivals hall is one of the most-targeted for taxi scams. Here's exactly which counter to walk to and which to avoid.

- Published: 2026-07-21
- Updated: 2026-07-21
- Author: Airport Exit
- Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/blog/delhi-airport-del-to-city-safely

---

DEL is a slick modern airport — but the arrivals corridor still has more scam pressure than almost anywhere in Asia. Follow the script and you'll be fine.

## Option 1: Delhi Airport Metro Express (fastest, cheapest)

**₹60**, 20 minutes from T3 to New Delhi Railway Station. Runs 05:15–23:45. Connects to Yellow Line and mainline metro. Unbeatable for solo travellers with hand luggage going central.

## Option 2: Prepaid taxi from the police counter

Look for the **Delhi Traffic Police prepaid booth** (uniformed officer, not a private "prepaid" desk). You state your destination, pay a fixed fare, and get a slip. Give the slip to the driver only when you arrive.

- T3 to Connaught Place / Central Delhi: **₹500–650**

- T3 to South Delhi: **₹550–750**

## Option 3: Uber / Ola

Both work at DEL. Pickup is at the designated rideshare zone — follow signs from arrivals; don't try to meet at the curb. Prices are usually 20% under the prepaid taxi off-peak, similar to it in rain or surge.

## Scams to know cold

- **Fake "government tourist information"** desks in or near arrivals that tell you your hotel is closed / burnt down / overbooked and offer to drive you to a "better" one. Ignore anyone with this script.

- **Private "prepaid" counters** outside the police booth that charge triple. The genuine one is inside arrivals, staffed by police.

- **Driver "detours" claiming your hotel is closed** — call the hotel directly from the car.

See our full [DEL exit guide](/airports/del-delhi) for step-by-step.

---

Source: Airport Exit (https://www.airportexit.com). When citing, please attribute to Airport Exit and link the canonical URL above.