Red Fort: A major tourist attraction in New Delhi, India

The Red Fort declared UNESCO’s World Heritage Site is a must visit place in Delhi, India. The Indian Prime Minister hoists here the national flag “Tri Color” every year on Independence Day.

The Red Ford in New Delhi India is a must visit place to those who love learning from history and culture. This historic monument is located in the Central Zone of India's capital New Delhi and houses number of museums. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648, the palace is now UNESCO's World Heritage Site and centre of attraction for national and international tourists. Its walls are built of red sandstones and hence, the name derived.

Travel Tips

Reaching to Red Fort is no big deal. You can reach to here directly from Air Port / Railway Station / Bus Station by taking a city bus, in a taxi or auto rickshaw. Metro Rail is the quickest and cheapest way to reach to from any part of Delhi / New Delhi. Tourists can bring Cameras.


Distance from Airport: 24 Kms
Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Closed On: Monday
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 (Indians), Rs. 250 (Foreigners)
Photography: Nil (Rs. 25 for video filming)
Sound & Light Shows: 6pm onwards in English and Hindi
Ticket for Sound and Light Show: Rs 80 (Adults), Rs. 30 (Children)
Time Required: 1-3 Hrs

Planning to visit Red Fort? That's great. I am sure you will love watching India's heritage, art & craft, and culture and learning for its history. DO NOT visit Red Fort on 14th and 15th August. The Fort is closed for visitors on these dates for Independence Day celebrations. However, if you are lucky to be here on 15th August must join us at the Red Fort for Independence Day celebrations.

How to Reach

You can reach to India Capital New Delhi through all means of transport i.e. Air, Rail and Road from all major cities on the globe. Since Red Fort is situated in Central Zone of Delhi hence accessible from all parts of the city through all types of transport i.e. Metro Rail, Local Bus Service, Taxi, Auto Rickshaw etc.


By Air

Are you coming from Frankfurt or New York or from another Indian state? Upon reaching to Airport in Delhi, you can hire a taxi (AC/Non-AC) or an Auto Rickshaw to reach to Red Fort. All major International Airlines connects to New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport. The domestic airport is located at a distance of 5 km from International Airport.


By Rail

The capital New Delhi is well connected to the railway network. The major Railway Stations in New Delhi are Old Delhi Railway Station and New Delhi Railway Stations. From both these railway stations, you can walk to reach to Red Fort or hire a taxi or auto rickshaw. If you are arriving at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station or Anand Vihar Railway Station please hire an auto rickshaw or taxi to reach to Red Fort. Also, you can take a ride on the city a city bus or Metro Rail.


By Bus

Delhi is well connected by road to all major cities of India. The major Inter State Bus Terminus in Delhi are Maharana Pratap ISBT at Kashmere Gate, Delhi; Swami Vivekanand ISBT at Anand Vihar, Delhi; Vir Hakikat Rai ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi. From any of the ISBT, you can take city transport like Metro Rail, Bus, a taxi or auto to reach to Red Fort. If hiring an Auto ask your driver to run the vehicle on meter instead of negotiable rates.


Warning:

1. While traveling during the night it's better to take public transport or taxi instead of an auto rickshaw. Beyond 8 PM traveling in an auto rickshaw is not advisable especially if you are first-time tourist and traveling alone.

2. Beware of cheats and anti-social elements. In the case of suspicions do not hesitate to Dial 100, its Delhi Police Helpline.

Activities

To enjoy the true ambiance of Red Fort, you are advised to reach in the afternoon session. One of the big benefits of choosing evening hours is you can watch Light and Sound show which is the main tourist attractions. On the other side of Red Fort lies Jama Maszid (a mosque of historical importance) and some 10 minutes walk from here will take to the home of Indian delicacies, the Chandani Chowk. You can buy anything of use here but the food is the specialty. Enjoy the variety of Indian, Awadhi, or North Indian cuisines. Go to Prathe Wali Gali and feast on deep-fried parathas, Punjabi style lassi, and Bengali style sweets or head to a Mughlai restaurant and order your favorite Kebab & Biryani.

Timings & Season

Delhi, as I know it personally from last 15 years, is neither very cold nor very hot. The city enjoys all 4 kinds of weather, winter, summer, spring, and autumn. However, for International tourists, the best time to visit Delhi is from October to March. In December / January months temperature dips to lowest but afternoons are sunny and pleasant. The best part is, during these months you get to see 3 major festivals of India i.e. Dussehra, Diwali (October / November) and Holi (March). Also, during this time of the year Delhi hosts numerous fests in drama, music, and literature. If you want to enjoy some budget stay in Delhi and sightseeing then summer months (April – June) could fit in your choice. But if you want to enjoy lush green scenic beauty in and around Delhi come during July to September months. Rainfall is moderate and not very heavy.

History

The Red Fort or Lal Quila is a historical place, a monument of National Importance and UNESCO's World Heritage Site. It's protected and managed by the Archaeological Society of India (ASI). The 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan constructed this monument in 1648. The palace was home to Akbar and the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. During the first freedom struggle, more than two – third part of the fort was damaged. The British Viceroy of India Lord Curzon (1899–1905) did some repair work. Much of the treasures were looted during Nadir Shah's Invasion of 1747 and then during India's First Freedom Struggle (1857). The Koh-i-Noor diamond, the jade wine cup of Shah Jahan and the crown of Bahadur Shah II are all currently located in London. In 1911, British Monarch visited Delhi Durbar and some parts of the monument were restored to near original shape. Upon India's Independence from British rule, on 15 August 1947, the First Prime Minister of India Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru raised the Indian Flag “the Tri Color" at Lahore Gate of Red Fort. Since then every year on Independence Day, the Indian Prime Minster raises the Indian Flag and delivers the speech to the nation from the Red Ford.