3 Days in India: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Three days in India is just enough time to dive into Delhi, combining Mughal-era monuments, bustling bazaars, and modern neighborhoods into one efficient India travel plan. This India 3 day itinerary keeps sightseeing tight, transport simple, and meals memorable—with clear budgets and logistics for every type of traveler.

In this guide, you’ll follow a day-by-day India itinerary focused on New Delhi and Old Delhi, which together give a strong first taste of the country’s history, food, and daily life. You’ll explore UNESCO-listed sites like Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, haggle (gently!) in Chandni Chowk, and unwind in leafy South Delhi cafes.

To make tracking rupees easier, the Hello app lets you log expenses in multiple currencies, split costs with friends, and scan receipts in any language, so you always know how your India travel plan is tracking against budget. Combined with a Hello eSIM for India, you can land already connected, book rides, and navigate metro routes from the moment you arrive.

Daily sections below include:

• Suggested morning, afternoon, evening activities
• Realistic 2026 price ranges for food, transport, and entrance fees
• Neighborhood tips so you know where to stay and eat
• Budget snapshots for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers

Use this as a plug-and-play India trip planner, then tweak times or restaurant choices to match your pace.

Day 1 in Delhi is all about Old Delhi’s chaotic charm—spend the morning at the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, the afternoon riding rickshaws through Chandni Chowk, and the evening tasting classic North Indian dishes while recovering from jet lag at a comfortable restaurant nearby.

Morning (8:00–12:00) – Arrival and Old Delhi highlights
Try to land in the morning so you can drop bags and dive straight into your India itinerary. A prepaid taxi or app-based cab from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Paharganj or Connaught Place is about ₹500–800 (US$6–10 in 2026). The Airport Express Metro to New Delhi Station costs around ₹60 (US$0.75) and takes ~20 minutes. Many first-timers stay near Connaught Place or Paharganj for easy access to Old Delhi.

Head to Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Old Delhi, a UNESCO site that showcases Mughal power. Entry for foreign visitors is roughly ₹600 (about US$7) according to India’s Ministry of Culture fee schedules. From there, walk or cycle-rickshaw (~₹50–100) to Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques. Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is essential.

Afternoon (12:00–17:00) – Chandni Chowk & markets
For lunch, try a thali or butter chicken with naan at a mid-range restaurant near Jama Masjid for ₹400–700 (US$5–8). Then wander Chandni Chowk’s lanes—visit Paranthe Wali Gali for stuffed parathas (₹80–150 each) and Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market. A short metro ride from Chandni Chowk to Rajiv Chowk costs around ₹20 (US$0.25).

Use the Hello app to record each cash purchase—its AI receipt scanning and multi-currency tracking make it easy to see how your first-day spend compares with your India trip planner.

Evening (17:00–21:00) – Dinner and early night
As sunset approaches, head back toward Connaught Place. A casual dinner at a well-known North Indian restaurant will cost:

• Budget: local dhaba-style meal for ₹150–250 (US$2–3)
• Mid-range: sit-down restaurant for ₹600–1,000 (US$7–12)
• Luxury: upscale hotel restaurant, ₹2,000+ (US$25+)

Approximate daily budget (Day 1)

• Budget: US$40–60 (hostel/guesthouse, metro/rickshaw, street food)
• Mid-range: US$90–140 (3-star hotel, taxis, restaurant meals)
• Luxury: US$220–300 (5-star hotel, private driver, fine dining)

Day 2 in Delhi focuses on New Delhi’s grand avenues and UNESCO-listed monuments—visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and the Lodhi Garden area, balancing India’s deep history with peaceful parks and modern cafes in South Delhi.

Morning (8:00–12:30) – Humayun’s Tomb & Lodhi Garden
Start with Humayun’s Tomb, often called a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Foreign visitor tickets are roughly ₹600 (about US$7) per Archaeological Survey of India guidelines, with opening hours from sunrise. From Connaught Place, a cab here should cost ₹200–300 (US$2.50–4) depending on traffic.

Next, head to Lodhi Garden, a favorite with locals for morning walks among 15th-century tombs. Entry is free and it’s a great place to experience everyday Delhi life. Grab brunch at a nearby cafe in Khan Market—expect ₹500–900 (US$6–11) per person for coffee and a light meal in 2026.

Afternoon (13:00–17:00) – India Gate & museums
Take an auto-rickshaw or cab to India Gate and the surrounding government buildings. An auto from Khan Market to India Gate is usually around ₹80–120 (US$1–1.50). Stroll the boulevard, then consider a museum like the National Museum or the National Gallery of Modern Art; many national museums have foreigner tickets around ₹500–700 (US$6–9).

Evening (17:00–21:30) – Qutub Minar & South Delhi dinner
Late afternoon, head to Qutub Minar in South Delhi, another UNESCO site. Entry fees for international visitors are also approximately ₹600 (US$7). According to India’s Ministry of Tourism, Qutub Minar is one of Delhi’s most-visited monuments, often open till early evening, so aim to arrive by 16:30.

Finish in Hauz Khas Village or Saket for dinner and nightlife. A mid-range dinner with drinks is around ₹1,000–1,800 (US$12–22) per person. Use Hello’s expense splitting to divide the bill in rupees among friends, even if you track your base currency in USD, EUR, or GBP.

Approximate daily budget (Day 2)

• Budget: US$45–65 (metro, a couple of monument fees, simple meals)
• Mid-range: US$100–160 (taxis, cafes, multiple museums, nice dinner)
• Luxury: US$250–320 (private driver, premium restaurants, cocktails)

Day 3 in this India 3 day itinerary is your flexible buffer—shop for souvenirs, visit a modern temple like Akshardham or Lotus Temple, and spend the evening in a favorite neighborhood before heading to the airport or your next India destination.

Morning (8:30–12:30) – Temple visit & neighborhood walk
Depending on your interests, start at Akshardham Temple or the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í House of Worship). Both are free to enter but have security rules and fixed opening hours; Akshardham prohibits phones and cameras inside, so check locker fees on arrival.

To reach Akshardham from Connaught Place, the metro ride (Blue Line) costs roughly ₹30–40 (US$0.40–0.50). Guidebooks note that Delhi Metro carried over 5 million passengers per day in recent years, making it one of the busiest and most reliable ways to get around the city.

Later, explore Greater Kailash (GK) or Karol Bagh for a more local shopping feel. A light brunch in South Delhi—think dosa or chole bhature—runs ₹200–400 (US$2.50–5) at popular local spots.

Afternoon (13:00–17:00) – Shopping and cafes
Dedicate a few hours to Dilli Haat or Janpath Market for handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry. Entry to Dilli Haat is usually a small fee (around ₹30 for Indian nationals and higher for foreigners, often under US$1–2). Lunch at Dilli Haat’s food stalls, which represent Indian states, may cost ₹250–500 (US$3–6).

Evening (17:00–late) – Farewell dinner & airport transfer
For a final Delhi dinner, return to a favorite area: Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, or Aerocity near the airport. A cab from central Delhi to the airport in evening traffic can be ₹500–900 (US$6–11). According to Delhi traffic data cited by local transport authorities, allow at least 60–90 minutes during peak evening hours.

Log your last expenses in the Hello app so you can review a clean summary of your total 3-day India travel plan, including accommodation, food, and transport.

Approximate daily budget (Day 3)

• Budget: US$35–55
• Mid-range: US$80–130
• Luxury: US$220–280

Three days in Delhi can cost anywhere from about US$120 for strict backpackers to over US$800 for luxury travelers, depending on where you stay, how you move around, and how many paid attractions and elaborate meals you include in your India travel plan.

Where to stay for a 3-day India itinerary in Delhi
For most first-timers, three areas work particularly well:

• Paharganj – budget guesthouses, close to New Delhi Railway Station and metro; busy and chaotic.
• Connaught Place (CP) – central, walkable, mixed mid-range and business hotels.
• South Delhi (Kailash, Haus Khas, Saket) – quieter, greener, easy access to monuments and cafes.

Here is a simple comparison table to help you plan your India 3 day itinerary budget:

According to India’s Ministry of Tourism, international tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million pre-pandemic, with Delhi acting as a major entry hub, so you’ll find options at every price point.

Use the Hello app’s budget tracking to set a 3-day spending limit (for example, US$300 for mid-range), then let its AI categorization automatically sort your expenses into accommodation, food, and transport.

Getting around:

• Metro: Clean, efficient, typically ₹20–60 (US$0.25–0.75) per ride.
• Auto-rickshaw: Often ₹80–200 (US$1–2.50) for short hops—agree the fare or insist on the meter.
• App-based cabs: Variable by surge, but usually US$2–8 for cross-city rides in 2026.

The easiest way to keep your 3-day India itinerary running smoothly is to arrive with mobile data and a simple system to track every rupee—Hello combines both with eSIM connectivity and smart expense tools tailored to real-world travel.

Hello eSIM for India
Instead of hunting for a SIM card after a long flight, you can install Hello eSIM for India before departure, then land already connected for maps, ride-hailing apps, and translation tools. Plans start from 5GB with instant activation, and prices update live in the Hello app and on Hello’s India eSIM page.

Because India’s cities are dense and traffic conditions change quickly, having data from the moment you exit the airport makes a big difference: you can compare taxi vs. metro time, check monument opening hours, and re-route if a street is blocked—all without hunting for Wi‑Fi.

Expense tracking that fits real India travel
India is still largely cash-based in smaller shops and markets, which makes tracking costs more challenging. The Hello app helps by offering:

• AI receipt scanning for paper bills in any language or currency
• Voice expense entry when you’re in a rush (e.g., “auto-rickshaw ₹120 to Qutub Minar”)
• Multi-currency tracking with automatic exchange rates, so you can see everything in your home currency

If you’re traveling with friends, Hello’s expense splitting lets each person pay in their own currency while the app handles conversions, which is particularly handy for shared taxis, day tours, or big dinners.

Most travelers can comfortably see Delhi’s major highlights in three days by focusing on Old Delhi, New Delhi’s monuments, and a few key markets—this Q&A covers the most common questions people ask when building an India 3 day itinerary around the capital.

Q: Is 3 days enough for India?
A: India is huge, but 3 days in Delhi is a realistic first taste, especially if you’re stopping over en route to other destinations like Japan or Thailand. You won’t see everything, but you can cover Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and India Gate.

Q: How much money do I need for 3 days in Delhi?
A: For 2026, a typical range is:

• Budget travelers: about US$120–180 total
• Mid-range travelers: about US$250–400 total
• Luxury travelers: US$700+ if staying in top-end hotels

These estimates match the daily breakdowns above and assume you visit several paid monuments and eat out for most meals.

Q: Is Delhi safe for solo travelers?
A: Most visitors complete trips without issues. Standard big-city precautions apply: use registered taxis or app-based rides, avoid very dark areas late at night, dress modestly at religious sites, and keep valuables secured. According to Indian tourism statistics, Delhi sees millions of foreign travelers annually, including many solo visitors.

Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance?
A: For most Delhi monuments, you can buy tickets on-site, though some now offer online booking to skip queues. Weekends and Indian public holidays can be busier, so starting early is smart.

Q: Do I need constant internet in Delhi?
A: While you’ll find Wi‑Fi in many hotels and cafes, having mobile data through an eSIM from Hello makes it easier to navigate the metro, order cabs, and keep your India travel plan updated in real time.